This morning I spoke to Grade 2 Students from Yarra Valley Grammar at Yarrunga Community Centre. The students were volunteering at Yarrunga Community Centre and I was invited to speak about Council and my role as Mayor.
I discussed the importance of volunteering and being involved within the community and it was great to see the students so eager to assist Yarrunga Community Centre. I also mentioned the importance of working as a team, to ensure the best outcomes and decisions are made for the Maroondah community.
While it is encouraging that the Federal and State Governments are investing in social housing, it is imperative that local communities and councils are able to follow proper planning processes to ensure the best outcome for these applications.
Last year the State Government approved a nine-level social housing development in Larissa Avenue bypassing consultation with the local community. The Age has reported on the lack of consultation in regard to Larissa Avenue:
The local Maroondah council said it welcomed social housing but was disappointed by the state’s failure to listen on issues including waste management and traffic.
The council held its own protest by lining up 160 wheelie bins on the nature strip of the site earmarked for the housing.
Waste management has been an issue in multi-unit developments and one which has received a lot of feedback from the community. Due to this feedback, Council typically requires a waste management plan for multi-use developments to reduce the number of wheelie bins on our streets, ensuring that neighbourhood amenity is protected. In the case of Larissa Avenue, Council was unable to place such conditions since the State Government took over our planning powers on the site.
”The Government effectively gave council two days to respond to the scheme. There was no community consultation,” said mayor Alex Makin.
”It is disappointing because history shows that, in all cases, community input leads to better planning outcomes.”
There is a shortage of social housing across metropolitan Melbourne and in particular within the eastern suburbs. While it is definitely encouraging that social housing is being expanded it is imperative that planning processes are not diminished.
Maroondah City Council undertakes its planning powers responsibly and we should be given the opportunity to ensure the best outcomes for our community through following proper planning processes.
Category: Community Engagement, Maroondah, Urban Sustainability
Eastern Palliative Care is a not-for-profit home based palliative care service, which aims to improve the quality of life for individuals, caregivers and families experiencing terminal illness.
The organisation serves residents within the Boroondara, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Monash, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges council areas. While the organisation receives some State Government funding, it relies on fundraising and donations to maintain the services it provides to the community.
This evening I attended the Eastern Palliative Care Gala Dinner. The dinner assists in raising funds for Eastern Palliative Care and the programs it provides, including telephone support, specialist nursing care, education, as well as counselling and support groups.
The dinner was extremely well attended and it is great to see such strong support for community-based organisations. For further information on Eastern Palliative Care please visit www.eastpallcare.asn.au
Category: Community Engagement, Maroondah, Urban Sustainability
The City of Maroondah on behalf of our community was awarded the highest level of community engagement within metropolitan Melbourne for Walktober, which was held last year during the month of October.
The Maroondah Leader has reported on this achievement:
Mayor Alex Makin, who accepted the award from the Department of Transport last week, said residents had responded to the challenge issued to get active last October.
“Last year, Walktober organisers sent out a challenge to all councils, community groups and organisations to set the pace with the most walking events registered with Walktober,” Cr Makin said.
Combined the community and council registered 55 walks during Walktober, the highest number of events within Metropolitan Melbourne.
“The walks, organised by both council and community groups, catered for a wide range of interests and capabilities, and included pram walks, bush walks, historical walks and all abilities walks,” Cr Makin said.
Walktober is an event that promotes both community engagement and sustainable transport and it is fantastic to see the community eagerly support this program. Walktober is an annual event and will return in October 2010.
Category: Accessibility, Community Engagement, Environment, Maroondah, Sustainable Transport, Urban Sustainability
International Women’s Day began in Europe and the United State in the early 1900s, whereby women were campaigning for equal wages, status and the right to vote. The event is also recognised by the United Nations, in realisation that peace and social progress requires active participation and equality of women.
Maroondah celebrates International Women’s Day with a breakfast held at the Karralyka Centre to reflect on the contribution women make to their workplaces, families and communities.
