Month: October 2009

Open Forum with Enjoying Planned Retirement

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This evening I was invited to speak at Enjoying Planned Retirement’s members meeting to discuss council and my long interest and involvement with one of Maroondah’s largest seniors based groups.

Enjoying Planned Retirement is based at Norwood Hall and shares its facilities with Ringwood U3A and the North Ringwood Senior Citizens. The Ringwood Arts Society and the Ringwood Historical Society are also located as tenants within the building.

Enjoying Planned Retirement provides a diverse range of activities, including bocce, table tennis, card games and day trips.

The open forum provided an opportunity to discuss the group and the hall, as well as the cooperative nature of EPR as it shares facilities with other groups.

I also discussed the plans for the redevelopment of Ringwood, including the ongoing need for advocacy in regard to Ringwood Station. While the current State Government funding is a positive step forward, further commitments are required to ensure an accessible and integrated transport interchange.

I also discussed the feasibility study into the relocation of North Ringwood Community House and the need for continued improvements to our community facilities.

While the transformation of Ringwood will deliver opportunities to provide a community heart for the centre of Ringwood, it is also important that other suburbs retain local facilities that meet community needs.

Enjoying Planned Retirement is an example of a group that meets community needs, through having many members involved in organising activities and participating within the club. This enables the group to hold a diverse of range of activities through sharing the organising and responsibility.

Enjoying Planned Retirement now has a website, for further information please visit www.enjoywithepr.org.au

Media Release: Ride to Work Day ‘wheely successful’

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As part of the Ride to Work Day initiative on Wednesday 14 October, a number of Maroondah City Council staff left their cars at home to ride, catch public transport or walk to work.

Councillor Alex Makin said the annual Ride to Work Day was a chance for the community to make their way to and from work via alternative methods of transport.

“A number of Council staff showed their support by either riding, walking or catching public transport to work. They also took the opportunity to participate in a lunchtime walk around Ringwood and Croydon,” Cr Makin said.

“By making alternative travel arrangements to and from work, you can support sustainable transport throughout the year,” Cr Makin said.

“There are many ways to get to work without using your car. You can take public transport, cycle or walk, or combine them. Plus you have the added benefit of reducing greenhouse emissions, avoiding the stress of traffic and leading a healthier lifestyle,” Cr Makin said.

“The benefits of walking and cycling are well known and the leafy streets of Maroondah provide a fantastic backdrop for outdoor activity. Why not give it a try the next time you head into work?” Cr Makin said.

Ringwood Diving Club – Annual General Meeting

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The Ringwood Diving Club is based at the Ringwood Aquatic Centre and utilises the facilities to provide competitive diving and classes for its members.

This afternoon the Ringwood Diving Club held its annual general meeting to elect office bearers for the next twelve months and to present trophies to the club members that have excelled at diving.

The Ringwood Diving Club, like many of other community organisations, has focused heavily on governance and administration and has recently completed a business plan to provide unified vision and direction for the club.

The Ringwood Diving Club focuses on all age groups, through its classes and competitions. For further information please visit www.ringwooddivingclub.com.au.

Ringwood Bowls Club – 80th anniversary and 2009 Launch Bowls Season Launch

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The Ringwood Bowls Club is located at 2-12 Loughnan Road and includes two grass and one artificial green, as well as a clubhouse that also serves as a function centre.

Tonight the club celebrated its 80th anniversary and the launch of the 2009 Lawn Bowls Season. The Ringwood Bowls Club has had a long history with Ringwood and was originally located in Miles Avenue before being relocated to Loughnan Road due to the expansion of Eastland in 1994.

Today, the Bowls Club is focused on its future sustainability, including investing in water tanks to reduce water consumption and on partnerships with other community organisations.

The Ringwood Bowls Club recently hosted the Ringwood Spiders to celebrate their trophy presentation evening and the Spiders aim to participate in lawn bowls during the Football off-season.

