A group of concerned residents from the North to South Illawarra have joined forces to form a coalition working towards improved governance and protection and enhancement of community and environmental interests by local council and state and federal governments.
To be known as the North South Coalition it already embraces community action groups mainly representative of coastal areas from Helensburgh to Albion Park, and maybe soon to embrace Kiama.
It also aims to help community, neighbourhood and residential groups have clearer understanding of local council procedures, policy and planning regulations.
The coalition will also help these residents make proper submissions on worrying community matters to councils and better organise public meetings, leaflet drops and public demonstrations.
It has already been active in Keiraville where a group of local residents is in dispute with the city council over a four storey development, which they see as out of character with the area.
Future support will be forthcoming to the Reed Park Users Group at Dapto over a city council grab for half this area for housing and for the Concerned Residents of East Dapto (CRED) who are opposing a development at Tallawarra.
Another group focus is the city’s draft Blue Mile proposal and the town hall.
An official coalition launch will be held in February 2008.
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We know it now
If there were any doubts about which political party most influences the Illawarra Regional Development Board they have certainly been removed following that body’s recent reshuffle.
Independent Lord Mayor of Wollongong Alex Darling has been dumped in favour of Labor’s Cr Kiril Jonovski, who got the final nod from the NSW Regional Development Tony Kelly.
And this after the Lord Mayor has been a board member for five years.
Funnily enough, although Labor people seem to hold sway on most of the city’s so-called organisations of note, it doesn’t seem to bring any real benefits to Wollongong.
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Frat looks to brighter future
The beleagured Fraternity Club’s decision to restore popular administrator Albert Palamara to the top management role there is already going down well with other staff and members.
Albert’s previous most senior role was as assistant to the CEO, a position eliminated when the just resigned head man took the reins.
Club president Eddy Trevisanut is now more than quietly confident the only way is forward, and all of us who have at some time or another enjoyed a meal and a drink, or both, there over the years wish everyone concerned the very best of fortune.
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Hawks face harrowing times
It really didn’t surprise me to hear that the Illawarra Hawks are struggling to stay afloat in the National Basketball League.
In recent times they have struggled to draw big crowds to their home games and their playing record is abysmal.
What is it with Wollongong and national sporting teams? Firstly we let the Steelers go when my understanding is that if the club had gone with Rupert Murdoch’s push for a Super League competition BHP, which company was proud to have their name emblazoned on the team guernseys, would have helped find the extra cash to keep them here full time, but a sufficient number of the club’s then board were sufficiently anti–super league to enter a partnership with St George, which hasn’t really worked.
The Wolves also went down the gurgler as spectator support fell and the cash dried up.
Now it’s the Hawks who are in the firing line, and sadly my bet is the necessary rescue package will not be forthcoming.
So what hope do see for those out there who want to get a local team into soccer’s A League series?
Pity, but that seems to be the way it is down here.
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That’s it for 2007
This the final Bottomline for 2007 and once again it has been fun being involved.
To all those who in some way or another I might have lambasted during the year I hope you have a happy Christmas and a super New Year, and to all the loyal readers I offer the same well wishes.
Writing a weekly column like this is not always easy and I must also thank those who have stopped me in the street and given me a story, and to the others who have emailed me and made a call to the WollongongOnline office Level 2, 67-69 Market Street.
See you in January 2008.
Your Opinion Counts. CLICK HERE >>>>>>>>>>>>>> John Bown has spent a lifetime writing about people and events, firstly as a working journalist in Melbourne and later as a managing editor of a group of suburban newspapers before he joined BHP as editor of its company magazine, 'The BHP Review', then Employee Communications Manager. Finally, he was wooed to Port Kembla steelworks for five years as Public and Employee Communications Manager, and Project Manager for the $17 million SAP computer program before retiring and setting up John Bown Communications. Alas 'retirement' does not see him on the golf course anywhere near as often as he would like. | 
