Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Update – 25 March 2009


BAG NEWS ….


Many thanks to those community members that replied with valuable feedback regarding the considerations for a safe walking track around Mitchell. A co-ordinator for this project is needed. As a working party co-ordinator, support is provided to assist you with organising your project and your working party members. Formal meetings are not compulsory to arrange or attend, and your focus is simply on achieving your project. If anyone is interested in taking on this role, please let me know.

A copy of the Roma Regional Council’s draft Corporate Plan has been received. A representative from BAG will be attending a meeting next week, arranged by the council, to discuss this in more detail.


BAG PROJECT UPDATES ………

Dentist
The dentist working party has made a proposal to and received a favourable response from an organisation which supplies dental services to regional communities. The next step being looked at by the working party is confirming that the relevant stakeholders are happy to formalise an agreement for use of Qld Health facilities.

Child Care Centre
A proposal has now been sent to C&K asking for financial assistance for a child care centre. Will be interesting to receive their response!


GENERAL COMMUNITY INFORMATION ………

Roma Regional Council invites all community members and organisations to join with them to welcome new residents at a meet & greet to be hosted at the Great Artesian Spa for “drinks on the deck”. Everyone is welcome to come along to get to know your community and sample some local wines and produce. The event is to be held on Wednesday 1 April 2009, 5.30 pm – 7.00 pm. Please RSVP as soon as possible to Jane Fenton, RRC Events & Tourism Officer, by phoning 4624 6918 or email janef@romaregionalcouncil.qld.gov.au

Residents, Community Groups & Organisations are invited to come along and meet with Roma Regional Council staff members on Wednesday 1 April 2009 at the Mitchell Library 2.30 pm –3.30 pm, and/or at the Great Artesian Spa 4.00 pm – 5.00 p.m. Council staff members in attendance will be Nicola Sankowsky - Community Development Officer (Mitchell/Surat), Barbara Cooper - Regional Arts & Cultural Co-ordinator, and Fiona Vincent - Regional Sport & Recreation Co-ordinator. Please come along to discuss with them your or your organisation’s ideas for projects and activities that council might be able to assist with.

The Woolworths and Country Women’s Association Community Recovery Grants program provides the opportunity for community organisations to receive up to $3,000 in funding for initiatives that strengthen community and social infrastructure, and have a long term benefit to the community in areas affected by drought/dryness in rural and regional Australia. Eligible projects include upgrades to community social infrastructure, and equipment for upgrades of sporting clubs and volunteer services. Applications close on 30 April 2009. Further details available at http://www.qcwa.org.au/drought_assistance.htm .

Position Vacant: Landcare Coordinator, Mitchell & District Landcare Association. The position is based in Mitchell at the local Landcare office and is initially for a period of 12 months from appointment with possible extension of tenure subject to further funding and performance. Salary range is $38,000-$52,000 pa based on relevant skills and experience. The successful applicant will work predominantly with landholder groups to support natural resource management improvement at a property and landscape scale. Formal qualifications or experience in a rural or natural resource management field are desirable, as are group facilitation and project management skills. Applications close 5 pm Monday 6 April 2009. The position description and selection criteria can be obtained from 07 4620 4600 or AngelaB@qmdc.org.au. For further information contact Kay Cameron on 0428 171 191 or Jamie Gorry on 0427 500 182.

Until next week! :-)

Cheers,
Sharyn.

If you’ve missed an update, please visit http://booringaactiongroup.blogspot.com

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Update - 18 March 2009

BAG NEWS ….

The BAG General Meeting held last week provided an opportunity for members to receive an update on the progress of all active projects. The new structure of BAG appears to be working well, as projects are being achieved, new commercial activities are being explored, and membership is increasing. Our General Meetings are of course not the only way we report back to members and the community. This email update is currently distributed to 116 community members, with the list constantly growing. If you know of someone who would like to be added to this list, please let me know.

The members resolved to explore the commercial opportunities of leasing our river boat to other entities and defer selling at this time. Anybody looking to lease a river boat?? :-)

We welcome the Amby Progress Association as our newest member. This has been a reciprocal membership arrangement. Amby residents are advised that Community Issues Capture Forms are now available at the Amby Store, to record any local issues to bring to the attention of the BAG Management Committee.


BAG PROJECT UPDATES ………

Local walking track
BAG is looking to really progress this project and is seeking feedback from the community as to where they want a walk/cycle track around Mitchell. Safety issues, including dogs, need to be addressed. Walking and cycling is very popular in Mitchell and BAG would like to assist with the development of a safe and practical track for the benefit of the whole community.


GENERAL COMMUNITY INFORMATION ………

We have been advised that the Mitchell Main Street landscaping is about to commence and will be carried out as per the original consultative plan.

Local shop owners are charged with the responsibility of maintaining the cleanliness of the footpath in front of their shops. This is obviously in their best interest, and we encourage shop owners to keep their area of the footpath clean and free of rubbish, especially with tourist season fast approaching.

