Media Appearances of Greg Tingle
Southern Courier
"Jump on board": Southern Courier, Tuesday 27th August 2002 *(Front Page Leading Story)
You are invited to join forces with the Community Initiatives Group to help breathe new life into the south-east with projects such as Maroubra Skatepark. See page 14.
"Group therapy pays off"
Report: Greg Tingle*
When a group of South Maroubra residents got together to tackle local issues at a grassroots level earlier this year, they soon realised the need for a dedicated community group.
What was initially called the South Maroubra Community Initiatives Group became imply the Community Initiatives Group, as its projects extended beyond Maroubra to La Perouse, and everywhere in between.
The group runs greening projects, anti-graffiti campaigns and signage workshops all over the south-east.
It's quite a leap from the group's humble beginnings, as described by group co-ordinator Coleen Green.
"The group started out as people who met at a Department of Housing tenants group", she said. "The need for a community group was identified by a letterbox survey conducted through the public tenants group in April".
Since then, the group has attracted a host of new recruits as well as the support of local organisations.
"The local businesses are very receptive to us", M Green said.
"They don't have the resources and time to get to the coalface of what is going on in the community, and this is one of our most important aims and objectives".
Big supporters of the group the Maroubra Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club and Friends of Malabar Headland.
Perhaps the groups biggest projects to date is Maroubra Beach Skatepark, which was completed last month and is due to be opened in November.
"The skaters started using it a month ago - they love it", Ms Green said.
"The kids come to skate and the shops benefit. The McKeon Street small businesses are benefiting greatly in the off-season and there's renewed interest in the Maroubra area".
The group is seeking funding, applying so awards and designing a logo, all of which will support and promote its projects.
To become involved in the Community Initiatives Group, call Coleen Green on 9314 1040 or 0416 141 040 or visit the group's website at groups.msn.com/SouthMaroubraCommunityInitiativesGroup
*Greg Tingle is a Maroubra resident and volunteer of the Community Initiatives Group.
Media, public relations and advertising solutions by Media Man Australia