EDITORIAL
Welcome to the first issue of the CRRA Chronicle.

With your support, we hope to produce the Newsletter bi-monthly or quarterly. Our aims are to communicate to Cardinia ratepayers and residents Council decisions and policies that will impact on our lives; to provide a forum for community opinion in all Wards of the Shire; and to promote the Association.

The Association's attitude and submissions to Council are not adversarial. We aim to work constructively to achieve community objectives by lobbying for the common good. When Council decisions are implemented, despite community objections that they are contrary to residents' interests, the Association will use accepted means, including this Newsletter, to pursue the matter.

Our editorial policy is both to inform and to entertain. We will include news about local government issues from each of the Wards in Cardinia, but it is not our intention to duplicate township newsletters. Contributions from readers in the form of comment on Ward issues are most welcome, together with relevant anecdotes, photographs, and other items of community interest. Naturally, the editorial panel and committee of CRRA reserve the right to edit articles for the usual reasons, including space, clarity and possible legal issues. It is your newsletter, so please use it in the interests of all residents of Cardinia.

This issue is all about communication. As Keith Ewenson points out, communication is a two-way process, a point many residents believe Council is ignoring. Emerald elder statesman Peter Weatherhead is concerned about the misuse of words in present-day communication, especially the word "community", while our correspondent Sir Humphrey Appleby provides a perfect target for Peter's concern. Our resident artist, Rex Havoc, uses humour to communicate through the medium of cartoons. Two community organisations communicate their concerns about the environment and the dangers of the coming bushfire season.

Initially our distribution is limited, so when you have finished reading this issue, please pass it on to a friend or neighbour.

Ask your local Councillor where and when the Cardinia Shire Council Annual Corporate Workshop is to be held, and how the decision was taken. He or she should be pleased that you are so interested in Council affairs!

PRESIDENT'S REPORT
It is an achievement for CRRA to produce this first newsletter, which has been an aim during our first year because we believe communication with our members, and the wider community, is vitally important. I congratulate the willing team of members who are responsible for putting it together and thank you to those who have contributed to this first issue.

Formally established in November 2003 by a small group who felt that an association of ratepayers and residents would be of benefit to the citizens of Cardinia Shire, CRRA is now becoming a voice for the ratepaying community and, where necessary, a means of questioning Council priorities and process. CRRA meetings have been held in several township localities and these will continue in 2005. Our recent surveys on rates and charges, road maintenance and community facilities have returned valuable feedback, and further surveys will be taken in the future to obtain community viewpoint.

During our first year, issues have been raised by members, particularly at the public