Tag: annual general meeting

2010 North Ringwood Senior Citizens Annual General Meeting

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The North RIngwood Senior Citizens are based at Norwood Park along Warrandyte Road and is one of several groups that utilises these facilities on a shared basis. The North Ringwood Senior Citizens is one of three senior-based groups, that provides a range of activities to encourage social inclusion and active lifestyles.

This afternoon I attended the Annual General Meeting of the North Ringwood Senior Citizens, where I was asked to officiate proceedings for the election of officeholders for the 2010-2011 Year. While some groups have faced difficulties in maintaining interest, it is fantastic to see ongoing community involvement with the North Ringwood Senior Citizens, including the confirming of an active and enthusiastic committee.

The North Ringwood Senior Citizens have already planned a series of activities for the remainder of the year, including trips and social events. Details on the group are available within the Maroondah Community Guide.

Ringwood Swimming Club – 75th AGM and Presentation Evening

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The Ringwood Swimming Club is located at the Ringwood Aquatic Centre at Jubilee Park and provides a range of swimming activities, including competitive events for its members. The Club has had ongoing success in State and National competitions, with medals being won across a number of age groups and events.

This evening, along with my ward Colleagues, Cr. Nora Lamont and Cr. Ann Fraser, I attended the Ringwood Swimming Club’s Annual General Meeting and Presentation Evening held at the Heathmont Bowls Club. The event provided an opportunity to congratulate the many swimmers within the Club and to build upon this success for future years.

The guest speaker was Sarah Katsoulis, a Commonwealth Games record holder in 50m Breaststroke and part of the 400-medley relay team. Sarah discussed the ongoing need for training and determination so that swimmers can achieve their fullest potential. In addition, Sarah spoke about her own experiences and challenges as a competitive swimmer and provided insights into the sport.

Alex at the 75th Annual General Meeting for the Ringwood Swimming Club
Alex at the 75th Annual General Meeting for the Ringwood Swimming Club

The Ringwood Swimming Club, which is celebrating its 75th year, has had a long association with Ringwood and it is great to see the Club celebrating its ongoing success. Swimming complements the many other sporting activities within Jubilee Park and Council is currently finalising the Management Plan for this precinct. Combined with further improvements, this will help ensure that Jubilee Park and the associated facilities meet the changing needs of Ringwood and Maroondah.

Delegates’ Report: Annual general meetings, art exhibitions and launching Maroondah’s Community Wellbeing Plan

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There are several items I’d like to discuss this evening:

On the 23rd of March I attended the North Ringwood Community House annual general meeting, which coincided with the graduation ceremony of their Certificate III and IV students.

North Ringwood Community House is the only community house in Maroondah that has Registered Training Organisation status, meaning that they are able to offer Certificate level courses. As part of the AGM the House discussed its new business plan and it is great to see that they are planning on expanding their accredited courses into the future.

On the 29th of March I attended the first meeting of the Maroondah Partners for Community Wellbeing Committee along with Cr Ann Fraser. This committee is tasked with the responsibility of overseeing the implementation of Council’s Community Wellbeing Plan and incorporates a number of different agencies, including Eastern Volunteers, Eastern Access Community Health, the Primary Care Partnerships and others.

So what is Council’s Community Wellbeing Plan, it’ll be discussed later in this report.

On the 13th of April, I attended a community meeting hosted by Common Equity Housing Limited (CEHL), the managers of the 80 unit affordable housing development in Larissa Avenue. While Council and the community were understandably concerned about the State Government overriding Maroondah Council as a planning authority, it is encouraging to see the CEHL holding discussions with the community to help explain and demystify this development.

On the 15th of April I had the pleasure of opening two exhibitions, Konrad Winkler’s Moments of My Life and the Ringwood Art Society’s Artist of the Year. Konrad’s work highlights the changing nature of photography and the Art Society’s exhibition showcases the talents of one of Victoria’s oldest and largest arts societies.
The Artist of the Year was judged by an independent adjudicator but the community also has the possibility of providing input, through the Community Choice Award.

As part of the proceedings I had the privilege of announcing that Council will be utilising the Mayoral Art Fund to acquire one of the artworks that was exhibited by a member of the Ringwood Arts Society and I look forward to formalising this announcement once it is finalised.

The two exhibitions are hosted at Maroondah Art Gallery at the Maroondah Federation Estate and are on display until the 8th of May.

On Sunday the 18th of April I attended the Anzac March in Croydon hosted by the Croydon RSL. I would like to commend the Croydon RSL for holding such a welcoming and friendly event, it was great to see them involve the wider community, including local Primary and Secondary Schools and I believe it reinforces the community atmosphere that is so prevalent at the Croydon RSL.

