24 Nov / 2025

Key outcome AGM -13 Nov 2025

The following summarises the outcomes of the Deakin Residents Association Annual General Meeting held on 13 November 2025 at 6:00 pm.

Despite earlier concerns that we may not have sufficient nominees for a 2026 Committee, the meeting was well attended and generated constructive discussion.

Engagement with Canberra Girls Grammar School

Sandie Simmons and Nancy Lee represented Canberra Girls Grammar School (CGGS). They noted that the School will celebrate its 100th year of operation in 2026, and members suggested that this milestone would be an excellent opportunity for CGGS to showcase aspects of Deakin’s history.

They also outlined a range of opportunities for collaboration with the DRA, particularly through their community-service program. One suggestion was that students might assist older residents with computers and digital skills. There was also discussion about opportunities for students to help record local heritage and stories associated with notable residents and historic homes.

Members noted that intergenerational learning could work both ways, with students benefiting from the knowledge and experiences of older residents while offering practical support to the community. More information for residents interested in participating will be circulated shortly.

Heritage Documentation and Local History

Several members expressed interest in extending last year’s Heritage project to document the heritage of Deakin, especially the histories of homes associated with influential or long-standing residents. CGGS students may be able to contribute to this work as part of their community-service activities.

Liaison with Local Businesses

DRA aims to strengthen engagement with local businesses.
Jason El-Khoury from HIVE attended the meeting, spoke about current trends in the real-estate market, and expressed enthusiasm for continuing last year’s successful Easter egg hunt. HIVE is also keen to explore additional initiatives that may benefit or interest the Deakin community.

Yarralumla Residents Association Update

Peter Pharaoh from the Yarralumla Residents Association (YRA) outlined several initiatives underway in Yarralumla, including a Christmas event and local tree-maintenance activities. He also described YRA’s concerns regarding proposals to convert existing open space and parkland into a permanent traction facility for the proposed Light Rail extension to Woden.

Peter also noted that YRA has a volunteer team working on their streetscape due to limited council support. Their approach helps maintain the appearance and amenity of Yarralumla and provides a model the DRA may wish to explore for Deakin. More information will follow as this idea develops.

ACT Finances and Rates Concerns

MLA Fiona Carrick provided an overview of the ACT’s financial position, including the increasing burden of debt servicing. Forward projections indicate that interest payments will exceed $1 billion in FY 2028/29. Concerns were raised that more services appear to be directed to the north side of the lake, while rates remain higher on the south side with unclear benefits returned.

We have written to Ms Carrick taking up her offer to obtain information from ACT Treasury on the total amount of rates paid by Deakin households and the level of expenditure in the suburb.

Members also requested information on how unimproved value is calculated and how revenue is allocated across suburbs.

For those interested in a more detailed overview of ACT finances, the ISCCC is hosting a public forum with guest speaker Dr Khalid Ahmed (former senior ACT Treasury official):
Monday 24 November 2025, 7:00–9:00 pm, Eastlake Football Club.
More details are available at the link

Ms Carrick also expressed concern about insufficient community space and the growing number of major residential developments proposed for Woden—including 17 new apartment towers, one at 54 storeys.

Committee for 2026

We are pleased to confirm that a full Committee has been formed for 2026, including Treasurer and Secretary positions. Nominations were received and accepted for the following members:

  • Jack Gault – Public Officer
  • John Bell – Treasurer
  • Peter “Batch” Batcheldor – Secretary
  • Mark Rebentrost
  • George Wilson
  • Martin Jennings
  • Brian Leonard
  • Carol Guida
  • Jim Bain
  • Leanne Thomas
  • Philippa Rowland
  • Peter Longland

The positions of President and Vice President will be determined by the Committee following further discussion.

We have also been approached by representatives of the Forrest Residents Group (FRG) regarding closer collaboration with the DRA, given our shared interests, adjacency, and overlapping community concerns. The Committee agreed that this opportunity should be explored further.

Volunteers for DRA Projects

We received strong interest from members willing to contribute to ongoing and emerging DRA priorities, including:

  • Bikeway and active-travel advocacy
    • DRA is working with Pedal Power is exploring options to establish a safe, continuous cycling route from Woden to Civic.
  • Improving street landscapes, nature strips and amenity
    • Members are encouraged to continue reporting issues through FixMyStreet.
  • Rates and benefits
  • Traffic speed and volume issues
  • The Deakin heritage project

Probable closure of the Scout Group in Deakin

The DRA is saddened to learn that the Scout Group at Latrobe Park is likely to close due to an inability to attract sufficient leaders to continue its youth-development activities.

The Group began in December 1925 as Second Canberra and has operated from the Latrobe Park Scout Hall since 1963, when the Hall was opened by the then Governor-General, Lord De L’Isle. Local parents and Scouts raised funds for its construction, including through bottle drives.

In 2003 the Group was renamed Air Scouts Canberra, reflecting the aviation-themed program introduced by me as the then Group Leader.

In light of the Group’s impending closure, I am proposing to contact former Scouts, leaders, parents and supporters to gauge interest in a gathering at Latrobe Park. Such an event could:

  • provide an opportunity to reminisce and acknowledge the Group’s century-long contribution to youth development in Deakin and Canberra.
  • help collect stories, photographs and memorabilia for the Deakin heritage project; and
  • offer a forum to consider alternatives to closure and fund raising.

The Committee agrees that this idea warrants further consideration and planning.

Warm regards,
George Wilson AM
Vice President, Deakin Residents Association
📞 0418 236 575
🌐 www.deakinresidents.asn.au