Re-Building Lonehill Community In The Streets

Back in 2000 when we launched the Lonehill Security Initiative, its success was founded upon the efforts of a voluntary network of Complex Leaders, Road Enclosure Leaders & Street Leaders who undertook to connect with as many householders in their immediate vicinity to survey their feelings and concerns.

The response effectively kick-started our initiative with +- 540 contributors investing R1500 into the capital fund.

If there has been one important community feature that seems to have been forgotten, ignored or completely missed in the 'marketing' of the Lonehill initiative in recent years it is that a quality community WORKS by feedback and suggestion from the household-level-up (from street-level-up)... and not by dogma and instruction from the top-down (further below, I'll touch on how I believe community leadership should LEAD by example).

Last weekend, many people commented on a Lonehill Residents Association (LRA) contact table being manned by volunteers - the Jones and Boulanger family, and one Joey O'Rourke - at the entrance to the Lonehill Pick 'n Pay. From what I hear they touched base with close to 400 Lonehillers and received update contact details from people who were mostly pleasantly surprised to bump into someone representing the LRA.

And, this weekend, our street had the pleasure of being invited to a Saturday Evening STREET Braai arranged by Alletia & Steve Parrymore - with 12 of the 14 households in our cul-de-sac attending.

What really stood out was how amiable this group was in their interaction with one another, all seeming to enjoy the opportunity to meet and chat for a few hours rather than to just wave as they pass each other on the street on their way to and from work.

Of major concern however should be the insight of how little this group seemed to know about what the LRA was doing in Lonehill.

Alletia & Steve undertook this as an exercise to build on the community-database-building efforts of the folks mentioned above and also succeeded in updating our street's resident contact details.

This, to me, is where community begins - in the streets - talking to real, live residents.

So I want to give a further warm pat-on-the-back to those VOLUNTEER residents who are giving of their free time and helping to do the one thing our paid service-providers should have been doing all along, and should BE DOING almost every day, as a priority - communicating effectively with our community, meeting residents face-to-face, and keeping our community database fresh and up-to-date.

Some have been commenting that I have been getting 'soft' as I age with my recent compliments to our current LRA leadership structure for seeming to begin to open up (as compared to their immediate predecessors) to the contributions of others. Fact of the matter is that this forum merely represents comments and opinion that come straight from the heart of concerned Lonehill stakeholders... and I am sensing that our current leadership is beginning to recognise that this forum actually offers a very POSITIVE, if hard-hitting, contribution to our Lonehill initiative.

So, what should we expect of our LRA Leaders?

Personally, having complimented our LRA leadership in last week's post for seeming to stabilise and put the brakes on 'the downward spiral of 'mis-management and disarray' as identified by 'new' LRA Chairman - Rob Gillespie', I think it is now time for our leaders to begin openly nailing their LRA strategy and personal accountability colours to the mast for us all to see. A declaration of their future intent, as it were. I'll happily carry their inputs on this forum.

I'd like to know what is they're going to do to help guide and make Lonehill a truly special, extraordinary place to live in, or whether they are just going to repeat the dreary uninspiring ordinariness of boring old-style resident associations which doom themselves to continual boom-and-bust failure through pathetic leadership and egotistic political in-fighting.

I'm looking for inspiring LRA leadership that includes an open understanding of questions like:

1. What is the LRA's proposed long-term strategy, objectives and time-related targets?

2. What do the individual LRA directors hold themselves accountable to (i.e. measurable performance targets)?

3. What are the personal feelings of the individual LRA directors towards this community's challenges?

4. Where is The BHAG - the BIG Hairy Audacious Goal for our community? (see below)

I first touched on this in my Dec. post - How Do We MEASURE Up - where I made this comment:

I'd like to see a firm statement of intent from our LRA board as to what every director and service provider sees themselves being ACCOUNTABLE for... and what parameters they will MEASURE themselves against. We have over six years of weekly incident report statistics that should be on record to serve as a base. At least 10 to 20 criteria for measurement should be identifiable in our community.

To help, I have sourced some complementary links, for those interested, to refer to:

1. A Model for Community-Driven Governance - this excellent article explains how and why: 'The board is accountable for ensuring the organization is providing as much benefit as possible to the community, improving the quality of life for those who will be affected by your mission'.

2. The Fable of the Beekeepers and Their Bees - this article highlights the critical difference between Activities, Outputs and Outcomes.

