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17th August 2024.  Edition One.
In this edition:
President's Report, Meet the candidates Hornsby & Parramatta Council,
Trust Spring walk, Epping Civic Trust newsletter.
STEP newsletter, Beecroft in the 50s and 60s, Local JP,

Recent Development Applications.
Message from the President
Dear Fellow Residents,
 
Last weekend, Louise and I went to Canberra to see the Gaugin exhibition at the National Gallery. It is an amazing collection of his work (work that I have always enjoyed) and certainly made me think about his interactions with his contemporaries (eg. his friendship with Degas) together with his representation of a colonial culture in a Pacific Island nation.
 
The differences and similarities between modern life in postcode 2119 and life in the early post Federation years in Beecroft were the subjects of talks that I gave during the last month to groups in Ryde and Hornsby.
 
My interest in history explains my role on the Hornsby Shire Heritage Advisory Panel in which context I recently commented on a draft of the heritage components of a new Development Control Plan being prepared for Hornsby Shire. I presume that this plan will be available for public comment after local government elections.
 
A number of local residents attended the Hornsby Shire Council’s ‘meet and greet’ in the Beecroft Railway Reserve where we caught up with Councillors Greenwood and Pillamarri. It was good to share a coffee and talk with them about local concerns. A few weeks later the former Mayor opened the new play and exercise equipment in the Village Green.
                       
                       
These new features are a great addition to the facilities in our area and a very worthwhile use of the remaining funds from the sale of the former Congregational Church.
 
Talking of local parks, I had the delight on two separate occasions, of watching one of my great nephews channel his hero Cristiano Ronaldo, in two under 8 soccer matches at Booth Park. Like all of those boys and girls playing, Josh was brilliant both times - but standing in the cold and wet does not rank highly amongst my preferred Saturday morning activities! Just like the Olympics, I would not have missed either match. In case you were wondering, his team won one and lost the other. Each of the coaches won the medal for the number of times they yelled “watch the game rather than track the ball!”
 
As you will all be well aware, next month local government elections are to be held and you will find elsewhere in this eNews information about the meet the candidates meetings being arranged by Epping Civic Trust with Councillors in Parramatta and by the Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust for the position of Mayor of Hornsby and for Councillors in C Ward.
 
Some time ago, the Trust arranged for a small group to inspect the remnants of the Great North Road in Blackwood reserve on the corner of Beecroft Rd and Pennant Hills Rd. This visit was the subject of a recent article in the Royal Australian Historical Society newsletter.  I was surprised to note there, a comment that I interpreted as implying a lack of commitment by the National Trust to this remnant.  As the person within the Civic Trust who organised this visit, I can only state that, in my discussions with the National Trust, I have always been clear, as to the existence and importance of the remnants.  The Trust has engaged in discussions about how to look after them, especially in circumstances where this National Trust property has been leased to Mount St Benedict School. The same level of professional accountability and heritage sensibility applies to the National Trust’s work on their other local property, Ahimsa in Day Rd. Any contrary suggestion seems to me to be misplaced.
 
The Civic Trust is seeking to organise a public meeting in October about the impact of changes in housing policy on our area – and elsewhere. This is a topic that many people have raised with me, even though we are not one of the specifically targeted locations. Once we know who has accepted our invitation to speak, we will let you know the details for this proposed meeting.
 
You will be aware of a number of vacant shops in Beecroft as well as the absence of any group thinking exclusively about what business in postcode area 2119 might look like and be supported?  Our local Rotary club is therefore to be commended for organising a very thought provoking discussion about how this void might be filled. I look forward to hearing more about what might be possible. In a subtle call out to a local business this function also reminded me of what an excellent service Hannah’s provides to the local area. It is certainly my meeting place of choice when I am catching up with people after 4.00pm.
 
Finally, I went with a group of men from Beecroft Presbyterian Church to attend a large annual gathering called BaseCamp at The Roundhouse UNSW organised by Katoomba Christian Convention I spotted men from other churches across the local area at this event which had really thought provoking talks about the consequences of faith for men in 2024.  
 
I hope to see you at one, or both, of the forthcoming meet the candidates meetings for the local government elections.

 
Roderick Best PSM
President
president@bcct2119.com.au
Meet the Candidates Hornsby Council
The Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust will be holding a "Meet the Candidates" for the upcoming Hornsby Council elections on Thursday 29 August at the Beecroft Presbyterian Church Hall, Welham St. Beecroft, Starting at 7.30pm.
Hornsby Council Candidates
The candidates up for election are:
ALP, Matthew Conley
GREENS, Tanya Salitra
INDEPENDENT, Benjamin Caswell
LIBERAL, Dr Verity Greenwood, Ben McSweeney, Samyuta Pillamarri
Meet the Candidates Parramatta Council
The Epping Civic Trust will be holding a "Meet the Candidates" for the upcoming Council elections on Tuesday 20 August at 7.30 pm in the Church of Christ Hall, 31 Bridge St. Epping.
Civic Trust Spring Walk in September
The Trust will be holding a Spring Walk on Sunday afternoon the 22nd September.
The walk will once again be in Beecroft or Cheltenham and will explore that which makes our suburbs so special.
Further details will be published on our web site and in the eNews due out on Saturday 14th September.

Epping Civic Trust

The Epping Civic Trust has published their August newsletter. CLICK HERE to read it.

CLICK HERE to read the latest STEP newsletter.
Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust eNews
The Trust publishes this monthly eNews newsletter.  If you would like to receive this newsletter on a regular basis, please CLICK HERE to subscribe to the eNews.
Beecroft in the 50s and 60s
The trust has been granted permission to publish a collection of photographs from the 50s and 60s.  The photographer was the late Ted Richards, a former Beecroft resident and founder of the Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust.  Ted also served as the Trust's President for many years.

                        Old weatherboard house at 45 Wongala Crescent


            Children’s railway adjacent to railway line in Wongala Crescent.
Local Justice of the Peace
Timothy Abrams, a Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust committee member, has generously offered his services as a Justice of the Peace for any residents requiring this service.
Tim can be contacted on Mob 0417 662 405

Dr. Penelope Crossley has also generously offered her services.  Penelope is a practising solicitor and is happy to witness documents pro bono for 2119 residents. Penelope can be contacted on 0449 232 474.

Civic Trust Facebook page

The Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust has for quite some time had its own Facebook page.  If you have not yet visited the page CLICK HERE
Recent Development Applications
The Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust's Web Site now has links to recently submitted Development Applications in the 2119 postcode area for both Hornsby and Parramatta Shire Councils.  This page will be updated with every eNews publication.
CLICK HERE To access them.

Other objections and correspondence with council can be viewed CLICK HERE
Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust.
CLICK HERE
Keep our two suburbs strong and informed by being a member!
 
To support or join the Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust, please visit our website.
CLICK HERE.The eNews has become our main method for disseminating information to the community. We already send the eNews to many of our residents.  We encourage residents who receive the eNews to tell their neighbours and friends and suggest they too subscribe.  The eNews letter is available to all who subscribe.  Trust Membership is not a requirement. 
The eNews archives are available HERE.  To subscribe to the eNews: CLICK HERE.
There is an active Civic Trust Facebook group
; to view the Facebook CLICK HERE.
The Trust will assist any resident regardless of their membership status.
Kind regards,
Rod Best

President
president@bcct2119.com.au
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