Aspirations and Departures
by Alan Harrington, Co-op Manager

I'm looking forward to seeing many of the Co-op's aspirations realised in the year ahead.

There is some movement on the redevelopment front. Just before Christmas, Caloundra City Council gave "in principle" approval for the Co-op to have access to the public driveway from Maple Street to Bicentennial Lane. This access will allow the Co-op to optimise the use of its land. Directors Al Tudorin and Marc Kalifa are project-managing this process and putting the final touches to the plans before submitting them to the council. This has been a long and winding road, so to speak, but the result will be worth it in the end.

While on a redevelopment note, Maple Street Co-op's engagement with the UpFront Club means that we can proceed with the amalgamation of the land titles. This was always a long-term objective for both cooperatives and it can now be facilitated, particularly as we have recently agreed to some beneficial changes to our leasing arrangements. Title amalgamation will provide much greater flexibility in the redevelopment of the Co-op's property that faces Bicentennial Lane – and it is this project that will be the Co-op Board's next major focus of attention.

Members have undoubtedly missed staffer Lori Sturtz and massage therapist partner Mark O'Brien of late. In mid-January they returned from a fascinating and relaxing four weeks in Bali. You can read up on their adventures in that part of the world in these pages [see Environment features].

I'm sorry to say we've lost Cheryl Reed from our staff. Cheryl has decided to expand her commercial aspirations by joining the new BodyCentre for Wellness in Coral Street, where she will be furthering her considerable culinary talents. Cheryl has been with the Co-op for over three years. Her expertise, her friendly and courteous manner and her vivacious personality will be sorely missed here. On behalf of all the staff and directors, I wish Cheryl all the very best in her exciting new venture. Co-op staff took Cheryl out for a farewell dinner on 25 January at Gypsy's Table (an appropriately named venue for Cheryl!), where a lot of fun was had by all.

Also, staffer Freya Olsen has decided to move from downtown Crystal Waters to Brisbane to undertake studies, so from February she'll no longer be with the Co-op. Along with staff and directors, I wish Freya every success for the future.

The Co-op will be a little short-staffed for a while, but fortunately Sequoia, Rod, Lori, Sue, Yacoba and Pamela are all prepared to work even harder!

On another note, on behalf of the staff I welcome Mike Eales to the Board of Maple Street Co-op.

[From "Maple Street Co-op News", April/May 2006; published by The Maple Street Co-operative Society Ltd, 37 Maple Street, Maleny, Qld 4552, Australia.
telephone (07) 5494 2088, email maplest.coop@serv.net.au,
website www.maplestreetco-op.com.au]