community organisations Archives

Maroondah Leader: roll out the issues

Posted on 26 October 2010 by alex

The State Election is just over a month away and the Marooodah Leader has canvassed community organisations on the issues facing Maroondah and Melbourne’s outer east:

Mayor Alex Makin said the council’s focus was on funding for the $48 million Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure Centre, but the major parties should also provide an ongoing commitment to Ringwood Central Activities District, preserving local government’s authority over planning decisions and more frequent public transport services.

It is imperative that all parties commit to a shared vision for Maroondah, including Ringwood’s status as a Central Activities District. This requires an ongoing commitment and planning certainty, as well as facilities that serve not only Maroondah but the wider eastern region.

Speaking at the New Community Church Ringwood

Posted on 18 July 2010 by alex

As a Mayor and Councillor , I am often invited to speak to community organisations about the role of local government and the City of Maroondah.

This morning I was invited to speak at the New Community Church Ringwood, which meets twice a week at Maroondah Federation Estate in Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood. As part of the discussion, I mentioned Maroondah’s priorities, including the need for improvements to community infrastructure, additional meeting space and the importance of projects like the redevelopment of Ringwood Station and the proposed Leisure and Aquatic Centre.

I also discussed the way Council works, including the importance of working as a team, given that Council operates similarly to a board of management, where it is is Council that the decision making body, and not individual Councillors.

I welcome the opportunity to speak to groups throughout Maroondah and it is great to see the level of discussion and dialogue that arises out of these discussions.

Media Release: Look out for your Community Guide

Posted on 16 June 2010 by alex

The 2010/2011 Maroondah Community Guide has been delivered to residents in Maroondah over the past week.

Maroondah’s Mayor, Councillor Alex Makin, encouraged community members to make use of this excellent resource.

“The Maroondah City Council Community Guide is updated each year and contains an enormous amount of useful contact information on Council and community services,” Cr Makin said.

The first part of the guide details the many services and facilities provided by Council, as well as including information about elected representatives.

The second half of the guide has a comprehensive list of community organisations and services within Maroondah, including hobby groups, sporting clubs, disability services and local schools.

“You’ll find the Community Guide is well worth a look, with plenty of handy information. Keep it close to hand as an easy reference to local services, community facilities and agencies for the entire year,” Cr Makin said.

Residents who are new to Maroondah will receive the Community Guide as part of Council’s New Residents’ welcome kits.

Copies of the Maroondah Community Guide are also available from Council’s service centres at Braeside Avenue, Ringwood; Eastland Shopping Centre; and Civic Square, Croydon.

The Community Guide is also available online at www.maroondah.vic.gov.au where you can find the most up-to-date community listings and information.

“While the Community Guide is printed annually, the online community listing can be updated by organisations at any time throughout the year. Help us keep the information current by updating your organisation’s details online,” Cr Makin said.

Information can be updated online at www.maroondah.vic.gov.au or by phoning 1300 88 22 33.

– ENDS –

Launch of the Dorset Golf Course Redevelopment

Posted on 8 June 2010 by alex

The Dorset Golf Course is Trawalla Road in Croydon and is one of two public golf courses located within the City of Maroondah. The course was opened in 1983 and is an 18 hole course on a 45 hectare site.

As part of the Federal Government’s economic stimulus package, Maroondah City Council was able to secure funding to redevelop the club rooms, which failed to meet accessibility standards and were in need of restoration.

Alex with Mike Symon, Member for Deakin and Senator David Feeney at the launch of the new Dorset Golf Club Rooms

This afternoon I was joined by Senator David Feeney to officially open these extensions. The copy of the speech is included within this post:

Continue reading “Launch of the Dorset Golf Course Redevelopment”

Maroondah Citizenship Ceremony – May 2010

Posted on 20 May 2010 by alex

The City of Maroondah holds a series of Citizenship Ceremonies throughout the year, whereby candidates make a declaration of citizenship to Australia.

The Mayor officiates the Citizenship Ceremonies and this evening I had the pleasure of welcoming 88 new Citizens into Maroondah. This evening we had several Councillors in attendance, as well as State and Federal Members of Parliament and it was great to see the strong level of interest in Maroondah’s citizenship ceremonies.

The ceremony is held at the Karralyka Centre and includes entertainment form the Croydon Brass Band. One of the unique attributes of Maroondah is the strong level of volunteerism and community organisations and the Ceremonies provide a great introduction to the many groups that exist throughout the municipality.

Ringwood Clocktower Probus Club – 3rd Birthday Celebrations

Posted on 19 May 2010 by alex

The Ringwood Clocktower Probus Club meets on the third Wednesday of each month at the Ringwood RSL. The Club is one of Maroondah’s newer Probus Clubs and this afternoon I joined members in celebrating its third birthday.