Until next week! :-)

Cheers,
Sharyn.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Update - 10 March 2009

The verdict is in, we will remain at weekly updates for the time being. Thanks everyone for your support and feedback.

BAG NEWS ….

BAG General Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month. Our March General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 11 March 2009, 7.00 pm at the BAG Cottage, Ann Street, Mitchell.

At this meeting, we will be discussing the future of the River Boat now owned by BAG. As much as this has the potential to provide a great service to Mitchell, the current state of the weir leads to the need to discuss this further to see if we should keep it or sell it.

Laura Douglas has generously donated her services to design a new BAG logo. This logo will be revealed to members at the meeting. An official launch of the logo is being planned for a networking dinner to be held in April at the Berkeley Lodge Restaurant.

We have identified the need for a computer / IT technician in Mitchell and are gathering a list of local people who can provide this service. If you can / do provide this service, or know of someone who does, please let me know.

And finally, welcome to the four new members who joined BAG last week!!

BAG PROJECT UPDATES ………

A meeting of the Child Care Centre working party was held today to finalise a proposal to see if we can source funding and other assistance from C & K to establish a new centre at Mitchell.

As a result of the feedback received from these email updates, the dentist project is making headway. The services of a fly in, fly out dentist are currently being negotiated. This will provide the community with a much needed service. This will also create a more solid foundation with which to continue to pursue a permanent dentist in Mitchell.

GENERAL COMMUNITY INFORMATION ………

Having issues with your satellite internet connection?? The Australian Broadband Guarantee (ABG) advises that people in Category C and D locations – the ABG Service Locator is available at
http://bcoms.dbcde.gov.au/BSL/Welcome.do;jsessionid=E89A41D5087CE648AF57B0B88FA97054.caosl – are eligible for upgrade of equipment or infrastructure through the ABG every 3 years. This means that if you have previously received the ABG subsidy (eg. HiBis etc) more than 3 years ago, then you are eligible to apply again for new equipment or infrastructure. There are also many other new service providers servicing our area, meaning Telstra is no longer the only option. The ABG website is http://www.dbcde.gov.au/communications_for_business/news_and_events/australian_broadband_guarantee or phone 1800 883 488.

Until next week! :-)


Cheers,
Sharyn.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Update - 3 March 2009

BAG NEWS…………..

Representatives from the Amby Progress Association attended the BAG General Meeting last month to seek advice as to how BAG and Amby Progress Association could work together for mutual benefits. Amby Progress Association is struggling with the organisational capacity to undertake the task of instigating and following up jobs to ensure continued development and maintenance for the residents of Amby. Reciprocal membership was discussed and this proposal is currently being explored. Within the Roma Regional area, Amby and other small communities appear to have lost their voice.


I’m after some feedback from you regarding the frequency of these BAG Email Updates. I’m overwhelmed with the positive way they have been received, but do you think weekly is too often? The alternative would be fortnightly. Thanks for your comments!!



** A reminder that the next BAG General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 11 March 2009, 7.00 pm at the BAG Cottage in Ann Street. **


BAG PROJECT UPDATES………………


This aerial photo of the Neil Turner Weir shows the extent of the sand deposits.














GENERAL COMMUNITY information ………….


The Australian Government has introduced the Fresh Ideas for Work and Family grants program to support Australian small businesses to implement practices that help employees balance their work and family obligations as well as improve employee retention and productivity. The program provides grants of $5,000 to $15,000 (GST inclusive) to small businesses to help meet the set-up costs of family friendly arrangements that suit the individual needs of the business. http://www.deewr.gov.au/WorkplaceRelations/FreshIdeas/Pages/default.aspx


The recently formed Breast Cancer Association Queensland (BACQ) sub-committee has begun planning several fundraising events that will take place around the district to raise funds to support the appointment of a Breast Cancer nurse in the south west. This is not a support group, but rather a social group whose aim is to raise funds to support the appointment of a Breast Cancer nurse in the region and all funds raised will come back into this area to assist women and their families right here. The feature function of the year will be the Mulga Matrons Ball to held in Charleville on Saturday 29 August 2009 at the Racecourse Complex – mark your calendars!


Roma Regional Council is offering a scholarship to one youth within the Roma Regional area to attend one of the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme voyages. A voyage on the tall ship Young Endeavour is a voyage of a lifetime. For 11 days with 23 other young Aussies aged 16 - 23 years you learn not only how to sail but how to work together as a team. You also get to see spectacular parts of Australia that many others never get to see. The successful candidate will be a youth which Council will recognise as a leader within our community who has demonstrated leadership qualities within their community and amongst their fellow peers. Nomination forms are available from Samantha Grant SamanthaG@romaregionalcouncil.qld.gov.au .


Until next week! :-)

Cheers,
Sharyn.

If you’ve missed an update, please visit http://booringaactiongroup.blogspot.com/