Christmas is just around the corner! Welcome to our final newsletter of 2023, with lots of information on recent BAG activities and what is happening between now and Christmas.
October was a particularly significant month for our Mitcham Hills community, with the much-anticipated Tiwu Kumangka building, containing the new Blackwood Library and Community Centre opening to the public on October 9. The new facility is stunning and clearly a hit with the locals. According to Council staff, over 8,500 visitors entered the new library during the first week, compared with approximately 2,200 on average who used the old library.
On behalf of our President, Brian Ferris, and Committee Members, BAG would like to pass on our best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and rewarding 2024.
WEBSITE: www.blackwoodacttiongroup.org.au
FACEBOOK: @blackwoodactiongroup
NEXT BAG MEETING
Wednesday 22 November from
7.30pm @ Blackwood Memorial Hall - 21 Coromandel Parade Blackwood
Given the substantial success of our recycling forum back in August, the BAG Committee thought it would be worthwhile taking a deeper dive into what we, as a local community, can do to explore our sustainability when it comes to managing waste. The meeting will include a number of insightful guest speakers, providing information on what is happening at a Federal, State and local level when it comes to recycling.
All are welcome to attend!
It will also be our ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING featuring:
Our President's Annual 2023 Report
Treasurer's Financial Report
Election of BAG office bearers for 2023 / 24 - Download the file below if you are interested.
Diary Dates
Twig and Vine Christmas Workshop – 5, 18 & 19 November | Click for more details
BAG Meeting + AGM – 22 November | Blackwood Memorial Hall
Blackwood Christmas Pageant – 1 December | Main Road Blackwood
Blackwood Station Working Bee and Christmas Breakup – 3 December | Blackwood Railway Station
Christmas Tree Festival | 9 & 10 December | Tiwu Kumangka
Blackwood Christmas Tree Festival
The Blackwood Christmas Tree Festival is happening on December 9 and 10 at Tiwu Kumangka on Young Street. Forty-five community groups and businesses will decorate trees, with most available for purchase. Freshly cut pine trees have been sourced from Chandler’s Hill Christmas Tree Farm. Over 80 volunteers have attended community workshops to handcraft decorations and gifts for sale at the Santa store. Activities include children's craft sessions, and a chance to meet Santa.
The event supports local causes, this year our local CFS groups, Lions Hearing Dogs Project and the newly launched Beacon24. Visitors are encouraged to donate unwrapped gifts, or non-perishable food items for families in need. Sponsored by City of Mitcham, Westfield Community Heroes Award, and Blackwood Action Group, with support from many local businesses especially Habitat, Woolworths, Coles, Blackwood Hire and Waite Electoral Office.
Helpers would be appreciated. Contact Pauline Dodd 0402 146 567
2023 BAG President’s Report
BAG’s President, Brian Ferris, has put together his 2022 / 23 President’s report, recapping all of BAG’s activities over the past year. It will be no surprise that the past year has been another productive one and the activities that BAG undertakes are more relevant and important for our hill’s community than ever. Click the link below to read the report.
Christmas Red Bows
For 20 years, the appearance of Red Bows outside homes and businesses have signified the start of the festive season here in Blackwood. However, BAG’s focus is moving towards a more sustainable future and given the lack of recycling for them, we have not decided to sell them this year.
BAG will still decorate the Blackwood CBD, instead using red netting bows as a trial. Although the material is still plastic it is hoped that the bows can be reused. Whether we ever package the netting in coming years for sale remains to be seen.
Blackwood Christmas Pageant
The festive cheer will return to Blackwood once again, with the second largest Christmas pageant in the state being held on the 1st of December starting from 6:30PM at Gulfview Road. BAG will be participating in this year’s Blackwood Christmas Pageant! The Coromandel Valley Rotary Club’s traditional Christmas Fair, returns this year at the Waite Street Reserve. We encourage you come along and say hello! We will be operating a BBQ and are seeking assistance for either the Pageant walk or BBQ at the Fair. If you are interested in helping, please be at Waite Reserve by 5:30PM to assist.
Station Volunteers Christmas Breakup
Our final Working Bee for 2023 will be held on SUNDAY 3 December at Blackwood Railway Station. Commencing at approx. 9.00am, the working bee will be followed by an end-of-year celebration brunch in the Stationmaster’s rear yard (around 11.00am). All volunteers from both Coromandel and Blackwood Stations are invited to attend this FREE event – comprising a delicious BBQ, sweets, soft drinks, tea and coffee. We look forward to seeing you there.
Libraries of the Mitcham Hills
If you follow Blackwood Action Group on Facebook, you would have seen the “Libraries of the Mitcham Hills” article published to celebrate the opening of the new Blackwood Library at Tiwu Kumangka. Put together by Lindy Tauber from the History Group, the article takes a look at the Libraries of the Mitcham Hills since 1836!
BAG’s Community Links Group Ukraine Fundraiser
$450 was raised for the Rebuilding Ukraine Schools project by conducting a café at the recent Coromandel Community Centre Art and Craft Exhibition. Thanks to all those who baked for the event.