August 2008

Delegates' Report: opportunities for people with disabilities, the upcoming writers festival and the strength of community spirit

Posted on 18 August 2008 by alex

On the 23rd of July I had the pleasure of attending Titanic – the Untold Story: Resunk by the Monkami Drama Group hosted at the Karralyka Centre. The performance revisited the drama group’s 2007 production through the introduction of new characters and a revised script.

Monkami is a service provider for adults with an intellectual disability and aims to develop skills that will enable them to live with the greatest degree of independence within their own community.

Each performer was given the opportunity to develop their own character drawing upon many popular names such as James Bond, Captain Jack Sparrow, Wolverine and Judge Judy and of course Napoleon who was the villain of the show.

The level of detail in the performance was incredible, not only was the stage decked out as the Titanic, and the costumes extremely thorough, but they even gave Titanic hats to the audience to ensure that they were part of the show. It was all hands on deck, when everyone tried to escape the sinking Titanic, fortunately with the audience joining in on the hokey pokey we were all able to escape to dry land!

After two successful seasons the production is now considering further opportunities to continue the performance, including the potential of a touring show.

The Ringwood Spiders, based in Jubilee Park in Ringwood, is a football team for people with disabilities and on the 27th of July I attended their last home game for the season against the Maribyrnong Bulldogs. Like Monkami, the Ringwood Spiders is another example of how people with disabilities can participate within our community. It was great to see the Spiders playing one of their best games for the season, with the players coming together as one team and playing some extraordinary football.

With such on-field skills the Spiders defeated their opposition, which was a fitting way to end their last home game for the season at Jubilee Park.

Groups like Monkami and the Ringwood Spiders demonstrate that when given the opportunity people with disabilities can participate within our wider community. Perhaps the most wonderful aspect of these two events, was the breadth of the wider community support. Community groups such as the Ringwood Ballet Group and the Ringwood Movie Makers provided immense support to Monkami and the Ringwood Football Club is one of the Spiders biggest supporters, providing the use of training facilities and clubrooms.

On the 5th of August I attended Maroondah’s Forum for People with Disabilities and Carers, which provides an opportunity to raise issues in regard to accessibility so that we can strive for an inclusive community.

The forum provided an opportunity to discuss the feedback from the workshop held earlier this year and it was encouraging to see most of the input being incorporated into the forum. I would like to thank the many departments that are responsible for the forum, including Metro Access, aged and disability services, community planning and development and council’s engineers.

The forum continues to demonstrate the importance of providing dialogue and hearing first-hand the accessibility issues that exist within Maroondah so that as a council we can work towards making a difference through creating an inclusive municipality.

Lastly, this morning I attended a steering group meeting of the Maroondah 2008 Writers and Readers Festival.

The Festival which will be held between the 3rd and 5th of October include writer’s workshops, discussion groups and keynote speakers around the key theme of crime. The event which is funded through a Maroondah City Council grant in partnership with Eastern Regional Libraries will feature a number of prominent writers including John Silvester, the author of the Underbelly.

Once again the community spirit shines through in the preparation for the festival, with North Ringwood Community House offering to manage ticket sales and businesses such as Lakeside Cafe being available as a venue.

For details please visit the Eastern Regional Library website at www.erl.vic.gov.au, otherwise details are also available on my own web site at www.alexmakin.com.au.

Media Release: Councils need to enter the 21st century

Posted on 18 August 2008 by alex

MEDIA RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
Monday, 18 August 2008

Councils need to enter the 21st century

Loughnan’s Hill Ward Councillor Alex Makin, an avid web blogger, has called on Councillors and prospective candidates to embrace new technology and develop an Internet web site and blog to strengthen interaction with the community.

“Local government is supposed to be the closest form of government to the people and yet councils have generally been slow to embrace new technology”, Cr. Makin said. “Interactive websites and blogs help bridge the gap between council and the community and should be seen as an essential communication tool.”

Cr. Alex Makin has operated a website complete with a regularly updated blog at www.alexmakin.com.au, since 2005. Alex uses the blog to publish details of community events he has attended as well as information on council activities.

“A blog provides an additional avenue for people to leave comments and interact with councillors. Blogging is particularly popular with younger people and people with disabilities, who sometimes shy away from traditional methods of consultation”, Cr. Makin said. “Blogs differ from websites, since they are interactive and encourage people to provide their opinions and make contact.”

“I am calling on council candidates and current councillors to commit to creating and regularly updating a website and blog. Just as email is an essential technology for a councillor, blogging will be also become critical to communicating with the community”, 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, has maintained a regularly updated website and blog at www.alexmakin.com.au.

ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES: CR. ALEX MAKIN ON 0408 311 645
– ENDS –

Media Release: School Holiday fun!

