September 1, 2022
Two of Yarraman’s most active community groups will cease operations in January unless new volunteers step up.
The announcement was made in a joint statement released on Thursday by the Yarraman & District Progress Association and the Yarraman Business Group.
“After many years of great achievements for the community and businesses of Yarraman, these two not-for-profit volunteer organisations have decided to slow down their activities with the intention of closing once current projects are complete,” the statement said.
“January 2023 is the estimated time frame for this closure to take place.
“The primary officer bearers (presidents, secretaries, treasurers) feel they need to move aside and leave room for some of the amazing new generation of community members and business owners in town to come forth and be involved, plus we all need a break.”
Outlining what this would mean for the town, the groups said:
- The current Yarraman Town Plan will be finalised and handed to Toowoomba Regional Council for implementation
- The Yarraman Aged Care Project will continue to be advanced
- The Yarraman Statues brochure and the Yarraman Village map and brochure will both be completed and printed
- The weekly Yarraman Markets will continue to operate as a new entity
Current executive members Joe and Glenda Stimpson, Tania Paul, Jane Hodgkinson, Brydie Perren and Russ Ezzy will step down from their roles.
Both organisations ceased holding regular meetings in August, and unless new volunteers come forward they will both be wound up in January.
The statement concluded by outlining nearly 20 major projects the two groups have undertaken in recent years.
These included the Yarraman Markets, the town’s New Year’s Day Festival, Colours of Yarraman Festival, Christmas and Easter carnivals, the Yarraman Finish Line Festival and three years of the Yarraman Show’n’Shine.
They were also proud of creating the first Moving Yarraman Forward Town Plan, which had led to many major improvement projects being undertaken by Toowoomba Regional Council; printing and distributing 49 monthly editions of the Yarraman Junction community magazine; and running several business training and mentoring programs.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the fabulous volunteers who helped us over the years … also the many businesses who have sponsored and supported our projects and events,” the statement concluded.
“Thank you for the opportunity to work within and for the community, it has been a pleasure indeed.”
- Related article: End Of The Road For Junction
