Media Release: Music funding a win for Maroondah youth

Maroondah Mayor Councillor Alex Makin has welcomed a $10,000 State Government music equipment grant saying it will give Maroondah’s budding young artists a chance to share their talents with the community.

Youth, Sport and Recreation Minister James Merlino announced the Victoria Rocks – Music Equipment Grant during a visit to EV’s Youth Centre in Croydon last Tuesday.

Cr Makin said the funding would allow Council’s Youth Services team to expand its already successful music programs.

“Maroondah has a very strong musical community and this funding will give Council more scope to nurture the interest of our young people and to strengthen the pathways between our community and the arts and entertainment industry,” Cr Makin said.

“The grant will provide greater access to instruments, training, rehearsal spaces and staging equipment for the young people of Maroondah,” Cr Makin said.

“As part of the funding application Council undertook consultation with young people and we uncovered a huge demand for the casual use of musical equipment,” Cr Makin said.

“With this funding we will now be able to offer more flexible access to equipment to address this unmet need,” Cr Makin said.

The $10,000 funding is part of a $1.3 million Victorian Government initiative. The funding initiative is based on the principles of participation, accessibility, partnership and diversity.

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Multicultural Commission Grant for the Maroondah Interfaith Network

This afternoon I attended a presentation at the Immigration Museum hosted by the Premier John Brumby, as the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and James Merlino, as the Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs.

Alex with Premier John Brumby and James Merlino, Minister for Sport, Recreation, Youth Affairs and Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs, receiving a grant for the Maroondah Interfaith Network.
Alex with Premier John Brumby and James Merlino, Minister for Sport, Recreation, Youth Affairs and Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs, receiving a grant for the Maroondah Interfaith Network.

The Maroondah Interfaith Network was formed in November 2009 and provides a forum for Maroondah’s diverse faith-based communities. The Maroondah Interfaith Network was one of the recipients of a $8,800 grant, which will be used by the group to strengthen its capacity and provide professional development.

It is great to see a commitment towards the Maroondah Interfaith Network and the State Government supporting the group and Council in supporting diversity within the community.