Minutes

Tues. 1^st February, 2005   -   Italian in the Park

Meeting commenced: 8pm

Present: Barbara and Barry Allen, Shelley and Steve Melchior, Robyn Venn, Gail and Mike Brennan, Scott Smith, Paul Taylor, Richelle Langdon, Lana Cristofellotti, Ken Green, Fran and Bob Grover, Ian Stevens, John Greenwood, Margaret and John Groom, Coleen and Barry Ahern, Leila Visser, Pauline Smith, Ronda Collins.

Apologies: Wendy Lepre, Pia Angelucci, Frances and John Vander, Graham Chegwidden, Warren and Terry (all from Chegwidden’s Solicitors), Tracey Routledge, John Noonan.

Meeting commenced with introduction to Lana and Michelle from the new Homeware shop in Helensburgh (contemporary homewares, furniture and gifts) and Pauline from the Otford Pantry (Apple Pie Shop). This was followed by a self-introduction by each person present at the meeting.

Secretary’s Report - Correspondence

In   Oct.04: Stanwell Park Newsagency/Post Office(SP NA/PO) Invoice for postage and stationery; Horizon Credit Union(HCU) Sept.statement and term investment maturity advice; ATO BAS form; Festival of Flight (FoF)proposal for NICC sponsorship of display panels; H’burgh Lions Club tax invoice for display panel sponsorship.

       Nov.04: HCU Oct. statement and term investment maturity advice; copy of letter from Paul Taylor to RTA commenting on various aspects of Festival of Flight.

       Dec.04: HCU Nov. statement; Palms Café invoice for Christmas Party; Central Business Sales advertising material re selling/buying businesses; Illawarra Area Health Services seeking donation towards children’s services.

       Jan.05:  HCU Dec.statement and term investment advice; ATO re annual GST reporting/quarterly reporting; ATO BAS form for 1-10-04 to 31-12-05; Austinmer Bowling Club application to join NICC.

Out   Oct.04: Letter to General Manager, Wollongong City Council, requesting meeting to discuss possible council rates relief for businesses affected by the LHD closure.

President Darryl Bromley now pre-empted the Treasurer’s Report by noting that Pia Angelucci ( elected at 2004 AGM as treasurer) is now unable to hold this position due to commitments unforeseen at the AGM; nominations for the position were called for, and Bob Grover volunteered to fill vacancy.

Treasurer’s Report (given by outgoing/previous treasurer, Ken Green)

Balance at last meeting (Oct.04) $19,583.69

October to January Receipts $8424.84 (meals 1885, membership 300, social function (FoF Masked Ball) 5937, interest 302.84)

October to January Payments $7586.21 (meals 1945, advertising/FoF signs 1000, social function 3518.36, printing/stat./photocopying/postage 204.85, printing members’brochure 836, Annual Return filing fees 41. GST payment 41)

Balance this meeting $20,422.32  (HCU account 1650.38; HCU Term Deposit 18,771.94)

Ken asked for a vote of thanks for Pat Cranston and function committee’s hard work which resulted in a good time and a good profit from the FoF Masked Ball in Nov.04, despite only about 80 tickets being sold. Re social functions, Darryl exhorted NICC members to give more support in the coming year.

Darryl now asked for a vote of thanks to Ken for his admirable efforts as treasurer for NICC in the complicated transition to incorporation and GST compliance.

Membership Report

Membership Officer John Vander unable to be present, but it was noted that Austinmer Bowling Club has applied for membership.

President’s Report

Re correspondence with Wollongong Council concerning Wish List and business rates relief, Darryl has followed up by organising a meeting at 2.30pm, Fri.11^th Feb., Level 9, Council Chambers,W’gong. with the acting General Manager and James Cook(Lord Mayor Alex Darling’s assistant) to discuss these matters; a small delegation from NICC would be good – please attend if interested.

Darryl also reported that the Illawarra Small Business Centre has received a Federal Grant of $180,000 for a co-ordinator for 2 yrs. to rebrand the Illawarra area; will be in touch with NICC to discuss Northern Illawarra’s needs etc.

