Joy, glee, and excitement are in the air! - Progress Hall re-opeing

The Progress Hall is looking absolutely amazing, and the CPPA Committee is beyond thrilled to be throwing open the doors once again! We warmly invite you to join us for a festive Re-Open Day on Saturday 22 March 2025, from 10am to 2pm.

This special event is a wonderful opportunity to catch up with locals, soak in the cheerful atmosphere, and celebrate the incredible achievements of our community group. We can’t wait to welcome you back to our beautifully refreshed hall—see you there!

10:00- 10:30 Welcome members of the community back to the Hall, seeing is believing, it’s an amazing transformation. Share your ideas for future uses and events.

10:30 – 11:00 The official re-opening of the hall ceremony, with the Honourable Greg Piper MP, cutting the ribbon and turning on the urn. A time for some heartfelt thanks and reflections on the community contributions that have maintained this community asset for the past 74 years.

11:00 – 11:30 Celebrating 30 years of Landcare in our community. Who are the landcarers, what do they do and where do they do it. Join us in a slice of community cake and a cuppa.

11:30 -1:30 Drop by and say hi. Explore the hall, immerse yourself in a display of local weeds and how to get rid of them. Purchase a native plant that can replace your weed. Chat about your trees and see if they have the potential to be a hollowhog-hotel. Join the CPPA and support what we do. There will be members-a-plenty to propose and second your application.

To add to the festive atmosphere throughout the day there will be some light music so visitors can appreciate the acoustics and test out the well sprung floor if you like to move and groove. On stage will be Bobby Paquet, a French folk guitarist and on the recently tuned piano will be Helen English, accomplished pianist.

There will be a rolling morning tea with some tastebud tempting treats provided by the Cleaver crew.

1:30 – 2pm Join in the Annual General Meeting of the CPPA where the achievements of the year will be shared, the financial report delivered, plans for 2025 discussed and the election of the Committee undertaken. Nominations received so far for the Committee have been from Suzanne Pritchard, Nico Marcar, Cath Fairs, Selma Barry, Helen English, Nicole Haigh, Pam Sharp and Ros Cornish.

If you are coming along please send an email to cppasecretary@gmail.com so we can make sure we cater adequately.

Membership renewal and an invitation to Join

As the end of the year approaches, it is the time that we ask members to renew their membership for the new year. The Progress Association presently has over 170 members. It is to serve our members that keeps the Association going. Membership subscriptions, our newsletter sponsor’s support and donations help keep the Association alive.

Our current major expense centres around repairing considerable termite damage at our hall. The repairs have provided the opportunity to significantly upgrade kitchen facilities, which will make the hall a valuable community resource, not only for small group activities but also increasing our capacity to effectively host community socials and utilise the hall as a cool space during extreme weather.

For new members, an application form is also available on our website. Our membership fees are $8 per year for an individual, or $13 for a household (defined as people living at the same address, whether a family or not). Five-year memberships are $32 and $52. The fees can easily be paid by a bank transfer to our account with Newcastle Permanent Building Society.

If you’re a member and would like to support the Association an easy thing to do is invite your neighbour to join up. And thanks to those members who have already renewed their membership.

Here's a CPPA Membership form 

CPPA Treasurer – Harvey Mitchell

Art & An AGM 26/6/22

The Annual General Meeting of the Coal Point Progress Association is almost upon us, 26th June. Historically, these are very swift affairs with an annual report providing the highlights of the past 12 months, a Treasurer’s report outlining the finances of our group and an election of office bearers. The agenda was outlined in the May Chronicle. 

This AGM is no exception, with enough nominations already received to form a committee for another year, the financial statements passing the auditor’s eagle eyes and an annual report rolling off the press.

What is always welcome at the AGM is catching up with some of the CPPA members and you are warmly invited to come along from 2-3pm, for the AGM and then a social catch up afterwards… or you can do your socialising beforehand!

This year the Coal Point Art Collective (CPAC) is having an Open Studio from 11am-2pm, prior to the AGM. They’ll be creating, as they do every week when they meet at the hall, and also showcasing their artwork. Some items will be for sale from $30, cash only or by arrangement. The CPAC are a talented bunch and there are samples of their work below.