I'd like to hear from our LRA leadership as to what criteria we are going to measure our future community performance against... and who will accept responsibility for delivering on that performance. Without these criteria clearly displayed and measured against for all to see, our community goes nowhere.

In similar vein, in January's post Move Over For The INNOVATION Generation - I offered comment and links to one of the finest strategy thinkers around offering insight and templates that can be used to make magnificent things happen in our community, I wrote (extracts with links to stunning resource material):

Another big trick that we are missing, I believe, is the inspired thinking and input of 'Good To Great' INNOVATION Generation input.

Where ARE the big ideas? Where is The BHAG - the BIG Hairy Audacious Goal for our community. Where are the FRESH dynamic minds and inspired thinkers? Where are the Church leaders, street & complex leaders, business leaders, Crawford college students and other young minds (whether 80 years 'young') being encouraged to give of their input?

And, if YOU are indeed the innovative leader we seek in this community - show us by stimulating some BHAG action and results!

Here's a great link to stimulate Good To Great thinking, leadership and application: http://www.jimcollins.com/

This site has EVERYTHING Lonehill leadership needs to contruct a great future strategy... e.g.: 'If you need help to find your core values and core purpose, it may be time to consider a “Mars Group.” - Download the “Mars Group ” PDF - http://www.jimcollins.com/pdf/Mars_Group.pdf

The site also contains Jim Collins' latest writing: Good to Great and the Social Sectors: Why Business Thinking Is Not the Answer - http://www.jimcollins.com/lib/articles/socialsectors.html .

Collins discusses what can be the '..fundamental difference between the business and social sectors. The third circle of the Hedgehog Concept shifts from being an economic engine to a resource engine. The critical question is not “How much money do we make?” but “How can we develop a sustainable resource engine to deliver superior performance relative to our mission?”

As Jim Collins says: 'Good is the enemy of great!'. I ask, so how much worse is mediocrity? How do our leaders and stakeholders rate our Lonehill community project... mediocre... good... great?

When I look at all the great online resources available to leadership it is almost inexcusable for anyone calling themselves a 'leader' to deliver on piddle-poor performance.

On the other hand, no one minds leadership that 'fails upwards' by genuinely trying to apply inspiring, inclusive models that stretch people to new levels of achievement. That's the leadership that I'm looking for in our community.

Regards
Trevor Nel - 011 705-2790
Lonehill Resident

Calling A Spade A SPADE

Writes George Joubert:

Hi Trevor,

Like you I have never been afraid to “call a spade a spade” or not a shovel! Emails like this I am told are considered mischievous and are NOT encouraged! Why? Is this because it WILL make one unpopular with those who do NOT wish to listen to the Truth or have blinkered vision or worse -- refuse to be part of the solution – until something happens to them?

I am so glad you used my quote in your newsletter but it reminds me of another quote:

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. -- Mohandas Gandhi.

On a more positive note though, I too would like to add my bouquets for Ian Bell! You will recall he was our man (one of the founding members) in the first place before the old regime “fired” him!

It is sad that many new Lonehillers do not know who or what he does and how his projects needs funding to keep our suburb looking as good as it does! Come on Lonehillers contribute to the Environment Fund! We need many new trees in parts of our suburb to replace those that have died, been struck by lightning or been “taken out” by drunk drivers. Is there a big sponsor for a tree-planting project out there?

To keep those who may be interested, I am STILL moving ahead with designing the BEST security solution that is humanly possible – but for ALL the Lonehill residents -- and NOT anyone else! I have the feeling though that I am being “condescended” or just “engaged” for ideas and I am unhappy about that but will move ahead with my plans regardless! It will be a shame when other suburbs or only parts of Lonehill grasp this first!

If you had listened to 702 Talk Radio this morning you would have heard security companies in general and ADT in particular being castigated by the public to the point where, I am informed, one of them sent a legal letter threatening to sue the radio station!

I am again sticking out my neck but would like to ask why Lonehillers or the LRA cannot “insist” on a higher-paid guard (and hopefully a higher caliber – a roving ambassador-type) being used on our street patrols? By this I mean pay them their TRUE worth according to their proper grading!

This can only act as an incentive for other guards to want to work in Lonehill and will motivate them all to the point of putting their lives on the line for all of us! I wonder what the average monthly salary (take-home) pay is of our guards? I have a fair idea from my own market research but it would be nice to go public on this and get the whole suburb behind this initiative!

