- Rokeby and Crossover Friends Group Inc. - 
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- Rokeby and Crossover Friends Group Inc. -
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GENERAL BUSINESS: The general meeting was preceded by our annual meeting and elections. ANNUAL MEETING: Minutes from previous annual meeting were read and accepted. (David Mapelson and Craig Jeffs) Treasurers report was read and accepted. (Mary Hughes and David Mapleson) Chairpersons report was read and accepted. (Eugene Dimitriadis and Mary Hughes) Report Follows. Elections were held for next years office bearers with the following results: Chairperson: Bernard Doherty Secretary: David Dawson Treasurer: Eugene Dimitriadis Deputy chairperson: Left vacant (David Mapleson was nominated but declined. (He has since then expressed his acceptance and this will be ratified at the next general meeting) GENERAL MEETING NOTES 1) UPDATE ON BRIDGE PROJECT: There has been lots of meetings and consultation with shire, engineers and heritage advisers. As the bridge is owned by the shire they MUST be the applicants for any restoration works. The shire is liasing with our committee and organising for a full "heritage engineer's report" to be completed before any funding applications are submitted, this may take us past the close off date for heritage funding this year. This will not be a problem as the "track" works will be going ahead early next year and the bridge works should follow on nicely. 2) CRAIG JEFFS REPORT: A) He is moving into another position with Parks Vict. and our new ranger will be Rob Howell, however Craig will continue to be our liaison ranger for the time being. B) Our funding application ($10,000) from Parks community funding scheme will probably not be granted because of the low priority that Parks Victoria put on the Rokeby/Crossover Park. Ed note: This funding application was to go towards the track project and it is certainly a blow to hear that Parks cannot see the merit in the project. Our contingency plans, for financing, allow us to continue with our planning and we are confident that with or without Parks finance the project will be successful.) 3)Eugene spoke to us about a display of "ANYTHING TO DO WITH WOOD". Old tools, machinery, turnings, carvings, timbers ect. will all be on display at the Neerim South Hall on Wednesday 14th November 2007. 4) ROKEBY PUMP STATION: At our last meeting we were asked to do a submission for council on the now defunct Pumping Station, this was in response to the present owners of the station (Gippsland Water) requesting a demolition permit for the site. To assist us evaluate the present situation a site inspection for members was held and the following speakers were invited along to this meeting: Ann Napier: Shire heritage adviser Ann spoke on the background of the pumping station and the merits of restoring the site with the equipment replaced. She also spoke on the suggestion of housing and displaying the machinery on a separate site in Rokeby township. Wayne Henry: Baw Baw Old Engine and Auto Restorers Club As present custodians of the machinery (pumps, motors, ect) the restorers club was not on favour of putting the machinery back in the station because of the cost factor and the isolation of the site. Vandalism over many years has caused problems. Ian Knowles: Rokeby Resident As the nearest and only close resident to the site, Ian spoke on the problems of public access, public safety, vandalism and the costs involved. He suggested removal of the building (being a rundown tin shed), retention of the foundations and the erection of a suitable plaque to explain the significance of the site. Tim Stoll: Rokeby Resident Tim spoke on behalf of Rokeby residents. Their concerns are the site isolation and safety, the increased use of the nearby public walking track and costs involved. Suggested machinery be housed at Rokeby in a museum format as an attraction for people using rail trail. Also in favour of building demolition and retention of foundations with suitable monument for those wishing to visit site. There was a lot of discussion on how to overcome the problems of vandalism and safety while retaining the site in its present form. Other discussion was focussed on the heritage values of the building, the site and the machinery. It was also noted that public access, ownership, and costs were unanswered questions on the night. A copy of our final submission will be passed onto council and posted on the web site. Meeting closed at 9.25 P.M. for supper. For more information on meetings click on this link. |
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