Formation of Hahndorf Community Association

In early 1997, following the collapse of a Resident's Group about 20 months previously, Councillor Ralph Palesy of the Mount Barker District Council approached a number of local residents with the intention of forming the Hahndorf Community Association.  An initial meeting was held on 13 March 1997 with a steering committee comprising:  Marian Kirkwood (Chairperson), Lindsay Cremin, Robyn Snell, Kevin Hartnett, Tony Frish, Rex Kuchel and Malcolm Dobie.

At a general meeting held on 12 May 1997, the first committee was appointed consisting of:  Kevin Hartnett (Chairman), Glen Fox (Deputy Chairman), David Canty (Treasurer), and committee members Lindsay Cremin, Marian Kirkwood, Rex Kuchel, Malcolm Dobie, Robyn Snell, Egon Pedersen, and Ian Rennie  (at a later meeting Marian Kirkwood was appointed Secretary).  The inaugural meeting of the HCA committee was held on 20 May 1997 and it was agreed that the committee would meet on a monthly basis thereafter.

Initially the HCA operated under a 'Charter' which was accepted on 30 September 1997, and then became an Incorporated Association on 13 September 2002 (Registration No. A24292).

The committee involvement in the first year (1997) of operation included:

• Entrance and Exits to Hahndorf
• Street Signs and General Maintenance
• Blueberry Hill (Yantaringa)
• Trees and Playground
• Heavy Vehicle Traffic
• Vandalism
• Landcare Amalgamation
• Visions for Hahndorf

HCA's Purpose and Objects are to:

• Provide an organisation where the interests of the local community of Hahndorf are promoted and protected.
• Explore issues which arise from consultation with the community of Hahndorf.
• Identify, develop and encourage activities and projects which enhance the quality of life for the local residents and visitors to Hahndorf.
• Support and work with other key interest groups associated with Hahndorf on projects and common areas of interest which have some effect on the community.
• Promote and support the preservation of the history and cultural heritage of Hahndorf and district.

Membership

• All permanent residents of Hahndorf are automatically Residential Members.
• Any permanent organisation, business, club or other association within Hahndorf is entitled to apply for Corporate Membership and to nominate an individual authorised to represent them at all meetings.
• Any adult person not a permanent resident of Hahndorf who is considered by the Committee to have experience, knowledge and expertise that would be of benefit to the association may apply and be considered for Associate membership.

Management and Rules

Annual General Meeting:

• The HCA Management Committee is elected at each AGM, with officers elected at the first subsequent Management Committee meeting.

• AGM's are generally held in September at a place to be determined by the committee - notices are posted in the Courier, The Herald, the local Post Office and in the Village Voice. 

Current Management Committee:

Officers elected at the October 2020 Committee Meeting

• Chairperson:  Greg Lomax

• Vice Chairperson:  

• Secretary:   Gail Vort-Ronald - email: [email protected]

• Treasurer:  Gail Vort-Ronald 

• Public Officer:   Gail Vort-Ronald

• Committee Members:

Management Committee Meetings:

• HCA Management Committee meetings are held monthly (second Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm) currently in the Supper Room, Hahndorf Institute..

• All Members are entitled to raise any matter with the Management Committee and attend meetings for specific purposes.

• Only members of the Management Committee have voting rights.

Minutes of Meetings:

Copies of past  Minutes of AGM's and Committee Meetings are available for general viewing.

Constitution and Rules:

A copy of the current Constitution and Rules is available for perusal.

Projects Undertaken

• The Hahndorf Community Association represent all the people who live in our township. We have been in action for over 25 years sharing /actioning achievements for you, the resident. During that time, we have had success achieving the following:
• The ‘Dry Zone” within the Heritage area. This took 5 years of consultation with the Liquor and Gambling Commission plus town stakeholders
• The creation and development of the local newsletter The Village Voice which you have been reading since 2005
• The creation of the local HCA Facebook page
• Created Hahnwiki (now Adelaide Hills LocalWiki) – our online presence
• Monitored developments within the Hahndorf town boundary to ensure that proper diligence is applied for Heritage and wellbeing of neighbours
• Shared traffic studies, lobbied politicians and been activists for removal of large transport through Hahndorf
• Hands-on wreath making for both Anzac Day and Remembrance Day
• The beautification of the town main street together with several areas of the township
• Worked in partnership with all the organisations in Hahndorf e.g. Lions, CFS and the Hahndorf Institute. Installed the clock and time capsule in Pioneer Park entrance and encouraged  the establishment of the Yantaringa Reserve project and most recently the proposal for the English street playground
• Been instrumental in the restoration of Nixon’s Mill together with National Trust and Mt. Barker council
• The preservation of history and historical sites of Hahndorf 
• The preservation of the social and neighbourly atmosphere of the town.