Southbank Residents Group

Well here we are, well into 2014 and with a big year ahead.

The Southbank Residents Group committee certainly hopes all our community had a safe and relaxing break.

Firstly I would like to congratulate our vice-president Dharmendra (Dave) Poobalasingam and his wife on the birth of their first child, Thien Dharmendra. Welcome to fatherhood Dave!

It’s hard to believe it was two months ago that I was penning the previous column. There have been some great events around our neighbourhood during this time with the most recent being the wonderful expose of stalls along the Yarra foreshore to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Once again, the Chinese community have really pulled together and put on a great event, right on our doorstep. I acknowledge the diverse array of cultures within Southbank, and with the Asian community being most prominent it did not surprise me that us residents couldn’t help but be immersed in their New Year celebrations - the Year of the Horse, Gong Xi Fa Cai! The committee will continue to engage with the Asian community to further build on mutually beneficial outcomes.

The 2014 state election is fast approaching. An election is when we as a community have the best chance to be heard because the politicians are listening (well most likely to listen).

We, the committee, are in the process of forming our strategy for the coming year in light of this election. It is important we have a clear and defined agenda as we enter the campaign stage of the election, however any agenda only has the best chance of success when there are numbers backing it up.

I would therefore like to ask the community that if you (or your building) is not a member, or have allowed your membership to lapse, of Southbank Residents Group, and you believe a community voice is important, then I encourage you to become a member or to speak with your building committee and ask them to subscribe the building.

The more members we have, the louder our voice and the more the politicians are likely to listen. Membership details can be found on our website www.southbanksresidents.com.au. I also encourage the community to like our Facebook page to keep abreast of what is happening in the local community.

Lastly I would like to send out a thank you to Grill’d at Southgate for their support of SRG through their community donation. As their motto states “Local Matters” and we certainly agree with this.

I encourage our residents to offer reciprocal support Grill’d should they be in the Southgate vicinity and might be a bit peckish. I must admit, their burgers are great!

Tony Penna
President
Southbank Residents Group