Community
16 October, 2025
Expansion brings optimism
THE Terang Progress Association (TPA) is optimistic it can play a guiding role in the town’s boom after an influx of new members has strengthened its ranks.
The situation appeared dire for the TPA following the decision to cancel the award-winning Colour Terang Festival this year due to dwindling committee members and a lack of volunteers.
Following the decision, a concerted effort was made to recruit new members to the ranks in a move which TPA president Ken McSween said was already beginning to pay off.
“It is incredible to have feet on the ground,” he said.
“Everyone has fresh ideas – they’re all from different walks of life.
“Most of the members have been in town for a while and know from the outside what the TPA has accomplished, and now they’re getting their heads around what we do internally.”
The influx of new members includes Caroline Smith joining as treasurer, Janice Harris as secretary, Daniel Pugh offering his assistance as a technology consultant and Bruce Moore serving as grants liaison.
Kristie Simpson, Kayla Brownlaw and Alan Richardson have also raised their hand to be TPA members, ensuring many hands can help to make light work.
Mr McSween said he had been impressed at the pace the new members brought.
“When you find yourselves in a decline and things get a bit stagnant, people get tired,” he said.
“Our new members have hit the ground running and are already coordinating new efforts.
“This just wasn’t happening before, so it feels good.
“An influx of people with different skill sets has given us a chance to attempt to do things we haven’t been able to.”
The cancellation of this year’s Colour Terang Festival had brought concerns the much-loved Terang and District Traders Gala Night was also under threat.
Mr McSween said not only would this year’s event go ahead, but he’s found renewed optimism the TPA could set its sights far higher in shaping the future of the town.
“Terang is in a position where, over the next ten years, it will be one of the boom towns in the area,” he said.
“Already, according to the statistics, it is having among the highest rises in house prices because it’s a popular place to come to.
“The population has grown so we’re expecting to see Terang positioned as one of the big risers.
“We want to position ourselves to take advantage of that.”
Mr McSween said supporting the town’s effort to bolster both its healthcare and aged care services would be a point of emphasis.
“We want to make sure we don’t lose services and in fact can help to attract businesses to the town,” he said.
“Helping with both the aged care side of things and the healthcare side is something we see ourselves doing.
“There’re a few things we could do – Terang Medical Clinic, at the moment, is struggling for doctors – we see that and ask if there is anything we could do to help get doctors into a country area.
“Anything we do is dependent on what can be done.”
Read More: Terang