October 2010

2010 Youth Volunteer Recognition Evening

Posted on 21 October 2010 by alex

The Maroondah Youth Volunteer Recognition Evening provides an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts younger people make through volunteering within their communities. Tonight’s function reinforces the strength of volunteering that exists within Maroondah and highlights the positive work that younger people undertake in a voluntary capacity.

Volunteering not only benefits the community but can also provide educational and employment pathways through the development of new skills and experience. There are a range of volunteer opportunities and I encourage younger people to look at how they can become involved in the community.

The speech provided during the recognition evening is available within this entry:

In the spirit of Reconciliation, we acknowledge that we are meeting on 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, Maroondah City Council, 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.

Good Evening and welcome to EV’s Youth Centre for Maroondah City Council’s Annual Youth Volunteer Recognition Evening. I am very pleased to be here tonight to take part in an evening that celebrates Maroondah’s young people.

Council’s Youth Volunteer Recognition Evening is held in recognition and appreciation of the outstanding contribution made by young volunteers and leaders in the Maroondah Community.

As I look around the room tonight, I see a number of inspirational young leaders and volunteers from the Maroondah Community. The dedication these young people have shown towards their volunteer work is inspiring and has helped brighten so many lives around them.

Each nominee should be very proud of their volunteer work and that an individual from their relevant school, agency or organisation has acknowledged their efforts by nominating them for tonight’s award ceremony.

On behalf of Maroondah City Council and our local residents, I would like to thank and congratulate all the nominees for their dedication and commitment to their work. Volunteering is something that often goes unnoticed, but the value it gives to our community is immeasurable. It improves the lives of so many and should be celebrated and recognised. It is young people like yourselves that build strong community to make Maroondah such a fantastic place to live.

I would also like to thank the representatives from schools, church groups, service clubs and various organisations for their efforts in assisting young people achieve their goals through volunteering. A special mention to the individuals who took time out of their busy schedules to assist with the nominations. With your support, Maroondah City Council is able to formally recognise the contributions of the young people here tonight.

Thank you also to Council’s Youth Services Team; for your hard work in putting this event together. Tonight is one of many great events and programs run by Council’s Youth Services Team, so be sure to speak with a team member if you would like any further information. We shall now commence the presentation of these well deserved awards.

2010 Eastern Volunteers Annual General Meeting

Posted on 21 October 2010 by alex

Eastern Volunteers is a not-for-profit community organisation that provides volunteer recruitment and community transport services across Maroondah, Whitehorse and the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

Eastern Volunteers has a voluntary board of management which establishes the strategic direction of the organisation, which has 14 staff and over 100 volunteers. I accepted the position of Manager of Marketing Services in late September and as a result did not seek re-nomination to the Eastern Volunteers Board of Management.

As part of the Annual General Meeting, myself and Eugene Wong, the Manager of Business Development, discussed Friends of EV, a new program developed by Eastern Volunteers to encourage community and business partnerships.

Friends of EV provides ongoing benefits to businesses, through consulting services, corporate volunteering and training, as well as providing an ongoing link to the community sector. Further details on Friends of EV is available at www.easternvolunteers.org.au.

Media Release: Divers congratulated on medal tally at Commonwealth Games

Posted on 20 October 2010 by alex

Maroondah City Council Mayor Councillor Alex Makin has congratulated former Ringwood divers Grant Nel, Anabelle Smith and Jaele Patrick for their outstanding performances at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

“In the weeks before they left for Delhi I had the opportunity to meet all three divers at the Ringwood Aquatic Centre, where they started their careers as members of the Ringwood Diving Club,” Cr Makin said.

“It was fantastic to see the divers competing on the world stage and I congratulate them on their performances,” Cr Makin said.

Jaele Patrick won two bronze medals, one in the Women’s 3m Springboard and the other in the Women’s 3m Synchronized Spring Board. She also finished fourth in the Women’s 1m Springboard.

Grant Nel won a bronze medal in the Men’s 3m Spring board event and Annabelle Smith won a bronze medal in the Women’s Synchronized 10m Platform and finished fourth in the Women’s 3m Springboard.

“These divers are the latest champions who have emerged from the Ringwood Diving Club over the years, following in the footsteps of Olympic gold medallist Chantelle Newbury,” Cr Makin said.

