My Internet Journal is designed to provide details on my role as a Councillor for the City of Maroondah and my involvement within a variety of community organizations.
You can also subscribe to updates to stay informed in regard to community and council activities and how I am making a difference for the Mullum Ward and the Maroondah community.
Your comments and thoughts are welcomed and encouraged.
Tonight I attended a Ringwood Historical Society meeting focused on the life of former Councillor Ben Hubbard, a well respected councillor from the City of Ringwood, and the inspiration behind the name of BJ Hubbard Reserve in Ringwood North.
It was fascinating to hear about the life of Ben Hubbard and his boundless passion for the community and his continued drive to ensure openness and accountability within the former Ringwood Council.
Ringwood has an amazing history and the passion Cr. Hubbard displayed is still visible today. Cr. Ben Hubbard was largely responsible for preserving the green leafy environment we still enjoy to this day in Ringwood, while also boosting our commercial capabilities through the creation of Eastland.
For further information on the Ringwood Historical Society please visit www.rhs.org.au.
Category: Environment,Maroondah
The Maroondah Journal has reported on the Victorian Local Governance Association’s (VLGA) call to establish a councillor training taskforce with the aim of ensuring that councillors receive adequate training.
VLGA chief executive officer Andrew Rowe said:
“Councillors deal with issues of increasing difficulty and complexity while still essentially undertaking a part time role.”
As a newly elected Councillor in November 2005 I attended both a Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) councillor fundamentals course, which provided an overview of council functions and procedures and the VLGA’s Changes and Challenges course which provided details on Melbourne’s planning system:
O’d almost see [the courses] as compulsory for all new councillors.”
As a new councillor these courses offered fundamental information which is critical to being able to perform the role of a councillor in a professional and adept manner.
There is a lot of information to take in; if you don”t attend introductory courses it puts you on the wrong foot straight away.
While Maroondah Council does provide a comprehensive orientation there is a need for more detailed knowledge which is best provided by umbrella organisations such as the MAV and VLGA.
I applaud the VLGA’s efforts in seeking a greater level of training for councillors and support this initiative.
This morning along with members of the Ringwood Transit City Community Coalition (RTCCC) I assisted in cleaning up Ringwood as part of Clean Up Australia Day.
Clean Up Australia Day is an annual event where volunteers clean, fix and conserve the environment. The Business Clean Up Day is held on the 28th of February while the Clean Up Australia Day is held on Sunday the 5th of March.
Along with the RTCCC I assisted in cleaning up the areas around Ringwood Plaza, Ringwood Station and Staley Gardens. A total of eight bags of rubbish were collected within one hour.
I urge everyone to become involved in Clean Up Australia Day for further details please www.cleanup.com.au.
Category: Environment,Maroondah,Urban Sustainability
Alex Makin is a councillor for the Mullum Ward in the City of Maroondah. Alex has been a councillor since 2005, representing ratepayers, businesses, community groups and residents.
I aim to continue making a difference and welcome any thoughts you may have in regard to life, community and business in Maroondah.
Phone: (03) 9870 8202 or 0408 311 645
Email: alex@alexmakin.com.au
