• Welcome to new representative from Parkes & Districts Margaret Haddin.

The year has been full of frustration, not only for me but I think for all of us. Despite our good intentions we appear to be further behind the eight ball than last year. Although we received many promises we have not yet seen any of the funding we expected, and the way things are going I wonder if we will ever be able to deliver the projects that what we have told our Landcare groups they can expect. The funding situation is dire, as we needed the project funding in the bank to earn working capital. Without obtaining additional funds to run our organisation (including paying Nadine's salary) we will have to cut back on the expenses we pay our members ie travel and sitting fees, and may even have to consider reducing the hours that Nadine works. By doing this we may be able to survive until we can attract adequate funding in the future. Among the other frustration's I have experienced was the time lag between my taking over as treasurer, and the auditing of the accounts for the financial year 2002 – 2003, it was also some time before we obtained our accounting program, and both Nadine and myself faced a very steep learning curve. However the bright spots were the assistance I received from other executive members, in particular from Paul and Alan, and the tremendous support that I have received from Nadine, who has been of tremendous value to our organisation. Without her assistance I would have been so frustrated that I would have thrown in the towel.

Ted Spackman

• Web-site project is in the process of having contracts signed and web-site should be up and running in six to eight weeks from exchange of contract.
• Training project is still being worked on. Finding good quality providers and a reasonable price is proving a challenge.
• Ron Spithill and myself worked on and submitted an EOI for Environmental Trust Education funding to run Cultural Awareness Training across both catchments for a 3year period.

• Thank you to all concerned and especially Ted Spackman and Nadine Coleman.
• The CMA change has been a slow process with things to improve from now.
• Lachlan Central West Landcares' independence should be maintained and front-line associations with CMA's and to stand well with Departments.
• Things are certainly on the rise for Landcare with project involvement and financial issues.