This year the Maroondah International Women’s Day celebrations commemorated the Centenary of Girl Guides, with two speakers from Guides Victoria.
As the Mayor of Maroondah I officiated the proceedings of International Women’s Day and introduced the two guests:
Good morning and welcome to Maroondah City Council’s breakfast to celebrate International Women’s Day 2010. It is wonderful to see so many people eager to start the day with friends and colleagues.
This breakfast is an opportunity for all community members – both men and – to celebrate this special day.
I would like to welcome this morning
We are also pleased to welcome two male representatives among us and I would like to extend a warm welcome to Senior Constable Stuart Sorrell from Ringwood Police and Bryan Allchin, Editor of the Maroondah Leader
International Women’s Day had its beginnings in Europe and the United States in the early 1900s. It pays tribute to the campaign by ordinary women for an improvement in the poor working conditions, for equal wages and the right to vote.
International Women’s Day now unites many millions of women across the world and celebrates the contribution that women make to their workplaces, their families and their communities.
This morning we have two special guest speakers from the Girl Guides movement in this their 100th year. Our first speaker is Billee Henry, a local guide leader for Croydon South. Billee will be discussing her local involvement in Guides and formally introduce our second speaker, Wendy Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Guides Victoria.
Category: Community Engagement, Maroondah, Speeches and Presentations, Urban Sustainability
The Maroondah Art Gallery is located at Maroondah Federation Estate in Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood and offers an artist in residency program for artists to develop new artworks.
This evening I launched Letting Go by Kate James, who just completed a six month artist in residency program, with the works on display being created during this time. Kate’s art focuses on three-dimensional objects, made from unique materials, such as horsehair, to explore the emotion and connection experienced by humans and domesticated animals.
Letting Go in on exhibition from the Thursday the 4th if March until Sunday the 10th of April.
The speech delivered for the launch is available within this entry:
Category: Community Engagement, Maroondah, Speeches and Presentations, Urban Sustainability
Walktober is an annual event held during October, which encourages community groups, organisations and local government to organise walking as a form of transport within our community.
The Walktober Challenge is issued to encourage Councils, community groups and organisations to ’set the pace’ by being the municipality with the most walking events registered during the month.
Within Maroondah over 55 walks were organised by community groups and Council during the 2009 Walktober, resulting in Council being awarded for achieving the Highest Level of Community Engagement within metropolitan Melbourne.
This morning I had the pleasure of accepting the award on behalf of Maroondah City Council. Community engagement and sustainable transport are two passions of mine and it is fantastic to be able to promote an event that achieves both objectives.
Council’s Leisure Services Department took the lead in promoting Walktober throughout Council and supported community organisations in holding walking events during the month.
Awards like this demonstrate the potential strength of collaboration between the community and Council. Walking promotes fitness, social inclusion and provides an affordable and sustainable form of transport and should be encouraged within our municipality.
Events like Walktober help raise the prominence of walking and encourage its use through our community, so stay tuned for Walktober 2010.
Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin accepted the 2009 Walktober Highest Level of Community Engagement (Melbourne Metropolitan Council) award this week at a ceremony held at the Department of Transport.
“During the month of October, Maroondah City Council encourages the community to get out and get active during the annual Walking to Fitness month,” said Cr Makin.
“Last year Walktober organisers sent out a challenge to all Council’s, community groups and organisations to “set the pace” by being the local Council area with the most walking events registered with Walktober. Over 600 events, 70 organisations, and 69 local Councils were involved in the Community Challenge,” said Cr Makin.
“I’m extremely proud of our efforts in winning this inaugural award. Council staff and the Maroondah community are to be congratulated for their support of this program which saw 55 walks registered in the 2009 Walking to Fitness program,” said Cr Makin.
“The walks, organised by both Council and community groups, catered for a wide range of interests and capabilities, and included pram walks, bush walks, historical walks, and
all-abilities walks,” said Cr Makin.
