This small rural coastal community has 1200 voters and has a small yet significant influx of grey nomads to the Midge Point area in the winter months. Some of these people return each year and spend several months at the Travellers Rest Caravan Park on the Midge Point beach.
According to the site Property Observer, separates the statistical data for Midge Point. These are set out as –
Statistical data
Dwelling types
Household composition
Ownership of Dwellings
Landlord type
Age of Population
Employment
Occupations
According to these statistics, few are unemployed and those who have employment are highly trained as in managers, administrators, technical and trades and professionals. 32% are over 55 and the largest proportion are in their working age and with families. In more recent times with the influx of many mining families, this has increased at family percentage.
Initiated with an Art Prize
Apart from the Laguna Quays Respite cottage for missionaries, those in mission and church pastoral roles, the first community project was the Midge Point $2000 Art Prize sponsored by Mr Basil Sellers AM.
This was established in July 2013 at the Point Tavern in Midge Point and photographs of the entries were sent to Basil Sellers in London for his adjudication. This created much good will and when the local hard copy A4 printed monthly news sheet was closed last July, Well-Being Australia took up the slack with an on-line news site, run by the same people. By mid March this will have been passed to the community.
At about this same time Penny Curnow had established a Business Certificate 4 Class in Midge Point. Penny Curnow is a highly qualified and experienced operator in the corporate world and her CV reads like a celebrity. (www.mpbnews.org)
Business Luncheon in May
It seemed obvious to me having been involved in Chambers of Commerce in Moruya and Tweed Heads since 1992 that this area would do well to experience an annual business luncheon.
Penny Curnow was the obvious person to have come on board the team to seek further wisdom for a business luncheon. Penny Curnow and I discussed this with Neil Brooks of the Point Tavern to establish a date and a protocol.
Well-Being Australia will sponsor the business luncheon, it is aimed at the small business person and the home business operator on Thursday 8 May.
Black-tie Awards Night in October
There is a volunteer team to put together the awards night – the area is too small for business and tourism awards but there have been and continue to be so many who have contributed to the community who have never been acknowledged by our own community in such a public way.
It is a black-tie event to ensure the ladies have one local occasion in which to dress up and in time, it will become the gala event of the year. Penny Curnow has already said she will incorporate her Business Certificate 4 Awards into the program.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html