Jordans Crossing Gazette

BCA President’s report As we head into the unique Australian summer hiatus, when the whole country seems to move into one long, dreamy, pre and post Christmas siesta, I wanted, on behalf of the BCA Committee, to wish you all a happy Christmas. I trust that each of you may snatch at least a small amount of time in what is often a busy if not frenetic season, to reflect deeply on the importance of our connections to friends and family, and how well we serve them and our community in general. We are fortunate to live in a small regional community. It has been suggested that Bundanoon may have one of the highest levels of volunteering in Australia. Our willingness to pitch in to preserve and maintain all that is central to life in our village is remarkable. At the same time we recognize that change, while inevitable, always needs to be managed sensitively in order to prevent rampant and thoughtless development. It is interesting given the theme of this edition of JCG, that the one thing that I don’t need to emphasise to visiting friends as an extra attraction, is the fact that Bundanoon is a quiet place. Notwithstanding the noise of the fortunately not too frequent trains that rattle through the centre of the village, people who visit seem always to make a point of saying how quiet it is in Bundanoon. They marvel at it! Is it something that perhaps we take for granted? Secondly, the strong demarcation in light between day and night is not so apparent in the brilliantly lit cities with their often polluted skylines. For most visitors, especially those from the cities, these are qualities they feel they have lost or at the very least no longer experience in their world. That we have this as a constant suggests that we are, at least in this respect, blessed. 2017 has been a year of consolidation for the BCA although we are eager as ever to attract more Committee members, and in particular a new Treasurer, for 2018. I will say much about this in my report to the Annual General Meeting in March, however among several important initiatives a highlight has been the appointment of Kaz Williams as Winterfest 2018 Convenor. I know the community is eagerly looking forward to the shape and scale of next year’s event following the disappointment of not being able to secure a Convenor for 2017. The Committee is working closely with Kaz and her team to clarify and confirm the direction and budget for the 2018 event. The challenges of making the BCA relevant and important to the increasing number of young families coming to live and work in Bundanoon continues. As well, in supporting and encouraging the thriving Sub-Committees which are the lifeblood of the community, the BCA manages with what was described to me as a kind of ‘passive oversight’. I think this best describes the financial governance role the Committee is charged with, alongside the need to represent as best it can and where appropriate, all of the community’s interests. I believe it is also important that alongside this nurturing role the BCA should also feel free to encourage and support those groups who may wish ultimately to break free and fly on their own. Sometimes it’s a delicate balancing act between maintaining the strong cohesion between the BCA and the Sub-Committees and accepting, as has happened in the past, that some groups may wish to operate outside of the BCA umbrella. It can be a tricky balancing act but one which the BCA Committee takes very seriously. I wish all of you the very best. Geoff President, Geoff Duncan community Wingecarribee Shire Council report The summer holiday season is a truly wonderful time in the Southern Highlands. Our Shire offers a range of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Taking a refreshing dip in a Council pool, catching up with friends at one of our award- winning wineries or perhaps exploring one of the cool glens or gullies around Bundanoon are sure to be popular options. But summer is also a time for community celebration and reflection and one of our Shire’s most-popular annual events is of course Australia Day. Each year Council hosts the Shire’s official Australia Day celebrations on the 26 January at Berrima’s historic Court House. Celebrations start early in the morning when we welcome our newest citizens followed by the announcement of our Shire’s Australia Day Citizen of the Year recipients. I’d encourage all readers to give some thought and perhaps nominate a fellow Highlander for next year’s Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year awards. These awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise and congratulate the efforts of our residents who contribute to making the Southern Highlands such a wonderful place to live. The residents of Bundanoon and its surrounds are known for their inclusive community spirit so I’m sure there would be plenty of recipients worthy of nomination. One suggestion I would however make is regardless of how well known someone may be for their achievements is to not assume they’ve already been nominated. The Young Citizen Award is open to people who are aged 25 years or younger and all nominees must reside in the Wingecarribee Shire. Nominations close on Friday 15 December 2017. For further information about Wingecarribee Shire’s Australia Day Citizen Awards contact Council’s Australia Day Coordinator on 4868 0719 or visit our website at www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/ council/australia-day. Summer in Australia is of course also synonymous with Christmas and the festive season. As this is my final column of the year, I would like to wish the readers and families of JCG a joyous Christmas and a happy, healthy and safe new year. GM, Ann Prendergast Bundanoon Community Association wishes all readers a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season December 2017 10 jcg