2009 represents the tenth anniversary of the formation of ARA Inc in 1999 which is notable milestone in our history. and a credit to our dedicated members who have served ARA Inc in many roles over this period . Voluntary community organisations representing residents of a particular suburb come and go often due to single interest agendas. ARA Inc was fortunate in 1999 to have wisely adopted a series of broad goals ensuring a wide charter of interests, and has survived to become a permanent part of our lives:

1. to develop community spirit amongst the residents of Auchenflower

2. to positively influence the natural environment of Auchenflower

3. to positively influence the built environment of Auchenflower

4. to contribute to the safety and security of Auchenflower residents

5. to be a credible, non-profit , non- political community organisation

The past ten years has seen many changes in the way ARA Inc has continued to represent the interests of residents of Auchenflower in the face of many pressures on the amenity of our suburb and many varied proposals impacting on its physical and social context. Our record of pro-active responses to these pressures and impacts indicates the sound basis on which ARA Inc was founded, and our current structure has evolved to ensure we have in place a strong network of interested and able members to deal with issues arising from growth and change as it affects Auchenflower.

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF ARA Inc

Since its birth in 1999, ARA inc has been served by a Management Committee comprising 3 elected officials ( President, Vice-president and Treasurer, and an honorary Secretary) assisted by other voluntary committee members prepared to advance the goals of ARA Inc via attendance at monthly meetings and acceptance of roles in pursuing matters arising in the five areas of interest of ARA.

Acknowledgment is made of the valued contributions of many dedicated members over the past 10 years

1999-2001 President Bob Sibley, VP Jackie Bentley,Treasurer Kevin Southern, secretary Maria Heather

2002-2005 President Jackie Bentley, VP Bill Heather, Treasurer Kevin Southern, secretary Michael Keating 2006-2009 President Bill Heather, VP Graham Young/Margriet Bonnin, Treasurer John Fenwick, secretary Bill Phillips

We salute these and other committee members over the years, who have included Jeannie Hudson, Ruth Adams, Carol Woods, Simon Couper, Peter Tasar, Brian Roberts, Marjorie Shackleton, Scott Maxwell, Mike Shellshear, Maureen Curtis, Julia Prince and Tom Drinan.

The real stalwarts of ARA Inc have been the families who have maintained their membership on a regular basis, and supported our functions and events, ensuring our financial security. These members have believed in the importance of keeping our community group in place to act in the interests of our suburb.

SUMMARY of THIS YEAR 2009

The Management Committee of ARA Inc resolved at the last AGM to meet each second month, rather than monthly, to reflect the current low level of development activity and related responses evident in Auchenflower. This decision to concentrate our efforts this year on key activities of our voluntary association on community building events within our bailiwick and to maintain a watching brief on the impacts of external pressures likely to affect Auchenflower.

We welcomed a new Committee member this year Margriet Bonnin from Agnes St.

ARA Inc remains in sound financial position with adequate reserves to cover projected recurrent expenditures, whilst membership retention and expansion remains a ever-present objective.

A summary of 2009 key activity on ARA Inc’s five main areas of interest is as follows:

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Committee member Bill Phillips continues to lead by example in his campaign to have residents become more aware of the detrimental effects of certain unwelcome plants on the natural environment.

BCC also consulted ARA about naming a proposed pocket park in Kellett St , and The Kellett Family park was suggested. This welcome tiny increase to the amount of parkland in Auchenflower is commended.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Past President Jackie Bentley particular interest in Auchenflower’s history has been acknowledged by a BCC Grant of $5,000 to publish a history of Miss O’Shea’s School ( now the Hear & Say Centre, Munro St) funded by the Lord Mayor’s Suburban Initiative Fund. Oral histories garnered from former pupils and long term residents have progressed this year with preliminary work completed on its feasibility, and a 2010 publication date pencilled in..

The most significant community event for 2009 was the Q150 function at Rathdonnell House, held on Sunday 27 September 09 to mark the oldest house still used for residential purposes in Auchenflower. This event was attended by about 85 people who heard guest speaker Denver Beanland, former BCC Councillor and later MP/Attorney General in the State Government give an entertaining account of the history of Auchenflower including how attempts to merge Auchenflower as a suburb into Toowong were thwarted by his efforts, for which he was roundly applauded as “‘the man who saved Auchenflower”. Our thanks to our hosts on the day, present owners of Rathdonnell house Anthony and Veronica Petrie.

To acknowledge 2009 as ARA Inc’s 10 th birthday, past president Jackie Bentley cut an impressive cake donated by Margriet Bonnin and members present toasted the continued health of ARA.

BUILT ENVIRONMENT

The major issue on the built environment agenda last year was the Northern Link tunnel project which is proposed to pass under Auchenflower. ARA Inc was represented on the Western Community Reference Group by Bill Heather and John Fenwick. ARA supported the tunnel on the grounds that it should take traffic off Milton Rd which currently bisect Auchenflower, but expressed concerns about impacts on its context. An Environmental Impact Statement ( EIS) was published by BCC in September 08 supporting the project , which attracted spirited opposition from land-owners and residents affected by the proposed Toowong connection tunnels and road widenings of Croydon St and Milton Rd. A local action group led this opposition and the GFC put paid to efforts to secure funding for the total project, which led to BCC revising its proposals by deleting the local connection, so the resulting tunnel if built will connect directly from the Western Freeway.

BCC councillor Peter Matic consulted ARA inc about a proposed dense townhouse redevelopment of a site at 46 Cadell St retaining a house with historical links to Drysllwyn ( Raymont Lodge) and a submission was made by Bill Heather and Kevin Southern suggesting a design solution offering more diversity of accommodation and taking into account the historical context would be more appropriate.

SAFETY and SECURITY

Neighbourhood Watch coverage of Auchenflower has not eventuated with the demise of the Torwood section and little support for extension south of Birdwood Tce.

ORGANISATIONAL MATTERS

Membership retention and expansion remained a key goal for 2009. and a number of new members have been welcomed into ARA Inc, which currently represents about 50 households in Auchenflower.
We run on a calendar year basis so renewal of subs for 2010 are currently due.

ARA Inc now has a dedicated PO Box 319 at Toowong Q 4066 as its postal address, and a new email address arainc@optusnet.com.au .

Our webmaster Bill Phillips continues to do a commendable job in funding and maintaining the ARA Website, and I would like to thank him publicly for these efforts . Plans are in motion to upgrade the appearance of the website to reflect current levels of computer awareness in the community.

Check out www.auchenflower.org to see what’s been happening in your suburb.

CONCLUSION

The role of ARA Inc in monitoring the growth of Auchenflower as a desirable residential suburb and community remains vital. Pressures of increased density and upgraded transport infrastructure continue to impact heavily on Auchenflower and more traffic and more density are coming our way.

If you are concerned about these issues, ARA inc would welcome your active support via 2010 committee membership.

Bill Heather. President