Our History

On 26 January 1970, a committee was hastily put together to fight a quarry application at Upper Camp Mountain.  This small but determined committee called themselves Samford Citizens’ Protection Committee.  They were all members of the Samford Bushfire Brigade which was, at the time, the only organised group in the district.  The Committee was successful in having the council reject the quarry application and a permanent association was formed to serve, preserve and protect the interests of the community.  The Committee went on to become Samford & Districts Progress & Protection Association Inc (SDPPA), the first official meeting of which took place on 11 June 1970.  That year the SDPPA went on to successfully oppose a further two quarry applications and now the Association has a long history of service and advocacy in the community.  To date, much important community work has been and continues to be done by SDPPA volunteers.

Our Objectives

Under the SDPPA’s Constitution, our objectives are:  to promote civic pride; to protect the outstanding natural beauty, flora and fauna of the area; to act as a representative on behalf of the residents and ratepayers of our community and to liaise on their behalf with government and statutory bodies in matters pertaining to the progress and protection of the Samford Valley and surrounding districts; to promote and support with our funds the associations, clubs and organizations in the area which meet the criteria under our Constitution and By-laws.

Acknowledgement:  The SDPPA gratefully acknowledges the assistance of The Samford District Historical Museum, and in particular their publication, “Samford Reminiscences, Volumes 1-4”, in sourcing and fact-checking the historical information used in the creation of this website.  The books, which are full of fascinating information and photographs of the area and its people, are available from the Museum.