If you’re heading out for a Sunday stroll on the 26th June why not head in the direction of the hall for something a little different. There’ll be tea and coffee and snacks available by donation, also the opportunity to become members of the CPPA or TASNG, our local community organisations. Becoming a member seems to be one of those things lots of people mean to do but don’t get around to it, so this might be the day?

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Suzanne Pritchard
President- Secretary

The Coal Point Art Collective includes:

Garth Anderson, Cheryl Ormiston, Stephanie Sullivan, Suzanne Pritchard, Moira Sullivan, Wendy Welch, Susan Ryman, Dianne Taylor, Christine Stewart, Harvey Mitchell, Annie Hayes and Kerrie Marshall.

Moira Sullivan

Annie Hayes

Christine Stewart

Dianne Taylor

Harvey Mitchell

Kerrie Marshall

Susan Ryman

Wendy Welch

Stephanie Sullivan

Progress Patter

We’ve got a new hall coordinator!

Welcome and thank you to Cath Fairs for stepping up and into the role of the Progress Hall Coordinator, who looks after the Hall bookings and oversees the needs of the Hall.

The role is a perfect fit for Cath. She has lived in Coal Point for the past 12 years and introduced herself as having “a small business located in Toronto, as a Social worker, providing counselling. My professional and personal values mean that connection with the community is important to me, as is access to spaces that bring people together.”

 
We’re super excited to have Cath join the CPPA team. To celebrate we have set up a page on our website so you can see what the hall looks like, the fees and the hall hire conditions, in case you’re looking for a local venue to gather in.  

Many thanks to Judy, our retiring hall coordinator, who has been doing an outstanding job over the past 12 months, setting up systems and keeping the hall hirers happy. We wish you well in your next adventure.

Groups currently use the hall for yoga, music, art, Tai Chi, Zumba, Pilates and sewing. The online calendar has details. 

Expanded Chronicle distribution

Sincere thanks to the wonderful locals and ACF who have together provided $600 of generous donations to allow us to keep distributing the Chronicle to Kilaben Bay and more of Toronto. At $120/edition for the extras we’ve now got a few more months of expanded distribution up our sleeve.

You can support the ongoing distribution by becoming a member of CPPA or TASNG, give us a ring, or donate at https://www.givenow.com.au/toronto-foreshore-protection

Progress Hall Working Bee & Bulk Wastes Changes

Progress Hall Working Bee
- Saturday 2/4/22 @9am - noon

We like to have a bit of a working bee at our community owned hall twice a year to align with council clean ups, and we haven’t had one for quite a while due to COVID, so we’re very excited to be back on track for Saturday 2nd April, 9 till noon. If you use the hall or like the concept of a community owned-hall we’d love to have your helping hands.

One of the activities we’ll be considering as we clean is can we donate any of the items that are additional to our needs to those in need in flood-affected areas.

There’ll be lots of activities to keep busy hands active as we clean anything that isn’t tied down, and active minds busy as we arrange our possessions into the most efficient space possible.

Whilst there’ll be committee members at the hall it’s also a chance to drop in and join the CPPA and have a cuppa with the crew at 10:30.

Membership forms and people to talk to will both be present.

If you’re considering coming along please RSVP to coalpointprogress@gmail.com so we can plan the productivity of the session.

Bulk Waste Service about to Change

Council is planning changes to its bulk waste service. There’s an opportunity to join an information session with Council staff to talk about future changes to the bulk waste service on Tuesday 22 March, 5pm, Online via MS Teams. The session will cover:

• What prompted a review of Lake Mac’s bulk waste service
• What we learned in our investigations
• What we’re proposing for the future
• Answering your questions
• Your feedback on the planned changes

To receive the meeting link please rsvp via email to admin@sustainableneighbourhoods.org.au

Sustaining our environment and connecting community…the CPPA’s mission

It’s time to join the CPPA. With all the new and long-term members in the
community it would be wonderful to have your support for our local organisation which has been woven into the community fabric since its establishment in 1946.

