2022 AGM - Chair's Report

Winch House - Chair's Report
by Tony Phelps, Oversight Committee Chair

After a tumultuous 2021/2022, a note of gratitude for 2 sets of special people;

Firstly – those who work & volunteer at Winch House, and who have worked through, around, and with all the restrictions, disruptions and difficulties that came from staff shortages, constant Covid testing, occasional isolations, the normal leave & holiday time off, and now the reintroduction of colds and flu! Although much better than last year, there have certainly been times when it has been a struggle to keep Winch House operating – no different to many other workplaces. I’d like to especially thank our Manager, Wendy, for a contribution well and truly above and beyond anything we would expect or ask for.

Secondly – our Committee members who have all enthusiastically participated whenevet they could. Amanda, Vee, Simone, Robyn, Monique and our new Treasurer Madeline. It’s a group that has come together in a definite 2+2=5 kind of way. You can be confident that the ship called Winchelsea Community House is having its path through these ‘interesting times’ set by a capable and passionate Committee. I have genuinely been thrilled with how each Committee member has had an effect on where we’re headed.

Our biggest change for 2022, and our biggest challenge, is our expansion into the former Winchelsea Shire Hall, aka the Tearooms. As planned, 2022 is our year of experimentation, consultation, trying to find out what that space can successfully and sustainably accommodate. I’d like to make sure that everyone is aware that the Shire Hall has a 3-year subsidy courtesy of the Surf Coast Shire ratepayers, during which time we need to learn how to be certain that all associated costs for occupying the Shire Hall will be covered. The largest element of that is someone to handle and promote the space – I’m sure you will have come across Jill who has taken that on. Jill has made a wonderful start, all I can say is … “Watch this space”! There is much more to come for the Shire Hall.

As per tradition, I will close with a big “Thankyou” to the people and organisations that enable Winch House to be what it is. Committee, staff, volunteers, all those who visit and participate, Surf Coast Shire, state and federal agencies, charities and grant-funders. Special mention to the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal and their donors The William Buckland Foundation and Equity Trustees, for a $9,000 grant towards renovating the Shire Hall kitchen. A coffee machine will be going again in the near future!