September 2011 Newsletter

Welcome back or if you’re new to us, welcome to our September BCM. A Spring BCM has its own ambience and so much the better when enjoyed in the company of friends, a community of Marketeers.
Over 30 years Bellingen Community Markets has been the keystone to our vibrant Shire community. Apart from direct benefit byway of maintenance, improvements and additions to the venue that graciously hosts us each month in verdant beauty; BCM continues its ethos of supporting local handmade art, crafts, produce and food. It too supports Shire service, community, sporting and other non profit groups by contributing to particular projects and initiatives. Most recently, $1,000 to assist with establishing Bellingen Men’s Shed group and premises, $1,000 to assist in the establishment of the new Youth Centre in Church St or $300 to Urunga Nippers toward specialist equipment purchases are some examples. Along with that, our BCM Community Group Scheme partners with a local organisation who assist us briefly with set up and bump out. In return they are provided with a free site and exclusive bucket collection rights, for the participating group returns can be highly rewarding. Flown on benefits to local businesses across the Shire from the influx of countless day trippers and overnight visitors also bring benefit; further meeting the original charter of the Bellingen Shire Residents Association (BSRA).
The BSRA and its volunteer committees have stewarded BCM as the fund raising instrument to meet those stated aims and produce direct, indirect, and intangible benefits back to the community.
It is a fact that each month sometime scores of prospective stall holders do not get a site. Numbers are limited both to insure we don’t get too big so as to become too impersonal while also maintaining our integrity as a Market that prizes those things that people make, bake, grow, produce or create themselves. Sustainable practises and food miles were being practised here decades before these became a catch cry. Yes we could ‘grow’ BCM larger adding mass manufactured products, plastic fantastic and dross but lose our soul in the process and betray our raison d’être and most of you who are ‘hands on’.
All this is to give you some insight into back story that has my self and Committee examining any avenues to improve a sagging financial bottom line. All our over heads have increased significantly over two financial years. Utilities, staff training, extra promotional/advertising costs combined with unprecedented weather interrupted or cancelled dates also impacting. By October’s BCM we’ll be announcing how we intend to address these issues without having to resort to merely filling sites for the sake of revenue; check next month’s newsletter for details.
We’ve a great day on tap from our Community Group, 1st Bellingen Scouts, coin buckets in hand and a fantastic 4-man inflatable (with carry case, oars and rollicks) being raffled from near the BCM office in C Section…To some fine Motorcycles and sidecars from the 30’s to 60’s are on view near the grandstand courtesy of the Panther Rally (?) who have stopped over for the weekend to take in the BCM and environs. At 10am back on the BCM Stage, after too long absent, The Romaniacs make their welcome return. Music made for a Spring BCM not just a marketplace but a great place to be.

Market Mutterings

Items of relevance and interest for merry Marketeers. Sadly the first item of news is to report the passing of a former long time Bellingen Shire Councillor and a tireless contributor to the community. Margaret Gundry OAM was awarded her Order of Australia Medal for that very reason. I had served on two committees with Margaret over 3 years and she was the genuine article. Her energy and keen will be missed.
On the other side of the ledger it is possible we may have our first BCM baby delivered some time through the day. Surinder Arkan is adamant she will attend today. Despite imminent child birth she obviously feels husband John needs supervision making the chai.
Some may remember Australia’s Got Talent came to the BCM to do auditions when they were just starting out. Now that they are pulling viewing audiences in the millions they are not able to come to us but have asked if we’d pass this on FYI – Australia’s Got Talent Open Auditions Thursday 13th October 201, Shearwater Room Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour – Registration 11am-6pm. Some advance notice for Cheynne Murphy fans, he’ll be here along with his band for our October BCM, news that should please those that asked for an encore.