Archive for August 12th, 2008

Maroondah Journal: honest to blog, keep up to date

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 12th of August, 2008

While local council is often cited as the closest form of government to the people, it is critical that councillors and prospective candidates undertake new initiatives to help bridge the gap between council and the wider community.

I have recently called on the current Maroondah councillors (all of whom who have indicated that they are re-standing in the upcoming election) and prospective candidates to commit to creating their own web site and blog to provide a new form of communication to the community.

A Maroondah councillor has called on his colleagues to “move with the times”, encouraging them to create individual web pages and blogs to increase interaction between the council and residents.

I have been actively maintaining my website and blog since 2005, prior to being elected onto council. I have found the website to be extremely useful in conveying the activities undertaken as a councillor and encouraging people to contact me to discuss the issues that matter to them.

Loughnan’s Hill Ward Councillor Alex Makin said councillors and future candidates should move into the 21st century.

Local government has unfortunately been relatively slow to adopt new technologies and it is critical that councillors and candidates undertake this commitment to assist people in communicating with local councils.

“Local government is supposed to be the closet form of government to the community. Having an active web presence helps bridge the gap between the council and the community.”

An active web presence, going behind a static web page through the provision of an interactive blog provides an opportunity to leave comments and contact their local elected representatives.

He said residents could leave comments, ask questions, raise concerns and inquire about upcoming events within the council and community.

“It is another tool for the community to use, in addition to mobile phones and email.”

A web presence would augment rather than replace the more traditional forms of communication, such as telephone, email and postal mail. The more opportunities for the community to make contact, the easier it is for people to raise their concerns directly with elected representatives.

He said part of a councillor’s role was to keep up-to-date with technology.

“It also enables young people who may be disengaged with the community to have their say in a way they feel comfortable.”

Councillors have an obligation to keep up-to-date with technology and ensure that are representing the interests of their constituents. In particular younger people, as well as people with disabilities, tend to predominately use the Internet as a communication tool. A website complete with an interactive blog would assist these people in contacting their elected representatives and ensuring that are being heard.

It was encouraging to see that Cr Jo-anne Taylor stated her support for the idea and is considering establishing a website.

I will continue to maintain and update my website to ensure that the community is kept informed on the activities I undertake as an elected councillor and the community events that I attend.

If you would like to stay informed then please subscribe to updates to receive regular notifications on the events I am attending.

Maroondah Disability Action Group meeting

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 12th of August, 2008

Monday, 8 September 2008
10:00 am	to	12:00 pm
Monday, 13 October 2008
10:00 am	to	12:00 pm
Monday, 10 November 2008
10:00 am	to	12:00 pm

The Maroondah Disability Action Group also known as the Disability Action Group Eastern Region, aims to provide a voice for people with disabilities across Maroondah and Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

The group is a community led movement and includes people with disabilities who desire to improve the accessibility of Maroondah and the outer east. Specific aims include:

• To provide systemic advocacy to influence policies at a local, state or federal level;
• To campaign for accessible transport improvements;
• To cooperate with other like minded groups at a local and state level, and
• To push for greater, accessible and inclusive health services.

The Maroondah Disability Action Group meets at 10 am on the second Monday of each month at the Ringwood Church of Christ at 13 Bedford Road in Ringwood.

The venue is fully accessible and in close proximity to Ringwood Station and bus routes 367 (Ringwood to Croydon via East Ringwood) and 679 (Chirnside Park Shopping Centre to Ringwood via Mount Evelyn, Montrose and Canterbury Road).

Sustainable Living Space Working Group meeting

Published by Alex Makin on Monday 14th of April, 2008

Tuesday, 15 April 2008
12:00 pm	to	2:00 pm
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
12:00 pm	to	2:00 pm
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
12:00 pm	to	2:00 pm
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
12:00 pm	to	2:00 pm
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
12:00 pm	to	2:00 pm
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
11:30 am	to	1:30 pm
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
2:00 pm	to	4:00 pm
Thursday, 6 November 2008
9:30 am	to	11:30 am

The Sustainable Living Space Working Group is a partnership between North Ringwood Community House, Park Orchards Learning Centre, Eastern Volunteers Resource Centre and Maroondah and Manningham Councils.

The project involves the assessment of support for a CERES type sustainability project within Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs. A project manager has recently been appointed by the working group to undertake extensive community consultation to ascertain support and involvement within the potential project.

The current aim of this working group is to measure the level of community support over the next twelve to eighteen months, prior to beginning any detailed assessments into the feasibility of the project.

For further information please visit www.users.bigpond.net.au/nrch/sustainability/

North Ringwood Community House Committee meeting

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 5th of February, 2008

Tuesday, 26 February 2008
9:30 am	to	11:30 am
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
9:30 am	to	11:30 am
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
9:30 am	to	11:30 am
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
9:30 am	to	11:30 am
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
9:30 am	to	11:30 am
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
9:30 am	to	11:30 am
Friday, 5 September 2008
12:30 pm	to	1:30 pm
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
9:30 am	to	11:30 am
Tuesday, 11 November 2008
9:30 am	to	11:30 am

The North Ringwood Community House, located at 120 Oban Road, Ringwood North, is a community owned and managed centre which provides a diverse range of courses and educational opportunities for our community.

One of the strengths of the house is the provision of accredited TAFE courses within a supportive, friendly and nurturing environment. The community house also provides a creche and occasional care.

The Committee of Management oversees the development of the community house and establishes a strategic direction for the facility. I have been a member of the committee since 2007.