Month: January 2010

VLGA Essential Mayor’s Weekend

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The Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) is a peak body that represents councillors across Victoria. Maroondah has been a member of the VLGA since 2008 and as such is able to utilise the organisation for advocacy, as well as training and support.

This weekend the VLGA held its Essential Mayor’s Weekend, which provides a training program for current Mayors across Victoria. Sessions covered governance, meeting procedures and advocacy to help ensure a successful year as Mayor.

Both Richard Wynne, the Minister for Local Government and Jeanette Powell, the Shadow Minister for Local Government, addressed the attendees and provided their perspectives on local government. It was encouraging to hear both of them discuss the importance of local government and it is imperative that there are genuine partnerships between all levels of government so that we deliver positive outcomes for our communities.

The Essential Mayor’s Weekend was informative and provided an opportunity to meet the Mayors of other municipalities. Collaboration across councils will strengthen the advocacy voice of local government and deliver results for our communities.

As an example, Maroondah, Whitehorse and Frankston each have similar issues in regard to the need for the redevelopment of major transport hubs (Ringwood, Box Hill and Frankston Stations) and working together will assist in demonstrating the importance of these projects across the eastern region.

Maroondah Leader: Energy savings tipped for city

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The Maroondah Leader has reported on the installation of a new co-generation system at Ringwood Aquatic Centre. The system will provide $80,000 of electricity savings and reduce emissions by 917 tonnes per annum.

Mayor Alex Makin said the gas-fired co-generation system, delivered to the centre last Thursday, converted heat produced by two gas-fired engines into usable energy to warm pool water and generate electricity for the facility.

“This project will lead to significant energy savings and a large reduction in greenhouse gas emissions at the centre and is part of council’s efforts to reach carbon neutrality by 2020,” Cr Makin said.

The $376,000 co-generation plant was co-funded between Maroondah City Council and the Federal Government and will begin to provide financial and greenhouse emission savings to Council and the Ringwood Aquatic Centre.

Media Release: Living clean and green

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The first in a series of educational workshops on sustainable living will be held at Council’s Braeside Avenue Offices in Ringwood on Thursday 11 February.

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, said the workshops formed part of the Sustainable Living Space (SLS) Project, a community learning initiative involving Council, the City of Manningham, North Ringwood Community House and the Eastern Volunteer Resource Centre.

The first SLS community meeting will address draught-proofing the home.

“Presenter Maurice Beinat will discuss draughts and heat leakage and how these are a major source of inefficiency in home heating and cooling,” Cr Makin said.

“By sealing the sites of the draughts, comfort can be improved and money saved by reducing heating and cooling costs,” Cr Makin said.

“Maurice will discuss a range of products available to eliminate draughts and there will be plenty of time for questions,” Cr Makin said.

The second SLS community meeting will be held on Thursday 11 March, addressing lighting and insulation. The meeting will discuss options for residents interested in power efficient lighting and insulation alternatives.

Both sessions run from 7.30 to 9.30pm with a gold coin donation.

To book or find out more, phone SLS Project Worker Christine Easdown or Sue McDermott on 9876 3421, or email project@sustainablelivingspace.org.au

Tony Dib elected to Arrabri Ward

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On behalf of Maroondah City Council I would like to congratulate Councillor Elect Tony Dib JP on being named the successful candidate to fill the vacant Arrabri Ward seat left by Peter Gurr. Tony is no stranger to the City of Maroondah, having served the community as Eastfield Ward councillor from 2005 to 2008, and held the office of Mayor for the 2007-08 council year.

Tony will be officially sworn in as a Maroondah City Councillor at the Monday 15 February Council meeting. Please join me in welcoming Tony Dib as an elected Councillor for the Arrabri Ward.

Australia Day at Ringwood Lake

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After the Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony I joined the festivities at Ringwood Lake. The event included a free barbecue, as well as bands at the Soundshell situated at the Lake and is supported by community organisations, including the Scouts and Guides.

The pleasant weather ensured strong involvement from members of our community, who enjoyed the festivities. Ringwood Lake hosts a number of events over the summer months and it was great to see so many members of our community enjoying today’s festivities.

2010 Australia Day Awards and Citizenship

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Australia Day is a significant event within Maroondah, with Council hosting a Citizenship Ceremony and the Australia Day Awards at Karralyka Centre. In addition, Council provides a barbecue and bands at Ringwood Lake for the afternoon.

As the Mayor of Maroondah, I officiated the proceedings this morning, as we announced the recipients of the Australia Day Awards and welcomed 37 new citizens in Maroondah. The Australia Day Awards provide an opportunity for the City of Maroondah to recognise service within our community and consist of three categories:

Maroondah Event of the Year
Maroondah Citizen of the Year
Maroondah Young Citizen of the Year

We were fortunate to receive a significant number of nominations this year across each of the categories and each participant reflects the strong sense of community that we are fortunate to possess within the City of Maroondah.