Alex with members of the Ringwood Clocktower Probus Club

The Ringwood Clocktower Probus Club has a strong emphasis on social activities and has an active photography group, which had several of their photographs on display. One of the exhibitions provided a comparison of Melbourne through photographs taken fifty years ago and today, reflecting on the changes that have taken place over this time.

As part of the proceedings I spoke to the members where I congratulated them on the formation of the Club and for having such a strong and active membership. I also discussed Council’s vision for the future, including the redevelopment of Ringwood Aquatic Centre, into a modern facility that includes water and wellbeing components. The redeveloped facility will better cater to the needs of the Maroondah community through providing a facility that will offer a range of recreational activities.

Alex with Jan Kronberg, MLC for Eastern Metropolitan Region and members at the Ringwood Clocktower Probus Third Birthday

Probus Clubs provide a range of activities for their members and it is encouraging to see the Ringwood Clocktower Probus Club flourishing after three years. Importantly many of its members are also active in a number of other community organisations demonstrating the volunteering spirit that exists within Probus.

Alex drawing the raffle for the Ringwood Clocktower Probus Club

51st Birthday Celebrations for the Ringwood War Widows’ Association

Posted on 17 May 2010 by alex

The War Widows’ Association of the Ringwood Branch of the RSL was formed in 1949 to support war widows. The organisation meets regularly at the Ringwood RSL and also supports a range of community organisations.

This afternoon I attended the birthday celebrations at a luncheon held at the Ringwood RSL. The birthday provided an opportunity to reflect on the past 51 years and the ongoing support that is offered to members of the organisation. The festivities included a band and a birthday cake, with many of the members participating in singing or dancing.

The Ringwood RSL supports a range of community based organisations and has provided ongoing assistance to the Ringwood War Widows’ Association.

Ringwood U3A – 25th Birthday Celebrations

Posted on 15 May 2010 by alex

Universities of the Third Age (U3A) are a global movement which provides education and life-long learning for retirees. The concept of U3As began in France in 1972 and spread quickly throughout the World, including Australia. Thirty years ago, Ringwood became the home to one of the very first U3As within Victoria, based at Norwood Hall along Warrandyte Road in Ringwood North.

This afternoon I attended a luncheon to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Ringwood U3A, where past and current members reflected on the past thirty years and the ongoing interest in U3As. Twenty-five years ago U3As were a new and novel concept and the establishment of Ringwood’s U3A was the result of determination and ongoing support from several founding members. This dedication has delivered results, with the Ringwood U3A flourishing and offering a wide variety of courses to cater to a diverse range of interests.

Alex with the Member for Deakin, Mike Symon and U3A members at the 25th birthday celebrations for Ringwood U3A.

As part of the proceedings I was invited to speak at the celebrations, where I reiterated the importance of life-long education and congratulated the many people involved in their ongoing support to the Ringwood U3A. I also discussed the future opportunities that may exist through Council’s assessment of community facilities. This assessment will assist in providing information on available community space, assisting community groups in finding locations for their activities.

In addition, Maroondah Council is currently conducting an assessment of Norwood Hall, prompted by the desired relocation of North Ringwood Community House and this will provide an opportunity to explore options to better cater for the needs of the existing groups at Norwood Hall.

Alex presenting a certificate of appreciation recognising the assistance provided towards Ringwood U3A.

Community organisations like the Ringwood U3A provide new opportunities for seniors, as well as reducing social isolation and promoting active participation within our community. I look forward to seeing many years of future success for the Ringwood U3A.

Launch of new playground for North Ringwood Community Children’s Centre

Posted on 1 May 2010 by alex

Maroondah City Council offers a variety of grants to assist community based organisations, including funding through the third/third/third grants, which can be utilised for capital works within council owned facilities. The upgraded playground at North Ringwood Community Children’s Centre, based at Norwood Reserve on Warrandyte Road in Ringwood North is one example of this funding.

North Ringwood Community Children’s Centre is a community based, not-for-profit organisation, which is managed through a voluntary Committee of Management. The Centre provides a range of programs for young children, including an accredited four year old kindergarten program, with an emphasis on creativity and learning.

This afternoon I was invited to officially launched the new playground at the Centre, which was funded through Council’s third/third/third program. This grants program is where Council contributes time and financial resources to assist community organisations with capital works. The community group contributes one third of the project, Council another third and the final third can be provided as a loan or through other external sources of funding.

The playground provides an expanded range of activities and play spaces for the children in the Centre and is an example of an organisation that is meeting the long-term needs of Maroondah’s community. For further information on the third/third/third funding program and other community grants offered by the City of Maroondah please visit www.maroondah.vic.gov.au/GrantsProgram.aspx.

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

Posted on 19 April 2010 by alex

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.