I will await the bombshells!

Regards,
George

Lonehill's Tipping Point Reached?

Anyone taking a walk around Lonehill this last Sunday morning would have got the feeling that the downward spiral of 'mis-management and disarray' as identified by 'new' LRA Chairman - Rob Gillespie - has been broken.

But let me make it clear that not everyone is happy with me offering the LRA a pat on the back, as per this email extract:

'Hi Trevor, I read your latest “Like Chalk and Cheese” email with interest and on the one hand I want to agree with you but then feel that with bouquets must go the brickbats! We must never again allow the LRA to dictate to the residents! The residents MUST have their say! I thus thank you for this forum but I warn again, “Please keep it open and fair!”

'You must not fall into the same trap again where you “boosted” some individuals to the point where they became demigods, complacent and thought they could never be wrong!'

I understand why the point is made, but how others behave when in positions of 'leadership' is for them to account for as individuals. It just shows how TRUST is the most difficult of attributes to restore, and that has been the 'new' LRA's challenge. S'funny too, because I am also well aware that my comments are a source of intense irritation to some on the LRA. What is it they say about not shooting the messenger.. ;-)

Personal integrity insists that I give voice to my honest opinion - accepted or not - and certainly, my opening remark above was the honest impression that I received from my trundle around our community, with Lonehill beginning to once again look the best that I have seen it in at least two years.

Yes, there were still pockets of sporadic anti-social litter on the ground that could easily be picked up by the guards on the ground (always mystifies me why this appears to be no longer an instruction as used to be), but there was a noticeable lack of posters, boards, graffiti and long grass, telling me that Ian Bell's LRA Environment Team are getting on top of their challenge.

I have also noticed an increased presence of SAP & Metro vehicles, more visible LRA/Fidelity vehicles in prominent positions and an increased show of force by RSS (who clearly signal their intent to subdue and dominate in this area - a major danger to our LRA initiative if not dealt with proactively and strategically to establish common objectives).

I repeat from a previous post: VISIBILITY & Vigilance - No.1 Priority :

'Priority No. 1 Strategy should be simple:
SECURITY ==> VISIBILITY & VIGILANCE ==> FUNDING

'Security is a function of the quality of proactive Visibility & Vigilance of our security force on the ground which in turn is a function of the inflow of funds from local stakeholders and elsewhere.'

Even more noticeable is the renewed enthusiasm of concerned passionate LRA residents whose voluntary inputs were effectively discouraged and sidelined by the silly non-inclusive 'power & control' style of previous management & leadership. It is to their credit that such individuals are bouncing back to share their passion and expertise to fill gaps in the LRA's resource and administration capabilities. Please never allow that style of management to happen again in an OPEN community initiative like Lonehill's!

Is it any coincidence that Lonehill has experienced almost 3 relatively crime-free weeks as compared to areas like Parkview and Douglasdale? I'd like to think not. I believe that it has everything to do with the LRA executive once again becoming effective at what they do. When you're on top of your community security game the 'professional' criminal looks for easier areas to target. The trick then is to maintain high-profile vigilance and visibility to deter the 'opportunistic' criminal.

I have always believed and voiced the opinion, ever since launching this initiative, that Malcolm Gladwell's: The Tipping Point - How Little Things Can Make Big Difference - identifies the key benefits of eradicating the 'Broken Window syndrome' in an open community area such as Lonehill's. In fact, I firmly believe that we have more than proven that the theory applies in Lonehill when one traces the effects of the peaks and valleys of commitment-to-detail applied during the history of our initiative.

This extract from a summary of The Tipping Point provided by http://www.edge.com/ :

'The Broken Window Theory states that a crime is the inevitable result of disorder. If a window is broken, and is left unrepaired, people walking by will conclude that no one cares and no one is in charge. Soon, more windows will be broken, and a sense of anarchy will spread from that building to the street on which it is located, sending a signal that anything goes. In a city, relatively minor problems, like grafitti, public disorder and aggressive panhandling, are the equivalent of broken windows. They are invitations to more serious crimes. This is the Epidemic Theory of crime, which states that crime is contagious, just as fashion trends are contagious; they can start with a broken window and spread to the entire community.'

