DRA Floriade annuals continue into January 2024 due the rains. The tulips might have gone and we thought the annuals were finished but then with a wet Christmas they were rejuvenated.
The roundabaout flowers are also going well and we have planted small Agapanthas on the Buxton st roundabout.
Canberra’s storms on Friday night 8 December has moved to recovery mode. Transport Canberra and City Services (TCCS) specialist crews have been working their way through 500 jobs reported to their system and an additional 200 directions from the ACT SES.
A brittle gum Eucalyptus mannifera that came down across Stonehaven Cres was so large it couldn’t be readily moved. As with previous losses of street trees in Deakin, including on Stonehaven Cres it showed shallow roots. One suggestion is that this is result of short watering during establishment.
The President read his report to the meeting; this is attached as an appendix.
He thanked the outgoing committee and in particualr di Johnstone for her role over 20 years in support of DRA.
He proposed that the report be accepted.
Accepted
Moved: Mark Rebentrost
Seconded: Di Johnstone
Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer presented his report. This is attached as an appendix.
He proposed that his report be accepted.
Accepted
Moved: Martin Jennings
Seconded: Rebecca Vavic
Election of Committee Members and Office Bearers for 2024.
As insufficient nominations were received to fill all vacancies on the committee, all the above nominations were deemed to be elected, in accordance with Rule 14.4.
*Krystyna Fitzgerald was absent, but gave written consent to her nomination.
Marea Fatseas, ISCCC Chair thanked John Bell for his service and contributions to ISCCC.
George Wilson extended thanks to Di Johnstone for her service to DRA.
Deakin Heritage project: John Bell indicated that DRA had been successful in obtaining a grant of $14,780 for Discovering and valuing Deakin’s heritage. This was fully described in a DRA media release dated 14 September 2023. A historian, Ann-Mari Torrens, has been engaged to assist with the project. Ann-Mari described the stages of the history: Aboriginal history; European occupation 1828-1912; Old Deakin; Central Deakin and West Deakin. Di Johnstone appealed for photos of old Deakin, preferably out of copyright. The final product will be informative signboards, to be unveiled in Heritage week 2024.
Incoming President, Mark Rebentrost thanked John Bell for his service, saying he has big shoes to fill. He stated that he wants to spend less time in ACAT and that Deakin is the best place for a family to live.
John Bell raised the matter of a membership fee. He stated that we receive a grant from ISCCC, for communications. However, we need funding for 3rdparty appeals.
George Wilson: noted that we do not know who our members are, as many members leave without informing DRA. He also discussed a project in which the DRA is supporting The Woden School.
A speaker from the floor: indicated that he endorsed a membership fee and asked whether DRA could open a Facebook account.
Deakin Residents’ Association Inc. was privileged to have Senator David Pocock as guest speaker before our Annual General Meeting Canberra Bridge Club, 22 November 2023
Senator Pocock presented a summary of his Vision for Canberra and spoke to its five pillars, 1. Housing, 2. Events, 3. Innovation, 4. Transport and 5. Sustainability. He encouraged attendees to support his push for more investment and long-term thinking for Canberra as Australia’s national capital. He said we could subscribe for updates using the form at the bottom of the homepage at visionforcanberra.com
He also referred to his role on the current inquiry by the Joint Standing Committee on National Capital and External Territories. Chaired by our local member Alicia Payne MP, it is examining ways to foster and promote the significance of Australia’s National Capital. Anyone who would like to be kept in the loop regarding the inquiry is encouraged to register at the link
The Senator then took questions from the floor on a range of topics from housing shortage, enforcement of planning laws and the role of the Commonwealth.
Health Minister and Winnunga CEO speaking at ISCCC AGM/Public Forum 14 Nov 2023
The ISCCC welcomes you to join us at our Annual General Meeting and Public Forum on Tuesday, 14 November, at 7-9pm at the Eastlake Football Club. Please register to attend at:
At the ISCCC’s AGM, held 7-8pm, we will report on the ISCCC’s work and hold elections for ISCCC committee positions. We welcome nominations for committee positions. The draft agenda, the roles for which elections will be held, and the nomination form are at:
From 8-9pm, the ISCCC is delighted that we will have two speakers on health-related issues. The ACT Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA, will provide information and answer questions about the proposed walk-in health centre in Griffith. The CEO of the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services, Julie Tongs OAM, will speak about the work of Winnunga, which is based in neighbouring Narrabundah.
