Tag: councillors

Speaking to Grade Three and Four Students at Heathmont East Primary

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This morning I was invited to speak to approximately 100 grade three and four students at Heathmont East Primary, located in Louis Street, near Canterbury Road in Heathmont.

One of the roles of being Mayor is to explain how Councils function and to discuss the role of being a Councillor and Mayor. This morning I spoke about the ward structure of Maroondah and helped clarify the responsibilities of local councils, compared to State and Federal governments.

I also spoke about growing up in Heathmont, where I was a student of Marlborough Primary, a school in close proximity to Heathmont East. It was great to see the students taking part in the discussion and asking many questions, ranging from the services Council provides to how decisions are made by Councillors.

Australia’s system of governance, with Local, State and Federal Governments, can seem overtly complex at times and it was great to provide an opportunity to discuss the role of Council and the importance of our local community.

2010 Year of Women in Local Government – LGPro Women’s Network Dinner

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LGPro is the peak body for local government professionals within Victoria and holds regular events to promote development within the sector. 2010 is the year of women in local government and this evening I attended the LGPro Women’s Network Dinner to show my support for equity within the sector.

Maroondah City Council has been a stronger supporter of equity, with Maroondah being one of the sponsors of the event and an active member of LGPro and its board of management.

Speaking at the New Community Church Ringwood

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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.

Maroondah and Knox Networking function

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The City of Knox, is located to the south of Maroondah and has a population of 151,000 residents who are represented through nine Councillors and Cr. Joe Cossari, who is the current Mayor.

This evening the City of Knox organised a networking function to encourage dialogue between the Councillors of Knox and Maroondah. While there are regular opportunities for Mayors to meet, there is a lack of similar possibilities for Councillors.

Local government needs to adopt a regional approach so that we can work cooperatively on issues of common interest. In Maroondah and Knox for example, there are common concerns in regard to public transport, and the two municipalities need to work together to achieve positive outcomes for our community.

It is envisaged that tonight’s function will be the first of several opportunities for Councillors to come together and work collectively for the betterment of Melbourne’s outer east.

Media Release: Glen Park picnic a success

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Maroondah residents braved the windy weather on Saturday to take part in the Picnic in the Park event at Glen Park Community Centre.

Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin, who attended the event with Arrabri ward councillors Tony Dib, Paul Macdonald and Natalie Thomas, said it was pleasing to see so many residents enjoying the community facilities.

“The Picnic in the Park events are just one of the many Council events aimed at encouraging residents to come together and enjoy what Maroondah has to offer,” Cr Makin said.

“Residents took the opportunity to meet their ward councillors while enjoying the free sausage sizzle and family activities,” Cr Makin said.

“This event was even more special as it marked the completion of six months of redevelopment works at Glen Park Community Centre,” Cr Makin said.

“The centre has been totally redeveloped and it is now even more accessible and user friendly,” Cr Makin said.

“A new pavilion has also been built on the site, complete with change rooms, storage, a disabled toilet and a kiosk. The new building will better service the sporting clubs that call Glen Park home,” Cr Makin said.

“Works on a new accessible playground on the site will also begin shortly,” Cr Makin said.

“One of the activities at the Picnic in the Park event was for visitors to design their own painted tile which will then be used in the paths around the play space,” Cr Makin said.

“The path will be a colourful and practical work of art for visitors to admire each time they visit Glen Park,” Cr Makin said.

The community centre redevelopment was funded by a $450,000 grant from the Department of Human Services. A $50,000 grant from the Department of Planning and Community Development was used for modernisation works. The pavilion was funded by the Federal Government at the cost of $500,000. The play space is a jointly funded project by Maroondah City Council and the State Government.

2010 NAIDOC Ball and Awards Evening

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NAIDOC Week is held in the first full week of July and provides an opportunity to celebrate Indigenous culture and achievements. NAIDOC traces its history back to the 1920s when the first organised groups were formed to advocate for the recognition of Indigenous rights and culture. In the 1950s a committee was formed (then known as NADOC) to oversee a day of remembrance and celebration of Aboriginal culture, later expanding to to cover an entire week in July. In the 1990s the committee became known as the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) in recognition of the distinct Torres Strait Islander culture.

At the conclusion of NAIDOC week, several NAIDOC Balls are held across Australia, including one in eastern Melbourne. The NAIDOC Ball includes an awards night that provides an opportunity to recognise achievements within Indigenous communities. This evening I attended the 2010 NAIDOC Ball in Croydon, where I was joined by Cr Rob Steane and several Councillors from the Shire of Yarra Ranges, as well as many non for profit organisations, businesses and Indigenous elders.

NAIDOC provides an opportunity to not only celebrate Indigenous culture but also to recognise the many individuals, organisations and businesses that are working to improve health, education and opportunities for Indigenous communities within Melbourne’s eastern region and beyond.

