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Media -
President's Updates
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Thursday, 26 January 2012 04:00 |
The Johns River Community Progress Association was honoured with an Australia Day Award today in Taree.
At the ceremony in Council Chambers, the association president, David Shepard, accepted the 2012 Community Organisation of the Year from Council.
Following an address by Australia Day Ambassador Aden Ridgeway, the award was one of four given out to exemplary contributors to community.
In the Australia Day Award presentation, Council cited that “Drive, determination and a whole of community approach have been the key ingredients of success for this Association as they have engaged all spheres of Government to negotiate and progress better outcomes for their village following the bypass.”
“This led to the creation of a successful and robust village plan to develop and provide a village atmosphere through change, enhancement and economic prosperity for all the community.
“From grass roots approaches such as town hall meetings to the clever use of the latest available technology such as the pursuit of Village Transport and Tourism Stations, this Association has taken a proactive stance in charting its own future. This community association is always at the forefront of innovation and is certainly not afraid to challenge the boundaries, despite its relative isolation.”
David Shepard led a contingent representing the association, including Treasurer Joe Malvicino, Three Brothers Network Chair Lorri Fischer, and founding President, Glen Ferrero. Mr. Shepard spoke after the award, highlighting the history and future of the association.
“Our progress association has a long history, formed in the late 1940s to help address community needs and community aspirations”, said Mr. Shepard. “Our association’s first Jubilee Ball was at the Johns River Hall in 1953, and our last one was in 2010, as part of our 150th Jubilee, celebrating one hundred and fifty years of village life, love, loss, and most importantly, our dreams.
“We thank the Greater Taree City Council for their most kind recognition this Australia Day, and we proudly accept this award to honour so many tireless volunteers who toil, who serve the tea and tie up the tree, who write the grants, who move the stone, and who carry the load for us all.
“Above all, we honour with this award all our valiant villagers who simply try. For the ones who show up, we are richer for their efforts, stronger for their service, and we are all honoured by having them as friends, neighbours and villagers.
“Council said that if you could bottle what the JRCPA has, and I quote, ‘it would be an award-winning formula to be shared with other town and village community associations’. I’ll tell you now -- if we could find that one formula, that one secret to success, we would surely bottle it and share it.
“But the formula is not that simple, the road is bumpy. Finding your way as an association across the minefield of issues and opinions which can both divide and unite a community can be an explosive journey, where the divisive must be managed, and the inclusive praised.
“We are a diverse lot up in Johns River. We have dairymen and conservationists; we have retired diplomats, and a few celebrities. Johns River is where the better-off and the worse-off smile and nod, where the egalitarian ethos means I can walk up to any house, no better and no worse.
“For a community association to work, you have to check and double-check that everyone is one the same page, and everyone is heard and treated fairly, to the best of your abilities as a committee, as a community leaders, and as community members.
“We deeply thank the Greater Taree City Council for this Australia Day Award. It gives us the encouragement to go forward with more confidence, more pride, and more than anything, a smile on our faces.” |
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Last Updated on Thursday, 26 January 2012 06:17 |
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Events -
Upcoming Events
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Tuesday, 24 January 2012 20:39 |
PRESS RELEASE
Saturday 4th February from 6pm
Y’all come on down to Rosie’s at Johns River, on Saturday February 4th, for a real down-on-the-bayou Cajun Dinner Night!
On top of enjoying some truly delicious Louisiana cuisine, you’ll have a great evening with Cajun music and decorations too! Laissez les bons temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!)
JRCPA President David Shepard, talks about some of the highlights of Cajun cuisine featured at the big night, to benefit the local progress association.
“It’s all good basic food that everyone loves, with one of the favourites, “Jambalaya” combining smoked ham, Cajun sausage, and chicken with rice. We're making everything nice and mild, but do not be afraid of using the Louisiana hot sauce or cayenne pepper on your table for some extra kick!”
