Bronte Beach Heritage Society
PO Box 1332, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
Wednesday, 4 June, 2003
Bronte RSL Club
Present: Paula Masselos (president and chair), Graeme Greenup, Lucy Weir, Virginia Milson (acting committee member).
Apologies: Sue Lowe.
Meeting opened by the President at 7.35pm
Business arising from the minutes of the Inaugural General Meeting
There was agreement that the Society ought at this stage to be focusing on a few good projects, not spreading its limited resources too thinly. The core objectives: the oral history project and its working up into a book, the defence of Sonoma, and the development of the Society's membership base. Virginia suggested that the “Sonoma” project could be extended in scope to encompass the conservation of other significant items of built and natural heritage value, and such notable aspects of Bronte as the “house in garden setting”. The meeting agreed though that with the Precinct Committee also in existence and able to address such matters, it was most important that the new Society not overreach itself at this early stage.
Correspondence
The Society is applying for special funding grants from such sources as the Literature and History Program of the Ministry for the Arts, the Royal Australian Historical Society, the National Library of Australia, and others.
Treasurer's Report
There are thirteen financial members. As cheque signatories Paula, Lucy and Graeme will be authorized in the first instance to sign for and on behalf of the Society, any two of the three signatures required.
Committee Membership
The meeting accepted the resignation of Helen Wilson and resolved to invite nominations for up to two ordinary members to join the Committee.
Report on Sonoma
Council has advised that, on the applicant's submission, the court case has been put back to September. Graeme and Paula reported that the working group had resolved to:
consider applying for listing of Sonoma on the State Heritage Register;
prepare a press release (or similar) for at least local publicity (and possibly also for the Herald);
solicit the support of the History Council of NSW; and
look into the possibility of negotiating directly with the owner.
It was agreed that prior to meeting with the owner, we should undertake research into previous actions and develop possible alternatives to assist in finding a mutually beneficial resolution for all parties.
Colin Brady, Council’s Heritage Officer, should be invited to the next meeting to discuss Sonoma.
Oral History Project
Paula advised she is applying for funding from the National Library for the preservation of oral history recordings. Rosemary Block. The issue of recording equipment was discussed with Lucy offering the use of her own mini-disc recorder. Graeme advised that the Waverley Library is looking into what equipment it might be able to make available to the Society.
The list of interviewees continues to grow.
Training of interviewers has been offered by Rosemary Block of the State Library, to be arranged for a date soon.
Fundraising
Paula suggested that as well as grant funding, the possibility of corporate sponsorship should be pursued. An individual benefactor or two would also be good to have. Paula and Graeme will be meeting Leo Schofield (Society patron) to discuss fundraising options.
Graeme suggested the website should be used to advantage.
Virginia said her experience in other capacities, of including a plea for donations with (regular) newsletters to members, had been good.
Paula would like to see the Society introduced to Bronte with a function, exact nature yet to be decided.
Graeme suggested $5 per head slide shows of historical photos, with guest speaker, might be good and could appeal to a wide audience.
Lucy suggested guided historical walks around Bronte. The meeting agreed there were interesting ideas that should be considered further.
General Membership and Publicity
There was agreement that we should announce the arrival of the Society in the local press at least, possibly the Herald and elsewhere as well. Word of mouth advertising was good where we could get it. Graeme thought the website should and could be used to good effect for online access to the transcripts (at least) of interviews from the oral history project; listings of heritage registered and notable Bronte properties and gardens; a virtual tour of Bronte could be offered; it should already offer email and telephone contacts (Graeme to update site accordingly). A press release or article to be offered to the Bronte Express for its next issue, which may be closing soon. Graeme to contact Duncan Horscroft and draft a story.
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To encourage the involvement of our members and initiate membership building, it was agreed that Colin Brady should be invited to address the members and selected friends after the Society Committee meeting.
Next Meeting
General meeting to be held 19th June, 7pm for 7.45pm start, venue the RSL Club. Later revision (to accommodate Colin Brady, Council's Heritage officer) same time and venue but for Wednesday the 25th June.
There being no further business the meeting was declared closed at 9.30pm.