Singleton Progress Association
How It All Began!
In 1968, Public Facilities in Singleton consisted of a toilet at the main beach car park and a tiny park at Whitehead Street. There was no Scheme Water, only rainwater tanks and boreholes driven by petrol pumps. Families began making Singleton their favourite holiday destination and later on, their home.
In June 1978, a group of residents decided to form the Singleton Progress Association and by September there were thirteen financial members. Membership fees were $5.00 per family. As the Singleton Hall (the little hall behind the Community Centre) was under construction, meetings were held at private homes. Street lighting was acknowledged as being inadequate and the SPA successfully approached Rockingham Council about the matter.
At this time, the Singleton Fire Brigade possessed three Knapsack Sprays only, which were stored at Singleton Hall, in readiness for use. Local school children were bused to Hackett Street School
in Mandurah. In the early 1980’s fundraising began towards acquiring further amenities for the growing town. Amongst many fundraisers there was a Home Improvement Day sponsored by Bunnings, cake stalls and a Jumble sale.
At a party held on the beach, tokens were hidden in the sand for a Treasure Hunt for the little kids. When a child found a token, they were rewarded with a lucky dip. One very small boy cried bitterly because his search had been unfruitful. Another little fellow said “I have two, so you can have one of mine”. These are the moments that make a great community. On the same day the Association had two ancient 4-wheel drives on the beach with a tarpaulin stretched between them, as a Catering facility. During the proceedings Rockingham’s Ranger appeared and issued an Infringement Notice for parking on the beach. On the following day the Secretary of the SPA (this writer) was required to attend a “please explain” meeting at Rockingham Council. The charge was later dismissed.
The SPA applied for a Commonwealth Grant and was awarded $188,000 for
a Sporting Complex for the town. This included the value of Voluntary Labour to clear up after earthworks, planting turf then planting 1,000 trees. Rockingham Council provided $196,000 and the SPA contributed $8,000 and Laurie Stanford Oval was born!
The next pressing need was for a Community Building (Community Centre) which was funded by a Federal Government Grant $40,000, City of Rockingham $60,000, Department of Arts $40,000, Lotteries Commission $85,000 and SPA $20,000. Bowling greens were also constructed with residents volunteering labour and Comet Bay Bowling Club was formed.
As Singleton’s population increased, so did the need for a Primary School. A Public Meeting was arranged, but the Education Department was uncooperative. The town people found two people who knew the ropes, the Hon Neil Oliver and the Hon Clive Griffiths, MP. The official opening of Singleton Primary School took place in 1996 with Colin Barnett (then Education Minister) down on his knees engrossed in conversation with a very small boy.
In February 1993, local First Aid Classes enabled a participant to correctly resuscitate a young traffic victim injured on Cavender Street. Later, the park at Bight Reefs Road was developed by means of Busy Bees. Contributions from the
SPA and COR enabled the purchase of play equipment, seating and items for the Disabled.
The first Comet Bay Fair held in February 1994, in partnership with Madora Bay and Golden Bay Progress Associations, netted nearly $4,000 to be divided equally between the three groups.
In 2000, Singleton was represented in the Sydney Olympic Torch Relay by Edna Mather. In 2004, the name changed from the Singleton Progress Association to the Singleton Residents Association.
Contributed by Jack and Edna Mather
In June 1978, a group of residents decided to form the Singleton Progress Association and by September there were thirteen financial members. Membership fees were $5.00 per family. As the Singleton Hall (the little hall behind the Community Centre) was under construction, meetings were held at private homes. Street lighting was acknowledged as being inadequate and the SPA successfully approached Rockingham Council about the matter.
At this time, the Singleton Fire Brigade possessed three Knapsack Sprays only, which were stored at Singleton Hall, in readiness for use. Local school children were bused to Hackett Street School
in Mandurah. In the early 1980’s fundraising began towards acquiring further amenities for the growing town. Amongst many fundraisers there was a Home Improvement Day sponsored by Bunnings, cake stalls and a Jumble sale.
At a party held on the beach, tokens were hidden in the sand for a Treasure Hunt for the little kids. When a child found a token, they were rewarded with a lucky dip. One very small boy cried bitterly because his search had been unfruitful. Another little fellow said “I have two, so you can have one of mine”. These are the moments that make a great community. On the same day the Association had two ancient 4-wheel drives on the beach with a tarpaulin stretched between them, as a Catering facility. During the proceedings Rockingham’s Ranger appeared and issued an Infringement Notice for parking on the beach. On the following day the Secretary of the SPA (this writer) was required to attend a “please explain” meeting at Rockingham Council. The charge was later dismissed.
The SPA applied for a Commonwealth Grant and was awarded $188,000 for
a Sporting Complex for the town. This included the value of Voluntary Labour to clear up after earthworks, planting turf then planting 1,000 trees. Rockingham Council provided $196,000 and the SPA contributed $8,000 and Laurie Stanford Oval was born!
The next pressing need was for a Community Building (Community Centre) which was funded by a Federal Government Grant $40,000, City of Rockingham $60,000, Department of Arts $40,000, Lotteries Commission $85,000 and SPA $20,000. Bowling greens were also constructed with residents volunteering labour and Comet Bay Bowling Club was formed.
As Singleton’s population increased, so did the need for a Primary School. A Public Meeting was arranged, but the Education Department was uncooperative. The town people found two people who knew the ropes, the Hon Neil Oliver and the Hon Clive Griffiths, MP. The official opening of Singleton Primary School took place in 1996 with Colin Barnett (then Education Minister) down on his knees engrossed in conversation with a very small boy.
In February 1993, local First Aid Classes enabled a participant to correctly resuscitate a young traffic victim injured on Cavender Street. Later, the park at Bight Reefs Road was developed by means of Busy Bees. Contributions from the
SPA and COR enabled the purchase of play equipment, seating and items for the Disabled.
The first Comet Bay Fair held in February 1994, in partnership with Madora Bay and Golden Bay Progress Associations, netted nearly $4,000 to be divided equally between the three groups.
In 2000, Singleton was represented in the Sydney Olympic Torch Relay by Edna Mather. In 2004, the name changed from the Singleton Progress Association to the Singleton Residents Association.
Contributed by Jack and Edna Mather