'New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who supports the Broken Window theory, began to crack down on graffiti and fare beating in the city's subway system. By stopping these small expressions of disorder, the Mayor changed the context for serious crime in New York City. As a result crime did not taper off and it did not gently decelerate; it jammed on the brakes! Once this was successful, Giuliani went above ground and cracked down on taxi drivers and 'squeegee men' (people who came up to drivers in the New York City intersections and demand money for washing the driver's car windows); crime dropped throughout the city. Stopping minor seemingly insignificant, quality-of-life crimes were the Tipping Points that stopped more violent crimes.'

'The Broken Windows... is based on the premise that an epidemic can be reversed and even tipped by tinkering with the smallest details of the immediate environment, which is, if you think about it, quite a radical idea. It says that the criminal, despite being someone for fundamental, intrinsic reasons and lives in his own world, is actually someone acutely sensitive to his environment. He is one who is alert to all kinds of cues and is prompted to commit crimes based on his perception of the world around him.'

Clearly, there is a psychological impact on the criminal and anti-social element when they sense that a community cares.

Further PROMISE is offered in the latest Lonehill Residents Association email newsletter (btw. very badly laid out in difficult to read copy style, type and colours - get a layout specialist in to fix it up) - 'Operation Communication Launches On Saturday' - where we are enticed by the promise of '..an extremely exciting new marketing campaign for the LRA. The basics have been established, the wheels are in motion and we can hardly wait to reveal our plans! However, all good things come to those who wait, so we are biting our tongues and keeping the secret until the official launch. The campaign will be launched at the next public meeting in the next 6 to 8 weeks…so hold your breath and watch this space!'.

As promising as the above announcement appears I caution against ignoring the inputs of all KEY stakeholders and foisting the ideas of one or two on our community (as happened so disastrously, in my opinion, over the last two years with the lamest of marketing promotions rubber-stamped by the few having wasted our hard-earned community funds) and repeat my closing comments from last week:

'I am still of the opinion that acceptance of an overall strategy will not happen until all KEY stakeholders are invited to a mass indaba to make their opinions felt, to openly indicate their wants and needs, and for the LRA to gain consensus of direction from all stakeholders to get their united commitment. There are far too many stakeholders in our community that are still not aware of what the LRA is doing and vice versa. Everyone needs to get on the same page and work together to make this community great... and the LRA needs to provide that direction.'

'Clearly we have the resources for such an important indaba (i.e. over R1 million of 'unecumbered' capital as stated at the last community feedback meeting), use it wisely to bring all influential and interested stakeholders together to discuss the BIG issues in this community - some as yet still not touched on in this forum to date.'

Regards
Trevor Nel - 011 - 705-2790
Lonehill Resident

LRA Director Comments

Hamish McBain writes:

Trevor - Thank you for your positive comments about the LRA's efforts. We still have a lot to do and the mountain to climb seems to be getting higher as we learn more. Your comments were especially important for me today in light of what I had to put up with today on behalf of Lonehill

Regards - Hamish McBain

Like Chalk & Cheese... LRA Appears To Be Bouncing Back!

Has anyone noticed how quiet the local crime scene seems to have been over the last two weeks?

Is it coincidence... or is it the result of a heightened state of alert, concern, awareness, visibility and vigilance by all involved in the Lonehill Community Security Initiative?

I'd like to think that it is the latter, and that our new LRA executive is making things hum in Lonehill as they used to a few years back.

One can see that Ian Bell's return is having a positive impact on environmental issues once again - litter and posters seem to be under control. It's nice to see Ian's team VISIBLY in action in and around Lonehill. Just a pity about the dam - another disappointing legacy of not encouraging and supporting the continuing commitment of quality concerned contributors like the Lukans (and, I suspect, a spill-over affect from the sewage spills I've been reporting almost every three weeks since early December). Everything has a cause and effect!

I'm also told that the Weekly LRA Security meetings under the chair of Mike Goodwin are back to the short, sharp, purposeful demanding standards of some of the better days of the LRA. That's encouraging feedback.

Old business acquaintance and Sunday Business Times columnist - David Bullard: 'Don't wear your best jeans when being shot' - a man not shy to give of his honest personal opinion - will tell of the terrible trauma that follows an attack in one's home by the scourge of our society.

On radio I heard David say, to paraphrase, 'Today it is not a matter of "if" you'll be a victim, but "when".'

Personally, I find that disturbing, but I don't intend to be a 'willing' victim in my community.

