Archive for November 14th, 2007

Monkami Drama Group presents Titanic, The Untold Stories

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 14th of November, 2007

After the launch of Campaign Enable I attended a performance of Titanic, the Untold Stories presented by the Monkami Drama Group.

Monkami located in Croydon, is a non-profit service provider for people with intellectual disabilities and aims to develop skills so that people with intellectual disabilities can live independently within the community.

Titanic, the Untold Stories provided a retelling of the Titanic, with an array of humorous characters including James Bond, Napoleon, Clint Eastwood and Judge Judy. The show provided an opportunity for people with an intellectual disability to be actors within a theatrical performance and was supported by Maroondah City Council, Maroondah Secondary College, Ringwood Film Society and the Ringwood Ballet Group.

Monkami provides a range of services to encourage people with intellectual disabilities to participate within society, including art and craft workshops, a nursery and various contractual work.

For further details on Monkami please visit www.monkami.com.

Launch of Campaign Enable

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 14th of November, 2007

I was invited to officially launch Campaign Enable, a group established through the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations, which aims to enable all people to participate within society.

Campaign Enable marks a turning point in advocacy with the campaign being managed, organised and conducted by people with a disability.

At a national level Campaign Enable aims to achieve the following three goals:

• Financial help for people with a disability looking for work or trying to keep a job.
• The development of a National Disability Employment Strategy.
• The introduction of an Access to Premises Standard.

While these areas are not the only issues that require attention, they are examples of where a national approach is required. Campaign Enable is not a campaign for special treatment - it is a campaign about ensuring that everyone has equal access about inclusiveness within society.

For further information on the Home
Australian Federation of Disability Organisations please visit www.afdo.org.au.

Please continue reading to view a copy of the speech I delivered for Campaign Enable.
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Media Release: Public transport commitments this election: a mixed bag

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 14th of November, 2007

Acting Chairperson of the ETC, Cr Alex Makin has said the ETC has been underwhelmed by the responses from the major political parties to the need for improved public transport in the east.

“Voters in these key electorates also think that the Federal Government should fund public transport infrastructure in the same way they do roads. Voters want better public transport to reduce congestion, save money and help the environment.”

“Our survey of 1000 voters found that more than four out of five respondents (83%) said that the issue of public transport infrastructure would be of importance when deciding who they would vote for in the next Federal election.”

“And yet the political parties have provided only a mixed bag of responses, some good and some bad.”

“While the Liberal Party has said that they will not entertain a role for federal involvement, it has been encouraging that La Trobe MP Jason Wood has agreed there is a need. Likewise the $80 million for Springvale Road provides a model that should be expanded to include public transport projects.”

“The ALP, through candidate for Aston, Gerry Raleigh, has said that they promise a ‘national approach to fixing public transport in our community’. While this is a positive statement, the eastern suburbs need a financial commitment to make this a reality.”

“The Greens for instance have said that 25 per cent of Auslink funds should be used on mass transport systems. This is a stance the ETC supports and we note that the State Government advocated for public transport to be included last year.”

“Federal Government funding for public transport would allow us to build rail to Rowville, rail to Doncaster or increase the number of train services on the Belgrave / Lilydale lines.”

“With growing congestion on our roads, skyrocketing petrol costs and the impact of climate change, it doesn’t matter who gets elected they are going to have to include public transport in their plans.”

“The ETC will continue to fight for better public transport in the east and for the Federal Government to have a role in public transport infrastructure,” Cr Alex Makin concluded.

For more information please contact;

ETC Acting Chairperson Cr Alex Makin 0408 311 645
CPR Communications, Robert Larocca 0409 198 350

Heatherdale Community Action Group meeting

Published by Alex Makin on Saturday 3rd of February, 2007

Wednesday, 14 February 2007
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm
Wednesday, 11 April 2007
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm
Wednesday, 9 May 2007
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm
Wednesday, 13 June 2007
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm
Wednesday, 11 July 2007
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm
Wednesday, 12 September 2007
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm
Wednesday, 10 October 2007
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm

The Heatherdale Community Action Group (HCAG) represents the needs of the Heatherdale community within Maroondah and Whitehorse. Since Heatherdale is divided between the two municipalities (the boundary being Heatherdale Road) an ongoing community presence is necessary to ensure dialogue between the two councils in regard to the needs of the Heatherdale community.

Since my ward borders Whitehorse and the encompasses the Heatherdale community I regularly attend the Heatherdale Community Action Group meetings to ensure that their needs are represented throughout council.

The Heatherdale Community Action Group meets from 7:30pm on the second Wednesday of each month at the Manhattan Hotel, corner Canterbury and Heatherdale Roads, Heatherdale.

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