GREENHILLS OPEN DAY AND AGM

Greenhills Open Day 2011 was held on Sunday, 7th August. As well as the opportunity to inspect the site and enjoy afternoon tea with us, our Executive Director, Peter Badowski, and Managers, Stephen and Kathy Schlenk were commissioned at a special service conducted by our Moderator, Rev. Niall Reid, of the NSW/ACT Synod of the Uniting Church.

The Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday, 12th October, with 25 people in attendance. After being welcomed by our Chairperson, Averill Edwards, and devotion by Rev. Duncan MacLeod, reports were tabled.

Averill Edwards announced that she is concluding her time on the Board on 2nd December, handing over the reins to Barry Howe. We all sincerely thank Averill for the wisdom and dedication she has brought to the role of Chairperson over the past three years. We warmly welcome Barry, a long-standing and industrious Board member, into his new role as Chairperson, and look forward to continuing a great working relationship with him.

Jessica Morthorpe had great pleasure in presenting Averill with Greenhills Centre’s certificate of accreditation in the Five Leaf Eco Award. We are the first Christian campsite to qualify for accreditation in this pilot ecumenical environmental change program.

Jessica is moving to WA, and we wish her every success and happiness there.

A DAY OUT VISITING THE NEIGHBOURS

The Enlarged Cotter Dam is a major engineering project just down the road from Greenhills. Being close neighbours, our staff plus the managers of Camp Cotter-mouth, Owen and Jenny Russell, were invited to take a special conducted tour of the facility. The scope of the project was breathtaking, and those tiny cranes seen in the distance are huge up close! We were all most impressed with the conscious effort to protect the environment — from revegetation to providing habitats for fish in areas that will soon be totally submerged. There are walking trails alongside the dam and regular Open Days advertised. 

 GARDENS AND GROUNDS — BEFORE AND AFTER

We have shown you some of our recent projects in re-juvenating gardens and developing recreation areas in the last couple of Updates. Working bees in September and November assisted with even more upgrades. New lawns have been planted, and the central area is looking fresh and green, with more trees and gardens flourishing.

We have been keeping a photographic record of these works in progress, and thought you might be interested in seeing some ‘before and after’ shots of the areas that have been worked on this year. It is pleasing to see how much things have changed!

Here is a central recreation area ‘before’ shot. 

 And the finished project, complete with mural on the water tank. 

 CONGRATULATIONS KELLY AND DAVID!

Our Customer Service Host Kelly and husband David have welcomed baby Matilda Rose into their family. ‘Tilly’ is their first child, and she is already proving to be taking after her Mum — beautiful, and with a delightful personality. Matilda was born at 6.15am on 8th September, weighing 3.4kg or 7lb6oz. Kelly reports that she is finally getting into a routine, and even more importantly, getting some sleep!

Kelly is hoping to rejoin our team next year. We thank Cherie, also a Customer Service Host, who extended her hours, and Helen who stepped into the breach in the office on a casual contract to cover Kelly’s maternity leave.

WORKING BEES

We sincerely thank all those who have attended 4 Rotary and 2 Community working bees this year, helping us with many projects, and achieving great results for the site. Our last working bee, held on Saturday 5th November, was attended by a group of disabled people from Shaw Possibilities, working under the supervision of Ginninderra Rotary Club members. Gravel and pinebark were spread, posts put in along a walking trail, and some painting completed outside Coorumbene Cottage — all greatly appreciated!

DIARY DATES

 Upcoming events at Greenhills in the first quarter include:

8 February 2012        Board Meeting

13 February 2012      Next News Update Summer 2012

24 March 2012          Rotary & Community Working Bee

Have you ever considered using Greenhills Centre for a day conference or function? We have great facilities and competitive rates!

And don’t forget we have self-contained Cabins available, particularly on weekends and during school holidays.

 NOTE: OFFICE CLOSED 23rd Dec. to 2nd Jan.