Mayor's Report - Memorial Hall the centre of music and dancing

I hope everyone had a content Easter. A chance to rest, join family and friends, or just eat chocolate. Thank you to those that worked to keep the wheels turning. 

Well! Another month of Mayoral duties, and another month of being blown away by our amazing communities, their ability to recognise need and quietly step up to fill that need and celebrate their community. I thought after the Bream Creek Show, April would be a mundane month, how wrong I was!

Two lovely members of our community recognised that our Memorial Hall is underutilised for what it is designed for. With a stage and fabulous acoustics their imagination and drive brought Swoon and the Matthew Ives Quartet with their “Hits of the Blitz” tour. I must admit that I was a little sceptical, as Jazz and Swing are not my first musical choice. How wrong I was. The toes were tapping from the first song. The Hall was packed with people all completely submerged in the atmosphere created by the artists. The performers loved the Hall and promise to be back. Thank you to the RSL for opening to provide refreshments, and the two locals that made the afternoon happen. 

Sorell Council partnered with Youth Matters to celebrate Youth Week. Falling in the school holidays, special events purely for our young people took place. My favourite was the silent disco, again in the Memorial Hall. More music and dancing in the Hall. Sorell on Stage occupy the space between the 9th and 17th for 6 performances of their quirky comedy “The Room Next Door.”

Some may have noticed building work taking place behind the Memorial Hall. We have an extension to the History room allowing for more exhibition space and a dedicated storage room to protect the precious items within. There will also be a green/changing room to access the stage from. The money these improvements came from a grant opportunity and Council investment. The original Hall was built after WWII at an estimated cost of 13,500 pounds to commemorate those who have served in the various conflicts in which Australia has been involved. It has been a place of social gathering since. These additions will be just another evolution in the Halls’ life. 

This year I had the honour of laying the wreath for Sorell Council at the 11am Sorell ANZAC Service.  The young and the old coming together to commemorate the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli during World War I, and to honour and remember those who have served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.  I was at Dunalley for the Dawn Service. Congratulations to the Dunalley RSL members who organised the Service and the Hall committee for supplying breakfast after.  It doesn’t matter how many times I hear the Last Post and the Reveille, I am always moved. Thinking of those lost in conflict, and friends currently serving. We should never forget the cruel loss of War. 

ANZAC Day was the first day I could sing the Australian National Anthem with honesty as a Citizen and I sang it five times during the day. I say five times because I spent the afternoon at Pembroke Park for the afternoon games of football.  The afternoon produced three games of cracking football and a crowd to almost match the MCG!

A few days earlier I welcomed 12 new Australian Citizens in my first Citizenship Ceremony. That was a true honour to be able to welcome these people and families into the Sorell Municipality. Seventeen per cent of the Municipalities residents were born outside of Australia. That is over 2,500 people that now proudly call Australia home, myself included. 

The South East Sports Complex or Pembroke Park has been bursting at the seams over the last few weeks. I’m still attempting to beat my 40min, 5km Park Run on a Saturday morning. South East Soccer ran a statewide junior tournament with over 400 children taking part over three days. Hobart Chargers Basketball Team have played 4 games recently in the Stadium. Along with BMX, regular basketball and netball, it’s all happening. 

I have had a chance to breath and relax and take in our beautiful Coastline. I am constantly getting lost while exploring the Southern Beaches (I am geographically challenged at the best of times).  Looking at the locations for possible upgrades on the budget sheet or checking out parks.  There are a few projects that will brighten spots and the new upcoming viewing platforms at Park and Carlton Beach will be a great asset. 

My dog does enjoy a good leg stretch on the beach, but I keep him close at hand on a lead. Council have produced a short video on “Responsible Dog Ownership” to encourage dog owners to do the right thing. It can be found on the Council’s website and Facebook page. 

As for doing the right thing, there have been a few reports of anti-social behaviour, usually associated with young people. My son’s friend put it “I’m anti-social and don’t like being around people, this behaviour is criminal behaviour.” Yes, there is a difference. Talking to Inspector Mollineaux from Tasmania Police about the situation, he assured me that youth crime in the area is very low, less than 5, even though the perception in the community is that it is a lot higher. This is not the case. Crime in general is slightly down apart from vehicle thefts. We can help ourselves there by securing our vehicles and belongings.  If anyone witnesses something suspicious, please call 131444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or if it’s an emergency and life critical dial 000. 

As we head into the depths of autumn, fires are being lit in hearths to keep warm, and clothes are being dried by the fire on drizzly days. Please make sure the chimney is clear and everything is a safe distance from the fire. It is the cosy time of year, but can also be isolating because of the darkening evenings. Keep your neighbour in mind, check in on them or anyone that you’ve noticed being absent. 

Take care and be kind to one another.