Tag: community events

The first annual general meeting of the Maroondah Interfaith Network

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The Maroondah Interfaith Network was formed in November 2009 to promote understanding and social harmony between Maroondah’s faith based communities. The Network, which comprises of representatives from several Maroondah faith organisations, has held a series of events throughout to promote understanding and awareness of Maroondah’s faith communities.

This afternoon I attended the Maroondah Interfaith Network’s first Annual General Meeting, which elected committee members to replace the interim committee and to focus on strengthening and developing the network over the next twelve months. While the Maroondah Interfaith Network is a relatively new organisation, it has already highlighted the diversity of Maroondah’s faith communities through promoting understanding and dialogue between religious faiths.

Congratulations to the many faiths involved in establishing the Maroondah Interfaith Network and for their ongoing involvement. Many of Maroondah’s neighbouring municipalities have had long established Interfaith Networks and it is great that Maroondah now has its own Interfaith Network to promote social inclusion and understanding.

Maroondah Sudanese Festival

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Maroondah has experiencing growing cultural diversity in recent years, including becoming home to a vibrant Sudanese community. This afternoon I was invited to a cultural festival organised by Maroondah’s Sudanese community featuring food, music and dance.

Maroondah’s Sudanese community should be congratulated for sharing their culture and heritage, as well as promoting understanding within Maroondah. I congratulate the Sudanese community for their ongoing engagement and interest in the wider Maroondah community.

It has been a great experience being involved with Maroondah’s Sudanese community and I welcome the growing cultural diversity within the municipality.

Remembrance Day Services at Croydon RSL

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The 11th of November is Remembrance Day, with Australians pausing at 11am to reflect and remember casualties caused during war. The Ringwood and Croydon RSL both hold Remembrance Day services, and this year I attended the Croydon service at James Stevens Lawn, outside the Croydon Civic Centre.

The Croydon RSL, which organises the Croydon services, has a strong focus on community involvement through the inclusion of local schools and the community. It is encouraging to see increased attendees each year at Remembrance Day and the ongoing focus Croydon RSL has on the wider community.

Media Release: Maroondah Festival bigger and better than ever

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This year’s Maroondah Festival was a huge success, with seven hours of entertainment enjoyed by the Maroondah community on Sunday 7 November at Town Park in Croydon.

Maroondah Mayor Councillor Alex Makin said the threat of stormy weather wasn’t enough to the keep more than 30,000 people from attending the 21st Maroondah Festival. In fact the sun was shining for most of the day.

“The Maroondah Festival is one of the eastern suburbs’ largest free community events and this is due to the community spirit that brings out all that is good about Maroondah on this wonderful day,” Cr Makin said.

“On behalf of Council and the festival organisers, I would like to thank our sponsors, including major sponsor Ringwood Honda, exhibitors, performers, site holders and Council staff for their commitment and support in making this day such a great success,” Cr Makin said.

“It was very pleasing to see that crowd numbers were very high, with the local community enjoying the many activities and events available all day. This annual free event has become an integral part of Maroondah’s identity. I know many people look forward to this event and I am proud to say that it just keeps getting better every year,” Cr Makin said.

Many of Council’s services and facilities were represented at the festival, including the proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure Centre.

“The expo gave festival visitors an opportunity to find out more about the proposed facility which includes the proposed state diving centre. The centre would provide Ringwood Diving Club and other diving clubs with a state-of-the-art training facility,” Cr Makin said.

“Leisure experts, representatives from Ringwood Diving Club and Council representatives were on hand at the festival to answer any questions people had about the proposed facility,” Cr Makin said.

“We had hundreds of people through the expo viewing the images and concept plans of the proposed facilities, with many taking the time to fill-out feedback forms on their thoughts of the proposed facility,” Cr Makin said.

“Next to the proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure Centre expo Ringwood Diving Club members had their own interactive display at the festival, complete with divers performing on a portable springboard, mini trampoline and kinder dive activities,” Cr Makin said.

“Four time Olympic diver Jenny Donnet visited both the Ringwood Diving Club and Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure Centre displays during the festival. Jenny, a local Ringwood resident, was extremely supportive of the proposed facility saying diving clubs, elite and developing divers would benefit greatly from having access to the proposed dry diving training facility and the FINA standard 10 metre diving tower and pool,” Cr Makin said.

Jenny also took the time to fill out a feedback form, commenting that the proposed facility would “change the face of diving” in Australia.

“The proposed state diving centre is still subject to significant state and federal government funding, but with state-of-the-art facilities like these we could see more and more Victorian-based divers competing at an international level,” Cr Makin said.

Festival visitors also used the opportunity to sign Council’s petition calling for an upgrade to Ringwood Station in the term of the next government.