E-mail from Coast Road Action Group re naming of new bridge and cycleway: has suggested naming cycleway “Lorraine’s Way”, in recognition of the late Lorraine Morgan’s years of contribution to, and efforts for the betterment of, our coastal area. The meeting approved Darryl’s recommendation for a letter to RTA confirming  NICC support for “Lorraine’s Way”.

It was also agreed that NICC should suggest to RTA a competition, with prize, for an appropriate name for such a significant bridge, with a cross-functional committee to judge entries.

Re bridge opening (possibly as early as Dec.05), a short brainstorming session was held to gather ideas for a grand opening function (eg a great dinner party held along the length of bridge) to reflect the importance of the bridge to the local community; responses will be correlated and discussed at coming meetings. RTA will be requested to include NICC representative in any planning for this event.

Reminder of meeting convened by RTA at Stanwell Park CWA Hall Wed.2^nd Feb. for Stanwell Park businesses to discuss local business signage, approval of proof of promotional brochure for distribution to southern and south-western Sydney, and also the concept of a “Buy Local” scheme. At request of Helensburgh members, Darryl will discuss with Ros Muston the need for a similar meeting for Helensburgh businesses.

In the context of local signage discussions and also of the “rebranding” proposed for the Illawarra, John Groom suggested a descriptive name for the region such as “Hargrave Country”, a concept which drew applause from the meeting.

Guest Speakers for 2005

Suggestions were invited for possible guest speakers and/or special pre-meeting activities for 2005 meetings, and also perhaps venues for special meetings or social nights (bearing in mind the policy of generally holding meetings at member establishments).Feedback may be directed to exec.c’tee, and esp. Barbara Allen.

Ian Stevens:ask RTA for approval to visit new platform for progress inspection, BBQ?

Paul Taylor: Would Lord Mayor sponsor a night in Council Chambers?

Steve Melchior: Speaker from Tourism Wollongong?

Ian Stevens: Advertising person to advise/help with advertising?

Guest Speaker – Barbara Allen, Picadilly Travel, Helensburgh

Barbara first described her business as catering for all sorts of travel, international and domestic. She then spoke of the effects on travel of the recent catastrophic earthquake/tsunami: noting that most of the popular tourist areas of southern Asia were unaffected or minimally/transiently affected,(and that even in Phuket there have been some positive improvements in the cleanliness of the area following the disaster), Barbara reported that the biggest problem now for people living in this region, which is heavily dependant on tourism for its economy, is the severe downturn in tourist numbers, fuelled by media misreporting in many cases and a general misunderstanding of the extent of the damage. In short, the best way for the world to help the region now is to bring in as much tourist business as possible; excellent specials are now being offered to encourage this.

Anti-Graffiti campaign

Darryl congratulated Scott Smith on his anti graffiti initiative in Helensburgh and environs. Scott reported that it appears to have been remarkably successful, with Helensburgh recently very quiet re graffiti activity. (Darryl has followed suit, painting out graffiti in Stanwell Park railway station tunnel). Council has set up “graffiti line”: will supply paint etc. We can all help – zero tolerance approach required – paint out new graffiti ASAP and the “glory” hit for the perpetrators disappears. Scott also noted the success of the current Helensburgh beautification program (roundabout plantings etc.)using Landcare and local horticulturist. John Greenwood indicated willingness to contribute towards his corner.

Other Business

Cycleway: Barry Allen suggested letter to Council re cycleway from Stanwell Park to link to new bridge cycleway,and thence to Thirroul. DB noted this has already been included in Wish List for Lord Mayor.Also noted official Council plan for walkway down from Stanwell Park, so should push to have cycleway incorporated.

Robyn Venn suggested asking Rochelle Gilmore to organise bike race.

Monthly meeting notification: Scott Smith trying to ensure everyone is being contacted. E-mail being used where possible – please check e-mails regularly.

Next meeting venue to be announced.

Social night (dinner) to be arranged to farewll Ken and Gail Green – TBA.

Meeting concluded approx.10pm.