The CPPA exists to sustain our local bushland and keep our community connected. The former is achieved through a long-standing and very active Landcare group undertaking environmental projects and the latter by encouraging community spirit through community education and engagement, hosting events (when possible) and producing the Chronicle.

In addition, the CPPA maintains the upkeep of our hall at 197 Skye Point Road which the founding members built in 1951 after purchasing the land. Over the past decade there have been many grant-funded renovations to improve sustainability and all-season comfort in the community space - such as underfloor insulation, rainwater harvesting for toilets, solar panels and air-con - to the point where electricity costs are now minimal. The hall, which includes a kitchen, stage and sprung floor, is available for hire at very reasonable rates. The Hall coordinator has the details.

The CPPA collaborates with like-minded organisations within the broader Toronto area and has a close working relationship with the Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group (TASNG), with which our core values are intimately aligned. In the past we have had a joint membership process. However, memberships will now be managed separately. This is because any person who wishes to join TASNG must now complete a once-off membership form, the TASNG membership year is based on the financial year (whereas the CPPA’s is a calendar year) and membership categories are different.

Now is a time to make a small investment in our local community to help us keep connected and care for our local bushland which is doing a great job in providing us with a calming and nurturing backdrop to our daily lives as well as a space to recreate.

Committee members are available to endorse any applications to join the CPPA which are $8/individual and $13/household and have 1 and 5 year renewal options.

CPPA Membership Application & Renewal forms 

Form to download or Online form with payment
(we need a few details when you are joining)

or 

if you are renewing, we already have your details

Individual renewal      Household renewal

TASNG Membership Application

TASNG membership form- $5/individual 

The Chronicle Distribution Dilemma

The feedback is always overwhelmingly positive, the community perspective it provides is a community service, the content is locally relevant and informative, and it is all done by volunteers. This is truly our Chronicle. The writing, collating, editing and distribution to 2300 households along the Coal Point peninsula, (including Toronto, Kilaben Bay and Carey Bay) is all done by over 20 volunteers, 11 months of the year.

Printing is, however, a financial cost and with the start of a new ‘Chronicle’ year we are seeking community support to cover this increasing cost.

Over the past two years the distribution of The Chronicle was gradually expanded by 800 households to include additional areas within the boundaries of the Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group (TASNG), including Kilaben Bay and Toronto, to share the issues generated by the Bath St mixed-use development proposal and the Toronto Foreshore Master Planning process. The additional printing costs (and volunteer distribution) have to date been borne by TASNG and the Toronto Action Group (TAG).

The three organisations now involved in the production & distribution of The Chronicle (CPPA, TAG and TASNG), are reviewing the capacity to continue the expanded distribution in 2022 and are seeking your support to cover a cost of $50/month ($550 a year), an outlay that is hard for the CPPA alone to justify without a membership base in these areas. All funds raised will go towards the printing of the Chronicle.

Will you support the continued community communication via The Chronicle?

There are a couple of options.

• You can join the CPPA or TASNG. More members especially in Toronto and Kilaben Bay means The Chronicle is providing a service to our members.
• You can donate directly towards the cost of printing via our donation page 

Community Quirks

Welcome to all the new residents in our area celebrating your first Christmas in our community. We all think our community is great, here are some of the reasons why we love to live where we do.

Seaworthy Santa

For several generations there’s been a tradition of Santa cruising the western Lake foreshores on Christmas Eve, heralding in the festive season, singing carols, and spreading cheer, in the form of lolly bags, to children who flock to the foreshore reserves to give the big guy a wave and a yo-ho-ho.

Back in the day the Wangi Queen was Santa’s boat-de-jour, but with ‘The Queen’ retiring a few years ago the Toronto Sunrise Rotary Club took up the Santa sack and have continued the local tradition with local boats.

If you feel like joining in the festivities you can join the flotilla from Bolton Point at 4.30 pm or bring the family to one of the local jetties listed below to enjoy this wonderful community tradition. This year will be a little different, alas no lollies, spreading cheer not COVID was the priority.

