Lorraine Harrison Presidents Report, including Projects and Activities of Friends of Newport Lakes (Financial year 2014-2015) Current membership –39 (including 3 life members) members (ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS DUE 1 JULY, 2015) Special thanks you to the good and tireless work of all of our committee members: Ron Bowman Treasurer, Secretary and Gate entrance & closing worker Mary Burbidge – Minute Secretary Gai Mooney – Publicity Officer Sue Wright – Committee member Christine Weller – Committee member Geoff Wright – Committee member Lorraine Harrison - President Major funding reduction change and Special Mention We obtained funds for FoNL projects by opening and closing park gate contract of Hobson’s Bay City Council for the last eight years. This task has been completed mainly by our Treasurer Ron Bowman with relieving duties completed by other committee members, Mary, Sue, Christine, Gai & Lorraine. Note we have ceased this role as of 30/6/2015 and a special presentation and refreshments was held to thank Ron Bowman for his dedication and good work. Final Gate contract expenditure Purchased a park seat and installation North East Side, near Johnson Street Commissioned two new mosaics to replace damaged ones Provided snake education night for members and local community Paid for the repair of the Newport Lakes gate We received a one off sponsorship from Shawqi Ein – the funds provided for new seat near the north/east corner. Finalised providing first aid courses for working bee members via federal grant - Lorraine Standard ongoing work completed Monthly committee meetings – actions authorised and minutes completed. 1 Held 10 monthly Sunday working bees with much appreciated assistance from HBCC staff (Libby). Special recognition of members Manny. Nola, Debra, Dale and Alicia & daughter as well as committee Sue, Christine, Mary, Gai & Lorraine. Coordination by Lorraine. New flier including membership and calendar of working bee days developed and distributed to members and prospective members – Gai Mooney & Lorraine Harrison. Regular email updates to members about local environment activities – Lorraine Christmas FoNL Get Together held at Mary & Andrews home Dec, 2014 (committee, members & council workers attended) Clean Up Australia Day activity held in Park on the 2th March, 2015 –organised by Lorraine Harrison – Large number of people turned up to collect rubbish – 12 bags of rubbish picked up FoNL newsletter completed by Gai Mooney (editor and publicity officer member). Park Council Notice board on-going updates with FoNL events, current newsletter and pictures- completed by Lorraine Harrison. Regular meetings with council in respect to needs/issues of Newport Lakes. (E.g. quality of water and future water redirected into Lakes all committee contributed). Special thank you to Andrew Webster, Libby Rigby and ground crew of the City of Hobsons Bay. Ongoing updating of FoNL website – Mary Burbidge Community Education Activities completed FoNL support role for Folk & Fiddle concert over at Lakes on– Mary first aid role. Local Scouts at lakes education – Gai & Mary Land Care field Trip – Mary Retirement village – Mary Busy Care Day Outing - Mary Newport Lakes Primary School – Mary St.Joseph’s School – Mary Native Walk & Talk - Christine Other Work in progress Put in a grant submission to HBCC for new long sleeve shirts – Christine In progress a development of a bird booklet – Mary & Geoff In progress an Arts competition project – Mary Continuation of night camera work – Mary Contact with Universities re: possible enviro & sustainability project - Geoff 2