December 2024
Dear friends of SpringDale and friends I have yet to meet,
As my 21st year as Chief Enthusiasm Officer/ Coordinator draws closer, I reflect on all the things we have done together. Hundreds of thousands of course hours have been delivered, more than a million hours of special interest group activity, more than 2 million photocopies/prints, 120,000 plus faxes, 220 issues of the SpringDale Messenger, 15 editions of the On the Bellarine Business and Services Directory, thousands of hours of room hire, been helped by hundreds of volunteers, advocated for a number of pieces of infrastructure including the Drysdale Bypass, Clifton Springs Fishing Pier, North Bellarine Aquatic Centre, and currently for footpaths.
Some of the more bizarre ways that we have helped to raise money for projects are through re-covering 220 chairs for the Potato Shed, creating 2 km of bunting for Queenscliff Music Festival, more recently making crayons into bespoke name plates, plus the usual second handbook sales, garage sales etc. Each of these fundraisers has led to another SpringDale Service being created or a skill being gained. Who knows what we’ll decide to do next.
We have become a special place for Art to be learnt, discovered and mentored. A great deal of this is thanks to Annette Playsted Simmons who is about to start her 20th year of teaching at SpringDale. Annette will be exhibiting her art in celebration of this milestone from 25 Jan to 4 Feb 2025 at SpringDale. I am so grateful for the thousands of hours Annette has devoted to her students and SpringDale over this period. Thanks so much.
During the next month, we will be creating, serving and enjoying hundreds of Christmas meals. Please consider coming to one of our lunches or dinners, meeting new people and sharing some Christmas Cheer. The meals are being supported by a City of Greater Geelong Christmas grant and will be delivered to your seat or home by volunteers. Many people enjoyed helping over the last few years and have put their hands up again and we have some new people who are keen to help. I’m sure there is still room for a few more helpers, if you are interested. We are grateful for the Christmas grant and would love any other foods or financial sponsorship to help us make more than 1,000 meals this year.
Change has become the constant these days and change seems to happen quite quickly. I’m sure 2025 may follow this pattern but if we take time to take a few deep breaths and enjoy the butterflies, when they pop into your sight. Just take an extra minute to enjoy what you are doing and find the fun in all you do then I think we’ll all have a great 2025 together. I continue to quote Captain Sir Tom Moore – “Best be kind” and continue to find power in kindness.
Looking forward to seeing you at SpringDale for one of our special events, a usual activity, or our new Repair Café or the next Family Games Night.
Thanks for everything you do to help our wonderful community.
Yours kindly,
Anne Brackley OAM
Chief Enthusiasm Officer & Coordinator
SpringDale Neighbourhood Centre Inc.