This morning I had the pleasure of launching Maroondah City Council’s Community Wellbeing Plan. The plan, which was adopted by Council in December in last year, identifies the key wellbeing priorities over the next four years, including:

  • Healthy Minds Healthy Choices
  • Engaged Resilient Communities
  • Accessible Safe Community
  • Lifestyle Opportunities and Choices
  • Targeting Equity and Social Inclusion
  • Healthy Sustainable Environments

The plan was developed through the former Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee of which Cr. Nora Lamont, Cr. Rob Steane and myself were members.

In addition, Council undertook extensive community engagement in the development of its Community Wellbeing Plan including a survey in the Maroondah Focus, where we received over 1000 responses.

This was a tremendous result given that there are 44,000 households within the municipality. These responses provided quantitative information and Council also undertook extensive consultation with community organisations and discussion sessions at locations such as Eastland.

The end result is a plan that was developed in partnership with the community and which will be overseen by the Maroondah Partners in Community Wellbeing Committee, which includes community organisations, Council staff, as well as two Councillors, Cr. Ann Fraser and myself.

I would like to commend the many people who were involved in the development of the plan. The implementation of the Community Wellbeing Plan depends on community partnerships and I look forward to this collaboration as we improve the health, safety and wellbeing of our municipality.

42nd Annual General Meeting for the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau

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The Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau has offices in Ringwood and Croydon within Maroondah, where they provide referral services and emergency relief.  The organisation is operated largely through volunteers, who need to complete a training course before they can provide assistance to people in need of their services.

This afternoon the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau held its 42nd Annual General Meeting, electing committee members for the upcoming year and to provide an overview of changes within the organisation over the past twelve months.  Like many community organisations, the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau has had to adapt to changing community needs and as a result has focused on developing a range of policies to outline roles and responsibilities.

I re-nominated as a committee member at the AGM and was invited to discuss current issues within Maroondah,   including the redevelopment of Eastland, the former Ringwood Market site and Ringwood Station.  Works on the Station forecourt and bus interchange are expected to begin towards the middle of this year and will help in improving the appearance of the Station.  These works however will not resolve the issue surround the lack of disability compliance standards for Ringwood Station and further funding is required to ensure the creation of a safe, accessible and integrated transport interchange.

Priorities for the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau include an upgrade of their computer systems to improve connectivity between the two offices and ensure that information is maintained and up-to-date.  The Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau requires additional volunteers, please visit www.mcab.org.au for further information.

U3A Croydon Annual General Meeting

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The University of the Third Age (U3A) is a community based organisation that provides educational opportunities to retirees and seniors.  Maroondah has two local U3A organisations, with one in Ringwood and in Croydon, these two groups are part of the U3A Network Victoria, which includes other U3As across the State.

This morning I was invited to to be the guest speaker at U3A Croydon Annual General Meeting.  U3A Croydon has over 600 members and provides a range of courses, including languages, literature, history, computer studies and handicrafts.  The organisation is embarking on developing a business plan to provide a cohesive direction for the future and this demonstrates the professionalism and foresight of its committee and members.

Given that U3A Croydon is a growing organisation, one of their concerns is the ongoing need for community space.  As the guest speaker I discussed Council’s current work on assessing community needs, which will assist in identifying potential venues and meeting places for community organisations.  This project is expected to be completed towards the end of this year and will provide a centralised resource to locate community venues, making it easier for groups to plan ahead.

Like many other people in our community, the members of U3A Croydon are also concerned about the condition of Ringwood Station and several members raised questions in regard to the lack of easy access in using the Station.  While the majority of its members are located in Croydon, it is clear that an issue like Ringwood Station affects the entire municipality, reinforcing the need for further funding to create a safe, integrated and accessible transport interchange.

While the core focus of U3A is education, it is important to recognise how the group assists in providing a social outlet for its members and peer support.  The U3A model encourages collaboration between teachers and students to create a dynamic and stimulating learning environment and it is clear from the attendees at the AGM, that U3A Croydon is achieving this objective.

For further details on U3A Croydon please visit home.vicnet.net.au/~unita/index.htm

Delegates’ Report: Annual General Meetings, Promoting Harmony and Recognising Achievements

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February and March have both been busy months with the opening of new facilities, annual general meetings and awards.

On the 19th of February I had the pleasure of opening the revamped Keystone Hall, located in Croydon. The project, which received Council and Federal funding, is a multi-purpose facility that houses several groups, including Croydon Little Athletics and the Croydon U3A. The facility includes accessibility improvements, as well as sustainability initiatives, through the installation of water tanks.

On the 4th of March, the City of Maroondah was officially presented an Award for achieving the Highest Level of Community Engagement during Walktober. Walktober is an event held each October, whereby Councils, community groups and organisations are encouraged to organise walks to promote sustainable transport and community wellbeing.