“We have secured a commitment from the Liberal party and Greens to upgrade Ringwood Station within the term of the next government and Council is now awaiting on a commitment from the Labor Party to the upgrade of Ringwood Station,” Cr Makin said.

“To date Council has collected close to 3000 signatures on the petition. We thank the community for their support and urge those who haven’t yet signed the petition to do so via council’s website or at a Service Centre,” Cr Makin said.

Some of the exciting features of the 2010 Maroondah Festival included:

  • Kids Kingdom was packed with free rides, interactive games and craft activities.
  • Anaconda Fun and Fitness Arena with activities, organised games, interactive workshops and demonstrations presented by local sporting clubs. There was also the 7.3 metre climbing pinnacle, tennis serve radar and Panna Football competition.
  • Bankwest Main stage arena featured a feast of musical performances from some of Melbourne’s finest artists including Electric Empire.
  • The Sustainability Area offered workshops hosted by Channel 31’s garden guru Vasili Kanidiadis.
  • Denso Community Expo showcased the many community groups and service providers in Maroondah. The expo included a community stage which featured performances by local groups.

“Maroondah Festival was a great day out for all the family. Planning is already under way to make sure next year’s event is even bigger and better,” Cr Makin said.

The Maroondah Festival was proudly presented by Maroondah City Council and sponsored by Ringwood Honda.

– ENDS –

2010 Maroondah Festival

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The Maroondah Festival is one of the largest community events within Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, attracting approximately 30,000 attendees and featuring dedicated community, business, sustainability, fitness, teenagers and children.

The weather remained largely pleasant throughout the day, providing a contrast to the hot weather experienced in previous years. The new location at Town Park also provides additional shade and ensures that activities are closer together making the festival easier to attend.

As the Mayor I delivered the opening speech for the Maroondah Festival, welcoming community members and highlights the partners that assisted in delivering the event:

Alex at the opening of the 2010 Maroondah Festival.
Alex at the opening of the 2010 Maroondah Festival.

On behalf of the Maroondah City Council I would like to welcome everyone to the 2010 Maroondah Festival.

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.

This year marks the 21st anniversary of this wonderful community event and we invite you and your families enjoy the beautiful sunshine and take part in the huge array of activities available here today, including some fresh new initiatives and of course the old favourites.

I would especially like to extend a warm welcome to Ringwood Honda as the principal sponsor of the 2010 Maroondah Festival. Be sure to visit the Ringwood Honda stand next to the Information tent to collect your free Honda merchandise and check out the latest range of Honda vehicles on display. There will also be an opportunity to talk to the friendly staff from Ringwood Honda and enter the draw to win some fantastic prizes including a Honda lawn mower valued at over $800.

At the Festival today, over 150 local groups and businesses have come together to provide information on their networks, goods and services. With their continued support, the Maroondah Festival has grown to become the most well supported community Festival in Melbourne’s east.

I invite everyone to visit the Denso Australia Group – Community Expo today and learn more about the valuable work undertaken by our fantastic local community groups.

We are also fortunate that we have many businesses in our municipality who support the Maroondah Festival. I would like to thank the following businesses for their generous sponsorship at this year’s festival:

  • Ringwood Honda: The principal sponsor of the Maroondah Festival
  • Bankwest – sponsor of the Main Stage
  • Denso Australia Group – sponsor of the Community Expo
  • Maroondah Weekly – our media partner
  • Anaconda – sponsor of the Fun and Fitness Arena
  • Ventura – sponsor of the Park n Ride service
  • Jalna – sponsor of the Fun and Fitness Walk breakfast

An event the size of Maroondah Festival requires a lot of planning and hard work and I would especially like to extend a huge thank you to all of the volunteers and staff assembled here today. In particular I would like to acknowledge the assistance of St John Ambulance and Victoria Police, and I would also like to thank the staff of Maroondah City Council and Fruitbowl Productions.

I hope that you enjoy the rest of the day, visit the Festival Information tent to find out about the huge array of activities on offer and be sure to take advantage of the free sunscreen.

Thank you all for being part of this fantastic event and celebrating our wonderful Maroondah community.

I would now like to welcome to the stage, the Yarra Valley School band.

November Broadcast on 98.1 Radio Eastern FM

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Radio Eastern is a community based organisation located at Wyreena Community Arts Centre, that broadcasts on 98.1 FM.

Each month Councillors are invited to participate in an on-air interview on 98.1 FM and this morning I discussed upcoming Council activities, as well as reflected on the year as Mayor. During the interview I highlighted the governance reforms that were undertaken this year, including the encouragement of debate and discussion in the Chamber and presentations through deputations to Council. This ensures that decisions are being made in an open and transparent nature and ensures that community groups and individuals can make formal presentations to Council.

