Public Notice

Howlong Community Progress Association

Featured in the Howlong Grapevine September 2021

The HCPA Inc Committee has held a further meeting since the August Grapevine update. It’s been a rocky road in our endeavours to get to the second public meeting planned for 6 September, which has now been postponed until further notice due to current restrictions and lockdowns.

HCPA Membership: A reminder that applications for membership are now open and the committee encourages residents in the 2643 postcode to join up. Annual Membership is $5 per person. As a not-for-profit progress association, we cannot operate without financial support - membership helps us to operate annual running expenses. Your application form can be dropped at Mail n Mart (Post Office) or emailed. If paying by cash please secure it in an envelope, however a bank transfer is the best option.

Police Presence: Paul Huggett, Inspector - OIC Western Sectors, Murray River Police District had agreed to be a guest speaker at the public meeting. When we can plan a meeting in the future, he has indicated he will be available to discuss the police presence in and around Howlong.

Ambulance/First Responder: The public meeting planned for late September is now on hold. The committee had hoped to have a special meeting to allow community input and to seek interest from anyone who may wish to be involved as a volunteer of a first responder unit. For further information please email howlong.progress@yahoo.com and someone will contact you for a confidential chat.

Performing Arts Sub-Committee: A sub-committee has now been formed with members Coleen Bell, Jenny Enever, Elise Taylor & Sue Gibbins. They will be overseeing the organisation of a special event to (hopefully) be held during March 2022 in Howlong. This will be a drawcard event to attract entrants from Howlong and the surrounding region to perform at an amateur talent quest. The intention is to have several categories including children and adults. There is much work to be done to format the structure and finalise plans before advertising the event …..so watch this space.

HCPA Website: A website design has been completed to mock-up stage and an application for funding via the current Federation Council’s ‘Community Grants Program’ has now been lodged. The outcome will not be known until late October; however, we remain hopeful for a positive result so we can launch this communication gateway for public access.

Trees: A letter has been sent to Federation Council requesting an Arborist to inspect the condition of tress in Hawkins and Sturt Streets.

Tip Hours: A letter has been sent to Federation Council expressing concern about the lack of community engagement for the change in tip hours to only two x half days; namely Tues 1-4pm and Sat 9am-12pm. Community feedback also indicates Sunday -v- Saturday would be preferable.

Contact: howlong.progress@yahoo.com -or-

PO Box 51, Howlong

President: S Sizer – 0427 138 667

Secretary: C Cook – 0418 979 291