Friends of Royal Park Annual General Meeting was held at Royal Park on 31st August 2011.

Vice President (Paul Ryle) presented the following Annual Review:

Since the last AGM, Friends of Royal Park have had a very successful year, which can be summarised as follows:

• Launched the sales of 'Greensmart'pots, (at Springfest and Ballarat Plaza and Bridge Mall markets) and raised over $3000 in funds for Royal Park.
• Launched the 'Save and Raise' campaign to help Buninyong residents switch to energy saving light globes.
• Continued our support of Buninyong Junior Soccer Club, who generously funded a kitchen 'makeover' and re-painting of the pavilion (through BEST employment services) The Soccer club have also helped in grass mowing.
• Hosted a very successful 'Landcare Expo'.
• Supported BREAZE (and will hopefully be a regional information centre) for their new 'Smart Living Centre" in Ballarat.
• Supported Ballarat Permaculture Guild's 'Backyard Bounty' project (and hosted workshops in fruit tree grafting and natural dyeing techniques).
• Negotiated a ground improvement plan with 'Munash'.
• Held 6 'working bees'.
• Bought 12 trestle tables (from a successful council grant application).
• Hosted a Ballarat Cycle Club event.
• Installed new Fire extinguishers and signs.
• Hosted several 'pot luck' suppers.
• Continued to develop the 'Community Garden' and welcomed new members.
• Successfully found sponsors for, and installed a grid connected solar P.V. system for the pavilion. This was officially launched on 1st September – many thanks to all our sponsors (see new noticeboard at Royal Park).

In summary, a very successful year, and thanks to all the committee (Andrea Mason, Paul Ryle, Sue Nunn, Vicki Adams, Robert Whitten, Mark Cofey, Jill Clarke, Andrew Aitkin) for all their hard work and 'volunteer hours', especially our (now past) President, Andrea Mason, who has been the driving force behind most of the above projects. I'm amazed at how much a small group of volunteers can achieve!

If you want to join FORP or get involved with any of our projects, please contact us at

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

www.friendsofroyalpark.org.au

PO Box 701, Buninyong, VIC 3357