Memo from Mayo 20 December 2019
Welcome to our last edition of the Memo from Mayo for 2019!
It's been a big year for our community and we're signing off with more than $2.75 million in additional funding commitments from the Federal Government that are the direct result of the advocacy of Centre Alliance. These commitments include $2.26 million for the Aldinga Sports Complex, $220,000 to rebuild the tennis courts at Gumeracha, $200,000 to upgrade the Treetop Playground at Craigburn Farm, $75,000 to resurface the tennis courts at Woodchester, $13,550 to purchase rescue and training equipment for the Aldinga Bay Surf Life Saving Club, $10,000 to build a shelter at the ANZAC Memorial Garden at Macclesfield, $10,000 to kit out the new kitchen at the Yankalilla Men's Shed and $6,000 to install memorial plaques at the HMAS Hobart Memorial Lookout near Normanville.
I also have some news regarding Centre Alliance's response to the approval of Equinor's environment plan to drill an exploration well off the South Australian coast and the NSW Government's announcement that it will not contribute to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan’s 450GL efficiency measures.
Finally, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support this year and to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Our offices at Mount Barker and Victor Harbor will be closed from Christmas Day with Mount Barker re-opening on January 2 and Victor Harbor re-opening on January 20.
Stay safe on the roads and in our waters over the holiday period, and may you enjoy the peace and joy of the season.
$2.26M for Aldinga Sports Complex
Photo: Rebekha celebrates the news of the $2.26 million investment in the Aldinga Sports Complex with Kelli Sullivan and Jake Sullivan from the Aldinga Cricket Club, left, Steve Quick from the Aldinga Bay Hockey Club and Bonnie Dickson and Nikki Bond (with sons Owen, 3, Nolan, 18 months) from the Aldinga Soccer Club.
Rebekha has successfully advocated for $2.26 million for a much-needed redevelopment of the Aldinga Sports Complex.
The funding will assist the City of Onkaparinga and the multiple sporting groups that use the complex to redesign and upgrade the grounds, including the building of two new soccer pitches and the installation of cricket nets.
“This money will make such a difference to the communities of Aldinga, Port Willunga and Sellicks Beach which are among the fastest-growing parts of Adelaide and, as a result, are experiencing infrastructure deficits,” Rebekha said.
You can read more here.
Funding Ace for Tennis
Photo: Neville Gilbert, front right, from the Gumeracha Sporting Club, an umbrella group for community sport in Gumeracha including tennis, shows the cracks in the tennis courts to Rebekha and fellow club members Bob Brooksby, left, Ian Carpenter and Paul Hammer.
Tennis clubs at Woodchester and Gumeracha will soon have the advantage of better court facilities now that Rebekha has advocated for nearly $300,000 in Federal funding.
Rebekha successfully advocated for $220,000 for the Gumeracha Tennis Club to complete a full reconstruction and resurfacing of courts and $75,000 for the Woodchester Tennis Club so members can resurface their courts.
“Right across our community we are struggling to upgrade tired facilities to meet modern sporting codes and standards for health and safety,” Rebekha said.
You can read more here.
Photo: Rebekha, centre, inspects the Woodchester tennis courts with Tony Barnes, President of the Onkaparinga Tennis Association, left, Woodchester Tennis Club member Katie Harvey, Woodchester Tennis Club President Neil Harvey and Club Secretary Judy Barnes.
Treetop Playground Upgrade
Photo: Blackwood Park Boulevard 'Treetop Playground' at Craigburn Farm.
Blackwood Park Boulevard playground at Craigburn Farm is about to embark on a major facelift thanks to a $200,000 Federal grant secured by Rebekha.
The money will allow the City of Mitcham to improve the recreation area by building toilets, a water fountain, a sheltered barbecue area and a bike stand with pump and tool station.
The junior play area and nearby walking and cycling paths will also be upgraded.
“Blackwood Park Boulevard playground is a very popular spot and has made a significant contribution to the lifestyles of local families,” Rebekha said.
“Feedback from the community has highlighted the need for improved facilities."
You can read more here.
Men's Shed Kitchen Kit Out
Photo: Members of the Yankalilla & Districts Community Men's Shed show Rebekha their new kitchen.
Rebekha has successfully advocated for a $10,000 grant for the Yankalilla & Districts Community Men’s Shed so members can fit out their new kitchen area.
The money will allow members to install much needed items such as a hotwater service, a microwave, crockery, tables and chairs.
“There are more than a thousand Men's Sheds right across Australia, more than a dozen of which are in Mayo, and I am a huge supporter of these non-profit organisations that enhance the physical and mental health of men in a very local, hands-on way,” Rebekha said.
“One of Mayo's more recently established Men's Sheds is at Yankalilla and membership is growing with the group coming up with new ways to expand their equipment and facilities.
“They have recently built their own kitchen and meeting area, and while they have hands-on skills, they do need some assistance in fitting out their kitchen so I was pleased to advocate on their behalf when they came to me seeking funding assistance."
You can read more here.
