Tag: exhibition

Media Release: Top marks for happy snappers

Posted on by alex

JUDGES in the annual Maroondah City Council’s Photo Competition had their work cut out for them this year with more than 70 photographers entering 121 photographs.

The winners were announced by Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin at a special ceremony on Thursday night at Maroondah Federation Estate.

“It was always going to be difficult judging what is a variety of subjects and a high standard of works,” Cr Makin said.  “This year the entries featured everything from some of Maroondah best known landmarks to our native flora and fauna.”

First place in the open section (18 years and older) was awarded to Roger Frost, for his piece Under the Gum Trees, which captured the contrasting scenes of the Mullum Mullum Valley and the EastLink tunnels. Mr Frost won a $300 gift voucher courtesy of Croydon Camera House.

Second place went to Ciaran Magee for her piece Quiet Autumn, which shows a tranquil moment outside Ringwood Library. She won three Hoyts Eastland La Premiere double passes.

The intermediate section (13 to 17 years) was won by Stephanie Lillis, for Reflections in the Lake, a striking piece showing the beauty of Ringwood Lake at night. She was awarded a $200 gift voucher courtesy of Croydon Camera House.

Second place was awarded to Stephanie Lamb, for Friends and fun, which shows a group of friends enjoying each other’s company. She won four movie passes and a La Premiere double pass courtesy of Hoyts Eastland.

The junior section (12 and under) was won by Courtney Blythe, for Don’t Think I Should be Sitting Here. She won a $100 gift voucher courtesy of Croydon Camera House.

Mia Sango won four Hoyts Eastland movie passes for her second placed entry, Little Brother Drawing.

The Mayoral Encouragement Award was awarded to Marryl Vaughan for Shimmering Reeds. She won a $200 Eastland shopping voucher.

Cr Makin said he chose the photograph because of its creativity and use of colour.

“I thought it was a wonderful piece, it had so many artistic elements and captured the reflection and the contrasting colours of the sky and the lake perfectly.”

Cr Makin said the competition had really highlighted the photographic skills of the community.

“We have received some superb shots from all ages in the community,” Cr Makin said.  “I encourage everyone to visit the exhibition and see the creative works of our residents on display. While they you there don’t forget to visit the J.A. Turner room to see selected works from the Maroondah City Council Art Collection. On display are pieces from acclaimed artists Larry Jenkins, Gayle Maddigan, Kate James, Konrad Winkler and Jill Orr.”

The Maroondah City Council Photographic Exhibition is open until July 24 at the Maroondah Art Gallery, Maroondah Federation Estate, Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm and Saturday 12pm – 4pm. Details: 9298 4545.

The event is sponsored by Croydon Camera House, Hoyts Cinemas Eastland, Maroondah Journal and Eastland Shopping Centre.

– ENDS –

Maroondah Photographic Competition Awards Evening

Posted on by alex

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”

Media Release: Maroondah paparazzi put on a show

Posted on by alex

MAROONDAH’S people, places, pastimes and events, as captured by its residents, will be on display at this year’s Maroondah City Council Photo Competition Exhibition at Maroondah Federation Estate.

This year the annual event attracted 121 entrants from 70 amateur photographers.

Maroondah Mayor, Councillor Alex Makin said the quality of this year’s entrants was going to make selecting a winner in all three categories extremely difficult for the judges.

“Our municipality has many fantastic places and people, so it is great to see people out there enjoying what is on offer and capturing that moment in time for others to enjoy,” Cr Makin said.

“Whether it’s the city’s landmarks, people enjoying the parks and gardens or relaxing at home, all of the pictures provide a sneak peek into how people live in and enjoy Maroondah,” Cr Makin said.

“I encourage everyone to come and see the exhibition for themselves and see Maroondah though the eyes of their fellow residents,” Cr Makin said.

A selection of works from the Maroondah City Council Art Collection will also be on display at the gallery during July.

The collection boasts more than 140 paintings, prints and ceramics which includes a number of pieces by artists from the region, as well as showing local landmarks and scenes.

The Maroondah City Council Photographic Competition categories were:

  • Junior category for entrants aged up to 12 years
  • Intermediate category for those aged between 13 and 17 years
  • Open Section for entrants over the age of 18.
  • Mayor’s Award

The awards will be presented at a special ceremony at Maroondah Art Gallery on Thursday July 8.

The Maroondah City Council Photographic Exhibition is sponsored by Croydon Camera House, Hoyts Cinemas Eastland, Maroondah Journal and Eastland Shopping Centre.

