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Presidents report 2009/10 |
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RAYMOND ISLAND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Inc. It has been an eventful year. Being president involved a steep learning curve for me and I have enjoyed the challenge. The bonus is that I have made new friendships along the way.
My second aim was to improve RICA
Communications. Within RICA I have encouraged debate which has
resulted in some lively meetings. In my dealings with council, I have
found the shire employees to be helpful, courteous and, in most
cases to have responded quickly to my requests for work to be
carried out on the Island.
Another RICA achievement in the past year was the
successful request to East Gippsland Water for a drinking fountain
in the Ferry Park. The community is indebted to Gerard Tomkins and
Murray Brown for their voluntary installation of the fountain.
As a result of our approach to Council, the pathways leading to the
ferry were resurfaced and Island open drains were marked for easier
recognition.
Planning &
Projects subcommittee: Thank you to
convener Dennis Marsden for liaising with Council and keeping RICA
informed of planning amendments, the progress of the Urban Design
Framework and for raising the possibility of an extension to the
community hall with the Shire Strategic Planning Manager. We look
forward with interest to the development of a flood management plan,
hopefully with input from this subcommittee and the Emergency
Preparedness subcommittee. Thank you also to Rob Eldridge and Peter
Jones for their input during the year.
Under Kate McKinnon’s leadership the Emergency
Preparedness subcommittee has succeeded in
Brian Joshua has overseen all work at the Hall
and carried out much of the maintenance himself, most recently
the replacement of termite-infested wooden uprights with metal ones.
Together with Gerry Van Maanen, he cleared the gutters and
downpipes. I am grateful to these members and to Peter Jones for
their contribution. The long-awaited gutter guard has been
installed.
RICA’s thanks go to Diana Reynolds, Gerry Gillen,
Val Quirk and Nancy Rasmussen of the Social subcommittee for
providing us with many enjoy
Despite several attempts to form one, RICA no
longer has a Flora & Fauna subcommittee. This would indicate
that there is, at present, a lack of interest in this area. . Recent
changes to the
To my secretary and vice-president, Maggie &
Peter Jones… I couldn’t have done it without you. Thanks so much for
your support. To Di Reynolds,
Hopefully 2010 will see the completion of external painting and continued improvements at the hall, further planning for emergencies on the island, lots of fun at social events and continued community contributions to the newsletter. The Island still has drainage issues and, if re-elected, I will continue to lobby the E.G. Shire Council for improvements in this area in addition to safer ferry access and egress and improved parking facilities. We will also work at achieving an upgrade for the Ferry Park and its environs.
Finally, my gratitude goes to you, the members,
for being a part of RICA activities and for your ongoing support for
me and the committee.
**APOLOGY
to Bernadette Pianaro-Williams who was also a member of the Social
Subcommittee. In fact "Christmas in July" was Bernadette's idea. Anyone who wants their name or photo removed Click here |
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One of my aims was to increase the RICA
membership. Over twenty new members joined this year and four
former members returned. Even more pleasing is that many are
actively involved on subcommittees or readily helping at social
functions or working bees. Attendances at meetings are up almost 70%
on last year. Several older members have expressed their relief that
there are enthusiastic newcomers who are willing to step in and
help. We thank the members from the past who did so much work, year
after year, to put RICA on the map, in particular, Dot Osborn,
Flemming & Nancy Rasmussen and Frances Schulz who all retired from
committees in 2009.
“Raymond Island Matters”.
Congratulations
to the Communications subcommittee of Kate McKinnon, Peter
Johannsen, Jack Pearce and Carol Marsden for an excellent job. I
have the utmost respect for Kate’s ability to sort out the facts
from often emotional opinions. The interview with Charlie Franken at
the DSE is a case in point. Thanks also to Pam Fraser for helping to
launch the early editions in 2009. 
nd upcoming social events. Currently there are 140 Islander email
addresses registered, which represents over 200 residents. The
positive feedback for all RICA communications is gratifying.
The second was the
donation and installation of the cigarette butt bins by Garry
Kenner. RICA approached the Shire for permission to install these
near the ferry and has undertaken to empty them.
raising bushfire
awareness among islanders and holiday makers. Kate is to be
commended for forming a R.I. Community Bushfire Preparation Committe
e, separate from RICA. Kate succeeded in getting the ferry
operator, Ian Lewis, and also the CFA and the Shire Municipal
Emergency Managers onside. The Shire and the CFA expressed their
admiration for the committee’s planning and work during the R.I.
clean-up and burn-off in October. We are grateful to the many RICA
members who worked long and hard during this time. The community is
indebted to Garry Kenner for his contribution and to the CFA for
their attendance.
table
tennis and the monthly morning tea, each of which has been an
outstanding succe
ss. Congratulations to Andrew Bould, Brian Joshua
and Janneke Schimmel for the time and effort they put into
establishing these activities. This year we have welcomed Michelle
Baird and her monthly computer class. These new activities are a
realisation of my third aim, namely to see increased use of the
hall. 
able
functions over recent years. They ended their reign with the highly
successful “Christmas in July” **.
urst,
who have kept up the standard and fun levels with the well attended
“R.I. Cup Night”, the Car Rally & Christmas BBQ and the novel
Progressive Garage Sale. Special thanks to Donna Simpson, Peter
Jones and Jack Holbrook for their support and to Barbara Van Maanen
for making our Santa suit.
rules
relating to removal of native vegetation on and around private
property have possibly lessened the need for this subcommittee. The
animal shelters run by Jan Hughes and Marg Pratt continue to fulfill
a need on the island. 
thank
you for taking on the position of treasurer yet again. You have been
a great help to me. Sorry for all the emails! Brian Joshua, thank
you for your wise counsel and my apologies for nagging you about the
hall! Brian, Richard Olsen and Ian Pratt are retiring from
committee. Thanks to all of you for your time and input over three
years. And to Ian Pratt, a special thank you for your work on the
Raymond Island UDF and the funding submission which enabled RICA to
produce the fridge magnet.