David now knows what many of us have experienced at first-hand in our community and reminds us of what drove us to launch our initiative... and why some of us are so sensitive to those who let our community initiative down, especially when entrusted to continue building the legacy to greater heights.

Like David, many are aware that I don't pull any punches on my opinions either, so it may come as something of a surprise to some that I am fast getting to feel that our current levels of peace-of-mind and security in Lonehill compared to that of this time last year... is like chalk and cheese!

For one, I had the pleasant experience of personally witnessing Fidelity reaction officers in two vehicles responding within three-minutes to a 4:30 a.m. panic alarm at my home this week. That's a minimum standard that we want in Lonehill. Exceptional... and well done!

I just wonder what has happened to the two motor-bikes we're supposed to have patrolling our area?

It certainly appears that the LRA is busy bouncing back to a bare minimum standard that we had attained a few years back... a standard that had us ready to move along a path to another massive level of progress - and which was sadly not taken. I believe that some had thought that we had arrived, when we hadn't even yet begun the real journey!

Hopefully this LRA Executive will take the 'High Road' forward - it certainly looks promising. My continuing compliments and encouragement to LRA Chairman - Rob Gillespie - and his growing team, your essential task has only just begun.

Growing team? I'm very pleased to see more and more quality voluntary contributors now finding their way into the LRA fold to share their passion for their community. It has always been my opinion that the more the LRA opens up to the contribution of all stakeholders who want to contribute, and the more it strives towards total openness and transparency in its meetings and financials - as used to be the case when we launched the initiative - the more quality people will want to be involved.

My really deep concern that I have clearly voiced is that the PAID service providers should be delivering to a far higher standard and enthusiasm than they have in the past and as they deliver currently in support of quality volunteers.

I look at the highly visible marketing displays by a competing security service provider in Lonehill this week and my concern grows for the danger of security companies once again taking over our community in a divide-and-rule-manner which led to the violent crime anarchy in our community that we had to overturn back in 2000.

Community stakeholders NEED to be in control of their community and controlling the security service providers, not the other way around! Look at the current Parkview experience right now. Security companies are fighting to take back control from the residents. Our LRA leadership needs a clear strategy to deal with this direct challenge to their community authority...NOW...!

I stand by my views expressed in:
1. VISIBILITY & Vigilance - No.1 Priority , and in
2. LRA Funding - Priority No. 2 - New Personnel NEEDED?

There is no such thing as an 'apathetic' community in my books, to me 'pathetic leadership leads to apathetic communities'. Quality leaders know how to include others and give them the opportunity to make massive contributions to their community.

My warning is that others, with just as much quality potential as the current executive, blew it because they didn't consult extensively with their community. Their mistake, in my opinion, was to take important decisions behind closed doors and based them on the uninformed whims of a few in group-think mentality without adopting a test-and-measure research-and-feedback opinion analysis of the very people targeted to fund the initiative - the residents and other concerned stakeholders.

In this way, hard-earned community investment was piddled away against the wall with very little positive return, in fact, almost driving the LRA and our initiative back onto the rocks last year.

That's why I am an advocate for open community tenders, no matter how small the task or the position. There are so many positive benefits to an open tender process which underpinned the launch of our initiative, not least of which being the ability to test the power of persuasion of the tenderer under stress.... and allowing the community to openly have a vote in the presentations - not just a few people who, it was seen, can get it very wrong... no matter how well-intentioned!

Learn the lessons well.. this is a community of +- 5000 households, if not more... not just a select few!

My advice for the new LRA execs is to get to learn what their community WANTS and what stakeholders are willing to pay for, and to follow how they vote with their money.

There are also many simple strategic management tools that can be utilised. Just a 30-second glance around the LRA offices last year told anyone with a hint of strategic business development experience that the LRA was devoid of any strategy at that point, which seemingly proved to be the case. I wonder if this 'first impression' in these offices has changed?

I'm looking forward to sometime soon seeing a 'new' LRA executive strategy being first consulted with the community for feedback, finalised in documented format, and then announced and followed, so that we know that we won't again slip back into what resulted in the debacle of last year.

I am still of the opinion that acceptance of an overall strategy will not happen until all KEY stakeholders are invited to a mass indaba to make their opinions felt, to openly indicate their wants and needs, and for the LRA to gain consensus of direction from all stakeholders to get their united commitment. There are far too many stakeholders in our community that are still not aware of what the LRA is doing and vice versa. Everyone needs to get on the same page and work together to make this community great... and the LRA needs to provide that direction.

