Inverleigh Progress Association (IPA)

The Inverleigh Progress Association has been going for more than 50 years and has worked with our local councils on many projects during that time.
There are obvious and less obvious signs of the work of the Association around the township of Inverleigh. Many projects have been the result of partnerships with other groups to obtain funding and secure the project.
There are ongoing projects and we NEED more volunteers to take an interest in the progress and wellbeing of this town and community. The town has a long heritage of volunteering, which what makes Inverleigh a special place to live. We have many new residents and it would be wonderful to see more become actively involved. Inverleigh is not just a beautiful place to live!
To get in contact please email: leighnews@bigpond.com


IPA KEY PROJECTS:
• River walking tracks – these have been developed and extended as the river has become more accessible and many people use them regularly as part of their daily exercise.
• Lawson’s Park upgrades – this has been an ongoing project with walking tracks, BBQ shelter, relocation of the old police lockup and directional signage.
• Lawsons Park BBQ shelter, picnic table and benches – this project was completed a few years ago and the table and benches are still as beautiful today. They are well used by locals and visitor’s alike and there have been many very positive comments from travellers through the town.
• Signage boards and explanatory signs – The signs along the tracks and at certain points of historical interest have been funded by the Progress Association with support from our local Council.
• Publication of the Heritage Walk leaflet – this was a project with our local Historical Society, who researched the sights. A map was obtained and the Association had it printed. Leaflets are available for interested people at the General Store.
• Gazebo - this was designed and built by architecture and building students at the Gordon in 1992 and the display cabinets are kept up to date by the Historical Society. In 2020 the Shire cleaned and repainted the building.
• Clock tower and clock - the original clock was donated and the tower constructed to display the time. When it stopped a new automatic clock was purchased. This was controlled by an electronic signal, which stopped after a few years. It took some detective work by Andrew Peel to seek out the source and get it working again! In 2013 the signal stopped completely and a new town clock was purchased and put in place.
• Federation Bridge - this bridge was erected with a grant to commemorate the centenary of Federation in 2001 and has proved a vital walking / cycling link between those on both sides of the river. It has recently been checked by an engineer and pronounced in good condition.
• Open Space to north of the Leigh River- a committee of Management originally set up under the auspices of the Progress Association maintains the area around the walking tracks by mowing and keeping weeds down. Damian Baker is our very valuable volunteer who mows and sprays etc. A number of groups including Leigh Districts Landcare, Friends of the Inverleigh Flora and Fauna Reserve and the Progress Association have planted over 2000 trees and shrubs along parts of the river walk.
• Toilet block and picnic shelter - The old toilets were an eyesore in the town and the Association worked for many years to encourage Council to upgrade them and remove the old building. Now we have a modern facility with sheltered picnic tables and parking space for the many visitors. This toilet has the reputation for being the busiest in Golden Plains Shire. They are cleaned daily.
• River Pump and standpipe – this pump for locals to obtain river water for stock and domestic purposes was set up a long time ago. It has been upgraded and maintained by members of the Progress Association. Users can purchase a key and there is also an annual service fee to continue pumping water. The shed was rebuilt in 2020, thanks to the efforts of Tony Waayers, our Treasurer.
• Public Notice Board – The community noticeboard outside the General Store is maintained regularly by the Association. Notices, no larger than A4 can be left at the store and will be displayed for up to a month.
• Leigh News – this monthly newsletter began publication over 40 years ago and has changed over the years from typewritten sheets to one using the most up to date computers and printers. It is produced entirely by volunteers and has always been a free community paper published by the Progress Association. Our current editor is Peter Trevaskis (leighnews@bigpond.com). Articles of community interest are accepted. Have you a story to tell? Email it to Peter by 25th of each month from January until November (11 issues per annum)
• Gray’s Garden – these two beautiful beds of Australian native shrubs and trees have been developed and maintained by Alan and Joy Gray, supported by the Progress Association.
• Inverleigh and District including Murgheboluc and Wingeel Information & Telephone Directory – a number of these have been published over the years. Whilst an annual publication would be ideal it is time consuming to update and collect the data. A Federal election year is a good time to catch up with locals to seek details. The latest edition is available to pick up at the Inverleigh Store.
• Town Entrance – this project took longer than expected to complete, but the two stone entrances stand at either end of the town. They were built by stonemason David Long and are fitting monuments. This project was funded with grants and a substantial amount from the IPA.
• The Progress Association supports other projects in the community. It was able to provide funding for the upgrade to the kitchen at the public hall a few years ago and more recently advocated and supported the Play Space project with goodwill and a donation.
PURPOSE OF THE IPA
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To promote the social well-being, health and development of the Inverleigh and district community and encourage the development and provision of human services in the area.
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To act as a gatherer and provider of information about community groups, services and facilities in the area.
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To act as a forum for public discussion, and to take appropriate action on matters of concern on behalf of the community.
MEMBERSHIP
The Association shall consist of the residents of the Inverleigh district who shall make application to the Secretary to join the Association and pay the annual subscription fee which is set at the Annual General Meeting.
The annual subscription shall be due for renewal at each Annual General Meeting. Membership of the Association will cease when the person is no longer a resident of the Inverleigh district or when he has not paid the Annual Subscription.