Community Development

After the successful community meeting held in March this year to establish a community development group, the newly elected Boolarra Community Development Group (BCDG) have been very busy getting on with the task of coordinating and facilitating the social, economic and environmental development of Boolarra.

The Community Development Group Meetings are opened to the public and all residents of our town are invited to attend. Meetings are held on the 1st Monday of every month at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall Supper Room.

Members Name	Position	Contact Number
Colin Brick	Grants Coordinator – Treasurer	51-696238
Kate Cartwright	Interest Group Coordinator	51-696592
Steve Mansfield	Committee Member – Public Officer	51-696246
Ray Stewart	Committee Member	52-696275
Rick Teychenne	Secretary – Publicity Officer	51-696243
Bruce Craddock	Committee Member	51-696640
Catheryn Thompson	Environment Officer	51-696625
John Cargill	Committee Member	51-696643
Peter Steller	Committee Member
Neil Cartwright	Committee Member	51-696592
Serge Braun	Committee Member
Merrick Hilton	Committee Member	51-696473
Michelle Hassett	Committee Member
Marietta Herni	Committee Member
Rob Herni	Committee Member
Heather Farley	Latrobe City Representative

The nucleus of the BCDG is the community interest groups. Interest groups are the vital component of the BCDG structure, as the interest groups will be engaged in tackling specific areas and issues that will promote a "Better Boolarra". The convenors of the interest groups are:

If you wish to participate in an interest group or would like to contribute ideas for further interest groups, you can contact the Interest Group Co-ordinator, Ms Kate Cartwright on 51-696592.

Many new initiatives that residents of Boolarra have expressed through forums, meetings and surveys have been explored with new infrastructure already implemented.

Examples of the new developments so far for our town are: information and notice board at the Memorial Hall, The 2003 Boolarra Folk Festival, Boolarra.com Web Site, increased membership and support for the Rail Trail Committee of Management, Boolarra Tourist Information Pamphlet for Gippsland Tourist Centers and Black Spot funding for improved TV reception.

The BCDG are also working with local community groups such as the Skateboard Park and the Rail Trail Committee in providing grants, submission assistance and contacts to government organisations. Further initiatives that the BCDG hopes to introduce are murals on some of our buildings that will enhance the look and features of our historic sites, development of local committee of management for the Centenary Park and the old Hardware Shop, a roof for Railway Park toilet block and a running-fitness track around the railway park.

All these initiatives take time, as there are many "hedges" to jump over with local and state government organisations. There are meetings to organize, submissions to write, consultation with residents, planning and local laws to follow and manpower to develop these new projects, however the BCDG have clearly demonstrated so far in their short time that they are fully committed to the residents of Boolarra.

To increase the development of the BCDG members and their awareness to other local community groups, the BCDG have been taking advantage of the many local and state government forums that have been held in the last few months. We have provided representation at the Latrobe City Building Community Networks, Victorian State Government Communities Growing Together forum, Vic Health Community Funding Seminar and the Latrobe City Community Group Conference. These forums have been fantastic for the BCDG, as they have provided valuable networks and funding areas for future projects.

Ray Stewart
I have lived and worked in the Boolarra area for over 30 years.Being a member of the Boolarra Community Development Committee gives me a chance to be a part of a progressive group, working with other people in our community in an attempt to address issues seen as important to residents of Boolarra and surrounding districts.There are now signs the Development Group is starting to make a real difference in the town.The formation of a group,of which I am convenor to organise a Folk Festival in March 2003 is one example of this.During my time with the BCDG I intend to make a strong commitment to maintain our assets and help develop new initiatives put forward by community members in our town and nearby areas.

John Cargill
I live in Boolarra with my partner, Elaine and two children, Thea and Jordan. I have lived in and around Boolarra for 28 years and have seen many changes. I am Campus Manager for Central Gippsland Institute of TAFE at Leongatha. I have had, and continue to have, involvement in a number of community groups and activities around the town over the years.

Catheryn Thompson
Founding member Boolarra Community Environment Group, Boolarra Community Development Group. I work part-time as an Environmental Strategy Officer in local government in the Latrobe Valley. Boolarra has been my home for the last 15 years. I have two sons who live in Boolarra. I am an active member of ARC yinnar an artist run collective that supports music, dance and the arts. I spent four years in Tasmania obtaining my Masters in Environmental Studies at the University of Tasmania, Hobart. During this time I worked on forest campaigns with the Wilderness Society and on The Tasmanian Greens election campaigns and I was employed as NUS Environment Officer at Hobart campus where I organised Environmental forums and a Benefit night for the Hmong Refugees. Prior to this I worked as a secondary teacher, in the Latrobe Valley and Healesville area. My long term support for collective organizations and grass roots campaigns has led to my involvement at the local level in beautiful Boolarra. Social, economic and ecological sustainability at all levels is the basis of my politics. Without a healthy environment however we are nothing, that's why the Boolarra Community Environment Group intends to get its hands dirty 'cleaning up' our reserves and catchments.

Rick Teychenne
Rick Teychenne was born and bred in the Gippsland town of Traralgon. He moved out to Boolarra in 1982 with his wife Regina to escape the hustle and bustle of the Latrobe Valley and to raise their children in a small community town. They purchased a 5-acre property in Piggery Road, built a lovely house on the hill overlooking the "village" of Boolarra and have raised four beautiful children in a safe and healthy environment. Rick has been active in many community activities. He has been a member of the Boolarra Cricket Club for 18 years, playing in many finals in A & B Grade, coaching junior cricket and participating in the running of the club, acting as the president for many years.

He was also instrumental in the merger of the Boolarra Cricket Club with the Jerralang Cricket Club. The amalgamation has been very successful with the new club, "JB Panthers" playing in A, B, C senior grades and also junior Under 12, 14 & 16 in the Traralgon District Cricket Association. Rick has also been a member of the Boolarra Apex Club, Boolarra and Mirboo North School Councils, Boolarra Rail Trail Committee and is currently an active member of the Boolarra Parks Committee and the Boolarra Community Development Group. Rick is "passionate" about Boolarra and the community and he hopes the work with the Boolarra Community Development Group will provide long-term development and growth to this great town.

Colin Brick
Age: 45
Address: Monash way, Boolarra
Phone No: 51696238
Email: cbrick@vtown.com.au
Period in Boolarra: 15 years

Personal profile
Married to Samantha, with two young children.
Interests include walking, tennis and history.
Work at Hazelwood Power as an accountant.
Secretary of the Recreation Reserve

Comments on the Community Group
I believe the group has the potential to focus a lot of the energy and skills within the community to make Boolarra a better place for us all.

BCDG Minutes
Read the minutes of the following BCDG Meetings. (In MS Word format)

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