Posts related to 'federation estate'

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.

Launch of Seniors Festival 2008

Published by Alex Makin on Monday 6th of October, 2008

Maroondah Seniors Week is held between 5th and 12th of October and is designed to showcase the range of community groups and activities that are available for seniors within Maroondah.

The official launch of the 2008 Seniors Festival was held at Maroondah Federation Estate to highlight the many events, such as courses, tours and craft stalls that form part of the festivities. The launch included music from the Croydon Secondary College Jazz Band and a theatre piece from the Ringwood U3A drama group.

The Maroondah Seniors Festival is only possible due to involvement of our community houses, service clubs and seniors groups. The partnerships that are formed during the festival must be cherished so that we can help reduce isolation and ensure that all members of our society feel included within our community.

I would like to thank the many people that have been involved in organising events for the Seniors Festival and I encourage our community to take part in the activities.

Solar Smart Information Workshop

Published by Alex Makin on Monday 22nd of September, 2008

Tuesday, 30 September 2008
7:00 pm	to	9:00 pm

Maroondah Council and EcoSmart Programs will be holding a free Solar Smart Information Workshop from 7pm on Tuesday the 30th of September at Maroondah Federation Estate.

The workshop will explain how photo voltaic solar panels work, how much power they feed into the grid and the many benefits to households and the environment. EcoSmart will also assist in the process of applying for solar rebates.
 
If you are interested in becoming part of the solution to Climate Change, come along to find out more, and slash the cost of your power bills while helping the planet. EcoSmart can also provide a free Home Energy and Water Assessment to assist households in becoming more efficient with water and electricity consumption.

For further details contact Rebecca Lee on 9725 5010 or email rebecca.lee@ecosmart.net.au.

Media Release: Two for the price of one at Maroondah Art Gallery

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 3rd of September, 2008

Experience the creativity and talent of two Maroondah based artists, Chris Delpratt and Gwynedd Davies as Maroondah Art Gallery hosts two exhibitions, Five Seasons and Liminal Skins until Saturday 18 October.

Councillor Alex Makin said it was very exciting to be presenting not just one, but two local artists who bring together different artistic elements.

“Chris Delpratt will be presenting Five Seasons in the Muriel McGivern gallery, featuring oil paintings of areas throughout the Wandin East region of Victoria,” said Cr Makin.

“Chris has devised a unique way of painting using pure linseed oil,” said Cr Makin.

“Whilst Gwynedd Davies will be presenting Liminal Skins in the JA Turner gallery, showcasing abstract works on paper derived from her observations of nature,” said Cr Makin.

“Both artists have tertiary qualifications in fine art, partnered with years of experience working in a range of mediums,” said Cr Makin.

“I encourage the community not to miss out on the opportunity to experience two fantastic exhibitions at the one gallery,” said Cr Makin.

Five Seasons and Liminal Skins will be on exhibition at Maroondah Art Gallery until Saturday 18 October.

Maroondah Art Gallery is located at Maroondah Federation Estate, 32 Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood. Opening hours are Tuesday to Friday, from 10am to 4pm and Saturday from 12pm to 4pm. For further details telephone 9298 4542.

Maroondah Journal: People with disabilities can have their say

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 22nd of July, 2008

The upcoming Forum for People with Disabilities and Carers provides an opportunity to discuss accessibility issues within Maroondah and also provides an opportunity to speak to service providers, such as Invicta Bus Company and Connex.

The Maroondah Journal has reported on the upcoming forum to assist in publicising the event:

Cr Alex Makin said the People with Disabilities and Carers event aimed to ensure people with a disability had plenty of available opportunities to take part in an active community life.

The forum will also provide feedback on the workshops held earlier this year and provide consultation on Maroondah’s Disability Policy and Action Plan. This policy will underpin Maroondah’s approach to accessibility over the next four years.

“This forum will build upon the community feedback received at our workshop earlier this year. This feedback will assist the council to remain responsive to community needs.”

The Forum for People with Disabilities and Carers will be held from 10am on Tuesday the 5th of August at Maroondah Federation Estate.