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Councillor's Corner: July 2010
Well, what a week it was over the 18th to the 22nd with mobile phone coverage in the area on the blink. I , together with a large number of Telstra users , spent hours trying to get some sense and some indication of what was wrong out of the 13 2200 and 13 2000 numbers but to no avail. At one attempt , I ended up talking to a young lass in a Call Centre in Manilla in the Phillipines who had to make three attempts in spelling Avoca properly-- I hate to think what would have happened if I lived in Woolloomooloo or Yackandandah !! At my simple request to be put through to somebody in Australia who might understand our local conditions, her supervisor agreed to make the attempt , but, after listening to 8-10 minutes of music , my call was abruptly terminated. My concerns increased on the Wednesday , when I was informed that the Emergency 000 number was also on the blink and I decided to contact local Television news and the Maryborough press. Oddly enough, this seemed to produce some action and our services came back about Thursday lunch-time. I have written to the Telstra Regional Office expressing our local concern about the problems many experienced and invite anybody affected to do the same.
On another note , at the Council Meeting on the 20th., we had a short presentation from APP Corporation Pty. Ltd. who are in the preliminary stages of planning for a proposed Wind-Farm on the Ben More Range ( that hill behind Amphitheatre running down towards Lexton). Its very early days yet , but they are proposing a Public Meeting at Amphi. on Thursday, 12th August at 3 p.m. to let everybody know what may be happening.They are supposed to be advertizing in the local press , so do keep your eyes open on this one and , whether or not you support Wind-Farms or may be affected in some way, it is important that you attend and become informed. I certainly will be there .
Best wishes for future success to Sarah Neil who has taken over and intends to revitalize that long-standing Avoca institution "The Willows". It people like Sarah , who are prepared to give it a go ,that help our community to advance economically by providing a service not only to residents but to passing traffic.Do call in and check out some of the new things she has on offer.
As I am writing this , its two sleeps to go before well-known and well-liked ( now , dont blush!!) Lyn and Richard hand over the reins of the Avoca Milk-Bar. Thankfully, the Dynamic Duo will be remaining in the town and have plans for a new enterprise.
With only one For Sale sign in the High Street, business seems to be on the up and up and this is due , in no small measure , to the behind the scenes activity of the Avoca Business and Tourism Group.With Lloyd Gollop back as Chairman, after the recent AGM, the group will continue to push the economic development of the town and area. If YOU are in business or have an interest in business, this is the advocacy group which YOU should be supporting.
The recently announced Bus Service between Ararat/Maryborough on Friday and Saturday should be extremely useful to all residents as it picks-up at the Avoca Information Centre on its way through; detailed time-tables are available at that Centre and I urge everybody to keep it in mind if they have the need to go to either town, either for shopping or simply visiting. Use it or lose it.
Another diary date is the Tree-Planting to take place along the new River Walkway on the 3rd August from 10 am onward with a BBQ lunch to follow as all that fresh air and exercise should stir up an appetite.Give Margaret Pilgrim(5465 3230) or Ken Mayberry (5465 3618) a call for more details.
Finally , groups of RMIT students will be in town --starting some garden works in connection with this years Eco-Logic Festival in October---do make them welcome if you bump into them. Offers of accommodation are also needed so, if you can help, give Margaret Pilgrim a ring.
The wattle is blooming ,so the worst of the winter should be over.Best wishes to one and all;if you need to give me a call try 0417 508 471 and , if God and Telstra is willing , you should get through.
John Quinn
Councillor - Avoca Ward
Pyrenees Shire Council
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Mobile: 0417 508 471
Fax: (03) 9277 7475
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