Meeting notes from meeting 07.10.26
The chair for the meeting Heather Yarker opened the meeting at 6.30 pm.
Guests were:
Councillor Brooke Patterson Division 6 GCCC
Pat Fleming’s Partner Peter
Anita Whimpey’s father Peter
Our new RYE student Rieke.
Food
We experienced a beautiful meal prepared by Kumar that included Calamari, Chicken Schnitzel and Tiramisu
Meeting
Chair Heather suggested our exchange student Rieke talk about her latest adventures. Rieke spoke about meeting up with an Argentinian Exchange student, visiting the Australian zoo and visiting the Money Market at Eumundi.
Chair Heather then spoke about our successful barbeque at Bunnings on October the 5th. Thanks, got to Brian for successfully organizing another fund-raising event.
Heather then mentioned a famous quote “They say time you can give but it’s the only thing you can’t give back.”
Heather then introduced Brooke Patterson a councillor from Division 6 Gold Coast City Council.
Brooke’s priorities have been Enhancing the City and Roads Parks and footpaths. Brooke represents Southport, Ashmore and parts of Benowa. Brooke mentioned that she tries to represent the whole of the city and that at present it is the second largest Council in the country. Brooke mentioned that there is always tension around making the right decision and that our green spaces are our most extraordinary asset. Brooke is a third generation Coasty, and she has a 51% green space target.
The council is presently investigating the setup of a CBD and will soon visit Parramatta to see how they have dealt with the problem. The council will soon be investigating a new City Plan due for release at the end of 2027. Brooke believes that we will need to come up with new solutions for car parking in the future.
Mention was made of a previous councillor Dawn Crichlow and how she truly represented the Southport Community.
Mention was also made of the dangers presented by the homeless in Southport and how one of our members has moved her college to make for a safer studying environment for the students. Brooke suggested that the Local State Member of Parliament Rob Molhoek is presently trying to move legislation to help with this issue and is grateful for his help. Some of the homeless are acting against the law.
It looks as if there may be redevelopment of Sir Bruce Small Park to cater for the expansion of AFL, Cricket and Netball.
In the future the residents of the Gold Coast may need to ride their bikes more.
The meeting was then handed over to our president Owen who then passed over to David Grant from the Ashmore men’s shed. David said that the Men’s shed opened about 9 years ago and now has around 70 members. Lots of their work is community based and covers things like cutting up soap for overseas, making possum lairs, fixing up furniture, rejuvenating Rocking horses and they are now seeking to expand their facility with an awning out the front of their entrance. Rotary needs to decide on what they need to do with their outside pavers as part of this expansion.
There will be a working bee to clean up our shed next Wednesday the 14th of October from 9.00 am – 11.30.
Close - President Owen closed the meeting at 8.05 pm.
