Colin Hamilton (Chairman of Macquarie 2100) speaks about the challenges, progress and evolution of the organisation over 2013.
I hereby submit my Chairman’s report for 2013.
October last year saw the official opening of the “sensory gardens” at Calara House in Warren. This relaxing and yet stimulating garden for the community at the retirement village was the culmination of a successful funding application through the FRRR grants scheme with M2100.
M2100 also coordinated a meeting of approx. 20 landholders whom were interested in participating in the RiverSmart program to revegetate sections of the Macquarie River from Narromine down to the Marshes, and also to assist with the removal or control of invasive plants. Many thanks must go to Kirsty for continuing her services and coordinating this project with Riversmart.
October also saw 2100 host a Long Table Dinner to celebrate the achievements of M2100 over the last 13 years, and to acknowledge and thank the past participants for their efforts and involvement. Jean Kitson (comedian) was the star of the show which attracted just on 100 people. We also used this opportunity to present the revised 100 year plan to the community. This was in the form of take-home laminated A3 placemats from the event.
At a January committee meeting it was resolved to commission the services of Megan Kennedy of Kenmark Communication to assist with the development and implementation of a marketing plan for M2100. This highlighted the need to increase our profile throughout the community. It also saw us launch a re-vamped M2100 logo in May. Another key recommendation was to upgrade our presence on social media if we want to attract more of the community to our membership. The deliverance of an attractive, functional website is still a work in progress.
April saw the Psyches on Bikes ride in to our area again. M2100 teamed up with the Narromine and Trangie Rugby Clubs and the NMN Shire Council to coordinate this much needed educational awareness on mental health event.
Early May had M2100 hosting Dr Bernard Doube from South Australia for a one day workshop on “Dung Beetles”. Attendees learnt of the life cycle requirements and the vital role these little creatures can play in the control of flies, pasture fertilisation, and carbon sequestration while going about their business of burying cow dung to lay their eggs in.
May 26 saw M2100 partner with the MINDD Foundation, Healthy Life Dubbo and the Mid Macquarie Landcare group to bring world re-known author, speaker, and neuro-feedback specialist Nora Gedgaudas to Dubbo. We attracted a crowd of over 200 people to the Dubbo RSL for a very full day plus overtime, of health information which has formed the basis of her books on the Paleo Diet and her career in neuro-feedback.
The first half of the year also saw M2100 become project managers for the Trangie Community Garden project on behalf of the Trangie Multi-Purpose Health Service, which obtained funding for the project via the “Healthy People and Places” grants scheme. Also as part of this project M2100 recently hosted a healthy food cooking demo at the resulting vegie garden which is thriving alongside an edible native garden being established by the Trangie Local Aboriginal Lands Council and the Trangie Central School on the old Scout hall block in Trangie.
M2100 also instigated the involvement of the Trangie Central School in the “Archibull” competition. This project educates the students as they research a particular agricultural industry, and then create artwork with this knowledge using a life-size plastic cow as their canvas. This project is almost complete with judging to take place in November, with winning entries will be displayed at Sydney Royal Easter Show next year.
The evolution over the last two years of the “Local Land Service” has brought much upheaval and uncertainty to the CMA’s. This has also resulted in many of our regular funding avenues being withdrawn or delayed, which has put considerable pressure on the committee to reassess our role and viability into the future.
Our long working Executive Officer in Kirsty decided late last year to move on from this position to spend more time with her family and their business endeavours. To date we have been unsuccessful in finding a replacement for her, and we very much appreciate her assisting in a temporary capacity until we do. Not having a full time CEO has also meant funding opportunities being missed and projects not undertaken. There have been four unsuccessful grant applications during the year which not only means less projects to hit the ground, but also a lot of wasted volunteer time and effort from committee members in writing the applications.
In closing I would like to thank the committee for their involvement and support during the last 12 months. I look forward to working with the new committee into the future.
Thank you for your support and attendance today.
Colin Hamilton
Chairman
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