A bulletin from Greenhills Conference Centre covering some of the events and achievements in the Autumn months of March, April & May 2010.



Moving with the times

Greenhills is now greener: not just because of the wonderful rain and sun in recent times, but also because we are installing a 10kW solar panel system on the roof of Rotary Hall. This system, an array of 60 photovoltaic cells, will produce electricity to feed into the national grid and to offset some of our significant power costs of providing the service we give to our Greenhills clients.

When you visit Greenhills next, you will see new growth, new signs and a transformed central area in front of the Murrumbidgee Centre being developed with shade shelters, gardens and new tables and seats. More work is being planned over the next 12 months.

Painting and refurbishment of Christie Cabins has begun and a refurbishment program for the Murrumbidgee Centre is being organised. These will further improve the experience of the clients who stay at Greenhills.

The Board has also decided to begin the process of looking into the expansion of the Cotter Centre with more beds and a new accommodation block. This would increase the capacity of Greenhills to over 200 beds which will enhance our ability to serve multiple church, school and community groups.

UCAF celebrations

Greenhills had the privilege of hosting the Uniting Church National Adult Fellowship celebration from 21 to 25 April.

121 UCAF members spent a memorable week with us, at a place that has not looked better for many years. For more than 6 months, we have been blessed by abundant rain and excellent work by our maintenance team, Eddie, Bruce and Rudi, with great support from many working bees. This combination has worked to show Greenhills in its true colours.

The theme of the UCAF celebration was “For such a time as this”. The program included worship, bible study and learning more about the Uniting Church’s ministries. Some learned craft, went bushwalking or made music. There was time for fellowship and sightseeing. Shared meals together - in our dining room with “one of Australia’s finest views” were especially appreciated.

Our thanks to Rev Alistair Christie, and the organising committee, for giving Greenhills the opportunity to host this UCAF Celebration. We are going to plant a tree to mark the gathering.

An added bonus to Greenhills from UCAF was the construction of pergolas over the northern doorways of Christie Cabins 3 & 4 by Alan & Denise Secombe from Newcastle, immediately following the celebrations.

Denise & Alan beneath a nearly completed pergola.

Volunteers Excel

The contributions from regular volunteers and at two working bees held over the past few months have been outstanding successes.

  Rotary Working Bee on Saturday 20^th March was supported by 10 Rotarians and 5 from Melba Shed, Harold & Chris plus three staff. They cleaned up and painted the outside and most of the insides of Cabins 3 & 4.

Community Working Bee on Monday 3^rd May supported by Melba Shed and Wesley’s MMMM Group members did more to finish these off as well as more of the landscape clearing.

On Saturday 27^th March the UCA Young Adult Group, inspired by Jessica Morthorpe, exceeded all expectations when 15 (yes FIFTEEN) young adults and leader Rev. Myung Hwa Park arrived to tidy up the walking trails and environmental areas.  Vernon Bailey also supported this group on the day – in a welcome return to Greenhills. They removed a huge trailer load plus ten bags of weeds, met with Chairperson Averill, conducted a brief service in the chapel, planted a memorial tree and were well catered for at morning tea and lunch by caterers Bec & Steve.

 Thanks also to staff members Bruce Buckman, who managed the Young Adults Group day. Eddie, Paula and Jose who provided support to the Rotary Working Bees while volunteer Herb Heath put things back together again and Maree and Cyril cleaned the cabins after.

 
Rotarians painting the Christie Cabins at recent working bee.

Diary Dates:
GREENHILLS OPEN DAY on Sunday 24^th October 2010 from 1 – 4pm

Community Working Bee – Monday 9^th October 2010

Rotary Working Bees @ Greenhills Saturday 7^th Aug. 11^th Sept. 6^th Nov.