Present:David Heath (Chair), Kelly Aitken, Donna McMahon,
Robin Miller, Jacqueline Brodie-Hanns, Ayron Teed, Max Murphy, Vera Hemke, Judy
Kent, Chris Walters (MASC), Peter Church, Michael Lane
Apologies: Annette Smith, Paul Mizzi, Craig Watkins
Matters arising from
previous meeting:
Incorporation
Jacqueline outlined steps
required for incorporation and suggestions for proposed name, Statement of
Purpose and membership eligibility.
Names suggested: Harcourt Progress Group, Harcourt Community
Association, Harcourt Progressive Community, Harcourt Progress Association.
Although the group wanted the community to be at the forefront of the focus, it
was felt that the Statement of Purpose encompassed this and that “progress” was
an action word.It was decided to adopt the name of Harcourt Progress
Association.
Discussion about statement
of purpose: What are we trying to
achieve: to advance Harcourt into the future; to unite the community. Craig had
flagged in an email that supporting economic growth might need to be included,
but it was felt that the broad nature of the statement incorporated this. It
was agreed to adopt the following Statement of Purpose:
The Harcourt Progress Association aims to:
·
Support and encourage initiatives which benefit and strengthen the
Harcourt community.
·
Strengthen community connections by promoting local sporting,
educational, recreational and cultural activities.
·
Encourage, support and acknowledge the role and contribution of
volunteers within Harcourt.
Membership:need to reside / own land within 20kms; beyond 20km
memberships will be considered individually on application.Controls to be incorporated
to allow for vetting by the Steering Committee, with transparency and
accountability to broader membership. Other membership criteria approved
including the statement:
There
is no joining fee for the Harcourt Progress Association but an annual
subscription of $20 per person / $10 concession is payable to ensure you are a
financial member who is able to vote and participate in decision making. Annual
memberships full due on 1st July each year.
Active
participation by all members is encouraged. The Harcourt Community Association
is facilitated by a Steering Committee elected by the members annually.
Decision making at regular meetings is made by all financial members.
It is proposed to have a
steering committee of 6 members (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and 2
executive members). The Secretary role will encompass the former public Officer
role and a quorum for decision making of 10 members was agreed. The Model Rules
requires some further tweaking and a legal analysis to ensure it complies with
legislation. At the next meeting, need to move motion to accept Model Rules,
elect Committee, authorize Secretary to incorporate group, nominate signatories
to bank account.
Peter advised that the tax
status & funding eligibility of a group can be affected by what’s contained
in the Statement of Purpose. ACTION: Peter to investigate and notify
Jacqueline.
Newsletter (Robyn)
Robyn has met with John
Ellis of Chewton Chat. CC publishes 800 copies of a 32 page newsletter each month,
200 copies are printed on the Council community photocopier and $800 is paid to
the Copy Centre for 600 copies.CC is published by the Chewton Domain Society
& the position of editor needs to be approved of by the group.CC uses
InDesign, but Robyn might opt for Publisher initially.
A request was made to allocate
training funds to pay for 2 people to attend CNAV conference on Saturday 12th
October in Frankston. MASC have $800 for training needs of community planning
group. The HPA group identified establishing a community newsletter as a key
priority and support allocating funding to this purpose. Suggestion that we encourage
a young person to attend as well.
At previous meeting it was
agreed to Council Community Grants program to secure a laptop/ scanner /
printer.
Applefest Committee (Donna)
Donnas has had very
encouraging discussions with Katie Finlay and Heather Barrett about
incorporating elements of the Harvest Festival into Applefest, including
workshops and community juicing using the bike powered juicer. Also keen to
incorporate workshops involving the CWA. Seeking to make links with tourism
providers, encouraging them to incorporate apple theme
A number of small event
fundraisers are being planned, including a jazz performance at Harcourt Valley
Winery on Melbourne Cup day and a karaoke night at the Tavern organised by
Richard Thompson. Michael Lane offered the services of local band Wood Dance
who play Mediterranean music.
Community Plan
(David)
Feedback received from Drew
Henry and Amanda from the shop – concern about reference to “boutique business”
and not enough emphasis on industry
David has prepared preamble and
inserted narrative into Plan; Jacqueline has edited and re-arranged running
order including removing some dry statistical material and limiting the plan to
“Objectives” and “Strategies”. It was felt that a more specific action plan
with named groups / individuals attached to actions and timeframes can come
next.
David read out the Community Plan
starting with his preamble. Edits were made electronically and a number of
clunky passages were identified which require re-working.
ACTION:David to add
sentence about indigenous past and importance of heritage – under Heart and Hub
vision statement
ACTION: Donna to rework
strategy item regarding upgrading the playground more generally. It currently reads:
“Install a fence around the playground.”
Discussion about the absence in
the plan about anything to do with the NBN towers which has concerned the group
in previous meetings
ACTION: Max suggested
including a statement to reflect a commitment to innovative technology which
will benefit the community as a whole.
General consensus that the Plan
is 95% complete – requires some photos, quotes from primary school kids, slight
tweaking / tightening of text. Ready for endorsement at Oct meeting; launch in
early December, combine with community Christmas celebration.
General business
Donna reported on Harcourt
meeting convened by MASC to discuss play space strategy. This is shire-wide
strategy, not specific to Harcourt, but the timing will benefit proposed
upgrade / replacement of Harcourt playground which has been identified as part
of the master plan. ACTION: Donna to check with Wayne O’Toole as MASC
representative of After the Bypass what the intention is for the upgrade of the
playground.
Mount Alexander Volunteer
Network (convened by Jacqueline) is running two workshops at Harcourt Valley
Primary School in October – one a food safety session; the other a first aid
training day.
Meeting closed at: 9.15 pm
Next meeting: 16th
October at 7pm