I would like to extend my congratulations to Maroondah’s Leisure Services Department for working collaboratively with community groups and registering 55 walks during Walktober.

Further details will be presented during tonight’s agenda.

On the 9th of March I had the pleasure of opening Maroondah City Council’s International Women’s Day Breakfast. 2010 marks the Centenary of the Girl Guides and we had the privilege of hearing from two speakers from Girl Guides Victoria, including local Guide leader Billee Henry who spoke passionately about the organisation and the opportunities to provides its members.

On the 16th of March I had the honour of opening the Lighthouse Foundation’s Home for Mums and Bubs in Heathmont. The Home will provide a home for two homeless young mothers and their babies, providing a nurturing environment, combined with holistic support, counselling and education. I look forward to welcoming the residents of the home into the Maroondah community.

On the 17th of March I assisted in the preparations of the Ride2School program at Croydon West Primary. Ride2School is a program that aims to encourage walking and cycling and it was great to see so many students participating in the program.

The 18th of March saw the coming together of many organisations, including Maroondah Council, Eastern Regional Libraries, Centrelink, Department of Justice, Maroondah Police and Mission Australia to hold a festival marking Cultural Diversity Week and Harmony Day.

The event was held at the front of the Ringwood Library and saw the space come alive with songs, dance, story telling and face painting. Many members of our community participated in the festivities and it was fantastic to demonstrate the key message of Harmony Day, by showing that Everyone Belongs in Maroondah.

Lastly, on the 16th of March I attended the Central Ringwood Community Centre’s Annual General Meeting and the Annual General Meeting of Yarrunga Community Centre on the 17th. Both Community Centres, are overseen by a voluntary committee of management and it is great to see that they are both continuing to meet the needs of the wider community, through social groups, adult education and child services.

Southern Sudanese Christian Welfare Association Annual General Meeting

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The Southern Sudanese Christian Welfare Association was formed by members of the Sudanese community to provide support for Maroondah’s Sudanese migrants.  The organisation not only provides peer support but holds cultural events to create a sense of community and provide opportunities to learn about Sudanese culture.

Today’s meeting elected committee members for the next twelve months and provided an update on the organisation and its objectives.  While housing and employment challenges remain and will require a coordinated approach across all levels of government, the Association has been successful in holding cultural events and promoting the need for social inclusion and opportunities.

It is imperative that  Maroondah’s Sudanese community is able to find suitable housing and employment opportunities so that these newly arrived migrants and their families are able to reside within the municipality.

Croydon Conservation Society 2010 AGM

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The Croydon Conservation Society  was formed in 1964 and is Maroondah’s oldest environmental organisation.  The Society covers a broad range of natural and urban sustainability issues, including environmental preservation and planning issues.

Tonight’s Annual General Meeting, including a presentation on the works being undertaken at Brushy Creek to prevent flooding that affects nearby residents.  The project, which includes two phases totalling over $2 million, will restore Brushy Creek between Bellara Drive and Maroondah Highway and includes extensive re-vegetation.

The 2010 Committee for the Croydon Conservation Society is aimed to strengthen its ability to become a community resource for people interested in sustainability.  This will see the Society strengthen the role of its website as it aims to deliver content for the community.

Yarrunga Community Centre AGM

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Yarrunga Community Centre opened in 1996 and is a not-for-profit community organisation, located in Croydon Hills.  Like other community centres within Maroondah, the organisation is overseen by a voluntary committee of management,. with operational decisions delegated to the staff.

Tonight’s annual general meeting included a presentation from a Whitehorse sustainability ambassador, who spoke of initiatives to reduce water consumption, particularly through developing a sustainable garden.

Yarrunga has a strong focus on sustainability and recently installed solar panels to reduce its environmental footprint.  In addition the Centre is planning to install water tanks to reduce the Centre’s usage of potable water.

Yarrunga offers a diverse range of activities, including adult education, social programs and an Early Learning Centre.  For further information please visit www.yarrunga.org.au.

Central Ringwood Community Centre 2010 AGM

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Central Ringwood Community Centre is a not-for-profit community organisation located within Bedford Park, Ringwood and provides a range of community courses, as well as facilities available for hire.

This afternoon I attended Central Ringwood Community Centre’s 2010 Annual General Meeting, which provided an opportunity to learn about the activities undertaken within the Centre. The Centre recently received funding through the Better Regions Program Funding, which has provided for accessibility improvements and a new activity room.

In addition Central Ringwood Community Centre is a partner in a project that aims to identify the needs of refugees from Burma, through identifying any gaps in existing services.  The project is due for completion in March 2011 and reinforces the Centre’s strong interest in Maroondah’s diverse community.