Posts related to 'eastern regional libraries'

Delegates’ Report: celebrating our history, supporting our sporting clubs, cultural events, volunteers and community houses

Published by Alex Makin on Monday 20th of October, 2008

On the 23rd of September I attended the Ringwood Historical Society’s AGM. The Society meets each month at Federation Estate with the aim of preserving our heritage for the future. The society has developed extensive archives over its 50 year history and is one of the oldest historical society’s within the eastern suburbs.

In fact the Ringwood Historical Society celebrates its 50th birthday this month and I encourage the community to attend its 50th birthday celebrations on the 28th of October from 8pm at Federation Estate.

On the 26th of September I attended the Ringwood Bowls Club Season Launch. The occasion marked the beginning of the bowls season and also coincided with their water sustainability project.

Ringwood Bowls Club has been part of Ringwood’s history since 1929 and its current membership and executive are determined to ensure that it has a sustainable future. The bowls club has embarked on a project to install water tanks and rainwater retention systems to water its two grass greens. The club is in fact the first bowling green to retrofit its facilities for water sustainability.

It was encouraging to see all levels of government work together to achieve this outcome. A combination of Federal, State and council grants have assisted in providing the funding for this project to be undertaken. I congratulate the club on its foresight and its commitment to a sustainable future.

From the 3rd to the 5th of October I attended a number of events as part of the Maroondah Writers and Readers Festival. As some of you may recall, I’ve spoken previously about the Festival steering committee, and as a member of this committee it was great to see the positive public reception and involvement in the festival. We had a steering committee meeting this morning and Eastern Regional Libraries, as well as the community members were all amazed at the success of this inaugural event. Next year the festival will probably comprise of a series of events to cover a range of writing genres and to build on some of the community partnerships that were formed during this event. I am sure that details will be forthcoming once they are available and the events are organised.

I would like to thank the many people that attended events during the weekend and also to the hardworking people that were involved in preparing and organising the festival.

On the 8th of October I attended the Eastern Volunteers AGM with Cr. Jo-anne Taylor. Eastern Volunteers provides volunteer recruitment and transport services for the frail aged and people with disabilities. Eastern Volunteers is based in Ringwood and it is amazing to see how much they have grown since their inception in 1976. The organisation is currently renting a premises in New Street, Ringwood and its current priority is to purchase accommodation that will ensure it has a sustainable future in the longer-term.

Eastern Volunteers has established a building fund to assist with this project and will be embarking on a process to raise the funds necessary. All donations made to the Building Fund are tax deductible.

On the 10th of October I had the pleasure of opening Enjoying Planned Retirement’s annual Art and Craft Festival, along with Cr. Jo-anne Taylor. The festival, now its third year, provides an appropriate conclusion to the Maroondah Seniors Festival, as it is celebrates the many talents of Marondah’s seniors. EPR is an incredibly active organisation and the support and activities they provide for members is amazing.

Lastly, this morning and at quite a few times over the past month I have met with North Ringwood Community House to assist in their grant application for funding into a feasibility study to identify a new location for the services the community house provides. I am pleased to say that work on the application is advancing rapidly and we will be submitting the application to State Government shortly.

Community houses facilitate social connectedness and North Ringwood Community House, as a Registered Training Organisation also provides TAFE accredited courses to assist in providing new skills for the community. The house after 30 years has outgrown its current location and premises and this grant will begin the process in finding a new site.

I would like to thank the staff members who have assisted in the house with information and also to Cr. Jo-anne Taylor for writing a letter of support for this application.

Writers and Readers Festival - Brunch with John Silvester

Published by Alex Makin on Sunday 5th of October, 2008

After a successful weekend of events, today is the final day of the Maroondah Writers and Readers Festival. The day began with Underbelly author John Silvester for brunch at Lakeside Cafe in Ringwood.

John Silvester, began by discussing his journalism background, which led to his career as a prominent crime writer. John has published and edited over 30 books on crime and received a Ned Kelly Lifetime Achievement Award together with ‘Underbelly’ co-author’ Andrew Rule.

John spoke about the research he undertakes and his experiences in interviewing the subjects of his books. John also mentioned that a prequel is expected for the Underbelly, which will focus on the identities notorious during the 1980s.

Brunch was provided by Lakeside Cafe and Collins Bookstores were available to sell a number of John’s books. The Maroondah Writers and Festival became a success due to the strong partnerships which were formed with organisations such as Maroondah City Council, Eastern Regional Libraries, Lakeside Cafe, Collins Booksellers and North Ringwood Community House.

As a member of the Writers and Readers Festival steering group I will be suggesting a continuation of the festival to ensure that the event continues in future years.

I would like to thank the many community members who attended the events over the weekend and to the dedicated people that organised the festival.

Writers and Readers Festival - Robin Bowles

Published by Alex Makin on Saturday 4th of October, 2008

Saturday included a series of workshops and sessions at Tintern College as part of the Maroondah Writers and Readers Festival. The first session for this morning included writer and investigator Robin Bowles.

Robin is at the forefront of crime writing and has written extensively about the Jaidyn Leskie case and the disappearance of Peter Falconio. Robin is also heavily involved in Sisters in Crime Australia, a group that promotes women crime writers.

Robin was thoroughly engaging as a speaker and discussed her background in marketing and her decision to begin writing as a professional author. Robin spoke extensively about the challenges she has experienced and provided advice for people considering a writing career.

The Maroondah Writer and Readers Festival continues with events on Saturday the 4th and Sunday the 5th of October.

Writers and Readers Festival Launch - Dinner with Rod Quantock

Published by Alex Makin on Friday 3rd of October, 2008

Tonight marked the launch of the inaugural Maroondah Writers and Readers Festival through a dinner with comedian and author Rod Quantock at Wyreena Community Arts Centre. Rod Quantock discussed his time in comedy and the writing of his book Double Dissolution.
Rod uses comedy to comment on social issues and spoke about the need to retain community parks and for a government focus on public transport. Rod also provided amusing anecdotes about his life growing up in the inner city and the challenges he has faced as a comedian and author.

As part of the steering committee for the Writers Festival it was great to see the event beginning with such a successful launch. The Festival was supported by Maroondah City Council, Eastern Regional Libraries and was overseen by a voluntary community steering committee which included North Ringwood Community House.

It is great to see strong community interest in cultural events and I would like to thank the many people who assisted with the festival.

Maroondah Writers and Readers Festival

Published by Alex Makin on Monday 1st of September, 2008

Friday, 3 October 2008
7:30 pm	to	10:30 pm
Saturday, 4 October 2008
9:00 am	to	4:30 pm
Sunday, 5 October 2008
10:00 am	to	4:00 pm

The 2008 Maroondah Writers and Readers Festival, a partnership event between Maroondah City Council and Eastern Regional Libraries, will be held between the 3rd and 5th of October. This year’s theme is crime writing and includes workshops, discussion forums and several prominent authors.

The event will be launched on Friday the 3rd of October at Wyreena Community Arts Centre. A number of workshops and forums discussing crime writing will be held on the Saturday and the Sunday. Other highlights include brunch with John Silvester, the writer of the Underbelly, on Sunday the 5th of October at Lakeside Cafe.

For booking details please www.erl.vic.gov.au/crimewriters/festival.htm