The exhibition is open until July 24 at the Maroondah Art Gallery, Maroondah Federation Estate, Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm and Saturday 12pm – 4pm. Details: 9298 4545.

– ENDS –

Maroondah City Council adopts 2010/2011 Budget

Posted on by alex

Unlike other levels of government, local councils are required to place their draft budgets on exhibition to enable comment from the public, prior to the budget being formally considered by Council. This evening Council formally discussed the 2010/2011 Budget, with Councillors resolving to adopt the budget as per the draft that was released last month.

Adopting a budget is never an easy decision and unfortunately Maroondah City Council has been operating with a deficit for twelve out of the past 14 years, including a staggering loss of over $8 million in the 1998/1999 financial year and $1.8 million in the 2004/2005 year. Like any organisation, delivering consecutive losses is not sustainable and diminishes the ability to invest in infrastructure to meet current and future needs.

Maroondah has long required community groups to demonstrate financial sustainability and Council should follow this same advice. As a Council there is a need to deliver operational surpluses to enable investment in community infrastructure and much needed facilities, but this is only possible if Council operates with financial stability.

As a consequence Council had to make the difficult decision of increasing rates by 9.8%, or approximately $1.88 per week, to provide a sustainable foundation for the City of the Maroondah. While this may appear to be large increase in percentage terms, Maroondah has the seventh lowest rates when compared with Victoria’s 79 councils. Furthermore, a review of operations will be undertaken over the 2010/2011 financial year to control cost pressures into the future.

Importantly, the 2010/2011 Budget reverses almost a decade and a half of Council living beyond its means by restoring financial stability, through delivering an operational surplus from the 2012/13 financial year. As a result Council will be in a position to invest in much needed community facilities and will reduce pressures on rates in future years.

The first facility to be improved is the Ringwood Aquatic Centre, which has reached the end of its functional life and as a consequence has faced declining patronage and rising maintenance costs. The 2010/2011 Budget facilitates the construction of a new multi-purpose Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure Centre to be operational by the end of 2013. The Budget supports this vision through the funding of detailed design work and community consultation for the proposed facility, which equates to 1.1% of the overall rating strategy.

The adoption of the 2010/2011 Budget has not been an easy decision and it has been one of the most stressful experiences during my time as Mayor. Ultimately its adoption was the right choice to make, as it ensures a sustainable future for the City of Maroondah by delivering a Council that can live within its means while investing in much needed community infrastructure.. I applaud the five of my Council colleagues who supported the Budget, particularly since it will reduce rating pressures in future years, resulting in lower costs and better facilities for our community.

Discussing Maroondah’s Draft Budget on Eastern FM

Posted on by alex

Radio Eastern 98.1 FM is a community based station based at Wyreena Community Arts Centre and covers the municipalities of Maroondah, Knox and Yarra Ranges. The station interviews Councillors from Maroondah City Council on the first Friday of each month and the segment is used to discuss Council activities.

This morning I was interviewed in regard to the Council Budget, where I provided some context behind the 2010-2011 Draft Budget. Unlike State and Federal Governments which simply deliver their finalised budgets in May, Councils are required to undertake consultation in regard to draft budgets.

As a result, Council held a special meeting of Council on the 12th May, where Councillors adopted the Draft Budget by placing it on public exhibition, whereby written submissions can be made until 5pm on Tuesday the 15th of June.

In addition, submitters have the option of speaking about their submission in front of a panel of Council comprising of Cr. Nora Lamont, Cr. Rob Steane and myself that will meet at 7pm on Wednesday the 23rd of June.

The 2010-2011 Draft Budget with the accompanying four year Council Plan proposes a vision for Maroondah, where Council provides a new standard of community facilities, complemented with a return to an operational surplus within two years. Maroondah City Council has consecutively delivered an operational deficit and this situation cannot continue if we want to be in a position where we can deliver the best results for our community.

One of the new initiatives proposed in the Draft Budget is a new Regional Leisure and Aquatic Centre for Ringwood. The 2010-2011 Draft Budget proposes to undertake detailed design work, including community consultation, to ascertain the composition of this facility. This detailed design work, equates to 1.1% of the overall rate figure of 9.8%.

The detailed design work will ensure that the community consultation that is undertaken by Council will deliver tangible results and ensure that the proposed aquatic centre meets the needs of the community.

Council will be considering all submissions prior to the finalisation of the Council Budget, which will be held at a special meeting of council on Monday the 28th of June.

For further details on Maroondah’s Draft 2010-2011 Draft Budget please visit www.maroondah.vic.gov.au.

