26/03/2025
2025 Crystal Brook Reunion Report by Marj Crouch.
Delivered at C/B Institute 3/3/25
How wonderful it is to see you all in Crystal Brook once again. I shall give you a summary of life in our lovely town during the past difficult dry year. It is important to encourage one another during the tough times as well as when life is easy, and as we all get older it is even more important to do so.
If you entered the town from the south or the east you may have noticed the new “Welcome to Crystal Brook” sign which is even illuminated at night! This was an initiative of our local Apex club, so we thank them for this cheerful sign.
Our town is still growing with people building new houses along with older homes being improved and restored. It is great to see young people moving to enjoy country living. We welcome new Indian operators Jay Chavda & Milan Vala to our Post Office and Stephanie & Danny Dunning to the Newsagency. Whoever thought that our Post Office would handle over 300 parcels in one day- as it did at Christmas? We honoured the services of Trevor & Christine Wood as Post Office operators for 15 years. They have now retired to Port Neil and were very generous to many local organisations.
Our Citizen of the Year was Genevieve Wells for her volunteering efforts in the community over many years; Keeley Greatorex was named Junior Citizen of the Year and the C/Brook Netball Club Colour Run held at Bowman Park was named Event of the Year.
In October last year the John Deere business of Pringles-Crouch was sold to Emmetts- a family company from Victoria, who retained staff and continue to provide service to the area. Our Crouch family formerly ran this business for 30 years.
Another bright spot was the C/Brook Caravan Park becoming an autonomous business. This has been brought about by a high occupancy rate & good management. We congratulate the committee who have worked so hard to bring it to this level.
Bowman Park has a very enthusiastic committee who regularly hold working bees to improve the area. It is also a RV Free Parking area attracting many visitors to the town, along with providing a picturesque picnic and playground area.
It is encouraging to have new blood come into the CWA (Country Womens Association) as well as the Croquet Club to rejuvenate these organizations & we welcome their input. Our C/B Show also has young leaders who are enthusiastic.
We look forward to celebrating 100 years of the Hospital on the 29th& 30th March, with a cabaret on Saturday evening followed by an Open Day & combined Thanksgiving Service on Sunday.
As you may realise, we have just had one of our driest years on record. Some farmers did not get their headers out of the shed, so we look forward to a better year in 2025!!
