Minutes of the Harcourt Progress Group
Date: Wednesday 16th January 2013
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Harcourt Valley Primary School
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Present:
David Heath (chair), Annette Smith (minutes), Kelly
Aitken, JP Frappier, Jarrod Coote, Faye Hards, Melva Graham, Andy Graham
,Tyrone Rice, Peter Church, Craig Watkins, Ayron Teed, Judi Kent, Robyn
Yeoward, Robyn Miller, Donna McMahon
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Apologies:
Kay ?, Sharlene Farrugia, Glenn Menner, Jacqui Cue
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Business
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Action/ Who
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When
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Minutes
David précised the minutes of the meeting held on
19/12/2012
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Communication
Strategy
Kelly reported on the progress of the communication
strategy. The group was renamed the
“Harcourt Progress Group” as this was less clunky on the website. There is a facebook page as well and the
paper newsletter is almost finished.
Kelly distributed drafts of this.
Kelly suggested that people might like to put things of interest into
the newsletter/ website. Donna and Jacqui will follow up with community
groups, scores of various sporting teams could be included. The content of the website needs to be
constantly renewed to keep it up to date.
This could include some businesses.
It was suggested that bush walking groups could put things on the
website and it may be a way to recruit members. Also information about
walking trails. The purpose is to
expand the website and get lots of people involved.
Ideas for the Website
·
Fire awareness
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Meet a local – both old and
new
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ANA Hall
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Snake alert
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School component – junior
journalists
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Old Loners of Harcourt (Robyn
Yeoward)
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CWA recipes
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Meeting dates ,contact
details of local organisations
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Kelly
All
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ASAP
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Name of
Organisation
People were generally happy with the name
change. Kelly explained that the
longer name was quite clunky for the website.
She had emailed everyone to approve the change.
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Castlemaine
Cycling Club
Peter Church made contact with the Cycling Club
president – Deb Simpson. She said that
the club had enjoyed coming to Harcourt.
Their club calendar is not yet determined. She thanked the ANA hall for opening up and
the school for doing the catering. For
Club events it would be good to have the tavern open. These events were good for business for the
shop, but the club felt that they were imposing. Provision of food and drink is essential so
that people don’t move away as quickly.
Traditionally the club events are on a Saturday and
they are short of volunteers. They
would happily train volunteers.
The HGP has decided to offer Harcourt as a venue for
the cycling. Drinks would be made
available at the ANA hall. The CWA
will be asked to provide drinks, tea, coffee and apple juice.
Need to let other organisations know what is
happening eg – Applefest Committee – include meeting dates in newsletter
The Bress break out could also be a draw card for
Harcourt. – similar to Tough Mudder
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Ayron to talk with George Milford
Ayron to liaise with Peter Church who will contact
the cycling club
Donna to follow up information on the Bress Break
Out
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Before the next meeting
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Brainstorm
of Ideas for Activities for the Group
There is a need to identify long and short term
projects. We need some short term
projects to get some quick action.
The Tavern and Motel are a big issue for the town
Melva suggested that it could be developed as an
independent living facility. The
Abbeyfield Group is looking for a property/ land in the Castlemaine area to
develop.
A Backpacker hostel?
What do we want for the hotel?
How should it be promoted?
Could it be an opportunity to restructure the centre
of the town?
The problem is it is in private ownership. (Annette’s question – who owns it?)
The timber yard is another issue – as it is already
zoned for housing. When will something
happen?
Moved: that we contact the Abbeyfield Group
regarding the viability of the Tavern as an independent living facility.
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Melva to contact the Abbeyfield group
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Before the next meeting
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Results of
the Survey and some quick wins
There were 111 surveys returned. The BBQ shelter and a men’s shed were
possibilities for action.
The area below the ANA hall needs redesigning. Members need to come back to the next
meeting with suggestions about how to build a BBQ area. Ideas about what the group wants the area
to look like.
Moved – Craig :
That the Group contact MASC to get the ball rolling with regard to
creating a BBQ area. Seconded: Andy
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Craig to contact MASC regarding what the group would
like to do.
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Before the next meeting
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The Oak
Forest
This needs further attention. It was suggested that a public picnic for
the town could be held and then a working bee to tidy up.
Jarrod and Robyn spoke about the plans which
Landcare has for the Oak Forest. Three metal BBQ’s will go up there as well
as two basic picnic tables. There is
also a directional sign and an interpretive sign in the forest. Landcare has plans for a drop toilet.
The Oak Forest is still leased by Hancocks and will
revert to Parks Vic at the beginning of 2015. Landcare is trying to influence how it
will be handled in the future. Things need to be done before it is handed
back as Hancocks are quite happy for Landcare to do their job.
Also suggested that something needs to be done about
Mount Alexander.
Landcare needs to consider what needs to be done at
the Oak Forest and bring a plan to the next meeting.
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Robyn and Jarrod to talk with Landcare about plans
for Oak Forest
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Before the next meeting
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Final
Comment
Peter Church suggested that we need to narrow the
focus of the group as we cannot be all
things to everyone.
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Meeting finished at 9.05
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Next meeting
: Wednesday 20th February,
2013 – 7-9pm at HVPS
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