• Bolton Point- 4:30 pm
• Toronto 5:00 pm
• Kilaben Bay 6:15 pm
• Rathmines 6:45 pm
• Wangi Workers Club 7:15 pm

Waterfront Walking

Another long-time and strong tradition in our community has been the ability for locals to walk along the foreshore as a mode of recreation. Without safe pedestrian paths in our community, the relatively flat foreshore has always been a walking option. Whilst acknowledging that there are absolute waterfront properties in our community with boundaries extending to the high water mark, the neighbourly notion that it was OK to walk past was greatly appreciated and part of keeping the community connected.

Backyard Buddies

Enjoying our bigger bushland backyard and the abundant bird and wildlife is another peculiarity of the Coal Point Peninsula. The sunrise cacophony and sunset chorus of the kookaburra is something special that our suburbs still have. We have large remnant trees with the capacity for kookaburras to make their nests in. The midnight meditative hoots of the migratory koels can be heard above the bark-a-lot dogs, punctuating the day and night, a sound to treasure. Our bushland provides not only a corridor for birds to move through but food and shelter for the wildlife. Responsible pet ownership is key to keeping these places safe for our community-pets-without-borders, our ‘backyard buddies’. https://backyardbuddies.org.au

The Chronicle

The Chronicle has been gracing the letterboxes of the CPPA community since January 1980, with 317 editions circulated to date. The newsletter is wholly produced and distributed by volunteers with sponsorship of spaces covering the printing costs. It takes 3-4 days each month to write, collate and edit the content, lay it out for printing, put it online and distribute into 2300 letter boxes in Coal Point, Carey Bay, Kilaben Bay and Toronto areas.

The demise of the local newspapers in the past year has meant that The Chronicle was one of the few hard copy information sources available with a perspective on the local issues of importance. The protection of the Toronto Foreshore, local sustainability initiatives, development applications, a multitude of Council’s plans and strategies as well neighbours noticing nature, landcare activities and insights on our local flora and fauna regularly grace the space on the yellow pages.

You can also view the Chronicle online - https://coalpointprogress.blogspot.com
or subscribe to receive an email each month with The Chronicle articles, coalpointprogress@gmail.com.

Heaven Can Wait (HCW) Charity Regatta (5-6 Feb)

The HCW Charity Regatta was conceived and inaugurated by Lake Macquarie resident, keen sailor and cancer survivor Shaun Lewicki as a major annual sailing event on the lake to promote sailing and to raise funds for cancer research – particularly men’s cancers. As the survival rates from cancer have improved, so have the needs of the Hunter Branch of Cancer Council NSW, and the funds raised from this regatta are now directed to the Home Help Program. This program provides domestic assistance to both recovering and terminal cancer patients who, because of their illness, are unable to perform many of the domestic duties they would normally do.

In the 15 years that this event has been run, it has raised some $470,000 in support of the charities and it’s expected to be well over the $500,000 after the 2022 event.

The 16th HCW Charity Sailing Regatta will be run over the weekend of February 5 and 6.

The Charity Dinner will again be held on the preceding Friday - February 4th, at the Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto.

Race Entry and information can be found on the RMYC website - https://www.rmyctoronto.com.au/heaven-can-wait

CPPA Membership Renewal is underway

Membership to the Coal Point Progress Association aligns with the calendar year. Shortly all existing members will be given an update about their membership status, whether they need to renew or how long their multi-year membership has left to run.

If you’re not a member and would like to join, a membership form is available on the website or by emailing cppa.membership@gmail.com.

Progress People Projects

Where have you wandered?

During COVID many of us were able to explore our neighbourhood on foot and by bike and you may have discovered some hidden gems. Perhaps it was a trek on a track that linked to an unexpected place, a sneaky shortcut, or a trot that got the heart rate up and had an inspiring view at the end. Did you tour on your bike somewhere that surprised you?

