Thank you to all the members who were able to attend on the 13th September. 36 people attended including the City of Unley Mayor and 4 Councillors and 13 sent apologies.
It was an important meeting as the future of FOCUS was robustly discussed with a range of views expressed. These ranged from winding up FOCUS or keeping it in a state of hibernation involving few public meetings but ready to act if a major issue in Unley arose.
Some members pointed out FOCUS activities have not impacted on any of the major developments in Unley recently for example, building of two seven storey apartment buildings in an area designated in the Unley development plan for 5 stories, the failure to have Culross Avenue Highgate designated as a living street arising out of the crowded high rise on the street entrance. Other members highlighted the positive impacts of FOCUS activities in Unley including supporting other action groups with financial and networking advice.
The elected Council members of the City of Unley collectively stated FOCUS is an important communication tool for them to understand the views of the community.
Other members proposed FOCUS as an organised and respected community group. FOCUS can and must provide some pushback to the current Planning and Development Act which has disenfranchised citizens and local government.
There was discussion about the importance of FOCUS using social media as a tool to reach new arrivals and younger members of the community. Joint meetings and activities with other resident groups were discussed. There was general agreement FOCUS needs to continue with a review of the forms of its public activities.
New office bearers were elected.
- President – Mary Rumbold
- Vice president position – vacant
- Treasurer – Dian Naraniecki
- Membership Secretary – Peter Simmonds
- Minute Secretary and Public officer – Rosalie McCarthy
- Committee member – Anne Wharton
New committee members are welcome and can join immediately.
The meeting passed the following motions:
- that the elected committee develop a position paper for members in the next 12 months to consider the strategic direction of FOCUS. This paper to be presented to membership prior to the 2022-23 AGM.
- that the Committee draw up a calendar of meetings appropriate to both the availability of speakers and the availability of the Committee to manage such activities.
Mary Rumbold – President – Friends of the City of Unley Society, Inc, (FOCUS)
Friends of the City of Unley Society, Inc. 