Saturday, 24 September 2022

A cuppa for a Chronicle?

“A big thank you for The Chronicle each month, we moved from Fishing Point to Toronto last year have really enjoyed reading The Chronicle each month keeping us informed of what is happening in our area. Like knowing the DAs that have been submitted and all the other news.” - Carol
The first edition of the ‘Coal Point Chronicle’ was published in January 1980 as a means of keeping the community in touch with the issues of the day. Back then the headlines were ‘Lake Pollution’ resulting from sewage effluent, ‘Preserving the Coal Point Ridge Green Belt’ to prevent it being developed and denuded of trees, a ‘Family Fun day at Gurranba Reserve’ and the ‘Future of the Laycock Street Quarry’ which Council said at the time “will ultimately be developed as a park. The rumoured sporting area (to be) sited on the present day pony club”

Forty-two years later: (i) the Lake is a lot cleaner without leaky septic systems, (ii) Council continues to acquire parcels of land along the ridge with part of 11 Skye Point Rd currently being assessed for acquisition, (iii) ‘the Laycock St park’ became the Anglican Aged Care facility and (iv) the pony club did become the ‘sporting area’, Puntei Park, the leash free dog area and site for the upcoming Car boot Catch-up, our version of a family fun day with face painting, drumming, car boots full of tempting recyclable-useable items, a Lions BBQ and community groups showcasing their projects.

Since its inception The Chronicle has been produced and delivered by volunteers as a service to our members in the area, and over the years whilst the distribution has expanded beyond the initial Laycock/Ambrose Streets boundary to now include Coal Point, Carey Bay, Kilaben Bay and Toronto households east of Cary Street. Alas the financial membership does not reflect the distribution of the local newsletter.

For almost a year now the Chronicle has been letterboxed to Kilaben Bay, but only one new member from Kilaben Bay has joined, similarly the number of new members west of Laycock street towards Toronto are few.

The Chronicle expansion came about as there were community issues which needed to be shared: development applications, Council’s plans and strategies, protecting and caring for our unique bushland setting and the trees and Lake that frame our community, and the Toronto Foreshore we all enjoy.

Justifying the cost of extended Chronicle distribution is becoming a hot topic at local community meetings with an additional $133.67 having to be found each month.

Whilst one-off donations are appreciated, an annual or regular monthly donation from a group of dedicated supporters would result in tangible benefits from the donations. https://www.givenow.com.au/toronto-foreshore-protection

Of course having more members from Toronto and Kilaben Bay allows us to keep servicing those members with the distribution of the Chronicle.

All the membership information for CPPA and TASNG can be found on this website.

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