Wouldn’t it be great if we could share these travelling treasures? Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, we can. The CPPA has set up a Strava account where we can share our pedestrian and cycling activity. Strava allows you to generate maps of where you’ve been using a mobile device and upload comments and pictures. You can follow the Coal Point Progress Association to upload your travels. 

If there are any avid Strava users who would like to lend a hand at keeping up the CPPA account get in touch.

Gaming Session for members

The Underground Arcade is a new age Virtual Reality gaming Arcade located in Toronto. (67-73 The Boulevard Toronto). The owners have invited the CPPA to a free 2-hour session at the arcade and share in the experiences it has to offer, such as
• Three full size green screen room scale VR rooms,
• Motion simulators for both racing and flight,
• Squad gaming and internet café area,
• Two Kat Walk VR multidirectional treadmills and
• A high-quality sound system with phone connectivity.

With current restrictions the arcade can accommodate a maximum of 20 people at a time.

If you’re a gamer and a member of the CPPA and would like to come along, get in touch and we can organise a date. Members under 13 will require adult supervision for content control.

Join Up and Join In

If you’d like to join the CPPA here’s a membership form or get in touch with one of the Committee members (see the back page of The Chronicle). If you join now, you get a couple of bonus months as renewals run to the calendar year.

The CPPA members own a hall, and we want to put it to good use in 2022 with social events. If you like the idea of creating fun functions, groovy gatherings, or pleasurable parties we are looking for a gregarious group to lend a hand, choose the talent and assist with the hosting of these community extravaganzas. If you can help with one or several events, get in touch.

One event we would like to host is the Lake Macquarie Winds Concert Band. They have been in touch and are keen to entertain us. They are performing at the Rathmines Theatre, nawayiba (means ‘canoe place’), on 21st November between 4 and 6 pm. This is a free, COVID-safe concert hosted by LMCC.

We’re on the lookout for an assistant hall-coordinator to learn the ropes for keeping the hall in tip-top condition. Our current hall deputy will be leaving the area and we would like to share the knowledge gained of the various processes that have been put in place to make caring for our hall a seamless and satisfying experience. Please get in touch.

More local Muso’s wanted to Muse with.

A group of musically ambitious locals have started to gather at the hall, on the 1st and 4th Thursday of the month, 3-4:30pm, for musical fellowship. So far, the group consists of clarinet, bass, guitar, drum players and one potential voice. It would be great if there were more musos or singers involved. Whilst we are not asking musos to be highly competent, we are a playing group, not a group for learners to be taught a musical instrument. We are currently learning a repertoire of Let it Be, Moonglow, All of Me, What a Wonderful World and Moon River. 

Enquiries to Rob 0408 429 870, rob2roam@bigpond.com

Join In and Join Up

CPPA membership aligns with the calendar year and the annual membership drive is underway.

Here is a membership application so everyone can have the opportunity to support your local progress association and Toronto Area sustainable Neighbourhood Group.

There is a membership form permanently available on the website, in the footer of the page. http://coalpointprogress.blogspot.com/

If you'd like to join the CPPA complete the NEW MEMBER application form. (pdf) (Word)

If you'd like to RENEW, here's the renewal form. (pdf) (Word)

OBJECTIVES OF THE CPPA

a) To enhance the natural environment of the Coal Point peninsula and surrounding areas by protecting, preserving and regenerating habitat for indigenous flora and fauna.

b) To advance social welfare, community spirit and sustainability in the Coal Point and surrounding area through community education and engagement.

c) To acquire and maintain such property as will enable the association to carry out its objectives most efficiently.

WE  RECEIVED $46,220 WORTH OF BUSH BLOCK PLEDGES AS AT 17/2/21

Music to Re-member

The festive season is all about getting together, caring & sharing and making memorable moments.

On Saturday December 14 the CPPA is hosting an afternoon of community camaraderie and musical merriment at Progress Hall from 1:30-5:30ish. A full program of community choirs and local musicians will provide a friendly backdrop for socialising with friends and neighbours in our community owned hall.

The One Voice Mob Choir, Coal Point Public School Choir, Toronto Chorale and the ClydeStreet Band will all be strutting their musical stuff, along with moments interspersed with community carol-oke (sing-a-longs).