Clearly we have the resources for such an important indaba (i.e. over R1 million of 'unecumbered' capital as stated at the last community feedback meeting), use it wisely to bring all influential and interested stakeholders together to discuss the BIG issues in this community - some as yet still not touched on in this forum to date.

Regards
Trevor Nel - 011 - 705-2790
Lonehill Resident

LRA Cricket Player & Spectator Testimonials

Our only Lady Cricketer - Simone Woods - writes:

Hi fellow cricketers and others,

Just a note to say a HUGE thank you to all of you for a fun morning. I had a great time and enjoyed meeting you all! What a nice bunch of true gentlemen!

More outings like this will continue to make Lonehill a great place to be (whether living or working!). I simply LOVE Lonehill and would love to do more things like this.

Well done, Trevor, for putting it together so well and affording us a lovely time out!

Have a great week all,
Best regards,
Simone


Richard Wylie writes:

Hi Trevor,

I would just like to say thank you so much for the excellent and very enjoyable day of cricket! It really was great fun, and very much look forward to any future events.

A hockey day sounds interesting! As for getting more involved – I’m always keen to help where I can, and certainly though participation you will have my support.

Just a big thank you for organising everything!

Regards,
Richard


Jack Rahme writes:

Thank you Trevor, it was very enjoyable.

Dhayalan Naidoo phoned in to say: 'Your article said it all about the quality of the youngsters in our community, had a great day and looking forward to the next one'

Lindy Boulanger writes:

Well done Trevor once again!

A great day had by all and people who weren't there missed a fun filled day relaxing and chatting to special people.

Trevor special thanks to you and Shellwyn for organizing all the food and drinks and of course the day.

Pity more of the LRA weren't there, to meet the players, and who are prepared to help Lonehillers have a bit of fun.

Thanks to Rob and Hamish who took the trouble to come and take photos.

Regards
Lindy Boulanger


Peter Truscott writes:

Dear Trevor, Thank you once again for the part you played in organizing the cricket match especially for all the refreshments you provided. It was much appreciated by all at Crawford Lonehill. Had a great time!!! Will keep in contact for next years match.

Have a good year and keep well. Ps Well played to your team they really did impress. Malcolm said he will definitely join us for a drink on the patio next match.

Kind Regards
Peter Truscott

Mad Dogs & Englishmen - It's Just Not Cricket!

To paraphrase the song 'only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun', some considered it madness to play cricket on one of the hottest mornings in Lonehill's history.

Despite the sweltering heat the Lonehill Residents/Parents team (+- 500 years of life experience) acquitted themselves well against the Lonehill Crawford Students & Teachers (only +- 170 years of exuberant youthful no-fear school-going experience).

The morning began with the sedate 'all-pace' attack of the elder team being dispatched to the boundary at a pace seldom seen in Wisden's cricket annual history. The youngsters flayed our attack for just under 10 runs per over for an entire innings of 25 life-threatening terror-filled overs.

Thank goodness for the fielding exploits of our only lady cricketer - Simone Woods (whose savvy, flat short-pitched bowling also exploited the two-paced nature of the pitch), our wise elder who turned 4's into singles - Mike Boulanger, the dapper and dashing Hoogenhout Chairman - Harry Dare, the youthful enthusiasm of Richard Wylie and Ryan Moolman on the boundary, and the incredible wicket-keeping of Keith Bell (with a baseball mitt) and Mark Botha. Without these able-bodied fielders throwing their bodies on the line the score would have been close to 500 in the 25 overs.

Jack Rahme's stump-shattering accuracy from the mid-field was a pleasure to behold, Chris Holden produced the two best bowling overs of the match and Dhayalan Naidoo was our very own Jonty Rhodes at point - not allowing our heads to drop under the intense pressure and sweltering heat in the middle.

If I must say so myself, I thought 'the Captain' was pretty nimble at avoiding every missile pummeled in his direction. Not bad evasive actions for the over-fifties brigade. Thanks too to Dhayalan for later pointing out to everybody that I had 'read' the wrong green pitch before spinning for the toss. I honestly thought the large cracks and weeds would winkle them out early on. Turns out... that was last year's pitch!

At the end of the first innings carnage (and I WILL be reporting the Crawford teachers to Principal Mr. Pike for trying to demolish the school-building at every blow) there was not a spectator in sight who gave the Residents/Parents any hope of lasting more than a few overs. I noticed Bill Parr hiding under his hat in the shade, so thrilled was he about his team's chances!