Maccy Memorial Garden
Photo: Macclesfield Football Club Vice President Eric Toome, left, club representative Shane Bartlett, Macclesfield RSL Vice President Mark Stewart-Jones and Macclesfield Men’s Shed Chairman Ken Smith show the plans for the ANZAC Memorial Garden shelter to Rebekha.
The ANZAC Memorial Garden at Macclesfield will soon have a shelter thanks to a $10,000 grant secured by Rebekha.
The money will allow members of the Macclesfield RSL, the Macclesfield Men's Shed and the Macclesfield Football Club to roll out up their sleeves and construct the off-the-shelf structure themselves.
“The decade-old garden continues to grow in both scale and popularity, and it now requires a shelter to provide a protected space for visitors to the garden during inclement weather,” Rebekha said.
“I was pleased to learn when the Maccy RSL approached me about negotiating funding for the structure that they already had the Men’s Shed and the Football Club on board and all three groups viewed this project as an opportunity to build community."
You can read more here.
Lifesaving equipment
Photo: Discussing the future vision for the Aldinga Bay Surf Life Saving Club during a recent meeting were Club Vice President Simon Rothwell, Rebekha Sharkie MP, Vice Captain Patrols Ray Tomlinson, House Manager & Surf Sports Manager Peter Syomns, President Paul Hibbird, Club Captain Andrew Meyer and Grants Officer Keith Holman.
Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has secured $13,550 for the Aldinga Bay Surf Life Saving Club so it can buy new equipment for rescue, training, first aid and resuscitation purposes.
The Community Development Grant, successfully advocated for by the local MP, will assist a club that has been struggling to fundraise since a storm last year severely damaged their clubrooms.
“The club has been working out of sheds and shipping containers until its new Operations Centre was officially opened recently and it could be another 18 months until members have a fully functioning kiosk and restaurant to use as an income stream so it’s been tough for these dedicated volunteers to find the money for much-needed extras,” Rebekha said.
You can read more here.
HMAS Hobart Lookout
Photo: Rebekha at the HMAS Hobart lookout with Stephen Lamb, representing HMAS Hobart Association SA President Neville Sampson.
Rebekha has successfully advocated for funds to install memorial plaques at the HMAS Hobart Memorial Lookout near Normanville that will honour two Australian servicemen killed in a friendly-fire incident during the Vietnam War.
The local MP has secured $6000 for the SA branch of the HMAS Hobart Association so they can upgrade the lookout over Yankalilla Bay and include the tributes to Ordinary Seaman Raymond John Butterworth and Chief Petty Officer Raymond Henry Hunt.
“These men were killed on duty on the HMAS Hobart during what later turned out to be a friendly fire incident involving the United States Air Force off the east coast of North Vietnam on 17 June 1968,” Rebekha said.
“The HMAS Hobart Association of Australia, South Australia branch, believes the stories of these two sailors and others injured in the missile attack should be told as part of the lookout memorial, and I agree.
“Adding plaques for Ordinary Seaman Butterworth and Chief Petty Officer Hunt would add to the collective story of the HMAS Hobart, a story that I think belongs to all Australians.”
You can read more here.
Fight For The Bight
Photo: Rebekha, middle, is pictured with Centre Alliance colleague Senator Rex Patrick, left, and other protesters at a Paddle Out for the Bight protest at Victor Harbor in early 2019.
Centre Alliance is disappointed by the decision of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) to accept Equinor's environmental plan to drill an exploration well off the South Australian coast.
“It is clear from public surveys done in South Australia and the majority of the 30,000 submissions sent to NOPSEMA during the environmental approval process that most South Australians will be disappointed with this decision," said Rebekha.
“We believe the risk of any spill is too high a price for our pristine marine environment and the industries that rely on that environment."
You can read the full statement in full here.
Stop Basin Payments
Photo: One of the dredges operating at the Murray Mouth.
In response to the NSW Government's announcement that it will not contribute to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan’s 450GL efficiency measures or submit its Water Resource Plans in the required timeframe, Centre Alliance is calling on the Federal Government to, as an initial step, cease all Basin Plan payments to NSW immediately and to commence water buybacks in NSW starting in 2020.
Further sanctions may also be necessary if the NSW Government fails to recommit to the Plan in full.
SA Water Minister David Speirs has briefed Centre Alliance on the outcomes of Tuesday's Ministerial Council discussions and asked for Centre Alliance's support in the Federal Parliament.
“We stand beside Minister Speirs in his call for all states to work together to meet the Basin Plan commitments,” said Rebekha.
“As a party, Centre Alliance will apply whatever pressure is necessary to encourage the Federal Government to get NSW to meets its obligations.
You can read the full response from Centre Alliance here.
Grant Writing Workshops
Rebekha is hosting a series of grant writing workshops at Port Elliot, Stirling and McLaren Vale in late January 2020.
The workshops will feature guest presenters from different sectors including community services, sports and recreation and veterans' affairs.
“These events are about building the grant writing capacity in our community so we can source the funds we need for projects,” Rebekha said.
Positions are limited so please RSVP here.
Christmas Closure Times
