Cronulla Women's Rest Centre a matter of importance

You’ll have to pardon me for not jumping up and down with glee.  Because in fact what has happened is that Sutherland Council at it’s Budget & Strategic Issues Committee meeting on Monday, February 2, 2015 passed a resolution to keep its collective filthy mitts off our “community land” that was gifted to the people of Cronulla. 

After much cajoling I was allotted a few minutes, & believe me, a few minutes only, to speak at this committee meeting.  Mrs Annette Hogan addressed Council before me and was afforded five minutes to raise her concerns for the community.  It has been brought to my attention since that Mrs Hogan has been tirelessly fighting for many many causes in the shire.  Fifteen years ago she was instrumental in saving the WRC.  NOT Sutherland Council but Mrs Hogan.

I left the committee meeting with a sour taste in my mouth.  Primarily because during Mrs Hogan’s well researched address several councillors were talking, Cr John Riad was texting & the room generally appeared disinterested and unengaged with the matter before them.  If Crs Carol Provan and  Cr John Riad would like to contact me to explain why they hold such a matter with obvious distain, I’m easily contactable through The Leader.  I would invite them to remember that they are elected to the position they hold and they are welcome to engage with the community at large who use the WRC extensively. 

Whilst it holds the old fashioned name of WRC, many many men use the centre daily to rest, change nappies, sit & allow their children to use the toilet safely & socialise. Along with the countless women, young and old who are greeted so professionally by the staff who work seven days a week & who have some 35 years work between them caring for our community in their current positions. 

I have an expectation that the community is given an iron-clad guarantee that Council makes no further attempt to re-purpose the WRC.  Secondly, someone, anyone, from Sutherland Council should make a formal approach to the current employees to apologise for the appalling treatment they have received & the outrageously incorrect statements made against them in the Price Waterhouse Cooper, (PWC)  report.  To insult them and diminish their roles & and the fine work they do – day in & day out for our community is disgusting.  Perhaps this person may be Cr Scott Williams, who, thank goodness, was the only Councillor who had the grace to listen to what the people of Cronulla want and need.

Not only is it inaccurate but it’s also profoundly insulting for PWC to describe the WRC as an “under-utilised, narrow service”.  

Christine Connolly, Cronulla