Posts related to 'website'

Enjoying Planned Retirement Annual General Meeting

Published by Alex Makin on Thursday 20th of November, 2008

Enjoying Planned Retirement (EPR) is one of three groups based at Norwood Hall in Warrandyte Road, Ringwood North. This evening EPR held its annual general meeting to appoint officebearers for the next twelve months.

EPR prides itself on being an active, unique and progressive activities club for seniors and this is reflected in its constitution, which requires the President to stand down after a two year term. This assists the club in considering new ideas and helps distribute the workload of committee positions. As a result, the club’s President Kath Perkins stepped down from her position and James Jamieson, the Vice-President was elected unopposed into the President role.

As the local ward councillor I have worked with Kath over the past two years to assist EPR with council issues and it has been delightful to have been assisted such a lively and inclusive club. Through its group conveners EPR is able to organise a wide range of activities, including wine tasting, performances, caravan trips, tennis, social gatherings, outings and cardgames. I have been a regular attendee to several EPR events, including its annual Spotlighters Performance, the Bocce afternoons and its Hidden Talents concert, all of which reinforce the fun friendly and inclusive nature of the organisation.

While EPR has over 400 members, its key priority over the next twelve months will be the expansion of its membership base. The committee is currently considering strategies to encourage new members and I have offered to design a website to assist in promoting the group.

I wish the incoming committee the best of wishes and I look forward to continuing my association with EPR.

Doing it tough for the community

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

The following article was written by a journalism student who asked Cr. Jo-anne Taylor and myself about the challenges experienced within local government:

 

While some Maroondah citizens would not know who these individuals are, it’s highly likely that the residents, ratepayers, business owners and community groups of Maroondah have witnessed the outcome of their hard work on a daily basis.

These photos are of Alex Makin and Joanne Taylor, two local councillors who are dong it tough for Maroondah. They spend up to 30 hours a week on council duties yet face daily obstacles from their colleagues and receive little recognition from the community.

Representing residents and ratepayers is an overwhelming commitment which requires intense passion and impacts on the lives of councillors, including their family and friends. As Cr Alex Makin stated, “council, has made it difficult to balance a career outside of council, as well as other commitments.”

Privacy or the lack of it, is another issue faced by councillors “apparently I don’t have a private life anymore. My family, including my children know what has been put in the paper about me,” Cr Joanne Taylor added.

With council elections looming over Maroondah, it appears that political rivalry is rife. “The gang of four have made it difficult to encourage public discussion and debate, but it has been possible to work around such difficulties, through local community groups and supportive council officers,” Cr Alex Makin stated.

Despite these obstacles Cr Alex Makin and Cr Joanne Taylor are running for the upcoming council election because both believe there is still work to be done. “I am standing so I can continue to make a difference to Maroondah, particularly in regards to improved accessibility, sustainability and the accountability of council,” Cr Alex Makin commented.

“I particularly want to see council meetings conducted in the view of the public, so that debates occur in the open. This would prevent the current political divisions since the public can see the discussion,” Cr Alex Makin added.

“I have survived two terms - despite some councillor’s best effort to have me removed, this has only made me more determined, and I now know enough to make change happen,” Cr Joanne Taylor said.

Both councillors are excited with the prospect of the new council structure which will introduce a new generation of local councillors to Maroondah. “Prior to this structure being in place Maroondah councillors were being elected unopposed, which weakened local democracy,” Cr Alex Makin stated.

The last three years have laid numerous foundations for Cr Alex Makin and Cr Joanne Taylor. Both are thrilled with their achievements to date, which have included the prevention of the sale of parkland and the removal of zone three, through advocacy that involved local council.

With it being compulsory for residents and ratepayers over the age of 18 to vote from Wednesday 12 November to Sunday 29 November, it is important that Maroondah is represented by councillors that are committed to making a difference.

For further information on Cr Alex Makin and Cr Joanne Taylor please visit their websites at www.alexmakin.com.au and www.jo-annetaylor.com.au.

EPR’s Spotlighters return for 2008

Published by Alex Makin on Friday 14th of November, 2008

Spotlighters, which consists of over thirty-performers in a musical production, is one of the many activities provided by Enjoying Planned Retirement, based at the North Ringwood Senior Citizens Centre on Warrandyte Road.

The members of Spotlighters undertake approximately a year of rehearsals to provide an annual musical production in November of each year. This year’s production continued EPR’s tradition of detailed sets, extraordinary costumes, diverse singing voices, much music (including several disco tracks from the 1970s) and tap-dancing - all combined with a healthy blend of humour.

Enjoying Planned Retirement are in the initial stages of discussing a website to assist in promoting their many activities. I have offered to design their website so that EPR can have an online presence. Activities like Spotlighters will be one of the many events that will be featured on their website.

All stage and production crew must be commended for delivering another delightful musical production and I look forward to the 2009 performance season!

Media Release: United call to support genuine candidates

Published by Alex Makin on Thursday 6th of November, 2008

Genuine candidates in the Maroondah City Council elections have formed www.genuinecandidates.com amid growing concern over candidates aligned with developers or resorting to the use of ‘dummy candidates’

“The candidates featured on the website do not have running mates and are not aligned with the influx of developer interests”, Alex Makin, candidate for the Mullum Ward said. “The purpose of the website is not to favour one individual above the other but to demonstrate the choice that the community has when casting their vote.”

Elections in Maroondah are conducted via postal ballot, which will arrive between the 12th and 14th of November. Ballots must be returned by 6:00pm on the 29th of November.

“Local democracy suffers when we have candidates that are standing simply to act as feeders for other candidates. The community has a right to know who those feeders are, what each candidate stands for and the depth of their involvement in the community”, Cr. Makin said. “I urge the community to check the community involvement of each candidate before casting their vote.”

“Please visit www.genuinecandidates.com and make an informed choice this election. While I actively seek your vote, should you not wish to allocate your first preference to me, then please vote only for another genuine candidate”, 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, is involved with the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau, Croydon Conservation Society, the Ringwood Spiders Football Club, North Ringwood Community House, Eastern Volunteers and the Disabilities Action Group. Alex has a regularly updated website and blog at www.alexmakin.com.au.

ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES: ALEX MAKIN ON 0409 136 213

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Mullum Candidates’ Forum

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 5th of November, 2008

The Mullum Candidates’ Forum was held this evening at North Ringwood Community House. The forum provided an opportunity for the ratepayers and residents to raise their issues and concerns with the candidates of the Mullum Ward.

While it was unfortunate that six candidates chose to snub the community and not attend the forum, it was pleasing to see each of the genuine candidates; Jo-anne Taylor, Peter Feeney, Nora Lamont and myself attend the evening. The failure of the other candidates to attend the forum demonstrates a lack of commitment and proves that they are not genuine in the election.

The need for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station, as well as the relocation of North Ringwood Community House, greater accountability and environmental sustainability were the main topics that were discussed during the evening.

As a candidate I have committed myself to further advocacy to seek the redevelopment of Ringwood Station into an accessible and safe transport interchange, the relocation of North Ringwood Community House, more footpaths and accessibility and sustainability improvements across Maroondah. I am also committed to improving the accountability of council and I will continue to regularly update my website, blog and Internet Journal.

I would like to thank North Ringwood Community House for hosting the only candidates’ forum in this election and to members of the community who attended and asked questions of the candidates.