“In speaking with the divers and the Club in relation to the proposed Maroondah Aquatic Centre, they have highlighted the benefits which would come with the proposed dry diving training facility and the FINA standard 10 metre diving tower and pool,” Cr Makin said.

“These aspects of the proposal are still subject to significant state and federal Government funding, but with state-of-the-art facilities like these on offer we could see more and more Victorian based divers competing at an international level,” Cr Makin said.

“In the past few months Council has hosted several community expos giving people an opportunity for to see how the proposed new facility would provide exciting aquatic and leisure activities for them and their family,” Cr Makin said.

“The next community expo will be held at Maroondah Festival on November 7. The expo will feature a variety of information, images and concept plans as well as providing an opportunity for people to provide feedback on their thoughts on the proposed facility,” Cr Makin said.

“For those who want to discuss the proposal further there will be leisure experts, representatives from aquatic clubs and council staff on hand to answer all of your questions,” Cr Makin said.

“The proposed facility is accessible for all, and includes warm water pool; dedicated learn to swim pool; 50 metre pool; and extensive water play and large indoor water slides. It is also proposed to include an extensive gymnasium with multi-purpose exercise rooms and a wellness centre,” Cr Makin said.

What: Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure information expo
When: Sunday November 7
Where: Maroondah Festival, Town Park, Croydon
When: 10am to 5pm

– ENDS –

Media Release: State funding commitment essential for Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure

Posted on 20 October 2010 by alex

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin has confirmed Council’s major project for funding at the forthcoming State election.

“The proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure is the number one funding priority for Council as an essential piece of community and Council infrastructure,” said Cr Makin.

“As a State Government designated Central Activities District, Ringwood is enjoying significant investment and development from private enterprise with major commercial and residential growth underway,” said Cr Makin.

“The State Government has committed $39million in funding towards the bus interchange with funding still to come for the Ringwood Railway Station. Both are essential government infrastructure elements for the Central Activities District,” said Cr Makin.

“The significance of the Ringwood Central Activities District has been identified and acknowledged by both the Greens and Liberal parties in the lead up to the State election with their commitment to funding an upgrade to Ringwood Station within the term of the next government,” said Cr Makin.

“Council’s proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure will complement the development taking place in the Ringwood Central Activities District, enabling it to meet the needs of the growing and diverse regional population of more than 400,000 people,” said Cr Makin.

“The proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure is a critical element to the Central Activities District, both in recreational and leisure terms, as well as the economic and employment benefits during construction and operation,” said Cr Makin.

“Council is seeking considerable funding to assist with the development of this project, particularly for the diving facilities which will provide unique dry diving training for the State, as well as a FINA standard 10 metre diving tower and pool,” said Cr Makin.

“Council has met with all state candidates to ensure that they are aware of the needs of the Maroondah community, and will continue to advocate strongly in the lead up to the State election on behalf of our local community,” said Cr Makin.

– ENDS –

Media Release: Ringwood Station funding pledge

Posted on 20 October 2010 by alex

“On behalf of the Maroondah community I would like to congratulate the Liberal Party for listening to the community’s concerns and pledging $60million to upgrade Ringwood Station,” Maroondah City Council Mayor Councillor Alex Makin said.

“I thank our local members of parliament Ryan Smith and Heidi Victoria for advocating strongly on behalf of the Maroondah community and securing not only the funding, but a commitment to start the project within the next term of Parliament,” Cr Makin said.

“The Liberal Party’s commitment follows last week’s announcement by the Greens who pledged their support to transform Ringwood Station into an accessible, safe and integrated public transport hub,” Cr Makin said.

“We have now secured a promise from two of the major political parties to upgrade Ringwood Station. I now call on the Labor Party to join with their colleagues and commit to an upgrade of Ringwood Station to improve the future prosperity of Ringwood and Melbourne’s eastern region”, Cr Makin said.

“A safe, vibrant and integrated Ringwood Station is the missing piece of the State Government’s own Ringwood Activities District and to date Council has collected more than 2000 signatures on a petition calling on all major parties to commit to funding an upgrade to Ringwood Station within the term of the next government,” Cr Makin said.

“During the course of Council’s campaign calling for the Ringwood Station upgrade we have received support from many members of the community including several disability advocates. A video was produced and uploaded to YouTube which highlighted the concerns people with a disability have about accessing Ringwood Station,” Cr Makin said.

“This video was an important part of the campaign and I thank those people who were willing to share their personal stories as a way of highlighting the inadequacies of the current station layout,” Cr Makin said.

