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| Hartley
Newsletter December 2009
Next meeting — Monday,
7th December at
7.30 p.m. Our next meeting — will be held at the Old Hartley School House at 7.30 pm on Monday, December 7. On the agenda that evening will be two significant items in particular -first, to review and possibly update the original HDPA Constitution, and second, to commence organisation of the Big Backyard to be held in October, 2010. This will be the Tenth Big Backyard, and we look forward to your input to make it a memorable event. Spirit of Hartley Award - nominations are invited for that special person to be recognised who has given time and energy to the interest of Hartley and its residents. Award to be announced at Australia Day celebration. Bring your written nomination to the next General Meeting or email to hdpa@pnc.com.au. Looking ahead — We are in the process of forming specific goals, both medium and longer term. In the medium term we aim to repaint and refurbish the Old School. These are buildings of considerable charm and history, which are available for use by all and which we hope in time will be self funding. Our longer term goal is the establishment of a walking track through the Valley from Mt York to Mt Blaxland, to coincide with the bicentenary of the crossing of the Blue Mountains in l813. Both of these projects are bound up in the heritage of the Valley. Please join us in expanding and growing the activities of the Hartley District Progress Association. We believe there's a lot of talent and energy among our neighbours, and the Committee would welcome you and your ideas as to the shape and direction of the Association in the years to come. XMAS 2009 and Australia Day 2010 — The Christmas/New Year period is such a busy time for families so the Executive has decided to focus the efforts of the HDPA on an Australia Day Community get together. Details will be forwarded early January. In the meantime the Progress Association will be bringing some XMAS excitement to the Gumnuts Children’s Play Group after their final gathering at the Old School House on Friday 11 December. The Gumnuts have been long time supporters of the HDPA through the long term hire of the School House for their activities. Anyone who would like to help (food, Santa’s Helpers, setting-up/cleaning-up) we will be discussing arrangements for the Gumnuts XMAS and Australia Day at the next HDPA meeting to be held at the Old School 7:30pm Monday 7 Dec 09. New fire ratings — The 2009/2010 bushfire season is upon us and Hartley and Kanimbla Bush Fire Brigades are urging residents to thoroughly spring clean their properties in preparation for the bushfire season. A new bushfire warning system has been introduced by the NSW Rural Fire Service to assist resident in deciding what actions they need to take during the bushfire season. The new fire danger rating system is aimed at providing 6 bushfire threat warning levels. The most urgent of the warning levels is the “Catastrophic” threat level which urges residents to immediately take action to leave their properties for a safer location. It has been many years since a severe bushfire was experienced the Hartley area and residents are especially advised to undertake property bushfire prevention work, cleaning roof gutters and valleys and raking of leaves to reduce the threat of a fire starting in and around homes from embers from a bushfire. Embers can travel many kilometres from a bushfire front and it is important for all residents in the Hartley District to ensure their property is well protected from a bushfire even if the property is located well away from the bush. “ With hot, dry and windy conditions forecast, some parts of the State have moved into the new category of severe,” said NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons. “At severe, leaving early is your safest option for your survival. Your home will only offer safety if it and you are well prepared and you can actively defend it during a fire. So our advice is very clear to the community. Prepare your home and prepare yourself, by ensuring you and your family know what to do if a fire does start.” The order of the new fire danger ratings is: low-moderate, high, very high, severe, extreme and catastrophic. For further information contact Secretary of the Hartley Brigade, Lynda on 6355 2460 and the Secretary of Kanimbla Brigade, Nancy, on 4787 1909 or visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au. UPDATE from The Hartley Highway Action Group [HHAG] — Call any of the committee to discuss your concerns, alternatively you can address comments to the whole committee through the HHAG website. www.hhag.com.au Garden hints — to prepare for summer from Hartley Valley Nursery • Finish