Aleta was the third president of the Tallong Community Focus Group after serving as vice president while David Leese was in charge.

She became president in October 2008, remaining in that position for two years.

The committee she led was responsible for overseeing the development of a more pro-active stance with regard to Goulburn Mulwaree Council than during preceding years, which has been built on subsequently.

The TCFG was heavily involved in the development of the Tallong Village Plan of 2010, organising community involvement through a questionnaire and workshop meetings.

During this time also, the village regained control of the old picnic ground and playing field on Barbers Creek Road, and by the middle of 2009 the Tallong Picnic and Recreation Reserve Trust had been gazetted.

Aleta was a member of the Reserve Trust until 2019.

The Paint the Pot project was completed in 2009 and the completed work was officially opened on Apple Day, 2009. As president of the TCFG, Aleta was also head of the organising committee for Apple Day for two years as well as being an ex-officio (non-voting) member of the Tallong Memorial Hall Trust.

With her history degree and interest in oral history, Aleta was involved in the writing of the book "Tallong: a Heritage".

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She covered the 20th century history of the village as well as formatting the final document.

Aleta was a forceful and dynamic woman who carried herself with grace and dignity.

She had definite opinions but believed strongly that, as she wrote in her president's report of 2010: "Cooperation needs to remain a watchword; when community groups become more concerned about individual areas of control rather than the district as a whole, people may be able to satisfy their egos with a sense of power and control in the short term, but eventually the region will decay due to a lack of real commitment and support."

She also had a wicked sense of humour and will be greatly missed by everyone who came in contact with her.

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Membership fees for 2020-2021 are now due. Please fill out the form and pay $2.50 per person at the Midge.

The AGM originally slated for September 28 has been postponed due to social distancing requirements. A new date will be announced later.

The Community Resilience Day on Saturday, November 14 will still go ahead at this stage. This will be a ticketed event. More details will be available closer to the time.

"Get Ready Day" will be held at the Tallong Fire Shed, Memorial Drive on Saturday, September 12 between 10am and 2pm.

"Get Ready Day" provides an opportunity to engage with your local brigade and plan and prepare for the bush fire season which will all to soon be upon us again.

Remember that the council outreach meetings have been cancelled this year in response to COVID-19 social distancing requirements.

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