Progress association to hold annual meeting

The Empire Bay Progress Association will conduct its annual meeting in the Empire Bay Progress Hall from 7:30pm on February 21.

The meeting will determine the election of key positions on the committee including the new president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and public officer, and will celebrate the service of retiring president, Ms Jan Consoli.

Ms Consoli, who has been acting association president since 2008, said she most valued the relationships she had developed during her time as president.

"I have been happy to serve the community on the committee of the Empire Bay Progress Association, and am proud of what we have achieved in various fields.

"The relationships I have developed with various community groups have given me great pleasure and forging a strong sense of community has been a highlight," Ms Consoli said.

"What Ms Consoli failed to mention is that she was one of the principal organisers of the hall becoming wholly owned by the community through a trust," said association member Mr Gregory Olsen.

"Ms Consoli was also integral in negotiations with the NSW Government and Gosford Council for grants to finance the extension and upgrade of the hall that was completed in the early 2000s.

"Ms Consoli points out that she is just one of the many volunteers, going back about 100 years, who have worked to secure, maintain and improve the progress hall for their community.

"The story started in the early 20th century when the land was donated to the community by Mr Bill Myler senior, an estate agent, who subdivided many blocks of land at the western end of Empire Bay.

"Through the generosity and effort of local people donating building materials and their time, the progress hall was officially opened in 1922.

"Since that time, it has been, and continues to be, a focal point for community activities," Mr Olsen said.

He said that last August the Hall hosted two ground breaking community meetings, facilitated by the newly formed Empire Bay and Districts Roads Action Group, where residents articulated their concerns about the substandard condition of Empire Bay's roads and drains.

Mr Olsen said this culminated in a promise by State Member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch, to advocate for an upgrade of Greenfield Rd, the only access road to the precinct.

Four Central Coast Council representatives inspected the area in January and were preparing a report on all the issues for rectification.

"The Empire Bay Progress Association is a non-profit community organisation of volunteers, working for the benefit of their community," Mr Olsen said.

"As well as being responsible for the administration and maintenance of the progress hall and Empire Bay War Memorial, they partner with the Empire Bay Public School, the Empire Bay-Bensville Rural Fire Brigade, Kincumber-Bensville Sea Scouts and the Empire Bay Fishing Club to deliver four annual events: the Anzac Day Commemoration, the Village Fair in October, the Remembrance Day Commemoration and Christmas Eve at the Hall.

"If you are a resident of Empire Bay, please come along to the AGM, and get involved in the future of your village.

"Decisions are made by those who turn up," he said.

Email, 13 Feb 2017

Interview, 13 Feb 2017

Gregory Olsen, Empire Bay

Reporter: Dilon Luke