September 19, CFG AGM at the Cooroy Library welcoming the new members of our board: Pamela Sweetapple, Kerry Martin and Alicia Adams. Guest Chair for the AGM was Maj Gen John Cantwell.
Carol Watkins continues as President with addition this year of Jim Ennis as VP.
PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS TO COOROY FUTURE GROUP INC AGM 19 SEPTEMBER 2019
I would like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today, and pay my respects to Elders past and present. And I welcome everyone here at this Annual General Meeting of Cooroy Future Group.
The last year has been another busy and very successful one for Cooroy Future Group. I would like to welcome three new Board members appointed this year – Pamela Sweetapple, Kerry Martin and Alicia Adams. All three have contributed to our positive experiences in our community. Our three main projects are progressing well.
Cooroy Fusion Festival: In 2019, under new leadership with Jim Ennis as Chair, a new committee met the challenge of relocating the festival to Apex Park because of work planned to commence on the Hinterland Playground. This new plan included the skate park and BMX trail to target youth; and more activities located around the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre. Unfortunately due to heavy rain, plans were changed to move back to the original site which thankfully was available, and the committee moved quickly to re-plan and re-organise. Activities were introduced to facilitate Plastic Free Noosa and a Towards Zero Waste Program, and free trees donated by one of the sponsors and Noosa LandCare were provided to visitors. We are grateful to event partners – Noosa Council and the Cooroy Community Bank Branch of Bendigo Bank as well as many local sponsors, much valued volunteers, local food, crafts, arts and entertainment, all of which combined to make the festival a fusion of all things making the Cooroy community so special. Thank you to Jim Ennis, Libby Hoskin, Barbara Luff and the rest of the committee who faced many challenges to bring another successful Cooroy Fusion Festival to fruition.
Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre: The Arts Centre is well and truly alive with a number of new initiatives introduced. Masterclasses are now being held monthly and are often booked out well in advance. 26 exhibitions have been held over the last year and community based exhibitions are a regular feature; 2020 is practically booked out; and just last week a proposal for the first exhibition for 2021 was received. The Artisan Store continues to grow with around 35 artists now selling their artwork. Our staff are very innovative and we must congratulate them on their diligence, passion and creativity. The Kaya Sulc Residency Studio has been established on the mezzanine level and is booked well in advance. The Butter Factory hosted the inaugural Australian Pottery Throw Down during Cooroy Fusion Festival, and this name has now been registered to us. We have held “Jazz at the BFAC” concerts, an Opera Funk concert, a classical concert and of course the successful ‘A Real Taste of Noosa’ dinner in conjunction with IN Noosa magazine. LED lighting has been installed in the gallery spaces, so reducing our carbon footprint, thanks to a matching grant from Noosa Council. The office has had airconditioning installed and electrical upgrades continue. Trevor Luff has been building a new raku kiln for the pottery and a new system has been introduced into the pottery offering annual memberships and then a daily access fee. Butter Factory Friends membership currently stands at 119. In the first 6 months of this year, we saw over 9000 visitors to the Butter Factory while in the last 6 months of last year there were over 10,000 visitors. Our 3 year Strategic Plan commencing 2020 is in place; and we look forward to a new Permit to Occupy with Noosa Council, also commencing 2020 and taking us through to the end of 2022.
Great Noosa Trail Walk: This year has seen The Great Noosa Trail Walk co-presented by the Cooroy Future Group Inc. and the National Trust of Australia (Queensland). Jim Ennis has once again stepped up to chair this great event. The 150 places for walkers were filled very early and the 3 day walk due to commence 5 October, has been postponed to the long weekend in May 2020 because of unfavourable weather conditions. Jim and the CEO of National Trust Queensland, Jonathan Fisher have both been involved as guides in previous years and many of the previous guides and helpers have put up their hand to assist again this year.
We have appointed an Event Co-Ordinator, Zoe Martin, who has started work on next year’s Cooroy Fusion Festival and next week will be meeting with the local committee to work on the re-scheduled Great Noosa Trail Walk.
In closing I would like to thank Noosa Council for its support of our endeavours and in particular Deputy Mayor Frank Wilkie who has been so supportive and so quick in following up queries for us; my fellow Board members for their support, hard work and generosity in building and maintaining our projects; and our wonderful staff and volunteers in helping to grow our and role in the Cooroy community.
Barbara Luff continues as secretary and Tex Pipke steps down as treasurer being replaced by new board member Alicia Adams.