Getting Back On Track
This week we were taunted with the sight of delicious pizza being eaten by Barry and George, and so, being reminded of dinner, the group held an informal plebiscite on the starting time of future Zoom meetings. It was quasi-unanimously decided that we would aim for members to start logging into the meeting at 6.00pm, with the hope of getting started by 6.15pm. Not wanting to put any additional pressure on members during this stressful time, I will remind everyone that this was voluntary and may not be possible for some members who will drop in at the usual time.
It is great to see so many people doing so well with the technological side of things.
Mental Health Sector
If you are feeling stressed, have a look at this video by Renowned Yoga Guru, Sammy J from the ABC:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBtUxqtTP8I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBtUxqtTP8I
I am sorry but I couldn't remember the exact Sammy J video I was meant to include, but I am just trying not to stress the little things right now.
I will be happy to include the right one next time as well.
In celebration of my recovery from my recent scheduled and successful medical intervention, I invite members to play the game 'Anti-Depressants or Tolkien':
https://antidepressantsortolkien.now.sh/ - click to follow the link. Lord of the Rings fans and psychologists have been stumped by this surprisingly difficult quiz!
I only got a 15/24 - can you beat me?
https://antidepressantsortolkien.now.sh/ - click to follow the link. Lord of the Rings fans and psychologists have been stumped by this surprisingly difficult quiz!
I only got a 15/24 - can you beat me?
Agriculture Sector
Many topics were discussed during our meeting. One was the complex ecosystem of Bob's property combined with the adjacent fish farm.
Rather than explain, I have created this flow diagram.
Isn't nature beautiful!
Education Sector
Monique is finally finished at the Primary School - we look forward to one day being allowed in to see the good job she and her team did.
I gave a TAFE update because I hadn't been to a meeting for a while. Pretty much, the gist is that everything is being delivered remotely.
To answer someone's question from the night, I asked how many weeks left they could continue just doing theory until it became revision, and the sparkies will need to be able to do something with their hands by the end of June because there won't be anything left online for them. This won't be long enough because I also found out that the new workshop for Electrical is going to go 'live' around the end of July or even early August. There may be some negotiations or splitting of classes to reduce numbers, to have students safely in the old workshop for the couple of weeks before school hols.
You may be interested to know that our country universities like CSU were already delivering 75% online well before COVID, so their transition to 100% online has been relatively smooth, already having the skills and infrastructure for that mode.
I have spoken to friends who work in the 'sandstone' unis in Syd and Melb, and it was a very different, more chaotic story in March and April for them. They are mainly sorted now, but their next step is having enough students for the second half of the year. We will see how that unravels.
Local Government Sector
George showed us an old photo of the centre of town - Chelmsford Place round-about. There used to be a fountain there, and bringing it back as a feature is one possible consideration of the committee overseeing the renewal of the retail on Wade St South. As someone who studied urban deign, I hope there are lots of pedestrian friendly adjustments that involve traffic calming, pedestrian crossings, and shade. As a driver I hope they get rid of that dip in the tarmac as one exits the roundabout!
Tourism Sector
Bill announced unofficially his big win with the Show grants. In a year we could not only have a renewed streetscape, renovated and uplifted Roxy Theatre, heated municipal swimming pool; BUT ALSO a Covered Outdoor Learning Area. C.O.L.A.
Not to be mistaken for a S.P.R.I.T.E (Structure Pertaining to the Retention of Important Tourist Entertainment),
or a F.A.N.T.A. (Foundation for Antique Novelty Tractor Awards). We already have two each of those.
THANK YOU
To everyone, but in particular Brian who has filled in for me putting out the bulletins.
Thank you for my lovely card as well, it is true - sometimes just knowing people are thinking of you is almost as good as not being socially isolated.
I am hoping things will get gradually better over the rest of the year, for the whole town.
I am hoping things will get gradually better over the rest of the year, for the whole town.
Nicholas