These emerging partnerships and emphasis on sustainability will ensure that the Ringwood Bowls Club will continue to have a vibrant future.

Public Forum on the Sustainable Living Space

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The Sustainable Living Space is a partnership project between North Ringwood Community House, Maroondah City Council and Eastern Volunteers, which aims to provide a central information service on sustainability.

Tonight a public forum was held to invite community participation within the project and to encourage involvement. The forum provided background information on the project, including the survey data that indicated a high level of community interest in sustainability.

The project aims to establish a community working group, whereby members of the community can shape the future of the Sustainable Living Space. Details on the community working group and the nomination process will be released shortly.

For further information please visit www.sustainablelivingspace.org.au.

National Seniors Association – Presentation

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The National Seniors Association is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that represents the interests of senior Australians.

As part of the Maroondah Seniors Festival, Peter Feeney from the National Seniors Association delivered a presentation on the organisation explaining its unique advocacy and social role.

The National Seniors Association is well positioned as a leading voice for Australian senior citizens, through its policy development and the establishment of several business units to support the organisation.

The organisation prides itself on being an independent voice for seniors and operates without any form of government funding. The National Seniors Association fulfils the dual purpose of providing policy and advocacy, as well as activities that promote social inclusion through local branch meetings.

The National Seniors Association ensures that the concerns of seniors are being heard by governments of all levels. For further information please visit the website for the Maroondah Branch of the National Seniors Association at www.seniorsmaroondah.com.

Media Release: Kids rule the roost come festival time

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Some of the most exciting childrens entertainment on Maroondah’s 2009 social calendar can be found at Kids Kingdom – a much anticipated feature of the annual Maroondah Festival.

Kids Kingdom features a huge range of free activities, rides and entertainment for young ones.

Councillor Alex Makin said festival organisers had jammed as much fun as possible into this year’s program.

“It’s kids only at Kids Kingdom, but mums and dads are welcome of course!” Cr Makin said.

“The entire family could easily spend a day out at the festival exploring Kids Kingdom alone. Entertainment ranges from live performances to farmyard animals, cupcake decorating, rides and much more,” Cr Makin said.

“So make sure you mark Sunday 8 November in your diary to avoid missing out,” Cr Makin said.

One of the highlights of Kids Kingdom will be the Kids Stage, which will host performances from 11am by Yarra Road Primary School, Village School, Ruskin Park Primary School and the festival’s featured act The Workers.

Elsewhere, children will have the opportunity to participate in an activity presented by Brentwood Park Kindergarten, join the fun of the farmyard area (complete with animal farm, hay bales, scarecrows, animal craft activity and roving cowboy Slim Tim), and visit the snake handler’s live reptile display where they can learn about Charlie the Crocodile, venomous snakes, stumpy tails, bearded dragons and many more weird and wonderful creatures.

For something a little more sedate, children can try their hand at painting terracotta pots containing plants native to Maroondah. Once finished, children can take the plants and pots home.

To celebrate the festival’s 20th birthday children will be invited to join a special cupcake decorating activity. But you’ll have to be on-site early as there will be a limited number of cupcakes available.

“And if your child wants to get their hands a little bit dirty, the festival’s interactive play area is the place to be. Have a ball in the giant sandpit, and discover the fun of play dough, slime and bubbles at this popular section of Kids Kingdom,” Cr Makin said.

The Croydon Library will be open and will host special author readings through the day. Be sure to visit the Fairy Garden in front of the library at 12.30 and 3.30pm for special storytime sessions by authors Richard Galbraith and Leigh Hobbs.

Many childrens service providers servicing Maroondah exhibit at Kids Kingdom. Nursing mothers, lost children and baby change facilities are also located at Kids Kingdom for your convenience.

The Maroondah Festival is proudly presented by Maroondah City Council in conjunction with Ringwood Honda. The festival is held at Town Park, Croydon from 10am to 5pm on Sunday 8 November.

