National Volunteering Week was held between the 9th and 13th of May and provides an opportunity to promote volunteering and the many community groups that exist within the community. The week included an expo at Eastland Shopping Centre encouraging volunteers and was supported through media coverage in the Maroondah Leader.
Volunteering is a measure of the vibrancy and success of our community and I encourage people to consider how they can volunteer for the many community organisations that exist within Maroondah.
I would like to congratulate the participants for their dedication and for completing the course. I trust that the skills they have learnt will be useful in their future education, employment and employment endeavours.
Volunteers form the lifeblood of many communities and it is important to recognise their efforts. Volunteering can be ongoing or provided for a project of a specified duration and in either case it is important to demonstrate that these efforts were appreciated.
This afternoon Eastern Volunteers held a recognition afternoon for the volunteers that assisted in giftwrapping over Christmas. The project, which was a partnership with Eastland Shopping Centre, involved volunteers wrapping gifts in exchange for a donation.
Eastern Volunteers recruited volunteers who were able to provide the service over a two-week period. These efforts raised over $5000 with Eastland receiving extremely positive feedback from the partnership.
The recognition function provided the opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of these volunteers, as well as the involvement of Eastland Shopping Centre in providing this initiative.
The Ringwood Chamber of Commerce and Industry is Ringwood’s main trader group, representing its members on matters relating to commerce in Ringwood.
Tonight’s meeting included an update on development projects within Ringwood, including the long awaited redevelopment of Eastland. While some commercial development is taking place, the catalyst for Ringwood’s transformation will occur with the next stage of the Eastland redevelopment and the transformation of Ringwood Station into an accessible, integrated and safe transport interchange.
Over the past year Maroondah Council undertook considerable work to deliver community infrastructure within the centre of Ringwood. This includes two new playgrounds, as well as a community hub, which will provide new community space and library facilities.
The revitalisation of Ringwood must be accompanied with community facilities that create a sense of place and strengthen the level of community.
Furthermore, while the new State Government has committed to redeveloping Ringwood Station in its entirety from 2014 it is imperative that works on the station forecourt are also included to create new public realms and improve the amenity of Ringwood.
Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without carol singing, candles and a certain jolly man in a red and white suit.
Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin encouraged everyone to grab a picnic rug or chair, a little Christmas cheer, and head for Ainslie Park in Croydon on Sunday 12 December for the Maroondah Carols By Candlelight celebrations.
“Each year Council continues the proud Australian tradition of Carols By Candlelight, with an exciting array of fine local talent leading our community in song,” Cr Makin said.
“Heading the bill this year is Penny Mason the holder of the 2010 Maroondah Singers Memorial Scholarship,” Cr Makin said.
She will be joined on stage by group performances including the Maroondah Singers, students from Croydon West Primary School and Maroondah Secondary College, Croydon Citizens Band, Maroondah Brass and the Connection Community band,” Cr Makin said.
“On top of all this, Santa will arrive, spreading his own special brand of Christmas cheer for young and old alike, and joining in for a song or two with the community,” Cr Makin said.
Bring a picnic hamper, indulge in some sizzling sausages cooked by the Croydon West Guides, or enjoy other tasty treats from the Ainslie Park Cricket Club or Maroondah Secondary College canteens.
“Carols by Candlelight will conclude again this year with a brilliant fireworks display presented by Eastland,” Makin said.
“Council are pleased to have Eastland supporting this wonderful community event once again and we thank them for their involvement,” Cr Makin said.
A reminder to local residents with pets to be aware of the fireworks display, which will commence at approximately 9.15pm. The loud ‘bangs’ can cause dogs to panic and be frightened – due to their acute sense of hearing, so please ensure your dog is secure in your home or back garden during this event.
Carols by Candlelight will be held on Sunday 12 December from 7.30pm at Ainslie Park, Brentnall Road, Croydon next to Maroondah Secondary College. Melways Map 50 F3.
As parking onsite is limited, the community are encouraged to walk to the event where possible.
As an alternate, bus services along Route 670 drop off and pick up on Maroondah Highway, travelling between Ringwood Station and Lilydale Station. For more details on bus timetables contact MetLink on 13 1638 or visit www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au.
Candles and glowsticks will be available to be purchased on the night.
For further information about the Carols By Candlelight celebrations, contact Arts & Cultural Services on 9298 4553.
The Rotary Club of Ringwood has held an annual golf charity day since 2009 to raise funds for worthwhile community causes. This year Rotary Club of Ringwood has chosen to support the installation of security cameras at Ringwood through proceeds raised through the day.
