Annual General Meeting held at Deep Creek Funtion Centre 21st November 2024

CEC PRESIDENT’S REPORT AGM – 21st November 2024
Welcome everyone and thank you for being here.
Another year gone and lots more to report but I will be brief. The most
significant change was that CEC finally decided we had no choice but to
relinquish management of the various areas of Public Land we had looked
after for more than 20 years. Many people in DEECA had tried
unsuccessfully to find a solution to what everyone saw as an unacceptable
problem – their funding model did not allow even for reimbursement of
expenses necessarily incurred.
The Minister for Environment, Steve Dimopoulos, recently visited Deep Creek
thanks to our MP Emma Vulin. He seemed impressed by what he saw and
heard but we all know it is not a good time to find additional funding.
The other negative from this year is the increasing battle for funding of
environmental education. Ecolinc will not be presenting any more classes
after this year because of insufficient funding. This potentially means that
the wonderful asset of Deep Creek Reserve is in serious danger of being
under-utilised. CEC believes that to fulfil our principal reason for existing, to
improve the environment in Cardina, educating children with a science based
approach is of paramount importance. We are pleased that PrimeSci is keen
and very able to provide this curriculum based education although some
funding still needs to be found.
Cardinia Shire misses out on its fair share of funding because so much of it
depends on having some TAFE presence which neighbouring councils have
all secured. Our Committee sees it as crucial that the momentum gained to
date as a venue ideal for environmental education not be permitted to be
lost. Council and CEC must join with others including teachers to lobby
those responsible for STEM within Department of Education. Also, longer
term advantage will come from creating even a small TAFE presence.
Now to the positives for the year. The Nursery continues to strengthen under
Adele’s management. Good progress has also been made in reducing the
dependence on Adele with Kym, Drena and Linda all assuming greater
responsibilities. Awareness of benefits of using indigenous vegetation is
increasing aided by Council’s wonderful initiative of providing vouchers
which Cardinia residents can exchange for plants. One example of how CEC
can positively impact the area is the Pakenham East development, Averley.
Here, every purchaser of a block will receive a voucher for indigenous plants
and we commend and thank Lendlease for joining us with this initiative. For
both groups of people bringing vouchers, there is the opportunity for CEC to
showcase our Nursery and the benefits of using the plants. Volunteers
continue to be important and there is regular activity from work for dole
participants and groups from Outlook Disability Services plus PrimeSci
classes for primary schools and Nursery visits from local secondary schools.
The Nursery has also had various forays out such as to Pakenham Show.
During the year our Committee lost Alicia Groves and Amber McLeod due to
work commitments and Nancy Salinas who moved away. We thank them for
their contributions. We have gained two new members Madhura
Senerviratne whose strength is in digital communication and Jenny Clarke
who, among other things is strong on governance. Two very valuable new
members. I want to thank our other Committee members starting with our
Treasurer Gursaran Kandola from whom you will hear soon. Our Secretary
Tony O’Hara does a heap of work with amazing efficiency as do Ian
Chisholm and Susan Anderson. Thank you all. There is a vacancy on our
Committee. Anyone with a passion for the environment who wishes to
know more is very welcome to contact me to discuss it. We would
particularly welcome young people.
As with the Nursery, the office side of our operations has also made gains.
Bhavesh Nanda has very capably done the invoicing, payroll, etc without
fuss and he and Gursaran have implemented software and systems changes
aimed at improving the procedures.
It is fantastic to see the Golf Club and catering functioning so well again.
Deep Creek Reserve already offers plenty but imagine what a hub it will
become as Pakenham East develops. CEC aims to further strengthen the
relationship with Bunurong Land Council by working with and learning from
them on projects at Deep Creek and elsewhere in the Shire.
Our member groups and others are, I know, as delighted as I am with the
regular informative newsletters. Linda Sijpkes has taken responsibility for
this in addition to her role as Landcare Facilitator. As previously mentioned,
she is still also working with Adele.
CEC has DGR status meaning any donor can claim their donation as a tax
deduction. We are grateful to our sponsors who include The Andrews
Foundation, Parklea and Lendlease.
The period since Covid has seen CEC consolidate its activities. I believe we
now have a good secure base from which to build. As we do, we must be
certain to preserve what is best about the CEC – the harmonious and
respectful atmosphere which is such a credit to Adele and everyone working
there and which is so sadly lacking in many other workplaces.
Thank you. Questions?