RE: Former Mittagong Bowling and Recreation Club.

Once again this matter is back before council at tonight’s meeting.

Twelve months has elapsed since council wrote to the Office of the Attorney General seeking advice regarding potential user groups for the building and surrounds of the former Mittagong Bowling and Recreation Club. 

As has been the case in all correspondence from the Office of the Attorney General and recently NSW Police and Justice all comments are qualified by the statement: “Council should seek advice from its legal representatives”. 

This consistent approach confirms the stance taken by our committee that the Attorney General is the protector of trusts and not the educator of trustees. 

Accordingly, the trustee must consider the avenue open to them via an application to the NSW Supreme Court for a judicial direction with respect to the management of the trust property and interpretation of the trust instrument.

This provision in the Trustee Act (sect. 63) is specifically designed for this circumstance.

 Furthermore if the trustees follow the direction of the court, the trustee is effectively indemnified from any ongoing litigation regarding a breach of trust. An application to the NSW Supreme Court will provide a “judicial decision” not a legal “opinion” plus ongoing indemnity.

The committee is confident, based on the numerous advices received from senior counsel, the court will provide directions to the trustee so their concerns can be answered and the building and its surrounds be used as a community asset for the good of the people of the shire. 

Dennis Newby

Southern Highlands Arts and Recreation Kommittee

Help our koalas by watching for wildlife

YOUR story SHN October 17 about two koalas seen on the motorway at about 4 a.m. last Monday reinforces the need for warning signs on the motorway and local roads, plus wildlife crossings and no highway service centre right on this important koala corridor near Church Avenue. 

It is vitally important that all residents support the campaign to protect our small, healthy koala populations in the Highlands and give them the best chance to increase and flourish.

Helen Saville

Alpine

Support for native animals

JUST a quick note of thanks to Pet Barn in Mittagong which, once again, facilitated a wonderful fundraising opportunity for Wires Wingecarribee. 

Sean and his team are so supportive, supplying and setting up the barbecue (complete with full gas bottle) and the marquee as well as helping pack up at the end of each day. 

This past weekend Wires Wingecarribee ran the barbecue at the hub on the Saturday as well as the Sunday. 

Altogether, with expenses taken out, we raised approximately $800 - a much needed financial boost especially as this is our busiest time of year. 

It is thanks to the support of local businesses such as Pet Barn that Wires can continue to rescue and care for injured, sick and orphaned native animals.

Michelle Lewis

Chairperson

Wires Wingecarribee

Include local community in lunch

THE 2014 Bowral Long Lunch was truly enjoyable.

Thank you to BDCU and our marvellous local chefs - and any such enterprise is to be wholeheartedly supported. 

I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Should we see a third event in 2015, may I suggest though a range of initiatives that would engage the entire Bong Bong streetscape such as catwalk fashion parade, art and homewares exhibits, musical renditions from our wonderful local buskers, and so on?

While a jolly nosh, well organised, and for a good cause, is always to be applauded, how much more so if it can be more inclusive of our local community at its multiple levels?

Next year, onwards and upwards.

Alexandra Springett

Bowral

A thorn among the roses

AS far as this old gallerian is concerned the open council meeting (October 8) demonstrated that a new era has begun with procedures running like a well oiled machine. 

Well almost...

With half of of the leadership team still on leave, and with the other half sharing the chair with Councillor Scandrett, and with Councillors Arkwright and Uliana absent, the council meeting was conducted with aplomb and business-like precision. 

Decisions were reached by way of affable interaction that relaxed its way right around the horseshoe table.

The only thorns in the rosy environment were provided by a group of dissatisfied elderlies who chose to chant as they vacated the chamber.

One of the ladies risked self-harm as she vigourously struck herself repeatedly with her folded umbrella while strafing the councillors with threats of court action.

Otherwise consumed as the departed, they seemed to forget to acknowledge the dignity of the chamber before passing through the portal.

Graeme Phillips

Moss Vale