“Of course, good-quality fresh crayfish is the most important ingredient,” he continues. “We’ll be using locally-caught crayfish from creeks near Hannam Vale, as well as locally farmed crayfish from Wauchope. That delicate flavour makes all the difference, it’s so sweet and light when fresh!” All crayfish are processed strictly according to current RSPCA guidelines.
Herbs from the Rosie’s herb garden compliment most dishes, with the accent on fresh ingredients from local gardens. Tables will also feature a sampling of herbs used, including Gumbo Filé (from the sassafras tree), Louisiana Bay, and a traditional Cajun spice mix.
Fun and a Free Dinner Too!
Each table will be set with interesting information on the food, the culture and the traditions of the Cajun people, as well as some common phrases. Door prizes will be awarded through the night, and each table goes into the draw for a free dinner for two at the next dinner night in Johns River.
Just $30 for the full three-course dinner also includes your choice of traditional Bread Pudding, Lemon Icebox Pie, or Cajun Hot Fudge Sundae. Beverages included are either Cajun coffee (cafe au lait) or Louisiana Iced Tea with mint and lemon.
You’re welcome to BYO for just $5 corkage per table. Corkage is FREE for members of the Johns River Community Progress Association, or the Three Brothers Network. Proceeds to benefit the Johns River Community Progress Association.
M E N U
All Entrees and Mains are served Mild but packed with authentic Cajun flavours
Please don’t be shy, have a go with the hot sauce or Cajun spices on your table if you’d like!
Drinks
Louisiana Iced Tea
Delicious and refreshing, this flavourful favourite is found all across Louisiana, made with mint, lemon, add your own sugar or sweetener if desired. (V)
Café au Lait
A light and balanced little cuppa, featuring traditional dark roasted coffee, chicory and scalded milk.
Entrées
New Orleans Gumbo
Sumptuous authentic Cajun gumbo built up from a Cajun roux with seafood stock and vegetables. It is made-to-order for you with crawfish and prawn.
Crawfish Pie
A favourite slice any time of the day, with a golden crust packed with crawfish, crawfish and more crawfish in a light roux base with beer, toasted pecan, and spices.
Bayou Salad
Down-home in the bayou with black-eyed peas, seared corn, capsicum, shallot, fresh thyme, and a zesty dressing, a delicious chilled summer starter! (vegetarian)
Mains
Jambalaya
Meaning “an animated mix”, this dish always pleases, with ham, chicken and Cajun sausage, mixed in our own Cajun rice, with a handful of onion, garlic, and savoury spices. This dish is always a crowd-pleaser at any Cajun event!
Creole Etouffée
The more refined cousin to gumbo, this prawn and crawfish etouffée starts with a lighter roux, a brunoise of vegetables, with tomato, fresh herbs, green onion, and a side of rice (chicken version available on request).
Red Beans and Rice
The smoky goodness of Cajun sausage and succulent ham sit like a crown over the delicious, cooked-all-day red beans, nicely spiced and served on authentic Cajun rice. Traditionally made on wash-day Mondays in Louisiana, but we’ll make an exception! (vegetarian version available)
Desserts
Louisiana Bread Pudding
It’s all in there, from the freshly grated nutmeg, cassia bark, brown sugar, and a light drizzle of cane syrup and roasted pecans.
Lemon Icebox Pie
A down-home Southern favourite, this comparatively recent addition to Cajun cuisine found its way into refrigerators and hearts early last century. Lemony, delicious, and cool!
Cajun Fudge Sundae
Roasted pecans top silky thick hot chocolate fudge on French vanilla ice cream.
Come and Enjoy! Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Call 6556 5405 any time to reserve your table!
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 January 2012 06:45 |
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Meetings -
Community Public Forums
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Monday, 07 November 2011 11:25 |
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Last Updated on Friday, 16 December 2011 08:39 |
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Organisations -
The Three Brothers Region
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Wednesday, 02 November 2011 10:34 |
After extensive lobbying by the JRCPA and the Three Brothers Network, the map providers behind Google Maps have finally accepted most of the recommendations from the community and from Greater Taree City Council on renaming and updating the online maps.
