About 40 of our approximately 400 members bravely turned out on a wet and wild afternoon on Saturday 8 April to attend the 2017 AIDA AGM.
We were pleased to welcome to the meeting our two Anglesea ward councillors, Margot Smith and Libby Coker, and the shire’s CEO Keith Baillie. The mayor, Brian McKiterick, and Cr Clive Goldsworthy, whose Lorne ward includes Moggs Creek and Eastern View, were apologies. Margot and Libby spoke briefly about current local issues while Keith spoke about the shire’s four-year Strategic Plan and the difficulties of balancing priorities when everything is a priority. He encouraged community input to help shape the plan for 2017–21 using the online survey.
Charlotte Allen presented her President’s Report focusing on the year’s main concern: the Painkalac Valley. The financial report was accepted. All members of the previous committee renominated and were re-elected. Nominations were also received from Greg Day and Adam Rudy and were accepted by members. The committee warmly welcomes Greg and Adam and looks forward to working with them. Click the following links for the meeting papers (Agenda, President’s Report, AIDA 2016 Financial Statement and Minutes).
The AGM was followed by stimulating talks by two long-time residents of Aireys Inlet, Greg Day and Jane Grant, who gave fascinating and very moving accounts of their personal and emotional connections to our area. Greg, a local writer and musician, spoke about connection to place and how he came to be teaching the Wadawurrung language at the primary school. He performed a musical item that he sings in language with the students. Jane, a past president and secretary of AIDA, spoke about her family’s connection to Aireys and the Painkalac Valley as well as their experience of the Ash Wednesday fires. People stayed on for light refreshments and the opportunity to talk to the committee and other members.