The Maroondah Leader has reported on the partnership formed between the Rotary Club of Ringwood, Eastland and Maroondah Council through supporting the charity golf day.
Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin said the efforts of the council, community, Eastland and the government would benefit Ringwood.
The introduction of security cameras will provide improvements to the amenity of Ringwood and Council is supporting this initiative through its sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Ringwood’s charity golf day. The installation of security cameras will provide immediate safety improvements While the Maroondah community awaits a State Government commitment for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station into an accessible, safe and integrated transport interchange.
Ringwood Station fails to meet disability compliance standards and is perceived to be unsafe due to the poor station design, including narrow and steep ramps. The community has continually called for the full redevelopment of Ringwood Station into a safe, accessible and integrated interchange that will meet the needs of Ringwood as a vibrant urban centre.
While public transport is a State Government responsibility, Council must advocate on behalf of its community and it is clear that Maroondah is seeking a commitment for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station.
Council has been circulating a petition for the past month which has now attracted over 2000 signatures with approximately 1000 visitations through social media tools, including Facebook and Youtube. This evening Council officially launched the Missing Piece campaign with a direct call to action for all political parities to commit to the station upgrade.
Alex with Margaret launching Maroondah's Missing Piece campaign calling for the upgrade of Ringwood Station into an accessible, safe and integrated transport interchange
Ringwood Station is the Missing Piece in a vision for Ringwood, since a lack of commitment diminishes the residential, commercial and community investment that is taking place. Margaret Stevens, a renowned accessibility advocate who spent a week at Eastland collecting signatures for the petition, joined me in launching the campaign and calling on all political parties to commit to Ringwood’s future.
Council’s video highlighting the condition of Ringwood Station was displayed throughout the launch reinforcing the accessibility difficulties that exist.
The speech provided during the launch is available within this post:
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.
As you have gathered here this evening, you will have seen the video playing overhead showing the difficulty people in our community, and particularly those with a disability, have accessing Ringwood Station and the 50 year old ramps leading to the station platforms.
This video has been an important element of an advocacy campaign Council has been running over the past six weeks.
The campaign is seeking a funding commitment from all state political parties in the lead up to the State election for the upgrade of Ringwood Station within the next term of government.
The campaign has been running for six weeks with significant support and media coverage from Maroondah’s two local papers, editorial has appeared each week for the past 6 weeks.
Community support has been extremely strong, and to date we have over 2000 signatures to the petition, from individuals and community groups.
One of these individuals is here with us tonight, and I would like to acknowledge Margaret Stevens for her dedication to the cause in securing over 600 signatures from the Maroondah community and beyond during a week at Eastland. In addition, several members of the community, including Dawn Oliffe spent time at Ringwood Station securing signatures for the petition.
Margaret is one of many voices demanding action for Ringwood Station. I have spoken with many people during the course of this campaign and the message from the community is clear, Maroondah residents are tired of waiting, they want a safe, integrated, accessible and vibrant Ringwood Station, and they want it in the term of the next government.
Tonight, Council is launching “The Missing Piece – Ringwood Station” in the lead up to this evening’s Eastern Transport Coalition Forum.
Alex with Margaret launching Maroondah's Missing Piece campaign calling for the upgrade of Ringwood Station into an accessible, safe and integrated transport interchange.
Significant investment and development continues in Ringwood, with support from the State Government and private enterprise, however the commitment to fund the redevelopment of Ringwood Station remains the missing piece of the vision for the Ringwood Central Activities District.
As you can see within the Ringwood Central Activities District jigsaw, we have EastLink providing an important road transport corridor from Mitcham to Frankston, an area responsible for 40 percent of Victoria’s manufacturing output and over 1.3 million people living in the area and providing more than 350,000 jobs.
The sporting, recreational and leisure facilities that either currently exist (Maroondah Federation Estate/Maroondah Art Gallery, tennis, croquet, football and cricket), are under construction (Soccer), or awaiting funding (proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure) in the Jubilee Park precinct are within walking distance from Ringwood Station and the Central Activities District.
New businesses and services are moving to Ringwood, bringing increased employment and spending, as evidenced by the Connect East building perched over EastLink.
Ringwood Lake Park is an icon of Ringwood, providing enormous leisure and recreational pleasure all year round for people of all ages and abilities.
The $39million bus interchange is poised to change the face of Maroondah Highway, however, it does not provide an interface with the existing Ringwood Station.
Residential housing development is showing consistent growth within the Central Activities District with private building developers showing their support for the vision of Ringwood. The new 10 story co-operative housing development will soon be home to over 100 people early next year.
