MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETING


Date:		8th of November

Location:	Home of John Cott in Hollsmore St

Present:	 Robert Brierley (chaired the meeting), Barrie Gallacher, Eleanor Stephenson, 
Chris Walta, Bob Strickland, John Cott
Apology:	Jim Breen

1. OPENING
	Robert chaired the meeting and welcomed members. 

2. CORRESPONDENCE
?	Residents all received a formal notice from the Council about the new fencing on 
Riversdale Rd. The work is programmed for November 2004.
?	FOBC received a request from Council to participate in an inventory of indigenous 
flora and fauna in the area.
ACTION: Eleanor will provide a list of the bird sightings and return to Council.
?	VINC -  notice was received about the AGM for VINC 

3. BUSINESS OF THE MEETING
3.1 	Recruitment of new members and people to help with the work. Eleanor reported that she 
had conversations with several people at the working bee and a number were interested in 
giving a donation and finding out more about our work.
	ACTION: Each working bee one person to continue this work. The person needs 
FOBC Newsletters to distribute with information about how they can contribute.
	
3.2	FOBC website. The board walk celebration pictures to be added to the site.
ACTION: Robert TO email pictures to Jim 

3.3	Notice Board. Discussion about ways financial support could be obtained to have a notice 
board for the area. 
	ACTION: Robert to approach Shell about a contribution to assist. Jim to do a 
laminated sign for the next clean up.

3.4	Board Walk. The opening was considered a great success. Councillor Heinz Kreutz 
officiated and formally opened the board walk and thanked the Friends group for their 
work.  The Friends group appreciates Heinz's active involvement each month and his 
work in following up our requests at the Council. MLA Bob Stenholt also attended and 
we thank him for his ongoing interest in our work and help with the printing of the FOBC 
Newsletter. Participants enjoyed a barbeque to celebrate the event. Pictures taken on the 
day are able to be viewed on the FOBC website.

3.5	Press Release. A possible press release was discussed to combine promotion of our work 
with Councillor Heinz Kreutz's campaign for reelection. 
	ACTION: Robert to discuss the matter with Heinz and to send a digital photo and 
possible statement for the local paper.

3.6	Working bee. The November working bee is on the 21st of November. The work will be 
focused on the weeding and mulching of the jute matted area in the middle of the creek. 
The group discussed the need for additional equipment to move the mulch and suggested 
to investigate the cost and hire of a Dingo for the day.
	ACTION: Bob to arrange for as much mulch to be delivered as possible. Also to 
arrange the hire of a Dingo to help us to move the mulch to the weeded area and 
remove the weeds at the same time. 

3.6	Application. Robert reported that an application to Melbourne Water has been submitted 
for the FOBC's work in weeding, mulching and planting the slope above the board walk 
along Riversdale Rd. The application for $4000was submitted last week. Barrie has a list 
of shade tolerant plants that would be suitable for the planting under the oak trees. 

3.7	Upper Back Creek. Robert reported attending a meeting run by Council with residents of 
Back Creek between Warrigal Rd and Union Rd. Proposals were put to manage the area 
to ensure that resident needs and community needs could be met. Robert reported that 
residents were anxious to ensure that privacy was maintained particularly in the very 
narrow area. 

4. TREASURER'S REPORT
?	Bob reported the following:
		Received in 2003 	$6952		Received in 2004	$2305
		Spent in 2003		$2100		Spent in 2004		$2994
		
	2004 deficit $686 - This deficit will be written back to 2003 earnings that were not 
yet spent at the time.
	2004 in the bank $5709
?	Expenses to be reimbursed: Bob requests to be reimbursed for $55.40 – all approved. 
	If there is other outstanding expenditure please speak to Bob.
	Thank you to Bob for his report.
ACTION: Bob to arrange for the payment of the Dingo hire for the next working 
bee.
?	Bob requested a meeting with Robert to confirm what money was spent on which 
project.


5. BIRD SIGHTINGS AND FROG SONGS
'Sightings' reported by Eleanor – Grey Fantail, Chestnut Teal, Eastern Rosellas.
The Tawny Frogmouths have departed in recent days. Possibly because they sensed some 
danger in their location (a major branch came down in the area soon after they left)
'Hearings' reported by Barrie – Southern Brown Tree frogs. Robert also reported that 200 
Pobblebonk tadpoles were released in the creek a couple of days prior to the rain. We 
hope that the 65mm of rain that caused a rapid rush of water down the creek did not wash 
them all further down. We are all tuned to listen for their song.

6. RAFFLE
	The raffle was a great success and we thank Eleanor for her donation of her art work and 
organizing the tickets and colour copies for the raffle. The amount raised was nearly 
$240.
	
7. NEXT MEETING
December 6 at Barrie Gallacher's home at 7.30 in Quinton Rd	 
FRIENDS OF BACK CREEK
November 2004
Minutes prepared by Chris Walta