The village has quietened down considerably in regard to visitors but that doesn’t mean there is no activity behind the scenes be assured that the Progress Association Executive Committee and Sub-committees are working away with your best interests at heart.
First and foremost our sincere thanks needs to go to the Fussell family who recently bought a property in Pearl Beach. They have made a generous donation of $10,000 to go towards general expenses and upkeep of the Memorial Community Hall. We are very appreciative of their generosity.
It is always exciting when change occurs-Pearls on the Beach has been taken over by new owners in recent months- now the Pearl Beach Cafe and Store has been purchased by Coast Realty-we look forward to the changes they will make in the operation of the business-I am told they wish to focus on the local community.
We also need to acknowledge recent grants from Central Coast Council for the planned Australia Day activities and for a subsidy on our annual Council Rates. The efforts of our Treasurer, Libby Nelson in pursuing these grants is greatly appreciated.
It has been a big news month-the biggest news is that we have been successful in obtaining a grant of $91,630 from the Commonwealth Government Summer Bushfire Fund. This will allow the Pearl Beach Memorial Community Hall to be equipped as a support centre in times of crisis and or disaster. We should all be very grateful to Paul Toohey for his persistence and dedication over several years which has finally resulted in success to allow the project to proceed.
Your Events Committee under the leadership of Lynne Lillico-your efforts are greatly appreciated Lynne- are in the process of co-ordinating a Trivia Night on Saturday 26 March and the Easter Book Fair and Art Trail on Saturday 9 April. All these events are well worth supporting. Plans are underway for the Annual Music and Piano Scholarships in May and possibly a Bush Dance in April. It is also planned to revive Cinema Afternoons on Wednesdays in winter with the showing of Classic Movies for the movie buffs among us- watch this space!!
There has been a changing of the guard at the Pearl Beach Rural Fire Service where hopefully the focus will be on the local community and it’s needs. This has been missing in recent years and it is admirable that the new RFS leadership will exhibit appreciation for what the community has done in the past and continues to do. It would appear that the Community Fire Unit has had a rebirth of sorts with an increase in membership as has the RFS.
It can be reported that all the necessary ground work has been finalised - with grateful thanks to Mary Knaggs- resulting in an application for a grant being submitted to the Commonwealth Government to allow the restoration/ renovation of our village War Memorial-hopefully there will be good news soon.
As you may be aware the “Buddies” group has been operating for several years now through the generous efforts of several members of the community. With changes in personal circumstances the need for new volunteers has arisen. If you are interested in helping please contact Russell on 0419230224.
Many thanks to our GEM Editor, Margaret Westcott for her efforts in collating and managing production of the GEM. Thanks also to all those who make a contribution by submitting an article . Trust you enjoy this edition of the GEM and please contact any member of the Executive Committee with your comments, feedback or any new ideas-all gratefully received.
Russell (Grove)
President 2021-22
Pearl Beach Progress Association
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