Eastland and the Ringwood Market site are expected to see construction and expansion of retail, community and business floorspace, changing the face of Ringwood significantly.
The Lake to Creek project will see pedestrian and cycling links between the Mullum Mullum Creek and Ringwood Lake, adding another vital layer to the accessibility of our city.
It is time to add the missing piece to the Ringwood Central Activities District jigsaw, a new Ringwood Station.
It is time for each state political party to not only acknowledge the need for an upgrade to Ringwood Station, but to actually stand up and commit to fund this important piece of public transport infrastructure that remains the missing piece of the vision for the State Government’s own Ringwood Central Activities District.
The Seniors Festival is held from the 3rd of October through to the 10th and Maroondah holds a range of activities for seniors throughout the festival.
The Seniors Festival is designed to empower seniors and to highlight the activities and groups that focus on the needs of senior residents. This morning I had the pleasure of launching Maroondah’s Seniors Expo, an information day held at Eastland and supported by many of the senior based groups within the municipality.
The speech I provided is available within this entry:
The 2010 Maroondah Business Week was held from the 4th of October through to the 8th and offered a range of events to develop skills and business promotion, concluded with a networking lunch, featuring model and author Tara Moss, as the guest speaker.
The lunch is aimed specifically at women in business and Tara spoke about her life growing up in Canada, as well as her transition into modelling and her development as an author. Tara discussed the need to persevere with dreams and highlighted her passion for writing, which she developed as a student in primary school.
Alex with Tara Moss and Phil Turner, Director City Development, at the 2010 Maroondah Business Lunch
The lunch marks the conclusion of the 2010 Maroondah Business Week and the speech I provided to welcome guests to this event is available within this post:
The Maroondah community has overwhelmingly supported Maroondah City Council’s campaign to secure funding for an upgrade to Ringwood Station.
Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin said to date Council had collected more than 2000 signatures on a petition calling on all major parties to commit to funding an upgrade to Ringwood Station within the term of the next government.
He said Council had been overwhelmed with the support it had received throughout the campaign.
“Maroondah residents Dawn Oliffe and Margaret Stevens have both volunteered their time to collect signatures at Ringwood Station and Eastland,” Cr Makin said.
“Dawn spent one day at Ringwood Station collecting more than 100 signatures from commuters and Margaret organised to set up a stall at Eastland for an entire week which resulted in her collecting more than 400 signatures,” Cr Makin said.
“This is a phenomenal effort from two of our community members, and their dedication to the campaign shows how strongly they feel about the need for an upgrade to Ringwood Station,” Cr Makin said.
“Margaret also volunteered her time with a number of other disability advocates to be involved with a video filmed by Council highlighting the difficulty people with a disability, parents with prams, and people using wheelchairs and scooters have using the station ramps,” Cr Makin said.
“The video has been a successful aspect of Council’s campaign with more than 780 people having watched it via Council’s website or YouTube. A Facebook page has also generated a lot of debate and to date has 110 followers,” Cr Makin said.
Cr Makin said Council will enter the next phase of the campaign with the launch of ‘’The Missing Piece”. This will be immediately prior to the Eastern Transport Coalition Forum.
“Significant investment and development continues in Ringwood, with support from the State Government and private enterprise, and the commitment to fund the redevelopment of Ringwood Station remains the missing piece of the vision for the Ringwood Central Activities District,” Cr Makin said.
“I hope the community will join us at The Missing Piece launch and show their support for Council’s campaign to secure an upgrade to Ringwood Station,” Cr Makin said.
The Missing Piece launch is on at 6pm, Wednesday October 13 at Karralyka Centre, Mines Road, Ringwood.
Maroondah Business Week is an annual Council initiated program that aims to promote and enhance businesses within the municipality. The Week consists of workshops, tours and networking events offering a range of activities to cater to the business sectors within Maroondah.
One of these events is the Maroondah Business Week Breakfast, which featured David Schwarz as the speaker. David was a former footballer and Vice-Captain for Melbourne Football Club and discussed the challenges he faced during this career, including a gambling addiction, which he spoke about candidly during the breakfast session.
Alex with David Schwarz and Cr Rob Steane at the 2010 Maroondah Business Week Breakfast
David’s openness set him apart from some of the speakers of other years and he spoke candidly about the difficulties in establishing a post football career. David’s comments reflect the need for ongoing perseverance and the advantages of networking within businesses and provided a number of parallels between his experiences and the challenges facing business.
As part of the proceedings I had the opportunity to introduce Maroondah Business Week and the speech I provided is available in this post:
