Month: July 2008

Delegates' Report: Support services, musical talents, advancing reconciliation and planning for Community Safety Week

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On the 20th of June I had the pleasure of attending Hope City Mission’s Charity Auction Evening. Hope City Mission, based in Croydon South provides assistance to people in need within our community. The mission does this by not only providing emergency relief in the form of food and clothing but by also focusing on the wellbeing of individuals. Through this focus on wellbeing and empowering change the Mission provides pamper days and extravaganza days, which provide haircuts and a chance to socialise and restore community connectedness. I also had the pleasure of seeing the Mission’s Pamper Day in action, last Friday on the 18th of July and I saw firsthand the benefits this service provides to some of our most vulnerable community members.

Individual wellbeing is just as important as food and clothing and Hope City achieves its Mission through broadening its focus on empowerment.

On the 4th of July the Eastern Transport Coalition held its Public Transport Summit, entitled it’s ‘Time to Move On’, that is time to move away from car dependence and the crippling cost that petrol is having on our families and towards public transport improvements. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many members of the Maroondah community who attended the summit and supported my presentation on the need for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station and the importance of the Ringwood Transit City as a regional centre.

The redevelopment of Ringwood Station is critical to ensuring the revitalisation of Ringwood. The current station fails accessibility standards and is perceived to be unsafe, with Ringwood Station consistently being perceived as one of the most unsafe locations within Maroondah. Coupled with traffic calming along Maroondah Highway, pedestrians which total approximately 10,000 per day would be able to conveniently travel between the transport interchange and the residential/commercial precincts of Ringwood.

The Eastern Transport Coalition has recognised Ringwood’s importance as a regional centre and as a council we must support our neighbouring municipalities in calling for greater investment in public transport. There is strength in Maroondah being part of a concerted regional push, whereby one million residents across the eastern suburbs, recognise the importance in redeveloping Ringwood Station. Let us hope that the State Government heeds this call and delivers this essential upgrade to the station.

On the 11th of July I attended the Maroondah NAIDOC week celebrations which commemorated council’s permanent flying of the Aboriginal flag and I would like to congratulate the many community groups, the Indigenous networks and the Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place for attending the ceremony.

The theme for this year’s NAIDOC week is ‘Advance Australia Fair?’ It is important to note that the organisers intended this theme as a question, since it is a timely reminder of the health, education and wellbeing inequities that exist between non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australia. Council’s Reconciliation Plan, which is included on tonight’s agenda will hopefully assist in bridging this gap and ensure that we as local government are working towards reconciliation.

On the 12th of July I had an afternoon of music, firstly with Enjoying Planned Retirement’s Hidden Talents concert. Where EPR’s unveiled the diverse singing, comedy and music talents of its expansive membership. EPR states that they are ‘recycled teenagers’ although I don’t think my teenage years were ever that fun! I would like to congratulate EPR on yet another fun filled event and look forward to the next Hidden Talents concert in September.

That evening I attended the Ringwood Eisteddfod, marking its 54th year of showcasing the immense musical talent that exists within our community. I would like to commend the many people involved in organising and performing within the Eisteddfod.

While the Premier and Cabinet held a community cabinet session in Karralyka on the 15th of July, I was busy chairing the Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee. With the year half over it is encouraging the see the continuation of the strong networking that exists within the committee with a number of agencies and organisations, such as Connex and the Department of Education, assisting council in undertaking activities for Community Safety Week in October. Do watch this space for details on the council activities for Community Safety Week.

Further interviews for the Maroondah Business Expansion and Retention Program

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This afternoon I accompanied Maroondah’s Economic Development team for another interview as part of Maroondah’s Business Expansion and Retention Program. The project aims to identify the key challenges facing businesses and to reinforce links between the business company and council.

The business we interviewed today was a large manufacturer and as such the issues facing this company were quite distinct to the challenges experienced by smaller manufacturers. Key challenges facing the company included the global economy and competition from developing countries, particularly in regard to research and development and labor.

Regardless of the size of the businesses being interviewed, it appears that in most cases employees tend to live fairly locally to their employer. This demonstrates that immense potential exists through initiatives such as the Ringwood Transit City, which aim to further provide lifestyle and employment opportunities to local Maroondah residents.

For more information on the programs available for business within Maroondah please visit www.bizmaroondah.com.au.

Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau special general meeting

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This afternoon I was invited to chair a special meeting of the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau to discuss the recently adopted business plan and the future vision for the organisation.

The Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau delivers crucial support for some of Maroondah’s most vulnerable residents through providing advice, food assistance and referral services. Today’s special general meeting provided an opportunity for members to provide their input into the business plan and to become aware of the challenges facing the organisation.

One of the most significant changes is the creation of a new Office Manager position, which will oversee both the Croydon and Ringwood offices and serve as a contact point for the organisation’s many volunteers. Members had an opportunity to discuss the skills they would like to see in the new office manager position, including the need to advocate on behalf of the citizens advice bureau and to recruit and retain volunteers.

The Maroondah Citizens’ Advice Bureau began in 1967 as the Ringwood Advisory Service, the new office manager will help ensure the continued success of this vital community service.

Tour of Hope City Mission's Pamper Day

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Hope City Mission based in Croydon South provides food, clothing and other services to members of the community that have experienced hardship or require assistance. The mission also focuses on the wellbeing of individuals through its regular pamper days, which are held every six weeks between March and October.

Today I participated in a tour of Hope City Mission’s Pamper Day to see firsthand the services, such as haircuts, massages and a cafe, which are provided free of charge to valid concession card holders.

These services assist in enhancing the wellbeing of individuals by treating them to services that many other community members would take for granted. By providing these services the mission aims to reduce social isolation so as to encourage the participants to feel good about themselves and therefore consider community and employment opportunities.

The voluntary work undertaken by the mission delivers a crucial service to some of the most vulnerable members of our community by providing a holistic approach to the wellbeing of individuals.

Eastern Transport Coalition – securing public transport improvements for eastern Melbourne

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Tonight’s Eastern Transport Coalition discussed the recently held public transport summit and the State Government’s new transport plan which is due in November of this year.

Following from the public transport summit, The Eastern Transport Coalition recently presented its priorities to the Premier John Brumby and the Minister for Public Transport, Lynne Kosky. This briefing reinforced the need for new rail extensions, upgraded public transport interchanges, such as the redevelopment of Ringwood Station, and vastly improved bus services.

The Government is now seeking a list of projects from the Eastern Transport Coalition which will hopefully form part of the State Government’s new transport plan. The Eastern Transport Coalition is calling on the State Government to invest heavily in public transport so as to provide relief for rising petrol prices and mitigate worsening traffic congestion. It is critical that the State Government delivers a plan that commits to the target of improving public transport patronage and delivering a level of service that meets the needs of Melbourne.

The recently released Emissions Trading Scheme green paper was also discussed, with the Eastern Transport Coalition calling on the Federal and State Governments to work together over the next five years to ensure that public transport services are improved. Federal leadership is required to reduce car dependency and to tackle the rising levels of greenhouse emissions that are caused by the transport sector.

The Eastern Transport Coalition’s public transport summit served as a call to action to State and Federal Governments. It is imperative that governments listen to this message and deliver the public transport improvements demanded by the community.

Ringwood Rotary – discussing Help for Wildlife

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Ringwood Rotary is part of the worldwide Rotary International and is one of the 50 clubs that form District 9810, which covers eastern and southeastern Melbourne. Tonight’s guest speaker was Dense, the founder of Help for Wildlife, who spoke about the organisation and its many volunteers.

Help for Wildlife is a volunteer organisation that cares for wildlife in distress and responds to incidents such as car accidents, bushfires, floods, oil spills and other emergencies where wildlife is in danger. The organisation is volunteer based and is funded through memberships and donations since it does not receive any funding by the State Government.

The organisation also undertakes policy development and is currently working with the Department of Sustainability and Environment to develop a set of protocols to improve the response provided to wildlife that is in distress or in need of care. Help for Wildlife also aims to establish a Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre which will provide longer term care for injured wildlife and assist in educating the community on how to care for Australia’s unique wildlife.

To report any injured wildlife, Help for Wildlife can be contacted on 0417 380 687 or visit www.helpforwildlife.com

Media Release: Opportunity to discuss accessibility issues in Maroondah

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Maroondah City Council is holding a forum for people with disabilities and their carers on Tuesday 5 August at Maroondah Federation Estate.

Councillor Alex Makin encourages people with a disability, and Maroondah based carers, to attend the forum and participate in a morning of information sharing.

