status report: Pony Club support IIS use of their Mangrove Mountain site

[Allan_L]

Following on from the (not so) recent refurbishment of their Clubhouse by the Mangrove Mountain Pony Club and Jump Club (separate entities), we Central Coast and Sydney members of IIS have continued to hold observing nights there, but have been locked out of these new facilities.

This was expected (by me at least) to be a short term inconvenience.
32 Months later, we are still out in the cold.

I know some people will disapprove of me rocking the boat, as the most important thing is the site access. But it is not acceptable to expect our participants and their guests, to have to brave the cold night air for several hours without toilet facilities. It might be OK for "The Guys" to "Hold it" or go find a dark corner, but I don't think it is fair for our fairer sex to have to find a spot to squat. (That is my opinion anyway).

So I sent an email to the Treasurer of the Pony Club (contact details from their web site) reminding them that we used to have access to the pit toilets and that these were no longer available to us. I also asked if it may be possible to have access to electricity (for imagers) and possible use of kitchen facilities (although these were not game breakers).

I was then asked to provide details of our club structure and insurance.
Neither of which exist (IIS is not a club in terms of legal entity).

My reply is attached.

[Allan_L]

Their response:


my reply (after discussion with Mike Salway)

[Allan_L]

Today, while checking if the site was OK for us to use this Friday and/or Saturday, I also sought an update of those meetings.

The response is from the PC president:

[GTB_an_Owl]

keep up the good work Al

geoff

[MortonH]

Sounds very promising.

[iceman]

Nice work Al!

[Fizics]

Thanks for the update Allan

[Arthur Alchin]

Thankyou All we will watch this space

[gb_astro]

Great work Allan.

Bit surprised to see that the PCs are paying annual rent.

Greg.

[Allan_L]

Hello to all our readers :)

Out of the blue (and unsolicited) we have received some related, but separate, new and unexpected support, advice, and information.
The details of which I am not able to disclose on public forum.
And whether this is for our benefit or detriment remains to be seen.
However, I look forward to sharing this tidbit with you all at our next gathering.
Say November 30th?

[GTB_an_Owl]

my ears are twitching Al

ps - probably raining on the 30th

geoff

[Allan]

Sounds good Allan. Curious about the cryptic message, but will be there on the 30th for the reveal.

Last month the lights were on inside the clubhouse which affected observing. We had no way to get in to turn the lights off.

[GTB_an_Owl]

Al

would you like a "Private" forum?

it can be arranged on gtbchat

geoff

[Allan_L]

Same thing previous month.
We taped a big black garbage bag over the window in question.
That helped a lot.

[Shano592]

We just tried to block the light with the cars. It mostly worked, though it was still quite bright.

[gb_astro]

Allan perhaps you could ask your contact at the Pony Club about that light.
It would be adding quite a bit to their power bill if they are just forgetting to turn it off. We might score some brownie points here.
Then again it might be a security measure.

Greg.

[Shano592]

Greg, I don't know about a security measure so much ...

A light on in a small side room, in a shed, set back in a paddock, 100m away from the nearest house. I mean, I know what you are saying, but I can't see where it would be effective, except at preventing someone from using the loo?

I think they would do better to have motion-activated lighting. At least then we can unscrew the globes.

[Allan_L]

It has been a long time between ..., but I received this today




... so insurance is the issue
I will consider contacting the trustees, one (wishing anonymity) has contacted me before, but, as I recall, of the 7 trustees, 2 are from the PC and 2 from the JC, so this excuse seems a little odd/lame.

[Arthur Alchin]

Most big clubs have "sub clubs" associated with them like darts and fishing clubs etc. what if we were to all join something like Mingara recreational club and form a club within the club and use their pulling power to help us out??

It's only a thought, it cost $12 a year, can only talk to them and sus it out

Would also have a meeting place for the off times

[RB]

The Mingara Pony Club Astrophilosophical Society.
Sounds great.

:thumbsup:

[GTB_an_Owl]

associate membership (of one of the clubs)may be the answer to the problem.

geoff

[Allan_L]

I spoke to crown lands today, and although awaiting confirmation, I think our problems are solved.

[Shano592]

Please do elaborate.

[Allan_L]

I didn't want to publish this until confirmed, ...

I spoke to a friendly lady at the Crown Lands Department of NSW Government and she told me that (she believed)
Crown Lands take out Public Liability Insurance on behalf of the Mangrove Creek Reserve Trust.

Either way, she could see a certificate of currency on file for the land in question (aka Tom McKenzie Park).
She read the file and it seems to indicate that the insurance cover extends to buildings and structures on the land, but referred this to their
Insurance specialist for confirmation, and asked him to get back to me directly.

I just got a call from him.
He confirmed the above.
He said he would straighten it out with them (?)
He said he would get back to me.

As the PC and JC are (apparently) only holding back until they confirm we are covered under (someone's) public liability insurance, hopefully this should satisfy their concern. This should allow them to give us (key?) access to toilet, water and power. [That is not the clubhouse itself, but still OK by me].

Watch this space.

[RB]

Excellent work Al.

:)

[Arthur Alchin]

Thank you Allan, really appreciated the effort you have made. 😊

[GTB_an_Owl]

well done Allan

well done

geoff

[Rick Petrie]

You have spent a lot of your time and effort on this Allan, and to this, all of us are truly grateful. Great work mate.:thumbsup:
Cheers Rick

[Shano592]

Rick's going to buy you an Apple Charlotte for the next PC meeting!

And I'll help you eat it!

[Allan_L]

:rofl::rofl::rofl: Thanks guys.
But lets not get too prematurely excited!

[Fizics]

Sure is good news your and your efforts are going to pay off. Much appreciated.
Btw missed not being able to get to the PC this month what a good turnout you had.

[Allan_L]

Copy of correspondence from PC to The Trust trying to expedite action.
This may still take some time, especially if the awaited information from CL to Trust is snail mail (which is highly likely).