Wingello Village Hall is Better than ever

Lest we forget

The Roll of Honour in the hall is from the
war of 1914 to 191.  The plaque was never updated
to reflect the end of the war in 1918.

In 1917, members of the Mechanics Institute built the hall and gave it to the community.  Since that time it was managed by local residents and it was the home to many dances, meetings and other events for the community.
One matter affecting the running of the hall was community interest.  Over the years the hall almost fell into disrepair and the management committees were restarted almost from scratch numerous times.
Luckily, each time some people were found willing to donate their time and effort and try to keep the hall available for community use.
Funding for repairs and maintenance was always an issue.  Funds were raised through various means to fix up one thing or another and pay for the necessary building and contents insurance.  This kept going up, especially considering the hall is a wooden building built 80 years ago.
Finally the effects of insurance and public liability claims began to take its toll. Members of the management committee discovered they would be personally liable if someone decided to sue them.
About three years ago meetings of the hall management committee in conjunction with public meetings were held and votes cast to turn over management of the Hall to the Wingecarribee Shire Council.
This has allowed for a proper maintenance regime to be put in place and appropriate insurance cover for the hall and those on the management committee.
Many may complain about the paperwork needed to rent the hall but this is not council’s fault.  It goes back to the courts interpreting claims regarding public liability very broadly, greatly expanding the liability for all concerned.  This meant insurance policies were required.  Each time a multi million dollar claim is brought down, insurance rates go up.
All that paperwork is just the reaction to ensure all appropriate parties are covered in case of a lawsuit.  If other halls aren’t doing the risk assessment and the associated insurance paperwork, the risk to the hall management committee and organisers of events is much higher.
Since the Council assumed responsibility for the hall many improvements have been made including:

• Rewiring and safety switches,
• Air conditioners in the hall and meeting room
• New blinds
• Painting inside and out
• Repaired internal stairs
• New chairs
• Stage lighting and curtains updated as well as a new piano
• Repaired kitchen cupboards and fittings

At least that tells us where some of our rates are going.

Horse Endurance Ride in Wingello State Forest 28 & 29 May

The Wingello Forest Ride is on again, this time hosting the South Coast Zone Championships. The ride will be run over the prettiest trails that Wingello State Forest can offer – through tall mature pine forests, natural bush and ferny gullies. The ride is undulating so horses need to be fit, but is great underfoot and has plenty of shade and water.
They have a new ride base this year on private land adjacent to the forest.
This is the third year the horse endurance event has been run in the Wingello State Forest and is gaining a reputation as an excellent event.  Horses and riders from around the country are coming here to experience the Wingello we are lucky to live in.

Wingello Community Meal a hit

It was quite a chilly night on 29 April and The Wedding was being televised but that didn’t stop the inaugural Wingello Community Dinner.
We decided to hold it inside the shop to gain the benefit of the cosy fire.  All told it was a lovely evening.

Wingello Village News May 2011

Wingello Village News May 2011

Wingello Village News for May 2011 is out.

Highlights:

Wingello Hall update
Fireflies Golf Day
Community Meal success

Wingello Community Dinner

Ariel & Tristen showing the long table 

Make your reservation: Friday 29 April 2011

Now that we have completed the renovations to the Old Produce Shed, we are proud to host a regular Wingello Community Dinner.

This idea arises from a customer’s suggestion. He was enjoying the ad hoc meeting of other locals and thought a dinner around one long table would be even better.

Research with other villagers confirmed the desire for a communal dinner.

Rather than have everyone sitting all around the store, we will be setting up a long table in the Old Produce Shed so we can all get to meet and chat with fellow villagers and guests.

Bookings are essential so we can cater appropriately.

A fixed price of $22.00 covers a fixed entree, main meal and dessert. BYO wine or beer. Soft drinks and Cafe drinks are all available at normal prices.

The Friday night restaurant is going very well and we appreciate all your support.

Easter 2011 Opening Times

This year Easter is a bit longer thanks to the Anzac day public holiday.
As in past years we will be closed on Good Friday.
Easter Saturday will be normal Saturday hours of 8:00am to  2:30pm.
Easter Sunday, Monday and Tuesday will be Public Holiday hours of 8:00am to 10:30am.
For those remaining around the village this Easter, a nice breakfast or morning coffee would be a good lazy way to start the day, either enjoying the morning sun in Maple Lane, or the fireplace if it is a lot colder.

Passion Play Open to all

15 Minutes from Wingello is the Pauline Fathers Catholic Monastery.  You may not realise that at a country spot on Hanging Rock Road is a monastery and Church that seats 800!  The monastery started with a tin shed in 1984 and over the last 27 years has grown quite a lot.
Every year on Good Friday they have a Passion Play, where a cast of actors play all the parts of the Passion of Jesus Christ - that is the history from when Jesus was hailed as a King on Palm Sunday through to his Crucifixion on Good Friday.
It is a great experience and open to all.  There will be over 1,000 people attending to watch and walk along as the play starts at the entrance and moves from scene to scene until it ends at the grotto.
The play starts at 11:00am.  You should plan to be there at about 10:30 to get a car park and be part of the experience.

Engaged Buddhists in Wingello

The Association of Engaged Buddhists is a group of lay Buddhist practitioners and resident ordained Monks and Nuns who are committed to putting the Dhamma into action within their own lives in order to be of benefit to all.
Established in 1993, the Association runs regular evenings of meditation at Sangha Lodge in Lewisham, as well as retreats, workshops and courses in response to specific needs. The Association’s main aim is to share in a non-sectarian way the many benefits of the Dhamma with the wider Australian community.
The association has taken over the property at 219 Forest Road for use as a Retreat centre.  Once they are up and running they will have an open day so that any interested locals can see what they are all about.
This is Bhante, the Spiritual Director of the Association and senior resident monk.  You will see him occasionally in the shop enjoying a coffee and a meal.

Robertson Show 2011 Winners Again

Yummy.  Served with Jam and Cream.

Eric’s scones once more won first prize for Scones.
Lana won first prize for her Muffins and biscuits.
This is not surprising to all those who have enjoyed these delights at the shop, but it is good to have confirmation!
The Robertson Show was very enjoyable.  Even very heavy rain in the afternoon didn’t stop the show.  When asked if they should change anything because of the rain, organisers looked at each other and said, “Nah.  This is Robertson.  Rain is part of the Show.”
The parking control people had their 4WD vehicles ready to pull vehicles through the exit (like they needed to for our Transit van).
So whether an award was won or not, all that attended the Show were winners.

Wingello Village News April 2011

Wingello Village News April 2011

Wingello Village News for April 2011 is out.

Highlights:

Wingello Community Dinner
Engaged Buddhists move in
Passion Play open to all