President's Report 2006/7
One of the keys to a building a successful local community is active community involvement. Without broad community involvement, committee representatives are left guessing about how best to develop activities that enhance the health and well being of our local households.
ON THE PAST
The past year has been another year of building more infra-structure into the community with projects centred on making the community Hall more comfortable. Internal vertical blinds and external veranda blinds were installed to cool the westerly aspect of the hall from the heat of summer. A grant of ca. $10,400 was received from the Dept of Local Govt and Regional Development to upgrade of the power to the hall so that air conditioning can be installed later in 2007. The Shire of Waroona has allocated $7000 towards the purchase of 4 reverse-cycle air conditioning units, and we are still actively seeking from other sources, the other $7,000 of funding required. The Shire has also recently announced the allocation of ca. $12,400 to seal the car park at the hall which will further enhance our facility. Recently a storeroom extension was built to house some of the "Clifton Cwilters" equipment plus other items donated by various local people such as an indoor bowls set, and a pool table. The committee wishes to give thanks to all the local people who donated their goods and services to the construction and fit-out of the storeroom. This was a great opportunity to see again how local people are prepared to give selflessly into the local community.
On the social front, the "Sundowners group" which meets once a month for drinks and nibbles continues to go well. The "Clifton Cwilters" have once more successfully created great works of art despite the lack of heating or cooling at the hall this past year. This summer we are expecting even greater things once the air conditioners are up and running. Unfortunately, the Children's play group has recently folded but we are keen to restart this important community service in 2007/08, perhaps adding a kids club and youth group if this gets supported. Yoga classes are available Thursdays for those needing to relax and meet like minded folks, and thankfully our local doctor (Dr Randall) is still providing all of us an essential community service every Mon, Wed, and Fri at the Hall. For those who want internet broadband it has been available via satellite for the past year and I have found it very reliable and fast. For those who want to wait for other broadband options, there is the possibility of wireless broadband coming to the area soon but so far this has been elusive.
The Lake Clifton Landcare Group is always working tirelessly on behalf of the local community, helping to make the environment more sustainable for all of us. Congratulations to former President Graeme (& current Treasurer Judy) Wyatt on taking the moral high ground for the rest of the community by tackling the proposed limestone quarry near Old Bunbury Road in the Perth courts. People like this remind us of how easy it becomes to sit safely on the fringes and not be involved in local affairs. Also the Peel Area "traffic speed monitor" trailer was placed on the Perth-Bunbury highway for several weeks thanks to the work of our Roadwise representatives, and we plan to continue with this next year to help slow speeding. Local Roadwise representation helps us contribute to the safety of our community by recommending changes to things such as: local road signage, lane marking, and lighting at dangerous local intersections.
AND THE FUTURE
Although the main emphasis of the committee has been on enhancing local facilities for the community, the future thrust (for 2007/08) should be focussed upon improving the interaction level of the local community by offering new community activities, short courses, and outreach to those in need. The illustration below shows a strategy of how the Lake Clifton-Herron Progress & Sporting Association (LCHPSA) sees this happening in our community.
In the past the committee has attempted to involve others through a local newsletter and website but with a very poor response to date. More recently the committee circulated a "community survey" to over 300 letterboxes (step 1 above) to gather more local knowledge and insight. If lots of people respond positively to this initiative and come on board with the committee in 2008, it is hoped the survey data will be a catalyst to build new activities in the community (steps 2-6 above).
The following table shows the response to the recent survey taken in our area:
- All Areas
- Total Forms delivered 317
- Total Forms collected 33
- Percentage received 10.41%
The survey was taken to understand how many people in our community would like to join together to make new activities happen. Despite the fact that only 33 responses were gathered, the graph below indicates there is some limited but specific support for new activities. The bonus of doing the survey is that those who want to be involved have identified their needs, and those that wish to remain in solitude can do so as well.
The survey was taken to save valuable resources by targeting only those who wish to become more involved. By using survey data, the onus has been placed upon the interested parties themselves to start up their own groups, and run their own operations. This change of focus frees up the committee to concentrate more on their elected role of coordination and support, and it is anticipated that more people will be inclined to join the committee once they experience how this works.
I sincerely wish to thank all of the LCHPSA committee members and officers of 2006/07 for their tireless efforts to make a positive difference in our community. Remember the AGM meeting and election of 2007/08 committee and officers will be held at the Community Hall on September 16th, 2007.
In closing the year, I pray that the workers will be plenty to enable us to reap the rich harvest that is available to our community. Let's make the burden light and the load easy in 2007/08 by working together to build and enhance our joy filled community.
Trevor Wilson - President 2006/07