From left, Shadow Minister John-Paul Langbroek MP, TMSA President Dr Alan Blackman and LNP Candidate for Beaudesert, Jon Krause at Tamborine Mountain Sports Centre, 27th January 2012 (Photo by Bret Arthur)

On Friday, 27th January, Queensland's Shadow Minister with responsibility for the Commonwealth Games, John-Paul Langbroek MP, TMSA President Dr. Alan Blackman, LNP Candidate for Beaudesert Jon Krause and TMSA Secretary, Bret Arthur met to discuss future funding options for development of Tamborine Mountain Sports Centre's second stage in preparation for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

"The Sports Centre is ideally positioned to become training facility for elite athletes and teams taking part in the Games and as an adjunct to existing facilities at Tallebudgera Creek, Robina and Carrara" Dr Blackman said. Possible Commonwealth Games activities at the Sports Centre include its use as a training facility for visiting athletes, Rugby 7's, Tennis, Netball, swimming, exhibition 20/20 Cricket and as a staging point for road cycling events. Stage 2 is expected to include four tennis courts, an Olympic size swimming pool, skateboard rink, BMX track, boardwalk and cycle way, athletic facilities, BBQ's, completion of the clubhouse, caretaker's cottage, and field lighting.

"Morton's Urban Solutions is currently preparing detailed plans for Stage 2 so that once again, when the time comes we will be 'shovel ready'. In the meantime, funding applications are being readied for relocatable spectator seating for the lower fields, mowing equipment and signage" Dr. Blackman said.

President's Report: 2011

It's now just over one year since the first stage of Tamborine Mountain Sports Centre was opened by Mayor John Brent and Brett Raguse MP on Sunday, 1^st August 2010. While most of what has happened since has been under the radar, a great deal has been accomplished.

While those involved know of the countless hours of hard work put into keeping and improving the facilities, many in the community are still not really aware of the Centre and how it's run. For those, Tamborine Mountain Sports Centre is managed and maintained totally by Tamborine Mountain Sports Association Limited (TMSA); a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. The company's Members are local sport and recreation clubs, not individuals, which use the facilities under seasonal Right of Use agreements. Unlike grounds on the Gold Coast and many other local government areas, our local Council plays no part in maintaining the Centre's facilities. That work is done by local volunteers and outside contractors. Our funding comes from canteen sales, right of use payments, donations, other fundraising activities and, occasionally, from government or quasi-government grants. TMSA holds a 25 year plus 25 year lease over the facilities.

Right of Use agreements are available only to Member Clubs of TMSA. The current annual membership fee is $275 per club. Seasonal Right of Use fees in 2010-2011 financial year raised just $7,361 of the some $100,000 it cost for grounds maintenance activities such as mowing, top-dressing, fertilizing, weed control, and so forth and to cover recurrent costs such as insurance, electricity, gas, cleaning, garbage collection, equipment maintenance and fuel. So we've needed to be innovative with our fundraising and to rely heavily on the generosity of the community of Tamborine Mountain in an economically challenging time. Apart from Right of Use fees and $2,000 from Membership fees, sources of funds have included the 'sale' of picket fence segments ($18,600 in 2010-2011), canteen sales ($11,320), interest on grant funds invested ($42,448), special purpose grants ($398,513, of which $396,013 was a carry-over from the original Federal Labor Government's Regional Infrastructure Program grant to construct the Centre's first stage), cash gifts ($10,624, including $4,500 from the Chris Wills Memorial Lunch and $5,000 from Tour de Tamborine), donated equipment ($83,829, including a significant donation of canteen equipment by Forbes Pollock, a Cadet Ride-on mower by James and Anna Tyson and many bits and pieces from a range of individuals and Member Clubs), facilities rental ($7,420) and the raffle of a paining donated by Kim Hart ($1,765 so far).

Cricket, soccer, Rugby League, Gateball, Croquet and netball seasons were all successful, although the rain made both play and fundraising unpredictable. Teams from many clubs made their relevant finals. AFL used the Chris Wills Oval for training, as did the Gold Coast Breakers Rugby Union squad, and Canungra Hang Gliders regularly used the grounds as a landing deck. Tamborine Mountain College also used the grounds for interschool competitions on a number of occasions. Vintage Cricket teams from across Australia and New Zealand played three matches at the Centre in May and the car parks were filled on a number of occasions with movie cast and extras, principally from Spielberg's TerraNova, who rented the car parks from time to time. Tour de Tamborine was a great success and enjoyed by some 800 participants, and our inaugural Australia Day family event also was enjoyed by many. Those events and others, including Tour de Tamborine on Sunday, 20^th November and Brews Blues & BBQ's on Australia Day are in final planning, while other events are under discussion for the coming year.

As well as its use by Member Clubs, the Centre has been embraced and is used daily for free by a wide variety of community members for model aircraft flying, model car racing, walking, jogging, dog walking, learn to drive, cycling, skateboarding, touch football, family fun time and personal training.

The new Board will face many new challenges and significant changes are likely on the political, and therefore funding front; some may be to our immediate benefit, some may not. Whatever the outcomes of what is likely to be three elections, the Centre will continue to be managed effectively and in the best interests of TMSA's members and the Tamborine Mountain community. Planning for Stage 2 funding is advanced and when new grant opportunities appear, we will be ready for those. New facilities for BMX, tennis, skateboard, cycling, walking and barbequing are on the drawing board and there is provision for a permanent caretaker's cottage on the site and to extend the clubhouse to include meeting rooms and a kitchen. Lights too will be an important addition, once funding is secured. So, there is much to do!

In concluding I'd like to acknowledge the vast amount of work done by our Treasurer, Sari Nightingale, Bret Arthur, who is always contributing and maintaining the balance, Professor Paul Burton, on whose counsel I regularly rely, Donna Jones, for her innovative running of the fundraising sub-committee, and Cr Derek Swanborough for his advice and support. I'd also like to acknowledge the hard work over many years of Geoff Buckley, who recently stepped down from our Board, and to make special mention of Mick Shutte, Barry Edwards, and Adam Morrison and Gordon Haldane from CW Pumps each of whom continues to play a major role in grounds maintenance. Finally, I'd like to thank Lance Cordingley for his wise counsel and each of the Delegates, canteen volunteers, working bee participants and the many others who have helped throughout the year in so many ways: volunteers all. Thank you!

What have we done?

Below are satellite images by NearMap.com taken on 18 January 2011 (top) and 27 January 2010 (below). Amazing what you can do with a paddock in a year if you put your mind to it!

Enquiries, offers of assistance or for information concerning sponsorships or donations should be addressed to Secretary@tmsa.org.au. Alternatively, I can be contacted on 5545 4883 or by email to President@tmsa.org.au . We look forward to hearing from you!