Maroondah Photographic Competition Awards Evening

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The Maroondah Photographic Competition is an annual event open to all residents, employees and visitors of Maroondah. The competition showcases the photographic talents of the community and highlights landmarks and features within the municipality.

Entrants are able to submit two A4 sized photographs for the competition, which are displayed at an exhibition at The Maroondah Art Gallery at Maroondah Federation Estate. There are three categories for the competition, including junior (up to age twelve), intermediate (13 to 17 years) and open (all ages).

This year’s competition saw 121 entries and this this evening I had the pleasure of launching the exhibition and announcing the winners for each category, including the Mayors Encouragement Award.

Alex with the winners of the 2010 Maroondah Photographic Competition
Alex with the winners of the 2010 Maroondah Photographic Competition

All submitted photographs will be on exhibition until the 24th of July at the Maroondah Art Gallery.

The speech I delivered, including the awards recipients for the evening, is available within this post:
Continue reading “Maroondah Photographic Competition Awards Evening”

Maroondah City Council Staff Achievement and Recognition Function

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While Councillors set the direction of a municipality by debating and adopting policies, it is role of staff to implement the decisions made by Council. The Staff Achievement and Milestones Recognition Function provides an opportunity to congratulate staff that have achieved significant milestones at Maroondah.

This evening I joined Maroondah’s CEO in congratulating staff that have worked in the organisation for 10, 20 and 30 years. Longevity of staff is important as it is ensures that knowledge is retained within the organisation and it is great to be able to recognise these accomplishments.

In addition, I also congratulated staff that were recognised for their dedication through the Recognising Exceptional Value (REV) Awards. These awards are provided to staff members that demonstrate exceptional service to the organisation and are recognised through a Letter Under Seal from Council.

Maroondah Leader: Councillors enliven proceedings

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Maroondah Councillors recently conducted a workshop designed to improve the proceedings of public meetings and improve the transparency of Council.  These changes began at the June Council meeting and will provide debate and insight into the decisions that are being made by Council.

Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin said the move was a result of a “collective process” between councillors.  “It is certainly an improvement and clarifies how Councillors make decisions,” Cr Makin said.

It is encouraging that all Councillors agreed on the need to improve the transparency of Maroondah City Council’s public meetings and further changes, including the ability for groups or individuals to formally present as a deputation to Council will be undertaken from July.

Media Release: Maroondah asks – Where is our transport policy?

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A sixty metre long petition demanding the Victorian Government revisit its transport policy was today presented to the Victorian Government.

Mayors and Councillors from Maroondah and six other Melbourne’s eastern suburban Councils – who represent about a quarter of Melbourne’s population – gathered on the Parliaments steps today to send a message to the Victorian Government that transport needs in the east are not being met.

Presenting the monster petition to the Minister for Transport, Martin Pakula, Eastern Transport Coalition Chairperson Cr Samantha Dunn said that Eastern suburbs residents have been neglected by Government for too long.

“It’s time this government looked seriously at providing sustainable transport options right across Melbourne rather than focussing on a few key electorates,” Cr Dunn said.

“The Eastern Transport Coalition represents seven councils in the East whose residents are crying out for more public transport. The petition we’re presenting today has over 13,000 signatures, each one of them a demand of Government to end the neglect,” she said.

Maroondah Mayor Cr Alex Makin said that the level of concern in Maroondah regarding public transport had been increasing for some time.

“Maroondah residents want public transport improvements. They are crying out for a solution and for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station into an integrated and accessible transit interchange. This is why The City of Maroondah signed up to the ETC in the first place,” Cr Makin said.

Cr Dunn said that the ETC petition called on Victorian Government to address the significant gaps in the provision of and planning for public transport in Greater Dandenong, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Monash, Whitehorse, and Yarra Ranges.

The petition seeks commitments from the Government to modify the plan to include:

  1. A full and public feasibility study for a heavy rail line to Rowville,
  2. A full and public feasibility study for a heavy rail line to Doncaster
  3. A greater commitment to the extension of the Metro rail tunnel from Domain to Caulfield,
  4. A full and public feasibility study for an increase in capacity on the Belgrave/Lilydale and Glen Waverley lines,
  5. Improved facilities for passengers, particularly at interchanges located in central activity districts – Ringwood, Dandenong and Box Hill,
  6. Fully accessible public transport facilities and vehicles

Cr Dunn said that there was still time for this government to make a commitment to Melbourne’s east.

“This election year provides a perfect opportunity for this government to show that it is listening to the million or so residents east of Warrigal road who are forced to drive their cars to work because they have few viable alternatives,” Cr Dunn said.

Cr Dunn thanked the Minister for Transport for receiving the petition.

“We’re pleased that all sides of Parliament are interested in our issues. Now it’s important that today’s gesture from the Victorian Government results in action,” she said.

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