HELLO, the last couple of months have been busy for the Progress Association with the delayed opening of our pool due to the $700k upgrade causing much angst in our community.

I have again escalated these concerns to the MidCoast Council (MCC), in particular to the Liveable Communities Review of MCC Pools which commenced on 23 February this year (MCC Notice of Motion 43/22).

However, the longstanding issue of unactioned and irregular basic maintenance (such as mowing, cleaning, painting, repairs, etc), as well as the increasing number of delayed projects have become serious issues for Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens ratepayers, adversely impacting the liveability, wellbeing and value of our area.

These are all being well documented by the Progress Association for escalation to both our local and state governments.

Events

On the upside, preparations for our first fundraiser this year, the Masquerade Party and Comedy night are all in hand for a great fun night.

Most tickets have sold but there is still time to purchase a great seat for only $25 and support the Lions Club, Red Cross, as well as your Progress Association (call 0434 151 375).

Local favourites O’Spice will now be playing with comedy performances by radio legend Greg Hayes plus great prizes, so don a mask for fun and see you there!

Planning is also underway for next year’s Seniors Week ‘Let’s Celebrate’ Festival on Saturday 11 February 2023.

Due to the MCC upgrade of the Hawks Nest Community Hall, the Festival will now be held at the Myall Park Sporting Complex at Hawks Nest Oval – so bigger and better!

Following an onsite meeting, Scouts Australia and our local boxing club have kindly agreed to let us use the Hall for the Festival which is great!

We will be seeking volunteers to help clean up the Scout Hall so it can be enjoyed and usable for all.

Bennett’s Beach

Beachside has been improved with over 50 natives planted in Providence Bay Park by the MCC at the behest of the HNTGPA – thank you!

We are also monitoring the new toilet block installation to ensure additional showers are installed, accessible pathways and safe landscaping for all those barefoot locals and visitors walking back from the beach.

We are also working with our Myall River Art Walk Group to renew the surfside mural, noting their excellent work to date at the Lions Park Lookout, especially by local artist, Jeanette Hart.

A huge congratulations to the Tea Garden’s Lions Club President Peter Webb and all members for their very successful restoration of the Gould’s Petrel frieze lookout at the Beach.

The new lookout wall looks magnificent and is a credit to all who contributed to the re-construction, including the Myall River Art Walk Group and sculptor, Chez Rands.

Membership

Our membership drive continues upwards, and we have just over 100 members which is great with another 50 plus renewals due by mid-November – the more united voices the better.

The current Management Committee (MC) comprising Trevor Jennings (Vice President), Jeannette Hart, Sandra Bourke, Leigh Allen, Kath Verdon, Kay Jones, John Verdon, and Christian Patterson has met every month since forming in March 2022 (now seven months).

At inception, Dan Holmes who manages our Meals On Wheels (MoW) was also a Committee member but recently stepped down to best support the pending upgrade to MoW facilities.

We sincerely thank Dan for his steadfast and invaluable service to our community.

In that seven months the MC has also completed six grants, won two, with four pending and lots more to follow, all guided by our draft strategic plan.

Given the MCC’s financial constraints, grants will be the most effective means of getting things done and we will continue to submit.

The MC is also tracking twelve MCC work orders for a number of infrastructure repairs, as well as lobbying for an improved maintenance schedule.

We have also met with local Councillors, regularly attended the Southern Area Reference Group, and liaised with our State Member, Kate Washington MP and Federal Member, Dr David Gillespie MP, consistently advocating for improved infrastructure and funding for our area.

The MC is also very committed to working with other community volunteer and sporting groups with some joint initiatives in the pipeline.

Our active volunteers (we always need more!) have safely supported working bees at the Lions Lookout, TG Skate Park and Providence Bay Park to date – thank you!

We have also upgraded our Facebook site (12,165 views since March), provided members with a bi-monthly Newsletter, established a website to promote our Association and to preserve our past, and upgraded our audio-visual equipment.

Our October General Meeting was well attended, with Cr. Paul Sandilands the guest speaker.

Paul was forthright in his responses to members’ questions and has agreed to be a regular visitor.

The next day, Paul highlighted our issues with the MCC, assisting with our advocacy to date.

A similar list will be tabled as “Question On Notice” at the MCC Community Conversations Meeting on Thursday, October 27 from 6pm at the Tea Gardens Baptist Church and I encourage you to support and attend.

Finally, a Notice for our Annual General Meeting has been issued for Tuesday, 13 December 2022 at the Green Room, Hawks Nest Golf Club from 6.30pm.

See you at the Masquerade Fundraiser.

Cheers,

Bruce MURRAY, President on behalf of your Management Committtee.