Be sure to visit the festival website www.maroondahfestival.com or contact the festival hotline on 9294 5604 for more information.

Maroondah Women in Business Lunch with Maggie Beer

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The Maroondah Business Week is held between the 5th and 9th of October and consists of several events which aim to support businesses within Maroondah.

One of the major events within Maroondah Business Week is the Women in Business Lunch, which was held at the Karralyka Centre. Chef and television presenter, Maggie Beer was the guest speaker at the event and she discussed the challenges in establishing her business through the need to adapt and evolve to ensure a profitable and successful venture.

Maggie was an extremely informative speaker who provided significant insights into operating and managing a business. Maggie also signed copies of her books and the lunch featured her recipes.

Maroondah Business Week continues throughout the week with several events, including an expo, workshops and tours of Ringwood. For further information please visit www.bizmaroondah.com.au.

Opening of the Monkami Art Exhibition – Do you see what I see?

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This morning I attended the opening of the Monkami Art Exhibition, ‘Do you see what I see?’, held at the Maroondah Art Gallery at Maroondah Federation Estate

The Exhibition was opened by Cr Rob Steane and features artwork by people with an intellectual disability. Monkami is a not-for-profit community organisation that provides pathways for people with an intellectual disability, through providing creative, education and employment opportunities.

Monkami has a strong community focus through involving their clients in the community to showcase their abilities. The Art exhibition complements a range of activities undertaken by the organisation, including volunteering, performing arts and educational programs.

The Monkami Art Exhibition will be featured at the Maroondah Art Gallery until the 17th of October.

16th Convention of the Lutheran Church of Australia

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Maroondah is home to a number of primary and secondary schools, including my former highschool of Luther College in Plymouth Road, Croydon.

The Lutheran Church of Australia holds a General Convention and Synod every three years to provide delegates the opportunity to vote on motions governing the Lutheran Church of Australia.

This morning I was invited, as a Councillor and past student, to welcome delegates to the City of Maroondah and discuss the attractions within the municipality.  It was encouraging to see the Civic section of the Convention open with a Welcome to Country delivered by a Wurunjderi Elder.

I began my proceedings with the City of Maroondah’s Acknowledgement of Country:

Maroondah City Council, in the spirit of reconciliation, acknowledges that we are meeting on the land for which the Wurundjeri people have been custodians for many centuries, and on land which the Indigenous Australians have performed age old ceremonies.

We accept, respect and have shared with the Wurundjeri people in their customs of welcome. The Wurundjeri people support the coming together of all people, respecting their individuality, to focus on a unified and cohesive nation.

I would like to welcome the delegates and participants to both my former highschool and the City of Maroondah. The theme of this year’s convention is Learning to Walk Again and this is a theme that echoes in the broader community, as we strive to create a cohesive and vibrant community within our municipality of Maroondah.

Maroondah is fortunate to have significant environmental bush reserves, including the Mullum Mullum Creek and Valley, which is particularly significant to the Wurundjeri. The Mullum Mullum is one of Metropolitan Melbourne’s most significant remnant bush corridors, connecting with the Yarra River in Melbourne’s north east.

Maroondah is a diverse municipality, with a population of approximately 101,000 residents, including the highest proportion of Burmese migrants within Metropolitan Melbourne.

The municipality is home to 21 primary and 13 secondary schools, of which I attended Luther College between 1993 and 1998. Last year we celebrated our 10th high school reunion at McAdam Square, the local shopping district almost directly across the road from the school.

The suburbs of Ringwood and Croydon are located within the City of Maroondah and both are experiencing substantial change. Ringwood in particular, has been earmarked as a Central Activity District, meaning that the centre of Ringwood will be experiencing significant change in future years.

While change brings challenges it also can deliver opportunities and it is therefore vital that we as a council ensure that there are ample community facilities and meeting spaces within Ringwood as we plan to transform the area into a vibrant urban centre.

I trust that you have a successful convention and extend my welcome to you as you experience the City of Maroondah over the coming days.