Comments on: Losing community ownership.

By: Ray Dixon

Ray Dixon — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:08:16 +0000

Maybe Apex could become the “Code Red” guards, going around on Code Red Catastrophic fire warning days and telling people to get out of town. Just joking – there are some people in Bright who think that’s what we should do.

By: Dave from Albury

Dave from Albury — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:43:31 +0000

Ray, yes it was the council who maintained the fountain. It was very elaborate and completely custom built so repairing it was always challenging. I think it was quite obvious that its time had come, but it’s still sad to see it go.

Another difficult problems that we have is finding meaningful service work, there is so much red tape to be dealt with these days it can be difficult to find the sort of hands on work we once did.

By: jr

jr — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:47:10 +0000

Re the volunteers, Lee, my sentiments exactly.

By: Lee

Lee — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:50:17 +0000

One aspect that I particularly liked but forgot to mention was that the time of volunteers would be given a monetary value, to be used as a tax deduction. Say you volunteered for 2 hours at $20.00 ph, then could claim back $40 on your tax. Surely the country would benefit if there were more people volunteering at schools, aged care facilities or homeless shelters.

By: Lee

Lee — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:43:23 +0000

This is why I like taxes. Too often taxes are seen as a penalty when in fact it is what purchases our roads and bridges, schools and hospitals. Tax is our way of making sure that no-one is left behind. It is a big thing to stand up for those less fortunate and something that we should be proud of. It is not easy, but there is a sizable reward for the effort, and as such, more than justified.

People, I have found, generally don’t like taxes because they feel they are not getting enough in return. This is the beauty of service organisations; you can touch the ‘return’ in your own community. The fact that these organisations are diminishing is in part a direct result of the increased cost of living – something that is irreversible. What we need to do is turn our mind to an alternative because the service is invaluable.

One solution that I have heard is for the service organisations to be bought in under the local government structure. Under this system, any donation made would still be tax deductible (or a capped tax offset), but the money would be spent by your council in your area. Communities could target their funds to buying a doctor or teacher, a school or hospital. And because it is not compulsory (as opposed to rates) the effort justification aspect shall remain.

Any other solutions?

By: Ray Dixon

Ray Dixon — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:22:32 +0000

But who was maintaining the fountain, Dave? The council no doubt.

I’m not sure about civic gifts like these. I don’t want to diminish the great work organisations like Apex have done but perhaps this fountain, much like Apex Park in Bright, was actually a millstone around the council’s neck. In Bright we had an individual who ‘kindly’ made a donation of Olive trees in huge clay pots surrounding the clock tower. It was accepted by the council but thereafter these pots became more of a nuisance than an asset. I think the individual concerned just wanted to big note herself and see her name in the paper (and on a placard) as some great philanthropist, but the reality is she is just a wanker, so to speak.

But you’re right about the value of clubs like Apex and I admire your commitment to them and your community.