Update - 2 April 2009

BAG NEWS ….

Yesterday I met with representatives from Roma Regional Council at the library. I shared the feedback I had received regarding the walking track with Fiona Vincent, RRC Regional Sport & Recreation Co-ordinator. She supported wholeheartedly the work we were doing to ensure the planning included as much feedback from people who were going to actually use the track! Fiona advised that council had recently been successful in obtaining funds to undertake a Regional Sport and Recreation Plan. This is your opportunity to provide input into what you would like to see happen in our communities with regard to sporting and recreational pursuits. Fiona suggested that people start thinking about this now, so that the lots of ideas can be generated before the consultant comes out.

I also spoke with Barbara Cooper, Regional Arts and Cultural Co-ordinator. Barbara asked me to pass on to the community that if anyone has any ideas or projects they would like to pursue, with regards to Art and Culture, to please contact her.

Nicola Sankowsky, Community Development Officer (Mitchell/Surat) advised me of the outstanding number of applications received for the Council’s Community Grants and Assistance Program. She said that these would be assessed and community groups would be advised of an outcome in due course. Nicola also wished to thank local groups for their efforts to submit their applications. The next round of this program will be in September 2009.

Yesterday, Gary Birkett attended a meeting with council and other regional community groups to discuss the draft RRC Corporate Plan. A general discussion on the planning process was undertaken. The meeting had only a few suggested changes. That finishes our contribution as representative of community groups, but community submissions can still be made. Roma Regional Council residents are encouraged to have their say on Council’s Draft Corporate Plan 2009-2013. This is the inaugural Corporate Plan for Council and sets the strategic direction for the organisation over the next four years. Copies of the draft Corporate Plan can be downloaded from http://www.romaregionalcouncil.qld.gov.au/news/2009/20_mar_09_draft_corp_plan_consultation.shtml . Comments and suggestions are invited to ensure that the plan reflects the needs and aspirations of the community. All submissions are due by 5:00 pm on Friday 24 April 2009.

Council held a successful Meet & Greet evening on Wednesday 1 April for residents that have recently moved to our region. It was well supported by Councillors, Council staff, BAG and residents. The well run concept featured food and wine produced in the region and hopefully Council will have similar functions from time to time welcoming residents that move here. Attendees were supplied with a welcome pack to take away including Council information, BAG information and other data from local businesses.

AussieHost is a nationally recognised customer service training program that focuses on interpersonal communications, customer relations and service. It builds personal, professional and community pride and inspires a greater commitment to providing better service.
The AussieHost mission is to create a culture of service excellence within Australia, while contributing to every Australian’s opportunity to achieve personal, professional and commercial significance. Some people may have had some experience with the program in the past . BAG has decided to become a provider of this training. A training course to become an Aussie Host course trainer is being held in Brisbane on 21 – 22 April 2009 and I will be attending this course. If there is anyone else who may be interested in delivering this training, please contact me for further information regarding pre-requisites and costs.

We have been busy in the office this week, which explains why this email update is a bit late!, and the photocopier has been getting quite a work out. The Mitchell Show Schedules have been finalised and printed and are available from the BAG/Landcare office. There is no charge for the schedules this year.

Our community networking dinner originally planned for April is now going to be held in May, due to school holidays, Easter, Anzac Day and the other numerous events on in April.

We welcome another new member to BAG. The increase in membership is very encouraging for the Management Committee, and I think this demonstrates a strong foundation with which to grow our organisation in the future.

On behalf of the BAG Management Committee, I would like to offer our sincerest sympathy to Kent Morris and his family on the passing of his father, Neville Morris. Our prayers and thoughts are with the Morris family at this time.

BAG PROJECT UPDATES ………

Noticeboards
Our new community noticeboards have arrived! These will soon be erected on the fence between the Mitchell Bakery and Foodworks. There will be an opportunity for community groups to display their upcoming events, both regular and one off events. Details are still being finalised as to the process for this. The goal of this community events noticeboard is as a central location for all community events so that we all know what is going on, it will also allow for long term event date claimers. This will help with event organisers to reduce clashes of dates, and will also allow tourists to know upcoming events to assist with their travel itineraries!


GENERAL COMMUNITY INFORMATION ………

Mitchell Cadet Unit faces closure - The Emergency Services Cadet Program is designed for young people aged 13-16 and introduces participants to forms of emergency service related training. The program aims to instil confidence, initiative, teamwork and leadership in young people, and encourage them to participate in their local communities. The Mitchell Cadet Unit is currently in recess pending closure due to the difficulty currently being experienced by Emergency Management Queensland in finding candidates to fill a number of vacant positions within the unit. • Local Cadet Coordinator • Adult Administration Officer • Deputy Cadet Coordinator • Adult Stores Officer • Adult Instructors & Leaders. A public meeting had been scheduled in order to discuss the current position of the Cadet Unit and address the above vacancies and will be held on Tuesday 7 April 2009, 6.00 pm at the Mitchell Office of Roma Regional Council. A light supper will be provided. If you would like any further information on any of the above positions please collect a position description from the Mitchell Office of Roma Regional Council. For further information contact Jay Dobbin 4616 1531.

Samantha Grant, RRC Youth Worker, is in the process of putting together a Regional Youth Services Directory. She would like any information you may have of your own service, services offered by your organisation/s, or if you know of any services that are able to assist Youth between the ages of 12-25 years in any way, whether it be counselling, assistance, programs they are able to take part in etc. Also both referral based services and available to everyone services. Information needed for the Directory is: name of the service, its organisation, Brief spiel on the service/s (2 sentences), Postal address, Office address, Phone number & also email address if it is to the organisation (not a person). Details can be emailed direct to Samantha – SamanthaG@romaregionalcouncil.qld.gov.au

Woolworths 2009 Agricultural Business Scholarship - This course has been specially designed to be practical as well as theoretical, providing you with the chance to apply best practice ideas to your own real life experiences. You'll also learn from some of the country's leading experts in business management and gain a deeper understanding of how the retail business actually works. During the 12 day course you will hear from lecturers from the University of Western Sydney and Woolworths business leaders. Based at the Woolworths support office in North-West Sydney, you will gain a broad academic perspective on business and address key issues facing the agricultural industry today. The program will cover the following topics: Retail market trends and influencers, Business strategy and planning, Successful business leadership, Business finance, Logistics and supply chain management, The international marketplace, The role of Government, Doing business with retailers, Sustainability and environmental issues. To apply, you will need to meet the following essential criteria: * Aged between 20 - 30 years old (as at 1 Jan 2009) * Currently employed in the agricultural or horticultural industry OR in your second or further year of study in an agricultural or horticultural faculty at a registered tertiary institution * Available to attend the entire course from 10th August to 21st August 2009 in Sydney. Participants will be selected based on the submission of an online questionnaire and resume. Visit https://woolworths.taleo.net/careersection/5/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=067215 for more information.


Until next week! :-)

Cheers,
Sharyn.