And then, after Richard Wylie hit the first early 4 of the second innings to set the scene, in strode BIG Greg Hegland and Jack - the ROCK - Rahme to lambaste the youngsters with a barrage of fours and sixes never before seen on the Crawford Lonehill oval.

By the drinks break the Lonehill Residents/Parents were neck and neck with the 10-runs per over rate set by the Students/Teachers. Bill Parr was on the edge of his seat!

Here's the first lesson: Never accept a drink from your opposition when you're clearly going to beat them!

Something in the water at the drinks break caused us to have to pull our big guns off the pitch with groin strains, and whilst in the game till the last five overs, the Students/Teachers took unfair advantage of their severely-dehydrated and much, much OLDER opposition to put a stranglehold on the runs chase.

At the end, Mike Boulanger staged a remarkable rear-guard action to keep his big-hitting partners on strike, but alas, the Lonehill Residents/Parents had to capitulate to a highly-motivated and talented Crawford Lonehill Students/Teachers team.

The game was played in fantastic spirit and compliments must go to Crawford teacher, Peter Truscott, and his team. Dhayalan Naidoo hit the nail on the head when he said: 'These are fine young kids'. But don't be fooled, they were GIANTS and they could hit the ball a mile! Must cost their parents a fortune to feed them.

Thanks to the LRA for sponsorship of the morning. Great to have LRA Chairman, Rob Gillespie, and Director, Hamish McBain, there to take team photographs. Events like these bring quality Lonehillers out from the woodwork and who can each have an influential part to play in our community in their own little ways .

Special mention to Sandy Bell, Lindy Boulanger, Shellwyn Nel and the other ladies and gents who helped with communications, buttered the rolls and and braaied the wors - especially Chris, Mike and Richard who batted, bowled and braaied in the midday sun. It's just not cricket without the smell of a braai!

The players thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed the morning... :-)

How did this event happen?

A few weeks ago, at the 'first' OPEN Lonehill feedback meeting of the year, LRA Chairman Rob Gillespie said that he liked the idea of a Lonehill Community Cricket event. The next day Crawford Lonehill Principal: Malcolm Pike was approached and a date arranged. An open invitation went out to find Lonehill residents interested in playing... and the game was on.

It is SIMPLE to make things happen in an organised community! It's really no big deal at all.

What's the potential outcome?

Crawford College Lonehill Students/Teachers want to have two such community challenge games per year (one in their fourth quarter, and one as yesterday in their first quarter). So a tradition has begun, and the Residents/Parents can plan for revenge at the end of the year.

Crawford College Principal, Malcolm Pike, is also interested in the concept of a 'Junior LRA Council' of Crawford students participating with the LRA to come up with and deliver on creative community project ideas. Why not open the idea up to ALL school-going youngsters in Lonehill?

For this writer, Crawford College Lonehill, if encouraged by residents through the LRA, is a largely untapped centre of enormous goodwill, offers superb focal-point facilities, and provides a reservoir of incredible talent within their mix of high-quality students, teachers and staff who can all can make an even more significant impact on this community in the future.

Finally, I just think that quality residents and business-people in our midst, like Simone Woods of Woods Estate, Harry Dare - Marketing Director of a large national wine and spirit brand, and Dhayalan Naidoo of Montecasino (just three that I spoke to) are more than ready, willing and able to use their influence for the betterment of residents in this community.

I get the feeling that relative youngsters like Richard Wylie, Ryan Moolman & Greg Hegland have much to give to this community by way of active participation. They just need to be encouraged to do so... and be provided with an LRA administration structure that SUPPORTS their activities and networking.

Simple community events like this will bring more quality residents together to openly share their thoughts and concerns for happenings in our community. Think about it, Harry Dare suggested a Dart's evening and/or a Wine & Whisky tasting evening from one of his product brands, Simone talked of Hockey (being her game), and what about Bowls on the smooth Crawford field?

There are all manner of ways - soccer, baseball, bingo, tiddlywinks, you name it and someone different will have an interest in it - to stimulate community interaction and to get to meet influential Lonehill people in their complexes, street enclosures, church groups, schools and businesses.

Just come up with the idea... don't overthink it... and make it happen!

Regards
Trevor Nel - 011 - 705-2790
Lonehill Resident