Tçnâ koutou katoa.
Greetings to all.

It is my task to report to you on the SARA Management Committee's activities over the past year in my role as its chairperson. Due to the adjustment to our financial year, this reporting period is slightly longer than usual and given my somewhat faulty memory of late, I'll do my best to give you an accurate report of our work!?

Firstly, I want to start by acknowledging the excellent work undertaken by the previous chairperson, Tony Guilliland, who continued on in the role for a number of years providing continuity in St Albans' voice on issues. Tony's unstinting contribution was often invisible to the community, but I can assure you that he spent many hours lobbying for improvements for St Albans residents. Congratulations and Thank You, Tony for seeing SARA through to a stage of established stability.

SARA's work in 2001-2002 has involved a myriad of topics and tasks varying from supporting residents in a resource consent process, through to supervising the Bouncy Castle at the "Art in Abberley" Day. The SARA Management Committee's role is one of governance (oversight) of the projects undertaken on the residents' behalf. These include the Community Facilitator Project, presently employing Douceline Wardle, and the Youth Project, presently employing Kylie Katene and Katrina Hill. Some other local projects are also umbrellaed by this organisation, enabling them to fundraise more widely. For example, the Community Choir, NeighbourNet, STANN, the Arts Society and the Kowhai Project. The Management Committee meets monthly to receive written, oral and financial reports from the various projects to ensure its oversight tasks can be well informed.

We've been delighted with the ongoing public profile for these projects ensuring the suburb gets noticed appropriately. We are also proud of the ongoing improvements to our neighbourhood, for example, the Urban Renewal Plans presently taking shape in Geraldine Street and Edward Avenue. The beautiful improvements at English Park and the creek areas near by are greatly appreciated. There is a real sense that St Albans is on the up.

We have been assisted in our achievements by a number of excellent supporters including:
Ø Barbara Ford, who is sadly moving from the Papanui Service Centre
Ø Douceline Wardle, our creative, enthusiastic community facilitator, along with her trusty team of - Marilyn Singh, Aileen Wood and Chris Mears
Ø Our energetic youth workers over the years: Carmen, Shannon , Kylie, Katrina and Aaron.
Ø Our city councillors, Megan Evans and Ingrid Stonhill
Ø The stalwart STANN production team
Ø St Albans Primary School
Ø The SACRC Committee

Our management committee consists of Ben Harris, John Elley, Lorna Szentivanyi, Ann McRobb, Ingrid D'Achille all of whom undertake a sterling job on your behalf. Naturally, new members are most welcome and enthusiastically included.

SARA's Youth Project has had a successful year again providing a significant number of outings and activities for young people, ensuring that young people enjoy their rightful place in our community. Trips to swim with the dolphins in Akaroa, Laser Strike, Ten Pin Bowling and a chance to try out Hip Hop dancing, DJ-ing and Graffiti Art were just a few of the activities on offer.

Larger events this year included a community event "Art in Abberley", the "After Dark" youth dance and the community concert, which all attracted good crowds.

STANN has struggled but has conquered and continues to provide a wonderful communication vehicle for the suburb. The exhaustive efforts of both Kate Taylor and Douceline in the production of this independent publication cannot go unnoticed. Kate has now retired from this task and we would like to extend an enormous vote of thanks to her for all the energy she donated for St Albans' benefit. Similarly our thanks to all the rest of the STANN team for keeping us informed. I frequently receive comments from residents of other suburbs about how they wish they had their own community newspaper.

My SARA role has seen me attending meetings, observing council meetings, presenting submissions, supporting residents with specific concerns, enjoying a free parenting week lunch and a Christmas celebratory meal. The work is interesting, varied and satisfying, because it affects the community we live in.

I would like to encourage many more residents to join the committee and help ensure St Albans' further development.

Maggy Tai Râkena.