Editor

Brighton’s hard-working volunteers recognised for Australia Day

Brighton Council has recognised a long-time community member, Elaine Scott as this year’s Australia Day Citizen of the Year. Other category winners are: Young Citizen of the Year Natasha Tatnell, Volunteer of the Year, Kellie Willits and Event of the Year, Gagebrook’s MONA’s Bond Place community garden.

BRIGHTON Council has recognised a long-time community member, Elaine Scott as this year’s Australia Day Citizen of the Year.

Elaine’s extensive contribution to the community was recognised in front of Brighton Council representatives and community leaders.

A special ceremony recognising all Australia Day award recipients was officiated by Brighton Mayor, Tony Foster, along with Australia Day Ambassador, Wendy Kennedy.

Elaine is no stranger to the Municipality especially the Bridgewater community. She has been a passionate and committed contributor to community life in the municipality for many, many years.

Australia Day award recipients with Mayor Tony Foster and Wendy Kennedy far left, who officiated as the Australia Day ambassador. Citizen of the Year Elaine Scott is centre.

As an active disability advocate, Elaine has been able to identify and promote key issues. Her previous personal experience as a disability support worker and now her current situation which sees her wheelchair-bound means she is able to help inform others for a better quality of life for community members.

Brighton releases vision for next 30 years

Brighton Council has released a 30-year vision for the future of the Municipality, with its population expected to almost double during that time.

BRIGHTON Council has released a 30-year vision for the future of the Municipality, with its population expected to almost double during that time.

The vision for the future was developed following broad consultation with the local community and builds on Council’s current long-term financial plan and 10-year asset plan. It was adopted at Council’s January meeting.

The 2050 Vision sets out the community’s shared hopes and goals for the next three decades as Brighton Municipality’s current population is estimated to double from the current 16,500 to approximately 30,000.

Brighton Mayor Tony Foster says the 2050 Vision is a bold statement of the community’s collective aspirations for the future of the dynamic municipality.

“By imagining how Brighton could be in 2050, we have set ourselves on the path to making it happen, beginning immediately,” Cr Foster said.

Brighton’s 2050 Vision was developed through a broad community consultation process over several months with hundreds of residents, businesses, visitors and other stakeholders.

Optimism for Brighton’s 30-year forward vision

Brighton Municipality’s 2050 Vision will provide a strategy outline that will direct its progress over the next 30 years – Mayor, Tony Foster.

By TONY FOSTER

Mayor

A VERY happy New Year to everyone in our community. I certainly hope you were able to relax over the festive season and that 2021 will be a less challenging year for all of us.

The new year is now more than one month old and Council has already held its first meeting where we adopted our 2050 Vision – a strategy outline that will direct our progress over the next 30 years.

During this time, it’s estimated Brighton Municipality’s population will grow from its current 16,500 to 30,000 and more. So, we must have a shared view of the direction we want to take moving forward.

Last year, Brighton Council set out to engage with the community to create a bold and optimistic plan for the future of our municipality covering the next 30 years. The result is the 2050 Vision that lays out our shared hopes and goals as a community for the coming decades. It also acknowledges and responds to our current social, environmental and economic challenges.

Importantly, it has a clear focus on the things that Brighton Council can shape and influence and focuses on the responsibilities Council has to ensure the Vision is delivered – as a provider of services, a regulator, a facilitator and advocate for the Municipality and its community.

The 2050 Vision is a statement of our collective aspirations for the future. By imagining together how Brighton could be in 2050, we are creating a way to make it happen.

The Vision was developed through broad community engagement and a consultation process across several months with hundreds of residents, businesses, visitors and other stakeholders.

Brighton’s entire Council group with Mayor Tony Foster and Deputy Mayor Barbara Curran, holding the 2050 Vision launched at last month’s meeting.

Hidden gems sparkle in the community

Pauline Williams is one of Brighton Municipality’s hidden gems.

By SHERYL RAINBIRD*

EVERY neighbourhood has hidden gems. There are those we see every day and take no notice of until a visitor says what a wonder it is, or maybe it’s someone or something we didn’t know about. There are many hidden gems in Brighton Municipality. We have a rich history and river and mountain views that would make anyone stop and stare. We also have some fabulous people who care about their neighbours, which is what makes a community and gives us a sense of belonging.

Pauline Williams is one of the many hidden gems of whom many would be unaware. Pauline has been an active volunteer in our community for many years now and has lived in the area for approximately 32 years. She started by helping out at the local primary school, sitting with the children and helping with their reading and writing for their Bridges Program.

Veterans Centre open for business

The Veterans Memorial Centre has bookings available for the hall as well as the Council-approved kitchen for hire. And the Centre thanks volunteer Julie who has spent many long hours making the Centre’s garden look spectacular,

THE Veterans Memorial Centre wishes everyone a happy New Year and reminds the community it has bookings available for the hall as well as the Council-approved kitchen for hire.

