Spring into action

Spoiler alert to start with. You won’t find a definite date for our upcoming Spring Showcase event in this bulletin. The suspense will continue.

We’re keeping fingers crossed for a Sunday afternoon in late October or early November (not the Melbourne Cup weekend of course). Plans include a barbecue for all, children’s games and some great musical entertainment. Next month’s column will have all the details (I hope!).

One fixture in the calendar is our popular Halloween celebration on the evening of October 31. This will be a Friday night this year.

Another date that’s firming up (but still to be finalised) is for our annual general meeting (AGM). We’ve tentatively decided on the evening of Thursday, November 13. It may seem a long way off but please don’t delay. Pencil it in your diary now. Confirmation to follow next month.

Mention of the AGM prompts me to inform you of the aims of the Parkville Gardens Residents’ Association (PGRA). From its beginnings in 2008 the association has operated according to the model rules for an incorporated association, inclusive of a brief statement about PGRA’s purposes. Early this year the wording of this statement had to be revised in accordance with new requirements by the Australian Taxation Office for not-for-profit organisations.

Here's how it now begins: “The purposes of the association are to promote, provide or carry out activities, facilities or projects for the benefit or welfare of the community of Parkville Gardens.” You can find the full text and rules by going to consumer.vic.gov.au and clicking on the following links in turn: “Clubs and fundraising,” “Incorporated Associations,” and “Search for an incorporated association” (using our name).

That leads me to appeal to you, dear reader, and Parkville Gardens resident, to consider putting your love of the neighbourhood and community to good purpose.

Throw your hat in the ring at the AGM to become a member of the association’s committee. There are currently nine of us but that’s open to change. We’d love to have some younger members, new ideas and fresh energy.

We’d especially love to have members with IT and social media skills to boost our communication efforts. We meet monthly, except in January, and team up for events. Come and join us! We’re a friendly lot. Want to know more? Get in touch via [email protected].

We look forward to hearing from you. •