Posts related to 'community events'

Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau - 2008 end of year function

Published by Alex Makin on Friday 21st of November, 2008

The Maroondah Citizen’s Advice Bureau provides emergency relief and referral services for some of Maroondah’s most vulnerable residents. The Bureau is staffed almost entirely by volunteers and today’s end of year luncheon provided an opportunity to thank the committed individuals who dedicate their time to assist other people in need.

This year has seen a number of significant changes within the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau, including the adoption of a new business plan and the creation of a new office manager position. This position will manage both the Ringwood and Croydon offices and will have an emphasis on securing additional funding and volunteer recruitment.

Applications for the position have now closed and the committee of management is currently considering applicants for this position. The appointment of a new office manager will help ensure the sustainability of a service that has existed since 1967 and has a long history within Maroondah.

Thank you to all our volunteers for their dedication and commitment over the past year.

Eastern Region Climate Forum

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 18th of November, 2008

Mitigating climate change and improving our urban sustainability must be a priority for all levels of government. This evening, the Eastern Region Climate Network, comprising of individuals and groups within Knox, Maroondah, Whitehorse and the Yarra Ranges, organised the Eastern Region Climate Forum, to discuss climate change and the need for action.

The Forum was held in Ringwood and included presentations from Dr. David Spratt the author of Climate Code Red: the case for emergency action and Matthew Wright from Beyond Zero Emissions. Tim Forcey, a member of the Sandringham Climate Action Group served as MC for the evening.

The importance of climate change has been recognised by levels of our political system, with the Governor of Victoria Professor David de Kretser acknowleding that ‘There is no doubt in my mind that this is the greatest problem confronting mankind at this time…a state of emergency.’

Dr. Spratt spoke about the growing evidence that conclusively demonstrates that action of climate change is required now to prevent the melting of Arctic ice caps and the Himalayan glaciers, which provides 40% of Asia’s fresh water supplies. On a per capita basis, Australia is currently one of the world’s largest sources of greenhouse emissions reinforcing the need for leadership.

While Australia is now a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, it included a unique Australian clause, which allowed the reduction of land clearing to be factored into the emissions target. In reality Australia’s emissions are actually 8% above the 1990 Kyoto targets.

Matthew Wright discussed solutions to mitigating climate change with research finding that 25% of actions that would reduce emissions would in fact be cost positive. This would be due to increasing efficiencies, such as harnessing solar and wind power, as well as reducing dependence on oil, through improving public transport. The savings produced by these initiatives would then provide a funding source for further greenhouse reductions.

Local government clearly has a role in reducing greenhouse emissions to ensure environmental, social and economic sustainability. As an example, many of the actions within council’s energy fund will become cost positive within three years. This not only reduces greenhouse emissions but will also provide a saving for ratepayers.

Given the importance of climate change it was disappointing that there so few candidates at the forum. In the Mullum Ward, only Jo-anne Taylor, Peter Feeney, Adam Pepper and myself attended the entire evening. One does need to question the sincerity and genuineness of candidates who fail to attend a forum on such an important issue.

I am committed to reducing council’s greenhouse emissions and achieving a carbon neutral target. I am also in favour of interim targets to measure council’s progress towards this goal and to ensure that council is actually reducing emissions, rather than merely offsetting and shifting the burden.

All levels of government need to act in regard to climate change and we need a council that is committed to making a difference to our sustainability.

Women’s Health East Annual General Meeting

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 18th of November, 2008

Located at 28 Warrandyte Road in Ringwood, Women’s Health East is a community based women’s health agency. The organisation aims to lead, promote and supports health initiatives for women within Melbourne’s eastern region.

Today’s annual general meeting discussed the Health Promotion Plan, which identified the key priorities over the next three years. The plan includes a focus on violence against women, reproductive health and mental health and wellbeing.

Women’s Health East has an emphasis on advocacy, as well as health promotion and the organisation’s first factsheet assists in both of these aims. The factsheet, which is on violence against women, identifies the reported cases of violence and ongoing concerns over the under-reporting of such crimes.

Local government has the potential to promote health and wellbeing and encourage gender equity. As a candidate in the council elections I recently signed my commitment to the Action Plan for Women’s Health 2008-2012 and Council’s Community Wellbeing Plan will be able to assist in implementing these aims.

School Crossing Supervisors - Morning Tea

Published by Alex Makin on Monday 17th of November, 2008

School Crossing Supervisors are largely funded through local government and provide safety for schoolchildren within streets and roads located near schools.

The morning tea provided an opportunity to recognise the many crossing supervisors that work throughout the City of Maroondah and to acknowledge the services they provide for schoolchildren.

Most of Maroondah’s school crossing supervisors were in attendance this morning and it was great to meet a number of supervisors, including the supervisor who still looks after the crossing near my former high school in Croydon Hills.

Ambleside Tours 10th Anniversary

Published by Alex Makin on Saturday 15th of November, 2008

Ambleside Tours, based in Heathmont, provides holidays and day tours for people with disabilities. Each trip includes drivers, carers and other helpers to ensure that assistance is available if required.

Ambleside Tours, which began as a day trip for three people with disabilities, has grown over the 10 years to provide a range of travel destinations for all people of all abilities. Ambleside Tours promotes the abilities of each individual and its senior management are heavily involved with community advocacy for people with disabilities.

It is great to see business success stories such as Ambleside Tours, particularly when they assist people that are often marginalised within our communities. Businesses like Ambleside Tours help ensure social inclusion so that all people in our community can participate in recreational opportunities.