October 2023 - Wallacia Progress Association

The next General meeting is the 17th October 2023 7.30pm in the Wallacia Progress Hall

All welcome

Unable to attend? Join us online with Zoom - email wallaciaprogressassociation@gmail.com

Great news with funding for our Wallacia natural environment

Crossman Reserve - St Mary’s Metro – Biodiversity Offset Project
Penrith City Council has been provided with biodiversity offset funds for tree planting and vegetation rehabilitation work on behalf of the Sydney Metro-Western Sydney Airport project. Penrith City Council proposed various location options in accordance with the Transport for NSW Vegetation Offset Guide and Crossman Reserve Wallacia was selected as the preferred location.
Vegetation restoration at this site will start later this month and is expected to be completed in October 2024. Over 2,500 native trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses will be planted throughout the reserve to enhance the biodiversity habitat for endemic flora and fauna species.
The work will also include 275 hours undertaking extensive control of woody weed infestations as well as treatment of exotic vines.Fowler Reserve – SOS - Camden White Gum Conservation Project
Council have recently been successful in attaining funds through a partnership with the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) through their Saving our Species Program to preserve and enhance the habitat of the Camden White Gum (Eucalyptus benthamii) through the Penrith LGA. Several sites in the Penrith LGA have the population including Fowler Reserve and the Blaxland River Crossing Trust Reserve (Caravan Park). This particular project will provide funds to enhance habitat and supplement the existing population. The project will span over a 5 year period and fund on ground works such as weed control, riverbank restoration and planting of propagated Camden White Gum trees in desirable locations. The trees will be planted through existing vegetated areas along the river banks. Council will ensure no trees are planted within the areas used for recreation by the community (from the fish habitat project toward Silverdale Road bridge foreshore).
If you have or think you have any Camden White Gum’s on your property and are interested in their preservation and protection, please contact the DPE threatened species team for more information - savingourspecies@environment.nsw.gov.au.

Fowler Reserve – OzFish and Landcare partnership
After an unsuccessful grant proposal through TransGrid in April/May 2023, OzFish has offered funds of $5000, available through their OzFish and Landcare partnership funding, to improve Fowler Reserve. Works are proposed to include weed control by professional Bush Regeneration contractors. Professional bush regenerators will be funded to undertake weed control that targets the small number of species that are having the largest impact on the health of native riparian vegetation and wildlife habitat. These include Green Cestrum (shrub/tree), Balloon Vine (vine), Cats Claw Creeper (vine), and Privet (shrub, mature trees). 2024 will also see an event to engage the local community and celebrate the biodiversity of this reserve as well as recreational fishing activities.

Great news. More funding for Wallacia

The Progress Association has been awarded $1500.00 funding to publish an updated Local History book ready for the Wallacia School Reunion in June next year. We need more people to help with this project!

Do you have a story or memories to share? Would you, or anyone you know, be interested in being interviewed?
Please contact us by email wallaciaprogressassociation@gmail.com

Are you interested in the history of Wallacia?

Come along to the next meeting of the new Local History group in the Carry on Room in the Progress Hall. Let's talk about what we would like to achieve with a friendly chat in a warm comfortable room. Watch out for the next date or phone Margaret for details 0407 230 499

Our event next year is the ‘Wallacia School Reunion’ event, Saturday 15^th June 2024.
Previous students, staff and people connected to the school can come along for a day of memories as well as catching up with old friends. The Facebook page 'Wallacia Public School Reunion' has created a lot of excitement with nearly 300 members already.

Crossman Reserve Bushcare group

The Crossman Reserve Bushcare group has been continuing to meet on the third Friday of the month.
The entrance to the reserve is next to 7 Denton Place, Wallacia. The work is usually weeding and sometimes planting. It is exciting to see the progress being made as the native vegetation is allowed to thrive. There is wildlife to see and lots to learn so come along and meet the friendly volunteers and Penrith Council staff.
All equipment, tools, training and morning tea is provided. When attending, please bring water and a hat and wear sturdy shoes, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. In the event of wet weather, a message is via text on the morning.
Further information from Jess, phone 0488 692 153, or email bushcare@penrith.city

Wallacia Wattles, the Friendly Social club for Seniors

Every second Tuesday 10.00am to 12.00pm in the Progress Hall

10th and 24th October, 7th and 21st November and 5th December.

Morning tea is provided by Nepean Food Services and transport can be arranged. Conversation, games, craft, occasional speakers or any other suggestions. Bring your ideas and enjoy meeting new people and having fun.
Phone 4773 7200 or 0407 230 499

Wallacia Community - Be Involved

The Wallacia Progress Association (WPA) has been working with the community since 1908. The Progress Hall on Greendale Road was built by volunteers and opened in 1954, and has been used by the community ever since. It is one of the few village halls still owned and managed by volunteers and was registered as being of heritage significance in 2007.
Over the past few years the WPA volunteers have managed and enhanced the hall for the benefit of Wallacia. Upgrades have included emergency lighting and fire safety equipment. A Lions Club Australia grant funded installation of air conditioning and a grant from the State Government funded installation of hand dryers to the toilets, outdoor sensor lights to enhance security and painting to the rear of the hall. The concrete paths to the toilet block is a great improvement and thankyou to Penrith City Council for the footpath from Greendale Road to the front of the hall. There is still plenty more to do and the committee is looking for new members and volunteers.
WPA is involved with caring for our local environment and community. We want to focus on preserving our unique village lifestyle and working towards better facilities for all age groups as well as encouraging more community events. We need your help to do this!
Please let us know what you would like to see in Wallacia.
We need more members to work with the committee but also to just support the association by joining as a member. Membership is only $1, although we appreciate any additional donation to assist financing the Association, which includes the ongoing operation of the hall.
The benefits of WPA membership includes notification of meetings, updates of happenings in and around Wallacia as well as supporting the Progress Hall.

WPA Membership

If you are already a member, thank you for your support and if you have been a member in the past and haven't renewed then please do so as we rely on the financial support of our members. Membership to the Association is only $1 a year although donations are welcome!

Please email us at wallaciaprogressassociation@gmail.com for an application form or send us your details and deposit your donation directly to Wallacia Progress Association BSB #062445 Ac. #11146360