Connewarre Reserve’s committee increases by one

THE Surf Coast Shire council has approved a plan for the wife of a recently-deceased member of what is now the Connewarre Reserve Community Asset Committee (CAC) to take his place.

CACs were established by the council’s August 25, 2020 resolution in accordance with the Local Government Act 2020.

The eight new CACs replaced the Section 86 Committees of Management in place under the previous legislation.

The council then appointed nine members to the Connewarre Reserve CAC, which were formally declared a week later and came into effect on September 1.

Long-serving Section 86 Committee member Ernie Fontaine sadly passed away in July 2020 before the establishment of the Connewarre Reserve CAC, so was not one of nine members of the new group.

Since Mr Fontaine’s passing, the council received an Expression of Interest from Ernie’s partner Sandra Henrys to join the committee, which the committee endorsed in December.

Councillors approved Ms Henrys’ appointment at their February meeting, increasing the size of the Connewarre Reserve CAC from nine to 10.

The officers’ report to councillors noted Mr Fontaine was “a wonderful person who, through his efforts to continually improve the reserve, helped bring joy to people of all ages and abilities that use the facilities”.

Cr Heather Wellington said she knew Mr Fontaine well.

“He was an almost larger-than-life character, he did a massive amount for the reserve and the hall down there, and sadly became ill and died last year.

“We recognised him at that time because he had made a very long-standing contribution to the community.

“I think it’s wonderful that Sandra has put her hand up and the committee’s obviously happy to have that assistance.

“It’s a terrific little reserve and the committee’s doing a fabulous job servicing the needs of quite a broad community that comes to the reserve and enjoys it, particularly horse riding.”