Connecting Country Membership – now open for 2015/16

Posted on 1 June, 2015 by Connecting Country

Staff and committee at a planning day in 2014.

With this being one of the few occasions when I get to use its full and formal name, Connecting Country (Mount Alexander Region) Inc is now open for both membership renewals and applications. Connecting Country is a community-based not-for-profit organisation owned by its members and operated under the guidance of a volunteer Committee of Management. Although our area of greatest interest is within the Mount Alexander Shire and nearby surrounds in central Victoria (i.e., the Mount Alexander Region), our members and supporters come from all across Victoria and some even from beyond. (However, we are yet to have our first international member!)

In the second half of 2014, Connecting Country finalised its 10-year strategic plan, which included the following statement:

“Our vision is for the people of the Mount Alexander Region to be proud of the beautiful, productive, healthy and diverse landscapes, habitats, forests, waterways, flora and fauna that we have supported and created in our region.”

Looking for birds at one of our workshop events.

The past year has been very successful and productive. This is largely attributable to the support we receive from our members, the committee, the many steering group members and other community members who regularly contribute their time, energy and expertise. On behalf of Connecting Country, I thank you for helping us to work towards the organization’s vision for the region. We’re not there yet, but we are well on our way and heading in the right direction.

A big component of continuing this good work is having a healthy membership base. Although membership of Connecting Country continues to be free, it does need to be renewed on an annual basis. You will also need to be a valid member in order to vote at our AGM in October.

If you wish to continue your existing membership, please complete the membership renewal form (CLICK HERE) and return it to us via email (info@connectingcountry.org.au) or post to Connecting Country Memberships, PO Box 437, Castlemaine, VIC 3450. You can also drop it in to us at the office. Your membership will then be validated until 30 June 2016.

If you would like to become a member of Connecting Country, please complete the membership application form (CLICK HERE). This form – which includes the requirement for a hand-written signature – can also be returned to the addresses above. Your application will then be considered at the next available committee meeting. The benefits in becoming a member of Connecting Country are summarised in the attached document (CLICK HERE).

Let us know if you are unsure whether you are currently a Connecting Country member or not. And also please feel free to contact me if you have any other queries about membership with Connecting Country.

Chris Timewell
Director, Connecting Country