“The Walking to Fitness Program directly aligns with Council’s Leisure Services Strategic Plan endorsed in 2009 which aims to support and encourage community involvement in physical activity,” said Cr Makin.
“Walking is a safe, cheap and easy way to get exercise and a great way to get to know members of your local community as well as the Maroondah area,” said Cr Makin.
People who walk regularly tend to feel more confident, happy and relaxed. They also control their weight better, have stronger bones and greater flexibility, have lower blood pressure and reduce the risk factors for developing heart disease and diabetes.
“If you’d like to explore Maroondah on foot or by bicycle, then there are two booklets, produced by Council, that offer plenty of suggestions and advice,” said Cr Makin.
Maroondah’s Parks & Paths brochure has a large scale map detailing walking and cycling paths throughout the city, with information on parks and facilities along the way.
Maroondah’s Walks & Trails brochure has information on twelve specific walks and trails throughout the city, providing information on level of difficulty, access, distance and time, as well as facilities and detailed walking maps.
Both brochures can be found at www.maroondah.vic.gov.au or are available from Council’s Service Centres.
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Category: Community Engagement, Environment, Maroondah, Media Releases, Sustainable Transport, Urban Sustainability
The State Government’s 2008 Indicators of Community Strength at the Local Government Area Level results have been announced and it’s great news for the City of Maroondah.
The Survey is conducted by an independent research group for the Department of Health, as part of the inaugural Local Government Area level Victorian Population Health Survey with results to be used to assist with community planning.
“The results for the Maroondah area are very pleasing,” Mayor, Councillor Alex Makin said. “The survey is an important tool in gauging the community’s perceptions of local area amenity, ability to get help when needed, community participation, and community attitudes.”
“It is one of many processes by which Council and other community and service organisations elicit important community feedback to ensure activities are well targeted, performing efficiently and are relevant to the community,” said Cr Makin.
“The information is intended to help communities and all levels of government to better understand local areas and plan more effective initiatives in response to local needs,” said Cr Makin.
“It is important to remember that while Maroondah has received excellent scores the indicators are not a report card. What the indicators are reporting is a result of the combined action of business, government and the community itself. Responsibility for improvements in the indicators, into the future, does not lie with any one organisation alone,” said Cr Makin.
“The indicators will not only be used by Council for future planning, but will inform the work of the Department of Planning and Community Development, Victoria Police and other community and service organisations involved in community planning,” said Cr Makin.
The Indicators of Community Strength at the Local Government Area Level in Victoria 2008 provides the results of a survey of 450 residents in each of Victoria’s 79 Local Government Areas and was undertaken in late 2008. It examines four indicators:
The 2008 indicators are not comparable to those previously released by the Department of Victorian Communities in 2004 and 2006 due to different survey methodology and calculation.
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The Maroondah Business Association, is the new name of Maroondah Homebiz and has shifted from being specifically focused on home-based businesses to one that can assist any size business as it grows and develops.
The Association holds monthly meetings with guest speakers discussing topics relevant to the business community. This month’s speaker discussed marketing and the importance of having clearly set objectives for a business.
There are 1.65 million small businesses within Australia and 68% of them are home based. Unfortunately less than 10% survive more than five years, highlighting the importance of ongoing marketing and sound planning.
The speaker highlighted five key principles in running a successful business:
Underpinning these principles is the need for policies, systems and processes to ensure a responsive business that can remain relevant and profitable. In particular, there is a need for strong and complementary marketing to ensure that communications reflect the nature of the business and the product or service that is being offered.
Inconsistent marketing can confuse consumers and tarnish the reputation of a business. It is imperative that all forms of marketing, such as websites, brochures, advertisements, product placements, are consistent to create a positive experience for the consumer.
For further information on the Maroondah Business Association please visit www.maroondahbusiness.org.au.
I am a member of the Maroondah Business Association, through my home-based business Syneka, which I formed last year.
Category: Community Engagement, 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
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