In relation to upcoming events I discussed the the Maroondah Festival, which will be held on Sunday the 7th of November. The Festival is Maroondah’s largest event, featuring community organisations, interactive displays, music and stage performances, including dedicated areas for community, business, sustainability, fitness and a youth precinct.

I also reminded the community that nominations for Maroondah’s Australia Day Awards close on Friday the 19th of November. The Australia Day Awards provide an opportunity to recognize prominent Maroondah citizens and community events.

Details on the Maroondah Festival and the Australia Day Awards are available from the Council website at www.maroondah.vic.gov.au.

Media Release: Mayor Art Show highlights local talent

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The 2010 Maroondah Mayoral Art Show will be on display at the Maroondah Art Gallery from 11 November to 11 December.

Maroondah Mayor Councillor Alex Makin said the exhibition, now in its 14th year would feature works by some of Melbourne’s best known artists.

“To be featured in the exhibition each artist was asked to make a donation with all funds raised to be donated to the Bone Marrow Donor Institute – Croydon Branch to support further research into leukaemia,” Cr Makin said.

“It is great to be able to give our local artists an opportunity to share their works with the community, while also knowing that visiting the exhibition you are also helping to support a worthwhile cause,” Cr Makin said.

The Mayoral Art Show is sponsored by East Ringwood Bendigo Bank.

The exhibition will be officially opened by Maroondah Mayor Councillor Alex Makin at 6.30pm, Thursday 11 November.

The Mayoral Art Show is on at Maroondah Art Gallery, Maroondah Federation Estate, 32 Greenwood Ave, Ringwood. The gallery has extended its opening hours especially for the exhibition, and is now open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm and Saturday 12 noon to 4pm.

For more information please contact the Team Leader Arts & Cultural Services, Susan Ryan on 9298 4536.

– ENDS –

Media Release: Go orange and show your support for the SES

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Maroondah City Council is urging the community to wear orange on Wednesday 10 November in support of the State Emergency Service.

Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin said the event coincided with National SES Week which runs from November 7 to 14.

“Last year in Victoria alone, 5500 SES volunteers responded to more than 30,000 emergencies,” Cr Makin said.

“Across the state, there were more than 22,000 storm related requests
for assistance and 1000 road crash rescues – which adds up to more than 160,000
volunteer hours,” Cr Makin said.

“Maroondah has a dedicated team of volunteers based at the Croydon SES station who are trained in a range of emergency and non-emergency roles to prepare them for the many events they may face,” Cr Makin said.

“The community rely on these volunteers for assistance following storm damage, flooding, fire and for land searches or lighting at emergency scenes,” Cr Makin said.

“The volunteers do a wonderful job for our community and should be recognised for their efforts. I urge the community to show their support for the SES during National SES Week, by joining in Wear Orange to Work and School Day on Wednesday 10 November,” Cr Makin said.

“By participating in the day and uploading a picture of yourself in your orange outfit to the VICSES Facebook page you could go in the draw to win one of three Apple iPads,” Cr Makin said.

If you would like to know more about how to protect yourself and your belongings before a storm, or to find out about volunteering with VICSES, phone VICSES Central Region Office on 9684 6651 or visit www.ses.vic.gov.au

For more information or to find out about other events happening during
National SES Week, visit www.ses.vic.gov.au or www.facebook.com/vicse

For emergency assistance, contact the SES on 132 500.

– ENDS –

Storytime at Croydon Library

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Children’s Week is held annually during the fourth week in October and has the theme “A Caring World Shares”, which aims to focus on the needs of children and the ability to enjoy childhood.

This morning, as part of Children’s Week, I attended Storytime at Croydon Library, a weekly program that involves the reading of stories and songs to preschool children. The program typically involves four children’s stories and I was invited to read two of them, as well as participate in the songs and activities held during the session.

Storytime is a great program designed to encourage reading and an appreciation for books and it was great to see so many children and their parents attend the session. Storytime sessions are available at both Ringwood and Croydon Libraries, for details please visit www.erl.vic.gov.au/kids/storytimes.htm

Launch of the Eastern Region Family Help Cards

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Community Safety Month is held throughout October to promote safer communities. Councils across the Eastern Region worked together to promote community safety, including the prevention of family violence.

This afternoon I attended the launch of the Eastern Region Family Violence Help Cards, which are pocket sized cards containing information on services available to assist victims of family violence. The launch, which was conducted in the City of Whitehorse, emphasised ongoing concerns over the rate of family violence, which is a problem often hidden from the wider community.

The cards contain important information on the resources that are available to assist in family violence situations. The cards, which are available for both men and women, are available through the Cities of Boroondara, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Monash, Whitehorse and the Shire of Yarra Ranges.