“The community support has been critical in demonstrating the need for improvements to Ringwood Station. I congratulate people for standing up for what they believe in and making the political parties realise that they can no longer ignore the needs of the Maroondah community,” Cr Makin said.

– ENDS –

Maroondah Leader: Mayor wants the missing piece

Posted on 19 October 2010 by alex

Last week I, along with accessibility advocate, Margaret Stevens, launched Council’s Missing Piece Campaign seeking to secure a commitment for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station and to provide the missing piece of the Ringwood Central Activities District.

The Maroondah Leader has reported on the launch on the call for a safe, integrated and accessible transport interchange for Ringwood:

“The community clearly sees Ringwood Station as a priority with over 2000 signatures calling for the upgrade and over 500 visitations on Council’s social media campaign,” Cr Makin said.
“It is time for each state political party to commit to delivering the mission piece and to fund an accessible, safe and integrated transport interchange.”

The Maroondah community is clearly demanding the need for an accessible, safe and integrated transport interchange for Ringwood Station. While the State Government has committed funds to redevelop the bus interchange and station forecourt, it is imperative that these works are extended to incorporate the redevelopment of Ringwood Station.

The overwhelming positive response to Council’s advocacy demonstrates that a commitment to the redevelopment of Ringwood Station is essential for the Maroondah community and Melbourne’s eastern region.

Delegates’ Report: Regional Partnerships, Celebrating Diversity, Ringwood Station Advocacy

Posted on 18 October 2010 by alex

There are several notable items I will discuss tonight.

The first being the regional partnership signed by the Mayors of the Cities of Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Whitehorse and the Shire of Yarra Ranges on the 22nd of September. This agreement will strengthen co-operation between the municipalities in areas such as advocacy, where each of these councils have supported calls for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station into a safe, accessible and integrated transport interchange.

The Eastern Volunteers Multicultural Spring Festival was held on the 9th of October, with over 5000 attendees enjoying a range of multicultural food, entertainment and performances. It is great to see the Maroondah community embracing cultural diversity and this was further evident at the New Year celebrations of Maroondah’s Chin community, an ethnic group from Burma who celebrated Fang Er at Ringwood Secondary College on the 16th of October. The afternoon provided an opportunity to learn about Fang Er, which coincides with the harvest season in Burma and to discover national dances and food.

Monkami, a not-for-profit service provider for people with intellectually disabilities, has continued to strengthen its community connections and I had the pleasure of launching Alarming Art on the 14th of October. Alarming Art is Monkami’s new public gallery located at the Croydon Fire Station in Croydon Road, the space will provide an opportunity to showcase the talents of Monkami’s clients and further strengthen connections with the community.

Lastly, Maroondah City Council launched its Missing Piece Campaign on the 13th of October, calling on all political parties to commit to the redevelopment of Ringwood Station into an accessible, safe and integrated transport interchange. The campaign, which I co-launched with accessibility advocate Margaret Stevens, reinforces the dire state of Ringwood Station and the need for a commitment. The campaign will continue until the State Election with updates being available at www.facebook.com/ringwoodstation.

I’ll table the rest of my report.

Maroondah City Council hosts Lebanese Delegation

Posted on 18 October 2010 by alex

This afternoon the City of Maroondah hosted a delegation from Lebanon, which is in Australia to learn about this country’s governance structures and representation. The delegation visited the Maroondah City Council Civic Centre in Braeside Avenue, where I was able to discuss Council’s governance and composition.

As part of the presentation the delegation recognised the civic contributions of Cr Tony Dib, a Lebanese Australian, who served on the City of Broadmeadows and was elected onto Maroondah City Council in 2005.

Tony’s connection with Lebanon helped organise today’s delegation, where we were provided with the ability to promote the City of Maroondah, including plans for the Ringwood Central Activities District, to an international audience.

2010 Chin New Year (Fang Er) Festival

Posted on 16 October 2010 by alex

The City of Maroondah is home to a large number of migrants and refugees from Burma, with several ethnic groups settling into the municipality.

The Chin community, is one of the ethnic groups from Burma and this afternoon I attended their new year celebrations, known as Fang Er, which traditionally celebrated the harvest. The celebrations included singing, dancing and entertainment from members of the Chin community, as well as traditional rice cake which is part of the festivities.

It is great to see the Chin community embracing Maroondah and encouraging participation in their festivals.