Old Bega Hospital Reserve Land Manager

Chair's Report to the AGM of the Old Bega Hospital Reserve Land Manager Board 10 November2020

The start of this AGM period: severe drought, devastating bushfires and severe air pollution affecting everyone in the Bega Valley and beyond, fire damage, evacuation and great angst for four of the Board volunteers followed by flood, loss of life, homes, properties and livestock and the advent of Covid 19 restrictions meant an extraordinary few months for all. Those affected by the 2018 Tathra Bushfire and not recovered from that impact had to go through the trauma again. It has truly been a year to want to forget: and hope we never have to experience again.

We did carry on and welcome two new Board members, Eric Myers (Bega Men's Shed President) and Gordon Beattie (community member). We did sort out the simplified (Stage One only) DA and return to Bega Valley Shire Council - with no idea when it might be able to be looked at given the huge burden on the Council addressing the myriad issues the bushfire imposed and all the displaced people to assist. The council staff juggled a huge workload well.

In March/April when the fires were out and we were able to operate in business mode again, the Deed of Funding setting out the conditions under which the $3 million was to be distributed was signed and Milestones set in place. There were some further issues to confirm with BVSC and, to my surprise, John Reynolds, in looking online on22 May discovered that the DA had been approved with several unsettling conditions. The formal notification had gone to Sibling. We rapidly checked the conditions and found that, in general, they were not too onerous but one relating to an expected contribution to a (council) roadway improvement offsite (cost not specified) and no previous hint that such a condition might be imposed has given us some concern. As volunteers facing up to a huge challenge we have done what we can to seek help and guidance but it remains an unfunded challenge and may create an occupation problem once the building restoration has been completed. This problem remains unsolved but we hope not insoluble. We have shared our problems - as appropriate - with the (then) Mayor and staff; and our local state and federal members of Parliament (thanks to them for listening and offering practical suggestions).

The onset of local Covid 19 cases in our hospital (and frightening numbers elsewhere) led to user groups cancelling their rental until health and safety were restored. We hoped and thought it might be over in several months - how wrong we were! Most groups are back in action but with strong injunctions like social distancing in place. The official requirements for operating have been rightly strict but have had a severe impact on the Friends' ability to persevere with basic annual fundraising events e.g. the Trivia Night and Raise the Roof Event. A small group of volunteers cannot predict, plan and manage an undetermined crowd number. So, as with almost every voluntary group worldwide dependent on community financial support, we have had to manage without. We are very lucky that we have been able to proceed - many not so lucky.

Having made the choice of restoration project manager (Public Works Advisory) last year, with their guidance we have been able to push on with planning and decision making. In June we had to choose a heritage experienced architectural firm to provide the fundamentals for the construction process. We all spent a few days looking at unfamiliar documents and trying to read behind the words and pictures on the many pages and make a successful choice. Interestingly, we almost produced a unanimous decision. Then we had to go through the process again and choose the best of eight firms and then add the financial aspect to that. We chose Design 5 a Sydney firm. We all survived. Richard became the Board representative, with Jay as his deputy, to work alongside PWA and act as the conduit between project manager and architects (and necessary consultants). As a board we have met with PWA and the architects but most consultation means flying emails - lots of them - between Richard and us and, preferably, quick cogitation and replies. Board meetings between monthly meetings have become the norm and I thank all board members (and Richard in particular) for their willingness to set aside normal life and make themselves available for group decision making.

In July I was astonished to be informed that an anonymous community member had nominated me for a Volunteer Regional Award. I thank that person for their recognition of my voluntary efforts at OBH since the fire in2004.Among other administrative and housework tasks, I have made a lot of cakes! I discussed the nomination with the Board and indicated that I preferred a group entry rather than an individual one. So we nominated ourselves as a group entry. Both entries advanced to the semi-finals. However, not to my surprise, I read in the Bega District News of the dedicated efforts of the Cobargo community (group division) and Christine Welsh of the Sapphire Community Pantry (individual). They are some of the finalists -and very well deserved and appreciated. Good luck to them when the winners are announced on 20 November. Bad luck that the in-person attendance at the ceremony at the luxurious Fairmont Hotel in the Blue Mountains has been changed (Covid 19 again) to online. No need to travel and Dress to Impress but less luxury.

The restoration money has begun to flow as we have met the early Milestones. And I'd like to acknowledge the efforts of John Reynolds as Treasurer providing us with regular financial updates. John has been quite ill this year but has kept his eye on the money. Thanks, John.

PWA and Richard have kept us informed of architectural planning progress and the architects have sought basic site information from us as the site guardians to inform their planning and hopefully facilitating future proofing where possible and appropriate. Jay's many years of OBH committee experience, voluntary repair and maintenance and memory of what has transpired on site since 1988 has proved invaluable. More recently, Eric's experience and observation of conditions in the northeast corner where the Bega Men’s shed has been constructed and operating since 2014 and John's experience as lawn mower from the BMS and OBH supervisor of Community Service Order participants has meant the Board (adding Richard who has been a keen observer of things OBH since 2012 and Gordon's more recent observations and past experience) has a very clear sensibility of site conditions. I have only the slightest knowledge and observation of these physical conditions but judging from the robust discussions on such matters as power needs, sewerage and storm water drainage between other Board members the architects will get a comprehensive picture of prevailing conditions.

Claire has recently circulated the first chapter of her book detailing the history of OBH. Makes for very interesting reading. And thanks to D5 architects we have recently acquired some interesting photos of former days at OBH when nurses wore starched white uniforms. Margaret Sirl has provided information on plantings including heritage roses during the mammoth effort of volunteers to restore and transform OBH from the dilapidated state it was when the Greiner Government handed it over to community use in 198718. The roses have not received much, if any, tending since being barricaded behind the security fence since the fire. They clearly thrive on neglect and are still blooming. We have also located a former Bega High School student who lived at OBH when it was used as a Boys’ Hostel. He is rather busy in the aftermath of all the fires but, when his life slows down a little, Claire is promised a lot of memories. We welcome anyone's memories of OBH. By all means contact Claire Lupton.

Covid 19 has created various delays for us and we face a few more. However, we anticipate that the planning and decision making happening now should result in physical activity on site next year. At present all the areas available for renting are rented out. This is a great situation for a voluntary not-for -profit organisation such as the Board. The fundraising committee of the Friends has met the challenge of communication, promotion and fundraising in a socially distanced environment by organising a quarterly (seasonal) newsletter and an online raffle drawn in late November. I'd like to acknowledge the energy and enthusiasm of Val Little and Gordon Beattie as front line members with support from Claire and John (who has recently taken on more duties with Edge FM and has resigned). Wollongong University Bega Campus) and staff at Andrew Constance's office have helped in printing copies of the newsletter - next copy due out by late November keeping the Bega Valley informed of progress.

OBH is an old site and set of buildings and needs regular checking of condition; and maintenance and repair. This will always be so while ever it stands. So the Board must maintain regular checking and vigilance. We have found very competent tradesmen in the Bega Valley to deal with breakdowns, repairs and replacements. Between them, the knowledge and experience of board members and the energy and skill contribution from our Community Service Order participants the site and buildings are in as good an order as we can manage. Thank you to you all.

Finally, thank you to Michael for agreeing to manage the Board election process. Thank you to all board members for giving up so much time to the restoration task (and the patient forbearance of partners and family members). And to Bega Valley residents and interested people further away. Let's hope this time next year we'll be drawing a picture of a restoration in action.

 

Pat Jones
Chairperson
9/11/20