We are currently enjoying some cool, albeit windy weather here in Augusta, adjacent to Cape Leeuwin where the Southern and Indian Oceans converge. Augusta is a town very similar in size to Beverley. Although part of the much larger Augusta-Margaret River Shire, Augusta itself is about forty-three kilometres from Margaret River, further than Beverley is from either York or Brookton.
The unofficial mascot of Augusta is the Humpback Whale, with reminders quite apparent. Augusta only has one pub, The Augusta Hotel-Motel, but we were astonished to see this space absolutely packed on a Monday evening. Jimmy's Pizza, attached to the pub, was being single-handedly run by Paulette, producing great pizzas in very quick time and delivering our pizza to our table in the pub.
The Augusta Grocer is open seven days a week from 8am - 6pm. This supermarket is bright, well stocked and welcoming. Prices were cheaper than the Beverley IGA and there was no staff member standing at the door at 5.50pm...Many thanks to Maddie on the till for being so cheerful and amiable.
The Leeuwin Lighthouse Cafe went beyond the second mile. Although Tracey was meant to close at 3.30pm, she supplied me with a much-needed pot of tea after her official end of service. As she cleaned the surrounding tables, she chatted agreeably to us, whilst assuring me that I had caused her no trouble.
John and Helen at their beautiful River Studio have provided us with a totally relaxed break over two nights. As they have no guests in tomorrow night, they have allowed us a late checkout which we have so appreciated.
I am writing about my admiration of Augusta as I believe the town has a real focus, a clear vision and is well set up to thrive now and in the future.
What makes Beverley special? Where is our focus, our vision, our future? Beverley should be in the absolute box-seat for attracting visitors and residents to our town, yet we are struggling to achieve these goals. Only this week, our CEO was bemoaning that Beverley only had one "gardener" on their payroll. I offered my services as a gardening advisor to the Shire plus I offered our Studio in our home as accommodation for a Shire worker. What was the response? Complete silence from Beverley councillors, whilst tree and shrubs die on Vincent Street, rubbish litters the gardens and gutters and the weed matting outside the public toilets is a trip and Duty of Care hazard. There isn't even a sign pointing to the public toilets from our main drag. How dreadful is that?
These are the issues that I would like the men and women of Beverley to address in a Progress Association:
- What is our vision for Beverley?
- What does "Be Very Beverley, Be Very You" really mean?
- What should be Beverley's focus?
- What does the wider community (the whole Shire) and visitors want from our town?
- When will we have a reliable and open Cafe?
- What incentives, such as reduced costs for advertising, can the Beverley Shire offer businesses to open on weekends and on public holidays, when visitors are in town?
- How do we compete with other country towns, such as Pingelly, which is, again, the same size as Beverley, but appears to be attracting funding and awards?
- Does Beverley need a definitive symbol - the Avon river, the Gliding Club, a Baby Meerkat (my pick), a sheaf of wheat, a ewe and lamb, a sheepdog or the figure of an artist? This is a point I would hope the Progress Association would discuss and come to consensus.
- Consensus is my primary consideration for any of the Beverley Progress Association's decisions. Division would be the death of us.
A Beverley Progress Association would provide constructive and relevant input to the Shire. I suggest the Progress Association should also include a Shire Representative, such as Ali Lewis, the Executive Officer and a Shire Councillor.
I hope we are able to move Beverley forwards in a direction that meets the achievable aspirations of "Beverley 2035". Who is with me?
Our initial meeting (which will determine if we proceed or not, based on numbers) will be held on Thursday 26 March from 5pm at the East End Gallery - 116 Vincent Street, Beverley.
For more information please contact me by DM through Facebook or email me - thewifofsif@gmail.com
Here's to moving forward in Heavenly Beverley.
No comments:
Post a Comment