The licensed bar is available for functions with great prices and volunteer staff. Veterans also thank you Julie who has spent many long hours gardening and the gardens look amazing.

The long hours gardening and the gardens are paying dividends for Veterans.

The contact number for bookings is 0492 506 258.

Brighton introduces cordless electric power tools powered by the sun

Brighton Council is continuing its focus on sustainability for the Municipality with the recent introduction of cordless, solar-powered tools for use by Council maintenance crew.

BRIGHTON Council is continuing its focus on sustainability for the Municipality with the recent introduction of cordless, solar-powered tools for use by Council maintenance crew.

Brighton’s general manager James Dryburgh said the new cordless electric power tools were introduced for Council’s tree maintenance crew at the end of last year.

“Cordless power tools are quiet, efficient and clean. They require less servicing than fuel-run models and cost less to operate and provide a sustainable alternative to fuel-operated tools.”

Brighton’s Tim Pursell with a cordless power tool in action.

Building futures for young Tasmanians

The Build Up Tassie construction work readiness program recently celebrated the transition of six program participants into apprenticeships with St Joseph Affordable homes.

THE Build Up Tassie construction work readiness program recently celebrated the transition of six program participants into apprenticeships with St Joseph Affordable homes.

The new apprentices – a plumber, painter, bricklayer and three carpenters are a welcome addition to an industry struggling with skill shortages and increasing demand for services, in particular the need for greater supply of social and affordable housing.

The apprenticeships were awarded after a 17-week commitment from participants, building confidence and industry awareness to the point where they become ready to choose the trade in which they’d like to work.

The six new apprentices from left, Cianna Fitzpatrick, Lukas, Dylan (front), Kwot, Rhys and Connor with CatholicCare executive manager Social Impact Belinda Clarke, St Joseph Affordable Homes CEO Ben Wilson and Build Up Tassie Coach, Adrian Broomhall.

Based at the Southern Central Trade Training Centre, the Build Up Tassie program provides a chance for young people (16 – 24 years) to try different trade activities and gain an understanding of how the construction industry operates.

Council to consider organic waste changes

Brighton Council is planning to introduce a FOGO (Food Organic Garden Organics) service in 2021 but it will be seeking ratepayers’ thoughts before proceeding.

A potential FOGO service will mean third bin that is only for food scraps and garden waste and most likely collected on a fortnightly basis.

BRIGHTON Council is planning to introduce a FOGO (Food Organic Garden Organics) service in 2021 but it will be seeking ratepayers’ thoughts before proceeding.

A potential FOGO service will mean third bin that is only for food scraps and garden waste and most likely collected on a fortnightly basis.

This month Council will be conducting community consultation in the ‘Have Your Say’ section on the Council’s website. Residents who can’t access the survey online can request a survey by phone or in person at the Council offices.

Lyn Garlick’s community work remembered

Lyn Garlick who passed away recently, worked hard for her community all her life. She is pictured with her husband, Brighton Councillor Wayne Garlick.

COMMUNITY members of Brighton Municipality were saddened by the passing of one of its wonderful stalwarts, Lynette (Lyn) Garlick last month.

Lyn worked hard for her community all her life and has been at the side of husband and long-time Brighton councillor, Wayne Garlick, advocating with him on behalf of the community.

Lyn Garlick with husband, Cr Wayne Garlick.

Lyn died after a battle with cancer. It was this battle that saw Lyn undertake some of her hardest community work during the most difficult time for her personally to fundraise for scalp cap freezing technology that assists in chemotherapy treatment of cancer.

Clearer view of reconciliation

AT the start of this year, Brighton Council agreed it should develop a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and staff began investigating what this process would involve, including undertaking training webinars on what, why and how. An eight-person working group has been formed including two elected members councillors Phil Owen and Tennille Murtagh and Council’s general manager James Dryburgh. The working group will hold regular meetings over coming months.

A RAP moves an organisation beyond conducting Acknowledgements of Country and starts the process of integrating other actions and relationships that gets the organisation closer to the vision of reconciliation in Australia. Reconciliation Action Plans help organisations create a workplace culture that understands, values and respects the histories, cultures and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make up approximately 9.4 per cent of Brighton’s population in the municipal area compared to 4.6 per cent for Tasmania overall.

An eight-person working group has been formed including two elected members councillors Phil Owen and Tennille Murtagh and Council’s general manager James Dryburgh. The working group will hold regular meetings over coming months.

Discussions have begun with Tasmanian Aboriginal organisations including Kutalayna Health, to begin to understand the needs and general thoughts of the community. So far, the reaction has been very positive.