Apollo Bay

Voice News

Interim Committee for Apollo Bay - Report # 3

Dear residents, ratepayers and all those with long-term connection to the area.

When I opened the community meeting on April 17, my first word was “Wow”. It was so heartening to see more than 200 of you pack out the Mechanics Hall. Well I find myself again wanting to say “Wow”: this time in relation to the more than 330 people who cast a vote for the name of our committee. Apollo Bay has spoken. You have chosen Apollo Bay Community Voice : On Gadubanud Country. Thank you all so very much. The vote tally was as follows: The Voice of Apollo Bay 6%, Apollo Bay Action Collective 16% and the AB Community Voice at 78%.

The Committee is also very grateful for the many messages of support and encouragement we have received over the last few weeks and we also want to thank the good folk at the Post Office, Hardware, the Bakery and the Info Centre for hosting the voting boxes in prominent locations. Our thanks also to Pamela Carey who has been keeping the vote tally and whipping around collecting the paper votes. Now that we have a name, we can formalise the incorporation process. To that end, the interim Committee held its third meeting yesterday (June 7). Our primary focus was to finalise the wording of our constitution. Probably sounds pretty dull, and much of it is, but there were several threshold issues to consider and nail down. These issues included the purposes of the Apollo Bay Community Voice; what territory the association will represent; membership criteria; and which portfolios most accurately represent the current diversity of community need and interest.

So, what’s our purpose?

(1) To represent and advocate for the residents and ratepayers of Apollo Bay & districts, on Gadubanud Country, but within our identified Territory.

(2) To negotiate with governments, government entities and third party organisations whose policies and decisions affect the well-being and future of the community.

(3) To act as a clearing house of community ideas.

(4) To have a solutions based focus and seek to constructively respond to local challenges in a timely manner.

(5) To be a not-for-profit, apolitical community organisation.

What is our Territory?

The association represents the community of Apollo Bay and districts, in the state of Victoria, defined by the boundaries of the Gellibrand River in the West, Separation Creek in the East, Forrest in the North and the Coast in the South.

Eligibility for membership is open to anyone 16 and over (within our Territory) who complies with any of the following criteria:

Gadubanud Traditional Owner Families; Residents; Homeowners; Rate payers; Renters; Business Owners; Employees of local businesses; Members of any of the community’s clubs or associations; and long term or repeat holiday makers who wish to contribute to the community.

We have decided on the following portfolios (which can be altered if the need arises):

The Arts & Events; Business & Tourism; Education & Youth; The Elderly; Emergency Services; The Environment; Fishing; Health & Wellness; Sport & Recreation. Portfolios will be allocated to individual committee members.

Perhaps this hasn’t been the most riveting of updates but it is vitally important that everyone in the community knows why we exist and who we represent. Pam Dodsworth has given me permission to quote something she wrote to the committee yesterday. “We need to stand as one .. even if we represent differing views and politics. We are one voice”. So, as the saying goes: Onwards and Upwards!

Nikki Williams, Chairman of the interim Committee

For more information please email apollobayvoice(at)gmail.com.