“Council is committed to ensuring that people with a disability have plenty of opportunities available to them so that all people can fully participate in community life,” said Cr Makin.

“This forum will build upon the community feedback received at our workshop earlier this year. This feedback will assist council in strengthening the forum and ensure that it remains responsive to community needs,” said Cr Makin.

“I wholeheartedly encourage our community to attend the forum and take the opportunity to have their opinions and ideas heard. Together we can ensure that Maroondah becomes an accessible municipality that provides opportunities for all people within our community,” concluded Cr Makin.


The Maroondah Forum for People with Disabilities and Carers starts at 10.00am and concludes at 12.00noon on Tuesday 5 August at Room 1, Maroondah Federation Estate, 32 Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood.

Please RSVP by Wednesday 29 July by calling Gail on 9298 4275 or email gail.mcdaniel@maroondah.vic.gov.au

Maroondah Federation Estate is in close proximity to Ringwood Station and free car parking is available. The venue is fully accessible for people with mobility aids. If you have any support or other requirements please advise when confirming your attendance.

Maroondah Leader: Premier push for station

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The Maroondah Leader has reported on the recently held Eastern Transport Coalition Summit and the renewed advocacy campaign for the upgrade of Ringwood Station, amid the arrival of the Premier and Cabinet for a community cabinet at Maroondah’s Karralyka Centre.

Councillor Alex Makin told an Eastern Transport Coalition summit earlier this month that a firm commitment to the station redevelopment was urgent.

The redevelopment of Ringwood Station is critical to ensure the revitalisation of Ringwood into an accessible and sustainable urban centre that is well served through public transport.

Cr Makin said a lack of State Government funding for the project threatened the revitalisation of Ringwood.

“The Government claims it is ‘committed’ to Ringwood but its words are meaningless without a financial commitment,” Cr Makin said.

The State Government cannot expect the community to believe its promises when it constantly fails to deliver funds to redevelop the station. While the State Government provided minor funding in previous budgets to undertake feasibility and design works it failed to deliver a single cent to deliver the necessary works to redevelop the station into a safe and accessible transport interchange.

“Ringwood Station is consistently rated as one of the most unsafe locations within Maroondah it fails Commonwealth accessibility standards.”

The Eastern Transport Coalition stands united in its call for the upgrade of Ringwood Station. It is imperative that Maroondah City Council holds the State Government to account so that the station redevelopment is delivered as part of the overall revitalisation of Ringwood.

Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee – discussing Council's new wellbeing plan

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While the Premier and Cabinet descended upon Maroondah as part of their ‘Community Cabinet’ — and left without an announcement towards the redevelopment of Ringwood Station, I was chairing Maroondah’s Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee to discuss council’s direction in community wellbeing.

Today’s Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee discussed the charter of the existing group and began gathering input into council’s new Community Wellbeing Plan. This plan will replace the former Health, Safety and Wellbeing Plan and will encompass a broader perspective on issues facing our community.

The Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee is one of the groups overseeing the plan and a number of workshops will be held to gather input from the committee and the broader community. Workshops will be conducted during August and September and will provide an opportunity for community service providers to provide guidance into the plan. This consultation will broadly involve four themes including the built environment, the natural environment, the environment environment and the social, cultural and health environment.

The Community Wellbeing Plan is expected to be finalised in mid 2009 and will guide council’s approach to a number of health, safety and wellbeing issues within our community.

Community Safety Week, which is planned for October was also discussed at today’s meeting and a separate meeting will be established to plan activities for the week. Connex is particularly interested in holding education sessions around safety at rail stations to ensure that people stand behind the yellow line and are mindful of ensuring that the needs for people with disabilities are respected.

The next Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee is scheduled for the 16th of September and will provide further updates on the formation of the Community Wellbeing Plan.

The 54th Annual Ringwood Eisteddfod

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This evening the Karralyka Centre hosted the 54th Annual Ringwood Eisteddfod displaying its vast array of singing and musical talent. It is amazing that Eisteddfod still continues to grow in strength after an amazing 54 years of showcasing the immense musical talent that exists within Maroondah and beyond.

The Ringwood Eisteddfod is a month long event culminating in this evening’s performance at Karralyka, where the winning contestants are recognised. I would like to congratulate all contestants for demonstrating their impressive musical talent and to the winners who no doubt have a promising musical future.