mulching all of your trees and garden beds, use sugar cane mulch / lucern or straw. • Ensure that weeds and grass are kept away from the trunks and stems of trees and shrubs, this will help with protection of fungal and insect attack. • Complete your spring / early summer fertilizer program. These days there are a wide range of organic types available. Apply around the drip line of the trees and shrubs – it is better to use less rather than more, as you can make another application later. • Black spot may start soon on your roses due to the humid/wet weather that we are having. Try to keep it under control – one good way is to keep the health of the rose plant at its peak. I recommend Sudden Impact for roses to achieve this. Please do not hesitate to contact me at the nursery any time or just call in to ask for advice. Happy Gardening, Bill The Hartley Rural Fire Service — will be holding it's Christmas Party at the Tanker shed, Mid Hartley Road, on Sunday 20th December, from 10 a.m. There will be refreshments available, and the Giant Christmas Stocking Raffle will be drawn. If you still haven't bought tickets, you can do so at Adam's Shed, The Farmhouse, The Hartley Valley Teahouse, and The Talisman, or from any of the Firies. Last year this raffle raised $2300, so let's try and outdo that. Hartley rural fire brigade meeting - procedures: each month there is an active training meeting with a set training agenda, field trips and information sessions on relevant bush fire issues. Meet at the Shed, Mid Hartley Road, third Sunday of each month at 10 a.m. New members very welcome. Kanimbla Brigade training and information sessions as arranged. For more information, contact the Secretary Hartley, Lynda, on 6355 2460 and the Secretary Kanimbla, Nancy, on 4787 1909. “Gardens ...start with months of sweat and toil, big ideas and aching joints, excitements and disappointments, successes and failures, laughter and tears. Until one fine day you realise that you're hooked and your home plot has become a part of you that simply can't let go.” Geoff Hamilton (1936-1996). Hall Hire — For that special occasion, such as: a family reunion, information seminar, or other local activities, contact Pam, 6355 2114. Very reasonable rates. Sorry, we are unable to let the hall for 18th or 21st birthday parties. St John the Evangelist Anglican Church - Church service: 1st Sunday of each month at 5 pm. Church every Sunday at St Peter's Mt Victoria at 8:45 am. Carol Service: Sunday December 20 at 7 pm, followed by supper in the old inn opposite. All welcome at all times.Phone 47878127. Minister: Rev John Gaunt. Hartley Appleseeds Play Group - meet at the Hartley Old School, Tuesdays 10am until 12pm. Contact Alison on 6351 4296 for more information. Galloping Gumnuts - Mobile Van, for children 0-5 yrs, meet fortnightly on Fridays 10-12.30 during the school term at the old School. Parents welcome to participate, Contact Meg or Deidre on 6352 3798. Do you wish to hire a hall? - the old school and adjacent hall are available for hire at very reasonable rates. Sorry, we are unable to hire for 18th or 21st birthday parties. To make a booking, contact Pam, telephone 6355 2114. Please be aware that your dogs can cause havoc among neighbours’ stock and still be back looking innocent at home when the alarm is sounded. Please make sure that you keep them on your OWN property!! Rural Fire Brigades — are active and protect our valley. Hartley Brigade meets on the third Sunday of each month at 10 a.m., at their shed on Mid Hartley Road. Contact the Secretary, Lynda, on 6355 2460. The latest training involved field work on the dangers of grass fires and how to fight them. Kanimbla Brigade — meets at their shed, Coxs River Road, on the last Friday in February and the first Saturday in July. For details contact Nancy on 4787 1909. Both Brigades welcome new members. Report that fire — RING 000 Hartley Captain — John Lovegrove / 6355 2460 Kanimbla Captain — Guy Tesoriero / 4787 1361 Hire a hall — Pam Day / 6355 2114 Need a Pre-School? — Meagan / 6352 3798 President — Duncan Wass / 6355 2043 Vice President — Seamus Casey / 6355 2113 Treasurer — Barbara Johnson / 6355 2017 Secretary — Dunja Alexander / 6355 0214 Hartley District Progress Association meetings are held on the first Monday of each even month, i.e., February, April, June, August, October (Annual General Meeting), and December. We welcome new members. Subscription only $5, which covers your insurance during involvement with Progress Association activities. Your input would be appreciated. NEXT MEETING MONDAY 7th December, 2009 AT 7.30 P.M, in the old school building, Mid Hartley Road. Email Secretary— Dunja_alexander@hotmail.com www.hartleynsw.com.au |
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