This community social of seasonal singing is a way to showcase music at the Hall, the acoustics are wonderful, and it provides an occasion for local musicians to perform.

The festive season is also about caring and supporting others within the community, there’ll be donation buckets to receive dollars and baskets to receive gifts from the community to donate to local charities and the groups that the performers support.

The community-spirited event will also furnish an opportunity for locals to join up or renew their CPPA/TASNG membership for the year…and beyond. Afternoon tea will be bring-a-plate to share of festive fare.

With many musicians committing to this community event the CPPA is seeking a commitment from those interested in coming by an RSVP for a free ticket. You can book a whole table or single seats, you can come along for a single choir, the whole chorus, or pop in to renew your membership or donate.

RSVP by 11/12/19   online through the eventbrite page

A bit about some of the performers

The Toronto Chorale is offering a programme of five light-hearted and fairly short seasonal songs, followed by six or seven well known Christmas songs and carols with interesting arrangements .The Chorale is keen to expand its numbers and connection within the community in 2020 with the possibility of a regular event happening at the Hall in 2020. If you’re interested in finding out more about the group contact Roger alcornau@optusnet.com.au, m 0432 799 297

One Voice Mob is a community choir based out of Windale and set up by Centre for Hope (C4H) to support young disadvantaged people who like to sing to come together. C4H helped start the group and is closely involved with the choir, booking performances, providing rehearsal space, as well as the CEO, Geraldine, and her daughter being members. Geraldine is a huge supporter of local communities and it's with this in mind she was able to keep the local Carey Bay Hair Art open. Centre for Hope is exploring running some wellbeing programs out of the salon and providing the kind of support that they do on a daily basis. 

The ClydeStreet Band formed in 2016 to perform at open mic venues in the Newcastle and

the Hunter. They’ve been making music together ever since. Typically, they can be found rehearsing and jamming in an old manufacturing shed with grimy décor and great acoustics.

Hard work, tea, beer and laughter combine to produce their ensemble style that resonates with audiences at community events, festivals and private functions.

A collective of harmonica, guitar, keyboard, ukulele, banjo, bass, percussion and drums, ClydeStreet play creative interpretations of jazz, country and contemporary numbers.

Music for the ears and the feet, they’ll be a highlight of the Music to Re-member on 14/12/19.

Become a Member

Since 1946 the CPPA has been a part of the community, and since 1951 Progress Hall has provided a space for the community to come together.

The aims of the organisation have always been to support the weaving of the social fabric. This has been achieved by encouraging and promoting sustainability efforts throughout the local community, doing what we can as an organisation to ensure the hall operations are sustainable and safeguarding the bushland that connects us all so it remains vital, vibrant and biodiverse.

The CPPA endeavours to reflect community concerns and address them through the appropriate channels whilst supporting members of the community to have their concerns heard. Joining the CPPA supports these endeavours.

Membership to the Progress Association aligns with the calendar year which means now’s a great time to join in, rejoin or renew.

Membership renewals will be delivered to current members over the coming months via email or post and a new member’s application form is linked  here.

The Music to Re-member event on 14/12/19 is an opportunity to connect with other members of the community and you can also drop in with your membership form.

Volunteer's Lunch 20/12/18@ Progress hall at noon

All CPPA volunteers are warmly invited to an end of year lunch on Thursday 20/12/18 at Progress Hall at noon. 

RSVP essential by 17/12/18 to coalpointprogress@gmail.com or ring/sms 0438596741

On behalf of the Coal Point Progress Association best wishes to all for a festive season full of familial friendship and happy times. 

On behalf of the Coal Point Progress Association best wishes to all for a festive season full of familial friendship and happy times.

Want to join up or renew...now's the time

The CPPA has been a strong advocate for our community since its inception in 1946. In the early days land was purchased and a hall built for a community meeting space, then there was advocacy for roads, equitable rates and community services such as footpaths. The most recent era has seen the protection and preservation of the natural assets take priority, the hall refurbished and upgraded, a continuous community watch to retain the community character and prevent overdevelopment and collaboration with sustainable neighbourhood initiatives…including footpaths.