With the bypass having gone through in May of 2010, the road names changed and Australia Post started delivering to the new addresses. But unfortunately, online resources such as mapping systems, including Google, failed to make quite so instananeous a change!
As of 12 October, Google Maps was finally fully updated, after a series of slow changes to road names. The mapmakers must interface with the Geographic Names board, as well as have resources within Council and the community to ensure the resulting product is both accurate and appropriate.
View Larger Map
The JRCPA urges all local businesses and organisations to put themselves "on the map" so to speak, by adding their location as a place of interest for travellers and of course, for locals seeking directions. |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 02 November 2011 10:43 |
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Planning -
Greater Taree City Council
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Tuesday, 18 October 2011 10:37 |
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 GTCC Community Development Grantwriting Workshop
With a highlight on Assets-Based Community Development (ABCD), Community Development Officer Sarah Wilkinson with the Greater Taree City Council today stepped through the many ways our communities can access funding for our local projects.
Key representatives from the Moorland, Johns River and Hannam Vale communities were in attendance, representing the Moorland Hall Trust, Moorland Community Association, Johns River Community Progress Association and the Hannam Vale Recreational Reserve.
Some of the great resources discussed included the ourcommunity.com.au, communitybuilders.nsw.gov.au and grantslink.gov.au websites.
Great community engagement strategies as well as tips for successfull grant-writing were presented in a very lively and well-thought-out workshop, complete with excellent reference materials and some very meaningful discussion with the convenor and between the groups. The comprehensive workshop also included project management, grant-writing guidelines and objectives, and great techniques community grant-writers can use effectively to increase their chances of having local projects funded.
An excellent morning tea and luncheon, both catered by Rosie's, made the workshop a pleasant experience for all involved. The JRCPA has offered $100 for successfull grants written for the communty (see article here).
All agreed that workshop organiser Sarah Wilkinson did a super job across a very wide range of subjects. All came away with a truly positive and encouraging sense that projects could be funded, and grants won for their respective communities.
If you'd like to help out your community in the Three Brothers region, please contact your organisation, or the JRCPA on
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 18 October 2011 11:31 |
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Projects -
Signage and Promotion
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Wednesday, 05 October 2011 18:56 |
The Johns River Community Progress Association (JRCPA) have made it to the top ten in the semi-finals of the NSW Department of Trade and Industry's Business Development Organisation award category for the 2011 NSW/ACT regional Achievement and Community Awards.
JRPCA President David Shepard states that "Our little village is really blown away by the honour. We had no idea that we could even place in the top ten, given the over three hundred entries from across the state".
"Award staff have confirmed to us that we were very close in the running, and that there were a lot of ruminations in our favour in the judging process".
Established by village representatives in 2007 due to the construction of a town bypass, The Johns River Community Progress Association saw to represent its community by lobbying local, state and federal representatives to ensure the community was consulted and involved in the long process of a bypass, which aimed to cut off their town and sources of income provided by travellers and interstate visitors who pass through the town daily.
"We have held, sponsored and facilitated over ten Public Community forums on a wide range of issues, from the road-building process to more recently, policing, signage and road conditions with our local Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams", add Mr. Shepard.
See the Camden Haven Courier article here
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Projects -
Landscaping
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Saturday, 01 October 2011 09:39 |
In addition to the federal funding which paid for the first segment of boardwalk at the Koolyangarra Reserve (see opening with Rob Oakeshott here), our village is proud to once again be funded, this time for new landscaping equipment!
The funding application for $2860 was written by JRCPA President David Shepard, who states "This is just one of many written by Management Committee members on behalf of the community over the past years.
"The federal government has kindly agreed to offer funding for a wide variety of gardening equipment as well as Eksies, thermoses, hot and cold packs for volunteers whilst on the job.
"This current funding from the federal government will go towards some good mowers, a much-needed good brushcutter, a whipper-snipper, a backpack sprayer, possibly a blower-vac and a range of gardening and landcare tools and equipment," said the association president.
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Last Updated on Monday, 07 November 2011 11:37 |
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