Likewise, the citizenship ceremony enables Council to welcome new citizens in Maroondah, each of whom were extremely delighted to have now been declared Australian Citizens. Citizenship Ceremonies are one of the most enjoyable council functions, as it is provides a welcome to new members of our community.

It is an absolute delight as Mayor to be able to welcome these new Australians, as well as to congratulate the many people who contribute to the wellbeing of our community.

One of the projects I discussed as part of my inaugural speech as Mayor was the need to discuss the values we hold as a member of the Maroondah Community and events like today help demonstrate just how important it is to maintain a sense of community within our municipality.

The City of Maroondah holds regular Citizenship Ceremonies throughout the year, providing an opportunity to welcome these new residents within our community.

Maroondah Art Gallery – Launching Studio 4 Exposed and Glass

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The Maroondah Art Gallery, located at Maroondah Federation Estate in Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood, is the municipality’s premiere art exhibition space and features artworks delivered by artists, as well as community organisations.

This evening I had the pleasure of launching two exhibitions, Studio 4 Exposed by the Maroondah Life Drawing Group and Glass an exhibition by local artist Emma Borland.

The Maroondah Life Drawing Group meets each fortnight at Maroondah Federation Estate and the exhibition showcases the diverse work of 12 artists, including paintings, works on paper and jewellery.

Glass is the first exhibition by Nunawading-based artist, Emma Borland, who uses glass to create observations of human behaviour and provide an insight into emotion through her sculptures.

Both Studio 4 Exposed and Glass will be on display until Saturday the 27th February at the Maroondah Art Gallery. Please visit www.artsinmaroondah.com.au or contact 9298 4542 for details.

Please continue reading to view the speech delivered for the launch of this exhibition:

Continue reading “Maroondah Art Gallery – Launching Studio 4 Exposed and Glass”

Media Release: Outstanding citizens recognised for Australia Day

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It just wouldn’t be Australia Day in Maroondah without recognising some of our community’s most valued citizens.

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, said he was looking forward to presenting Australia Day Awards at a special ceremony on 26 January. Awards will be presented to Maroondah’s Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, and Community Event of the Year.

“Australia Day is an opportunity for all of us to take pride in our citizenship and reflect on the meaning and importance of being Australian,” Cr Makin said.

“It will be a pleasure to recognise the contributions of Maroondah residents to the community during Council’s annual Australia Day awards,” Cr Makin said.

Australia Day in Maroondah is again shaping as a fun-filled affair with a range of activities on offer for the entire family.

The action gets under way between 11am and 2pm at Ringwood Lake Soundshell with a flag raising ceremony to mark our national day.

Head on down and enjoy a free community barbecue & childrens activities including art workshops, animal farm, jumping castle and face painting.

And there’s plenty of entertainment on offer throughout the early afternoon, with a live performance by the Ringwood Folk Band and a childrens stage act.

Media Release: Boost for sustainability at Ringwood Aquatic Centre

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Council expects to deliver more than $60,000 in electricity savings and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 917 tonnes a year through the operation of a
new energy production system at Ringwood Aquatic Centre (RAC).

The gas fired cogeneration system, delivered to the centre last Thursday, converts heat produced by two gas fired engines into usable energy to warm pool water and generate electricity for the facility.

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, said the system was great news for the environment.

“This initiative is part of Council’s ongoing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint toward the goal of carbon neutrality by 2020,” Cr Makin said.

“The $376,000 project is co-funded by the Federal Government through its Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program ($250,000) and Council ($126,000),” Cr Makin said.

“This project will lead to significant energy savings and a large reduction in greenhouse gas emissions at RAC,” Cr Makin said.

“Once it’s up and running this February, the system will join the range of Council’s sustainability initiatives in place throughout the municipality,” Cr Makin said.

“An example of two of the larger sustainability projects completed last year was the installation of an innovative filtration system at Croydon Memorial Pool and a backwash water recycling system at Croydon Leisure and Aquatic Centre, which is expected to save a combined seven million litres of water per annum,” Cr Makin said.

“Council will continue to implement environmentally sustainable initiatives at its facilities in a bid to cut resource use and reduce greenhouse emissions,” Cr Makin said.

Maroondah Club Gift – Ringwood Professional Athletic Club

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The Maroondah Gift is an annual event organised by the Ringwood professional Athletic Club and held at the AC Robertson Reserve at Proclamation Park in Ringwood.

Maroondah City Council is an ongoing sponsor of the event, which draws many athletes across Victoria. I was invited to open the event, alongside Cr. Ann Fraser, who is a long-term member of the Ringwood Professional Athletic Club.

The rain largely stayed away providing pleasant conditions for the athletes that participated in the 32nd Maroondah Club Gift