The CPPA is just as relevant now as 72 years ago, providing a unified community voice advocating on issues that impact on where and how we live whilst providing community services through landcaring, maintaining the community owned hall, community advocacy and awareness via The Chronicle.

It’s time to renew...CPPA membership runs with calendar year, here is your membership renewal form and in an effort to optimise efficiency we are offering 5-year memberships.

Member's Morning 23/2/19

On Saturday February 23rd from 8:30am-12:30pm we will be hosting a member’s morning at the hall providing an opportunity to pay your membership fees or join up, find out what projects we’ll be pursuing in 2019, talk to our local experts about our energy efficiency and landcare projects, purchase a discount native plant and enjoy a BBQ.

A new project we are hoping to start in 2019 is a series of super social soirées. These friendly community gatherings at the hall could include music, performance, games, food…anything the yet–to-form social subcommittee would like to organise. Would you like to be on the social subcommittee? Do you have any ideas for a soirée? Come along to the member’s morning and have a chat.

AGM notice

The AGM will be held on 11/3/19 where the plans for the year will be put forward.

Progress Patter

AGM notice

Monday 12th March, 5-6pm is the Annual General Meeting of the CPPA, at Progress hall, 197 Skye Point Rd. This is a time when we bask in the achievements of the past year, wonder how we did it all and then sign up to do it all again. The Committee are a pretty amazing bunch of socially minded folk who like doing things to make our community a little bit friendlier, a smidgin more sustainable and in doing so protect one of the reasons we choose to live here, the bushland setting and the wildlife that also call our peninsula home.

The CPPA is keen to expand its social side, we have an amazing hall and believe that having place based community events is a great way to build community cohesion. Are you socially minded, does the thought of giving a bit of time make you feel buoyant? Are you keen to try something new and share your skills or develop some new ones? We’ll be considering participating in the Small Halls Festival next February and would love any musically minded locals to come along for the ride.

If you enjoy living & giving locally and want to lend a hand, we’d be really happy to see you at the AGM, 5-6pm Monday 12th March at Progress Hall. 

Membership

Have you renewed your membership to the CPPA/TASNG? There’s still time, we haven’t closed off the books and if you join before the AGM you’ll be able to vote for the Committee…if that’s not an incentive what is! There is a membership form on the website or feel free to pop in at the AGM or the monthly meeting before hand.

Thankyou to all the members that have submitted the renewal forms and paid the membership fees it certainly helps knowing we have your support. 

Are you a one-off volunteer?

We’ve got a couple of one-off opportunities where we could do with a hand. With the Council Clean Up looming, the Progress Hall working bee is set for the Sunday 18th March. There are always jobs on the to-do list, this working bee we’ll be labeling cupboards, so everyone knows where to put things, massaging the grounds with the gentle throng of a lawn mower, cleaning the crevices, washing the windows and other activities that make the hall habitable and healthy.

If you’re a hall user or want a lend a hand, feel free to come along any time from 9.30am-noon (there’s a morning tea break in there as well). Contact Ian for the complete jobs list.

Progress Land Sale

Over the past few years the CPPA has been investigating options to reduce the ongoing costs of owning and maintaining a Hall. The CPPA became a registered charity, but the rates rebate for charities did not apply to the hall. Funding was secured for rainwater tanks and solar panels, the latter are now generating more electricity than we use, lowering the energy costs and Stamp Duty exemption has reduced insurance premiums. In February the sale of CPPA land (zoned for environmental purposes and acquisition) to LMCC was completed, providing a financial buffer and reducing the LMCC rates burden.

Proceeds from the sale will go towards maintaining Progress Hall, a community owned hall (not LMCC) that was built in the 1950’s on land purchased by Association members in 1946 as a place to meet and gather. The CPPA covers all insurance and maintenance of this unique public space.

The sale of CPPA land has also expanded Stansfield Reserve, with only a handful of properties in the acquisition zone still in private ownership.


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