Minutes

Tuesday 5th April, 2005         Austinmer Bowling Club

 

Meeting commenced: 7.55pm

 

Present:  Greg Watts, Barbara Allen, Leila Visser, Paul Taylor, Narelle Nelson, Pia Angelucci, Warren Wade, Steve and Shelley Melchior, Gail and Ken Green, Scott Smith, Bob and Fran Grover, Keith O’Connor and John Roach (Austinmer Bowling Club).

Apologies: Coleen and Barry Ahern, Tracey Routledge, Frances and John Vander, Graham Chegwidden, John Greenwood, Linda Arrowsmith, Darryl Bromley.

 

In the absence of president Darryl Bromley, due to a sudden urgent family health problem, Scott Smith chaired the meeting, beginning by thanking new member Austinmer Bowling Club for its hospitality as host for the night.

 

Secretary’s Report

Correspondence IN: Horizon Credit Union Feb.statement; HCU term deposit maturity notice; Australia Post postbox renewal application; ATO BAS form; invitation to a free community forum on 13th April 2005 re assistance programs for energy consumers; catalogue from “green bag” manufacturer (bags can be printed with business name etc.); catalogue from Central Business Sales; Artstate design tax invoices for a)printing of business cards and b) website-related costs.

Correspondence OUT:  Letter to Wollongong City Council re DA for market in Helensburgh, noting that NICC, as a matter of policy, does not offer support for individual DAs, but is happy for members to give support as individuals.

 

Treasurer’s Report  1. Financial Report: Balance at last meeting $20717.50; March receipts $605.17 (meals $525.00, membership $80, interest 17c); March payments $476.90 (meals $440, printing,stationery,copying etc. $36.90); balance this meeting $20845.77.

HCU account balance $2073.83; HCU term deposit $18771.94, total $20845.77.

2. Decision required re reinvestment of HCU Term Deposit. It was agreed that the principal plus interest will be reinvested for seven months at the present rate offered by HCU. (Pia reminded meeting that HCU gives NICC, as a community body, a rate 0.25% higher than its advertised rates.)

 

President’s Report (relayed by Scott on Darryl’s behalf)

  1. Re internet training:Darryl will provide a free training session at W’gong City Library for any interested member(s); is also negotiating with H’burgh Library the possibility of an evening session if there is sufficient interest among members – please notify him before next meeting if you are interested in this.
  2. Darryl met with  Sharon Bird (Member for Cunningham) at her public meeting in Helensburgh on 31st March 2005, and also in a personal meeting afterward.

 

Media Officer and Webmaster Report

  1. Scott reported that business cards have been printed, a President’s card, and a generic NICC card for use in doorknocking campaign to businesses in the local area (following in the footsteps of Ken and Gail Green’s recent efforts).
  2. Re website, Scott noted that he is working towards more content for NICC members, and also refining visual identity and branding.

 

 

Guest Speaker – John Roach, President – Austinmer Bowling Club.

John began by giving a brief outline of his work history, then an overview of the operations of the club and the challenges faced by Austinmer B.C. as well as small clubs and small businesses generally, and in the northern Illawarra in particular.

He noted the recent transformation of the club from a definitive 1930s “shoebox” into the stylish space it has become, complete with its own art gallery and facilities for providing high-class food. However, while the club’s membership has increased from 303 to 760 since the renovation / extension, its viability, like that of all clubs (particularly including all the other bowling clubs in this region), is threatened most by competition from hotels which do not require the nuisance of signing-in rituals etc.; another consideration is that the demographic of the area is changing, with the traditional mining community disappearing and a “yuppie” community taking over. Another obvious challenge is the need to get  appropriate directional signage in place as soon as possible to take advantage of hugely increased traffic flow along LHD after the bridge opening. John proceeded to exhort and encourage the NICC to maintain all possible enthusiasm and efforts to prepare for the LHD bridge opening, claiming that it will change the face of the Illawarra northern suburbs forever; a marvellous future awaits businesses, but the challenge will be to get parking and traffic flow facilities (eg Bulli Pass diversion)  into place before the opening; every effort should be made to get David Campbell and Paul McLeay working on this now. He noted that interviews were to be conducted on 6th April (tomorrow) for a full-time project officer for business development in the northern Illawarra, a position being funded for 15 months. NICC should lock this person into activities such as our proposed doorknock around local businesses. (It was agreed that a copy of our Strategic Plan should be forwarded to the club as a new member of NICC).

John finished by wishing NICC well, and thanking us for our presence at the Club.

 

General Business

Pia and Narelle reported on the Thirroul Festival. Weather was great, with huge crowds attending. Pia stated that she had never seen so many people from outside the area, and that there was a fantastic attitude about the place and the festival. All in all, it was a very successful weekend, though traffic was very heavy, especially on Bulli Pass.

 

Other Issues

1.Graffiti issue in Stanwell Park – more of a problem than in H’burgh at the moment, and reaching a critical point. It was noted at this point that the biggest issue for the northern suburbs now is the lack of police presence.

2. Second phase of the H’burgh beautification project about to start, with the cooperation of Wollongong City Council, with planting along Parkes St.

3. Ken Green observed, as a visitor, that NICC needs to follow up the Wish List with the Lord Mayor, along with the request for Council Rates relief for businesses affected by the LHD closure. (Ken acknowledged Darryl’s recent unavoidable preoccupation with family health problems, and exhorted other members to take up these council issues.)

It was noted that the proprietor of Jackson’s Hardware in Thirroul would like to accompany any delegation to the Lord Mayor re rates relief.

4.  It was agreed that the Strategic Plan needs to be shown to the new Project Officer.

5. Next general meeting will probably be at H’burgh Bowling Club(to be confirmed).

 

Meeting closed at 9.45pm, after a vote of thanks to Austinmer Bowling Club, and of appreciation for its excellent venue and food.