Posted on 13 August 2008 by alex

Make the most of these school holidays at Council’s Spring Teenage Holiday Program at EV’s Youth Centre from Monday 22 September until Friday 3 October 2008.

Council’s Youth Services have organised a great program for young people between 12 to 16 years of age, full of activities that will ensure that these school holidays will not go to waste.

Councillor Alex Makin described the program as a terrific way to ensure that your teenagers make the most of their time off, providing them with the opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people while having fun.

“The huge list of activities includes a day at The Melbourne Show, a trip to the Melbourne Zoo and the Eureka Skydeck,” said Cr Makin.

“EV’s Youth Centre will turn into a chill out zone for a day, with a portable digital dome theatre taking up EV’s. Young people will be able to lay down, eat pizza and watch films on the roof of the big blow up Cosmodome,” said Cr Makin.

“A visit to The Warrook Cattle Farm and Koala Conservation Centre at Phillip Island is also on the cards, as well a trip to the cinemas, and a game of Laser Strike will keep young people on their toes and having a great time,” said Cr Makin.

Other activities available also include splashing around at the new Croydon Leisure & Aquatic Centre and a craft workshop at Council’s Wyreena Community Arts Centre.

“Make sure you book soon as places will fill up quickly. Don’t miss out on one of the best holiday experiences this year,” said Cr Makin.

The cost for the holiday program varies between $15 to $30 per day, depending on the activity. There is a 20% discount for families experiencing financial difficulties.

For further information or to book activities, telephone Duré Morrell, Youth Programs Worker on 9298 4252. Bookings are essential.

Heatherdale Community Action Group – keeping the community informed

Posted on 13 August 2008 by alex

The Heatherdale Community Action Group exists to represent the businesses and residents within Heatherdale, a locality that is divided between Maroondah and Whitehorse, due to Heatherdale Road being the municipal boundary.

Tonight’s meeting provided an opportunity to update the community on steps Maroondah Council and other agencies are taking to enhance the amenity of the area. In particular the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a Pollution Abatement Notice (PAN) to CMA Recycling (Victoria) in regard to breaches of noise limits.

The issuing of this notice means that the company is required to undertake an assessment of noise emitted from the site as well as implement measures to abate the noise so that further breaches do not occur. The notice issued by the EPA is available on their website.

It is encouraging that the EPA is taking this matter seriously and cooperating with both Whitehorse and Maroondah Councils. As the ward councillor, I will continue to ensure that I am making a difference to the Heatherdale community.

Maroondah Journal: honest to blog, keep up to date

Posted on 12 August 2008 by alex

While local council is often cited as the closest form of government to the people, it is critical that councillors and prospective candidates undertake new initiatives to help bridge the gap between council and the wider community.

I have recently called on the current Maroondah councillors (all of whom who have indicated that they are re-standing in the upcoming election) and prospective candidates to commit to creating their own web site and blog to provide a new form of communication to the community.

A Maroondah councillor has called on his colleagues to “move with the times”, encouraging them to create individual web pages and blogs to increase interaction between the council and residents.

I have been actively maintaining my website and blog since 2005, prior to being elected onto council. I have found the website to be extremely useful in conveying the activities undertaken as a councillor and encouraging people to contact me to discuss the issues that matter to them.

Loughnan’s Hill Ward Councillor Alex Makin said councillors and future candidates should move into the 21st century.

Local government has unfortunately been relatively slow to adopt new technologies and it is critical that councillors and candidates undertake this commitment to assist people in communicating with local councils.

“Local government is supposed to be the closet form of government to the community. Having an active web presence helps bridge the gap between the council and the community.”

An active web presence, going behind a static web page through the provision of an interactive blog provides an opportunity to leave comments and contact their local elected representatives.

He said residents could leave comments, ask questions, raise concerns and inquire about upcoming events within the council and community.
“It is another tool for the community to use, in addition to mobile phones and email.”

A web presence would augment rather than replace the more traditional forms of communication, such as telephone, email and postal mail. The more opportunities for the community to make contact, the easier it is for people to raise their concerns directly with elected representatives.

He said part of a councillor’s role was to keep up-to-date with technology.
“It also enables young people who may be disengaged with the community to have their say in a way they feel comfortable.”

Councillors have an obligation to keep up-to-date with technology and ensure that are representing the interests of their constituents. In particular younger people, as well as people with disabilities, tend to predominately use the Internet as a communication tool. A website complete with an interactive blog would assist these people in contacting their elected representatives and ensuring that are being heard.

It was encouraging to see that Cr Jo-anne Taylor stated her support for the idea and is considering establishing a website.