Summary Record and Presentations made at ISCCC Public Forum, 10 Oct 2023
See the record of the ISCCC’s 10 October public forum and speakers’ presentations at:
Estate Development Plan for Canberra Brickworks available for comment until 17 November
The Estate Development Plan for the Canberra Brickworks has been released for community comment until 17 November. The EDP can be accessed via the link below:
The Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate is delivering training on the new planning system up until the commencement of the new planning system in late November 2023 and beyond:
Conservation Management Plans (CMPs) have been approved for the Kingston Powerhouse Historic Precinct, Former Transport Depot Kingston, and John Fowler Road Locomotive 16161. See: https://yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/kingston-arts-precinct. Further engineering and planning review of carparking requirements has been undertaken, as well as a review of mixed use possibilities. The next community engagement will be held at the end of November 2023.
DRA is pleased to announce an important event on the 22nd of November, 2023. This is an opportunity for residents who care about the future of our neighbourhood to come together.
Our guest, Senator David Pocock, will be with us to discuss his ‘Vision for Canberra’. It’s a chance to hear directly about plans and ideas that could shape our city. There will also be a Q&A session where you can ask questions and engage in dialogue.
The event will also include the DRA Annual General Meeting at 7 pm, a moment to reflect on our association’s activities and goals. Afterward, at around 7:30 pm, we’ll have an informal gathering with drinks and light refreshments, providing a space to meet the new Committee and other residents.
📍 Where: The Bridge Club, Duff St, Deakin
📅 When: 22nd November 2023 ⌚
Time: Starting at 6 pm
We hope you can join us for this informative and community-focused evening.
MEDIA RELEASE – Heritage to be showcased in Deakin
The Deakin Residents’ Association is delighted to announce that the ACT Government has approved
a grant of $14,780 for the Deakin Residents’ Association (DRA) to undertake a project under the
ACT Heritage Grants program 2023-2024 for Discovering and valuing Deakin’s heritage.
The aim of this project is to document and describe heritage aspects of Deakin, emphasising its
importance in the historical development and legacy of Canberra as the national capital based on
Walter Burley Griffin’s designs and garden city principles. The project is planned in stages, with
Stage One being to design and install two Canberra Tracks signs, one at the Deakin shops and one
at La Trobe Park, describing the heritage aspects of Deakin; and to engage an historian to write a
more detailed historical overview of the development of Deakin for the DRA website which will be accessible via the Canberra Tracks app.
Currently there is no publicly accessible information in Deakin describing the suburb’s extensive
and significant social and architectural history, environmental value and heritage importance. This
project will provide signage, and a Canberra Tracks link will provide readily accessible information
to residents, tourists and other visitors.
The DRA also plans to engage school students, community
groups such as the Scouts (based in La Trobe Park), local schools and businesses in the project.
The project will also promote a wider understanding and knowledge of some related historical
developments in Australia. For example, information on signage in La Trobe Park will highlight the
important role of Charles La Trobe who, after the establishment of Victoria in 1851, was its first
Lieutenant Governor and oversaw the establishment of Melbourne’s beautiful Botanical Gardens.
Some streets and parks in Deakin are named after early State Governors.
The DRA hopes, subject to further funding, to undertake the development of a comprehensive
social data base and additional signage in other relevant locations, a heritage trail map and other
material on such issues as landscapes and treescapes. The DRA plans to celebrate Stage One during
the Heritage Festival in 2024 and will keep residents informed of these plans.
Contact can be made with Dr John Bell, President, Deakin Residents’ Association on 0438 732 953.
This project is supported with funding made available by the ACT Government under the ACT Heritage Grants Program.
The tulips and annuals at the Deakin shops are blossoming as part of Floriade. To celebrate our volunteers DRA is hosting a pop-up event.
24th of Sept’23 (Sunday)
From 2 pm onwards come join us near the Alfred Deakin statue and Double Shot.
The Canberra Burns Club Pipe Band will march and play led by one of our volunteer planters. DRA and others will promote their activities –Rotary, Scouts, and Red Hill Regenerators.
Join Us! – DRA will also get feedback on our ”Discovering and Valuing Deakin’s Heritage” project and plans for Heritage signs at Deakin shops and Latrobe Park.
On Sunday 24th Sept 2023 at 2pm people who use Deakin shops will gather to admire the floral display while thanking Floriade.
The event will bring together volunteers who have planted Deakin’s 5600 bulbs and annuals.
Deakin Residents Association plus other community organisations and businesses in our suburb will be able to promote their activities at displays in the forecourt of Double Shot.
The event will also be an opportunity for DRA to describe and get feedback on its recent ACT Heritage Grant – ”Discovering and Valuing Deakin’s Heritage” which is designing two Canberra Tracks signs to be installed at the Deakin shops and in Latrobe Park.
The Canberra Burns Club Pipe Band will march from Fitness First to Double Shot cafe. They will then play for half an hour.
More music and seating will be provided by Double Shot. Other supporters of Deakin Floriade planting include Deakin IgA, Deakin Fitness First, and Terry Fox Landscaping.
Maintaining the garden suburb is a key aim of DRA and we will be seeking to recruit new members and inform others, while hearing residents views and needs.
