Australia Day Speech: Geoff Wright, President, Charlton Forum Inc.

This year after much deliberation the Forum  decided  to not give  individual Citizen of the  Year awards  but  instead to collectively recognise all the citizens of Charlton and district ,young and old, as joint Citizens of the Year. We felt this was an appropriate  way to recognise and celebrate the remarkable effort of the people of Charlton in banding together in so many ways to resurrect  Charlton after last years devastating flood.

So many helped, either through some of the organised voluntary effort or just quietly got on with helping out friends and neighbours. To mention just some; we saw the marvellous work done initially out of the RSL Hall and later at the CIRCLE, the goods distribution from the Pivot Shed and the caring of the Buddy System. And our Churches ,Service Clubs and Sporting Clubs and businesses  have all  contributed  to the concerted community effort  to get Charlton back on its feet.

So this Award is for all of you, because every one has done something extra ordinary over the last year.

We are of course enormously  grateful for the outside assistance received; both financially and by the army of volunteers who have helped in the recovery.

We acknowledge that there is still much to do, but all of our businesses are again operating, whilst many homes have or are being repaired. Still,  some  are not back in their homes and some are still having issues with their Insurance Companies.

Nevertheless if we look back to 12 months ago I think individuals, businesses and the community can be proud with what has been achieved. If we had some lingering doubts about Charlton’s ability to fight back I think those doubts have been irrevocably dispelled. I think we can say Charlton is back in business.

• It is worth reflecting on a few of the things that have been achieved over the last 12 months or are in the pipeline.
• The Rex has received substantial funds for repair or upgrade.
• The 2020 Committee is working with the Shire on Final Plans for the Upgrade of Charlton Park,
• Plans have just been announced for the establishment of a 7 million dollar Trade Training Centre to replace the old Cluster Centre.
• A Manager’s cabin will be constructed at the Traveller’s Rest.
• A youth precinct will be established at Gordon Park including the building of a Skate Park.
• A new Hospital WILL be built in Charlton.
• The Circle has been established.
• At least 1 new business has been started, whilst others have been upgraded; and there is a good possibility of at least 3 new businesses starting this year.

So I think we can look to the future with confidence, but we must never under estimate the importance of the Voluntary organizations which are the life blood of any community. It is imperative that  our Community groups , Churches and Sporting Clubs, are well supported  and people are willing to serve on their committees.

So this award is a way of saying Thank you and well done to the people of Charlton who have got us to this point. Our district marks it’s 150th.year of European settlement in 2013. Let’s continue to work hard as a community  to ensure we have much to celebrate.