LANEWAY SMELL
AT its most recent meeting Cohuna Progress Association discussed the possibility of installing a gate across a laneway that runs between the Murray Valley Highway and King Edward St opposite Garden Park.
The meeting heard some action was necessary to stop patrons of the nearby pubs using the laneway as a urinal.
There was general agreement that the smell emanating from the area was a problem needing to be addressed.
The gate would only need to be locked on Friday and Saturday nights, it was agreed.
AIRPORT EXPANSION SUPPORT
COHUNA Progress Association has written to Gannawarra Shire councillors asking them to support the expansion of the Cohuna Airport.
Members of the group have also been involved in a community campaign representing their position to the councillors via letters and phone calls.
“We just want it done,” association president Jason Hensley said.
SOLO MOTOR HOMES RALLY
THE recent Campervan Motorhome Club of Australia’s Solo Rally, from 8-15 November, saw more than $90,000 spent in Cohuna by around 250 solo travellers who were camped around the town.
Network members attended Big Cohuna Festival events, including the Melbourne Cup Day hospital lunch, and even signed up to do a first aid course in the town.
Shops, sports clubs and eateries all benefited from their visit.
The group also donated $500 to the Cohuna Fire Brigade and $500 to the Gannawarra Giving Account from fundraising initiatives.
YOUTH SPACE
A TRIAL of a social space for young people in Cohuna over October and November proved successful and is likely to be run again.
The idea to create a place for teenagers to go after school was raised by young people themselves at a Progress Association youth forum.
The initiative was promoted by Gannawarra Shire councillor Sonia Wright then taken up by Northern District Community Health, which ran it as a FReeZA program.
FReeZA is a youth development program providing young Victorians aged 12-25 with opportunities to enjoy live music gigs, dance parties and other cultural, recreational and artistic events that are drug, alcohol and smoke-free.
The youth space was created on Friday afternoons over four weeks in October and November at CohunaCo in Channel St.Northern District Community Health youth health promotion officer Matt Allan reported it had become popular following a promotional push.
CHRISTMAS TREES
THE Cohuna neighbourhood house is taking orders for reusable Christmas tree frames, which households and businesses can decorate to their own taste.
The frames come in three sizes, and range in price from $45, to $75.
MOSAIC
A COMMUNITY mosaic being created at the Cohuna neighbourhood house is progressing well, coordinator Tanya Black reported.
Community members are invited to make their own feather to contribute to the galah creation.
LOCAL PLAYWRIGHT
A WORK by local playwright Merrilee Moss has been selected for the 2020 VCE drama and theatre studies playlist.
Ms Moss received a Regional Arts Fund community grant to develop ‘Running with the Emus’, a play about multiculturalism and Australian identity which is largely set on a farm verandah.
Running with the Emus will be performed at Treetops in Cohuna in late February and in Melbourne in March.
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS LUNCH
THE Cohuna neighbourhood house will again organise a community Christmas lunch this year.
Organisers received a grant from the shire to cover the event and will be catering for around 80 people.
Anyone is welcome to attend the lunch, which will be held in Cohuna Memorial Hall on Christmas Day.
BIG COHUNA FESTIVAL
THIS year’s Big Cohuna Festival saw over 40 events run and made a profit of $5600.
The festival received grants from the National Australia Bank and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.
Organiser Jodie Hay said it put a buzz in the air and brought some welcome positivity.
Ms Hay described the festival as “a really great example of what a community can do when it works together”.
SPECIAL EVENT COORDINATOR
SARAH Mostyn has taken over the role of special event coordinator from long-term volunteer Jodie Hay.
‘JULES’ at St Mary’s
The St Mary’s Cohuna musical production ‘Jules’, staged by the school as part of the Big Cohuna Festival, was labelled a big success.
The musical, written by teacher Elaine Keely, was described as “brilliant”, and sold out on its second night.
SHOPPING SPREE
THE annual Christmas shopping spree is underway, with a $500 “Cohuna money” prize on offer.
A $12 ticket entitles shoppers to discounts and special sale items at local shops.
GRANT PLANS
COHUNA Progress Association is involved in discussions with the shire about $110,000 of funding allocated for the area from a $1 million federal drought assistance grant which needs to be spent by June 2020.
The shire will receive another $1 million to be spent by December 2020.
Cohuna Progress is inviting interested community members to its next meeting to have a say in possible projects.
