Media Hub: Media Releases

Media Release: Rattle some chains at the Annual Punkfest

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 19th of August, 2008

Smooth the hair into a Mohawk and get the chains and studded leather ready for the 6th annual Punkfest at EV’s Youth Centre in Croydon on Friday 12 September.

Councillor Alex Makin said the annual Maroondah Punkfest has become one of Melbourne’s leading underage FReeZA gigs.

“The Maroondah Punkfest brings together some big names in the Australian punk scene while giving talented local bands a chance to perform before an enthusiastic audience,” said Cr Makin.

“This year’s lineup on the Main Stage at EV’s features five bands, with headliner act Yidcore returning to Melbourne following a successful tour in Israel and the release of their latest EP,” said Cr Makin.

Supporting Yidcore will be The Resignators, Ashleys Affair, Paris, and Two Cone Tyrone.

Maroondah Punkfest is an annual event organised by Maroondah Youth Services FReeZA group, Out Loud Audio.

Punkfest will run from 6.30pm to 11pm on Friday 12 September at EV’s Youth Centre, with tickets available at the door for $10 with a pass, or $12 without.

EV’s Youth Centre is located at 212 Mt Dandenong Road, Croydon.

This is an all ages, fully supervised, drug, alcohol and smoke free event. There are no passouts.

For more information and band set times call Amanda on 9298 4379 or visit www.evsyouthcentre.com or www.myspace.com/outloudaudio08

Media Release: Councils need to enter the 21st century

Published by Alex Makin on Monday 18th of August, 2008

MEDIA RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
Monday, 18 August 2008

Councils need to enter the 21st century

Loughnan’s Hill Ward Councillor Alex Makin, an avid web blogger, has called on Councillors and prospective candidates to embrace new technology and develop an Internet web site and blog to strengthen interaction with the community.

“Local government is supposed to be the closest form of government to the people and yet councils have generally been slow to embrace new technology”, Cr. Makin said. “Interactive websites and blogs help bridge the gap between council and the community and should be seen as an essential communication tool.”

Cr. Alex Makin has operated a website complete with a regularly updated blog at www.alexmakin.com.au, since 2005. Alex uses the blog to publish details of community events he has attended as well as information on council activities.

“A blog provides an additional avenue for people to leave comments and interact with councillors. Blogging is particularly popular with younger people and people with disabilities, who sometimes shy away from traditional methods of consultation”, Cr. Makin said. “Blogs differ from websites, since they are interactive and encourage people to provide their opinions and make contact.”

“I am calling on council candidates and current councillors to commit to creating and regularly updating a website and blog. Just as email is an essential technology for a councillor, blogging will be also become critical to communicating with the community”, Cr. Makin concluded.

About Alex Makin:
Alex Makin was elected in November 2005 as the Councillor for Loughnan’s Hill ward in the City of Maroondah. Alex, currently the youngest councillor elected within the history of the City of Maroondah, has maintained a regularly updated website and blog at www.alexmakin.com.au.

ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES: CR. ALEX MAKIN ON 0408 311 645
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Media Release: School Holiday fun!

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 13th of August, 2008

Make the most of these school holidays at Council’s Spring Teenage Holiday Program at EV’s Youth Centre from Monday 22 September until Friday 3 October 2008.

Council’s Youth Services have organised a great program for young people between 12 to 16 years of age, full of activities that will ensure that these school holidays will not go to waste.

Councillor Alex Makin described the program as a terrific way to ensure that your teenagers make the most of their time off, providing them with the opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people while having fun.

“The huge list of activities includes a day at The Melbourne Show, a trip to the Melbourne Zoo and the Eureka Skydeck,” said Cr Makin.

“EV’s Youth Centre will turn into a chill out zone for a day, with a portable digital dome theatre taking up EV’s. Young people will be able to lay down, eat pizza and watch films on the roof of the big blow up Cosmodome,” said Cr Makin.

“A visit to The Warrook Cattle Farm and Koala Conservation Centre at Phillip Island is also on the cards, as well a trip to the cinemas, and a game of Laser Strike will keep young people on their toes and having a great time,” said Cr Makin.

Other activities available also include splashing around at the new Croydon Leisure & Aquatic Centre and a craft workshop at Council’s Wyreena Community Arts Centre.

“Make sure you book soon as places will fill up quickly. Don’t miss out on one of the best holiday experiences this year,” said Cr Makin.

The cost for the holiday program varies between $15 to $30 per day, depending on the activity. There is a 20% discount for families experiencing financial difficulties.

For further information or to book activities, telephone Duré Morrell, Youth Programs Worker on 9298 4252. Bookings are essential.

Media Release: Maroondah’s immunisation team working with Royal Children’s Hospital

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 6th of August, 2008

Maroondah City Council’s Immunisation team is working with the Royal Children’s Hospital to establish HealthNuts, a research study on food allergy and children.

Councillor Alex Makin said HealthNuts is being run by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

“The HealthNuts project team are working with Maroondah’s immunisation team to recruit participants for the study via selected immunisation sessions over the coming weeks,” said Cr Makin.

“With the incidence of food allergy rising, the project aims to measure how many people are affected by food allergies, why the number is increasing and which children are at greatest risk,” said Cr Makin.

“The HealthNuts team will be at a number of Maroondah immunisation sessions where they will provide information on the research project and invite parents of children under one year of age to participate, initially with an assessment of their allergy status,” said Cr Makin.

Participation is voluntary and will take approximately 20 minutes during the post-immunisation waiting period. Parents will be asked to complete a questionnaire relating to their own and their child’s diet and lifestyle, and their child will be required to have a skin prick test.

A positive skin prick test does not automatically mean your child has an allergy, however all children with a positive skin prick test will be invited to attend The Royal Children’s Hospital allergy clinic for further testing.

Participation in the study is voluntary and parents can withdraw at any stage of the study without any reduction in care from the participating organisations.

For more information on Council’s immunisation service contact Maroondah City Council on 1300 882 233.

Media Release: Green thumbs used for National Tree Day

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 30th of July, 2008

In support of National Tree Day, held on Sunday 27 July, Maroondah City Council staff brought their green thumbs to work and planted 250 trees.

Councillor Alex Makin said National Tree Day is one of Australia’s largest community tree planting event, with over 290,000 volunteers taking part last year.

“Community tree planting took place on Sunday 27 July at four sites throughout Maroondah, and Council staff did their bit at Croydon Town Park at lunchtime on Tuesday 29 July,” said Cr Makin.

“Maroondah City Council plants 30,000 trees and shrubs every year, and if you combine the number of trees in public and private land, you’ll find there are more than 500,000 trees in Maroondah,” said Cr Makin.

“There are numerous reasons why we need trees, not least that they are the earth’s lungs, inhaling carbon dioxide and removing greenhouse gas from the atmosphere then exhaling oxygen for humans to breathe,” said Cr Makin

“In addition, trees provide habitat and food for the many different species of wildlife that we are fortunate to enjoy in Maroondah,” said Cr Makin.

Council staff planted Eucalyptus radiata and cephlacapa as well as Dianella and Lomandra grasses in an area 200 square metres of Town Park in Croydon, to improve and extend the natural bush in the western end of the park.

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