Archive for June 20th, 2008

Eastern councils united in the call for public transport improvements

Published by Alex Makin on Friday 20th of June, 2008

As the Deputy Chair of the Eastern Transport Coalition I accompanied the Mayors of the eastern region in the signing of a letter calling on the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition to attend the upcoming public transport summit on the 4th of July and to commit to improving public transport services and infrastructure within the region.

The fact that the seven Mayors have signed this letter demonstrates that the eastern region is united in its call for public transport improvements. Melbourne’s eastern suburbs is home to almost one million people and includes regional centres such as Box Hill, Ringwood and Dandenong. It is critical that Melbourne’s eastern suburbs be provided with a standard of public transport that provides an alternative to spiralling petrol prices and car dependence.

Doncaster and Rowville need rail lines to provide the infrastructure that should have been installed decades ago and centres like Box Hill, Ringwood and Dandenong need stations that are safe and accessible. Bus services should be frequent, readily available and coordinate with trains and other bus services.

Much needs to be done to improve public transport in the eastern suburbs and the joint letter demonstrates the region’s commitment to the advocacy of public transport improvements.

The ETC’s public transport summit will be held on Friday the 4th of July. For details please visit www.etc.org.au.

Hope City Mission Charity Auction and Dinner

Published by Alex Makin on Friday 20th of June, 2008

Hope City Mission was established in late 2004 to provide support for people in need through empowering positive change. The organisation, which is a registered charity, changed its name to Hope City Mission in March 2008 and was formerly known as Croydon Community Care.

Hope City Mission extends the delivery of emergency relief, by also looking after the wellbeing of people in need. The Mission organises extravaganza days, pamper days, training programs and workshops to provide a holistic approach to the support it offers.

The focus of Hope City Mission is on empowerment and their unique pamper days provides an opportunity for people in need to feel good about themselves. The Mission provides free hair dressing, a cafe and other beauty therapy treatments. Half of the attendees within the Pamper Day program live in crisis accommodation or refuges demonstrating the need to look after the wellbeing of participants.

The Mission has also partnered with a registered training organisation to provide an opportunity for people to re-focus their employment skills and re-enter the workforce. There is also an emphasis on resume writing and interviewing skills and self-esteem to assist people in finding work.

Alleviating the chronic shortage of short-term and crisis accommodation is another priority for Hope City Mission and the organisation aims to secure property and provide such services in the future.

Hope City Mission provides an amazing range of services to people in need to meet just not physical needs such as food but also the wellbeing of individuals. The mission is always in need of volunteers and community assistance.