I will continue to maintain and update my website to ensure that the community is kept informed on the activities I undertake as an elected councillor and the community events that I attend.

If you would like to stay informed then please subscribe to updates to receive regular notifications on the events I am attending.

Maroondah Disability Action Group meeting 2008

Posted on 12 August 2008 by alex

The Maroondah Disability Action Group also known as the Disability Action Group Eastern Region, aims to provide a voice for people with disabilities across Maroondah and Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

The group is a community led movement and includes people with disabilities who desire to improve the accessibility of Maroondah and the outer east. Specific aims include:

To provide systemic advocacy to influence policies at a local, state or federal level;
To campaign for accessible transport improvements;
To cooperate with other like minded groups at a local and state level, and
To push for greater, accessible and inclusive health services.

The Maroondah Disability Action Group meets at 10 am on the second Monday of each month at the Ringwood Church of Christ at 13 Bedford Road in Ringwood.

The venue is fully accessible and in close proximity to Ringwood Station and bus routes 367 (Ringwood to Croydon via East Ringwood) and 679 (Chirnside Park Shopping Centre to Ringwood via Mount Evelyn, Montrose and Canterbury Road).

Maroondah Disability Action Group – aims and objectives

Posted on 11 August 2008 by alex

Today’s meeting marked the adoption of a mission statement, whereby the group exists to raise awareness through advocacy for greater accessibility across the outer eastern region. This mission statement reinforces the purpose of the group and its focus on accessibility improvements across Maroondah and the outer east.

A series of objectives were also identified with the aims being:

To provide systemic advocacy to influence policies at a local, state or federal level;
To campaign for accessible transport improvements;
To cooperate with other like minded groups at a local and state level, and
To push for greater, accessible and inclusive health services.

Alex Makin with the inaugural members of the Maroondah Disability Action Group

Specific priorities include advocating for bus improvements, securing the redevelopment of Ringwood Station into an accessible transit interchange and mobility improvements across Maroondah. The group also aims to work cooperatively with other groups at a local, state and federal level to achieve these aims.

The Maroondah Disability Action Group meets at 10 am on the second Monday of each month at the Ringwood Church of Christ at 13 Bedford Road in Ringwood.

Rotary Club of Ringwood meeting 2008

Posted on 11 August 2008 by alex

The Rotary Club of Ringwood, which meets each Wednesday evening at the Ringwood Club on the corners of Oban Road and Maroondah. Ringwood Rotary is part of Rotary District 9810, which covers eastern and southeastern Melbourne.

Rotary is an international organisation with over 1.2 million members world-wide. The core philosophy of Rotary is adherence to the Four Way Test:

Of the things we say, think or do

Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

I became a member of Ringwood Rotary on the 6th of August 2008 and am currently part of the Community sub-committee, which aims to support community based organisations and undertake community based projects.

Ringwood Football Club Super Draw

Posted on 9 August 2008 by alex

This evening I joined the Ringwood Football Club at its club grounds in Jubilee Park, Ringwood to partake in the club’s super draw and celebrations of the 2008 Football season. The Super Draw is one of the club’s main fundraising activities for the season with the $100 tickets providing a chance to win the grand prize of $10,000 or seven consolation prizes.

The Ringwood Football Club, also known as the Ringwood Redbacks, is a supporter of the Ringwood Spiders a football team for people with disabilities. It is fantastic to see Ringwood’s sporting clubs supporting other groups within our community, with the the football club providing the Spiders with the use of their club rooms and training facilities.

Ringwood Rotary – becoming a member

Posted on 6 August 2008 by alex

This evening I had the pleasure of being inducted as a member of Ringwood Rotary after being sponsored as a member by Assistant Governor Andrew Brownlie. After being confirmed as a member I was appointed on the Community sub-committee, which exists to assist the wider community and recommend suitable projects to the club board of management.

It is amazing to see the depth of commitment that members of Ringwood Rotary have towards the wider community. These are people who are devoted to assisting the community on a local, national and international level, without the politicking and egos that appear far too often within council. Rotary’s core philosophy stems from the ‘Four Way Test’, a series of principles that were established by Herbert J. Taylor, a Rotarian member and former director of Rotary International.

The Four Way Test is the foundation of Rotary and consists of the following four principles:

Of the things we say, think or do

Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

The origin of the Four Way Test stems from 1932 during the midst of the Great Depression with his company, Club Aluminium facing bankruptcy. Taylor believed that by encouraging a strong sense of ethics that the company would do what was right for its customers, employees and business partners. Amazingly, within just five years Club Aluminium was free from bankruptcy and exists to this day as part of Standex International.

I am looking forward to my time within the Rotary Club of Ringwood with its adherence to principles such as the Four Way Test.