Article for Corowa Free Press

Howlong Community Progress Association

The Federation Council has been a strong supporter of the development of our association, as it provides an avenue for Council to work with the Howlong community to meet its ongoing needs. The HCPA committee is thrilled that Council has just approved $2,900 from their recent Community Grants Program. These start-up funds will assist in securing public liability insurance, plus the development of a website that will provide a communication gateway for our members to keep abreast of community projects; showcase businesses and local groups/clubs that support the community; provide links to Federation Council and other helpful websites. We hope the community will embrace the website when it goes live, and that it becomes a product of community input with information that also meets the needs of tourists and people relocating to Howlong.

Whilst HCPA officially incorporated late 2020, the first public meeting to elect the inaugural committee was not held until May this year. However, with the many restrictions, border closures & lockdowns since, it has been difficult to gain traction for another public meeting to discuss community projects already in the pipeline. The association’s primary goal is to work for the benefit of the Howlong community and to promote positive community outcomes. The committee will also provide a voice to all levels of government and other authorities to help bring results that benefit the entire township. As an incorporated body we can apply for grants such as the one just received, and HCPA will undertake fundraising to feed much-needed revenue back into community projects and activities.

The eight-member team of the current committee come from diverse backgrounds, some having been connected to Howlong for decades, whilst others are newer to the township. It is a good mix of individuals who offer varied skills who have been busy behind the scenes undertaking research and approaching organisations to provide feedback to the community. Top priorities for our committee have been: - apply for seed funding from the Community Grants Program; address police, health & ambulance services; upgrade of Memorial Park; design the HCPA website and seek memberships.

These topics and other issues will be presented at our second public meeting being held on Monday 8 November, 7.00pm at the Howlong Golf Resort. To further help our community understand modern day policing, and how Howlong can continue to be a safe place to live, the special guest speaker will be Inspector Paul Huggett, Officer in Charge, Rivers Cluster, Murray River Police District.