With the first Australian cases of COVID-19 in March 2020, social separation requirements made it impossible to assemble the Taskforce in one place. At the same time, the need for the sort of community support Mindful Margaret River (MMR) had planned to give was rapidly increasing.
A special fund established by the Shire of Augusta Margaret River to provide COVID-specific support provided an opportunity for Mindful Margaret River to engage Pip Close as a counsellor to provide support to individuals who were suffering financial strains through the impact that COVID had on businesses and employment in the Shire.
The Teams pushed on with their respective responsibilities within the shared strategic plan. Voluntary team leaders, supported by the St John of God team and the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, helped coordinate and lead the teams.
Meantime, Mindful Margaret River was supported by the Shire in a submission to Lotterywest in a proposal which aligned with re-established Lotterywest criteria. Mindful Margaret River was pleased to receive a grant to pursue the strategic and business plan with the help of a paid Project Implementation Officer.
Mindful Margaret River was incorporated on 8 December 2020. The new Board comprised Miriam Avery (Deputy Chair), Martin Ringer (Secretary), Brian Middleton (Treasurer), Di Ritson, Dr Mike Wood, Dr Peter Durey and Stuart Hicks as Chair.
In April 2021, the new Mindful Margaret River Project Implementation Officer, Erin Statz was employed as the sole paid employee of MMR. On 1 July 2021, with the Board’s unanimous support Stuart passed the chair to Martin Ringer.
On the 12 August 2021, at the MMR Annual General Meeting, the members elected Martin Ringer as Chair, Miriam Avery as Deputy Chair, Mike Wood as Secretary, Brian Middleton as Treasurer and Marilyn Hopkin and Judith Maechler as ordinary Board members.
The membership also took part in the launch of the new nine teams format. To find out more about MMR current activities and priority areas see the Action Plan and Taskforce pages. Community members are able to apply to become a member at any time. Visit the Join Us page for more information.