History of the Shrine at Ringwood Library

Posted on by alex

The Shrine of Remembrance Travelling Exhibition is a mobile exhibit that provides a history of the Shrine, featuring information panels, archival photographs and audiovisual material. The exhibit traces the Shrine’s history from concept to construction, as well as its role as a commemorative and interactive learning space.

Alex at the launch of the Exhibition on the Shrine of Remembrance, held at the Ringwood Library.
Alex at the launch of the Exhibition on the Shrine of Remembrance, held at the Ringwood Library.

This morning I was invited to launch the Travelling Exhibition at its first day at Ringwood Library.  I was joined by Denis Baguley the CEO of the History of the Shrine Travelling Exhibition where we discussed the importance of the Shrine and its history within Victoria.

The staff at Eastern Regional Libraries should be commended for bringing the exhibition into Maroondah, where it will be available at Ringwood Library until the 30th of June.

Special Meeting of Council – Council Budget

Posted on by alex

In accordance with Section 65 of the Local Government Act 1989, a Special Meeting of Council has been called to formally consider the 2010-2014 Council Plan and the 2010/2011 Budget.

The Special Meeting of Council is required to place the proposed Council Plan and Budget on public exhibition to enable the community to formally comment on these proposals.  A  submissions panel, which includes Cr. Nora Lamont, Cr. Rob Steane and myself will be convened on Wednesday the 23rd of June to formally consider any submissions received during this process.

A second Special Meeting of Council will be held on Monday the 28th of June at 7.30 pm to formally consider any recommendations from the committee and the finalised Council Plan and Budget.

While there are a number of challenges over the course of this year, the City of Maroondah’s Council Plan and Budget aims to strengthen the capacity of the Council so that we can meet the growing and diverse needs of our community.

I encourage the community to read through these documents and to attend these meetings.

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

Posted on 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.

Maroondah Art Gallery – Konrad Winkler’s Moments of My Life and Ringwood Arts Society’s Artist of the Year

Posted on by alex

Tonight I launched the Maroondah Art Gallery’s latest exhibition, Konrad Winkler’s Moments of my Life and the Ringwood Art Society’s Artist of the Year.

Konrad is a Melbourne based photographer who explores the changing nature of photography and its relationship with extraordinary and everyday events.  Each piece is accompanied by a humorous recount of the event depicted in the photograph.

On display in the Muriel McGivern Room are the entrants from the Ringwood Arts Society Artist of the Year exhibition. The exhibition features work by twenty artists, who had to submit three pieces to enter the competition.

The entrants were assessed and judged by Walter Magilton, an independent adjudicator who announced the Artist of the Year and other works which were highly commended.

The Ringwood Art Society is one of Victoria’s oldest and largest art groups, with over 260 members.  The society was established in 1966 and provides art classes, outdoor painting excursions and highlights the strong interest in art and culture within Maroondah.

The Mayor of Maroondah is provided with an art acquisition fund and as Mayor I have decided that Council will be purchasing one of the artworks on display through the Ringwood Art Society.  Council is currently liaising with the artist but a full announcement will be made shortly.

The two exhibitions will be on display until the 8th of May. The Maroondah Art Gallery is based at Maroondah Federation Estate in Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood.

A copy of the speech I delivered at the opening of the exhibition is available within this post:

Continue reading “Maroondah Art Gallery – Konrad Winkler’s Moments of My Life and Ringwood Arts Society’s Artist of the Year”

Media Release: Maroondah Art Gallery to host Ringwood Art Society Artist of the Year exhibition

Posted on by alex

The Ringwood Art Society Artist of the Year Exhibition will be held at Maroondah Art Gallery (MAG) from Thursday 15 April to Saturday 8 May.

The exhibition is the society’s major annual event showcasing new artworks by members.

Entrants are required to submit three works including a portrait or life study, an outdoor scene and a favourite subject in two different mediums.

The 2010 Artist of the Year Award will be judged by Walter Magilton and announced along with a People’s Choice Award at the close of the exhibition.

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, said works would be on show from more than 20 outstanding artists from the society.

“Established in 1966, the Ringwood Art Society is one of Melbourne’s oldest and largest artistic organisations,” Cr Makin said.

The Ringwood Art Society is a community not-for-profit, volunteer-driven organisation.

“To learn more about the Ringwood Art Society, or if you are interested in purchasing works, visit the Maroondah Art Gallery at Maroondah Federation Estate during the exhibition period,” Cr Makin said.

Artworks by Rosemary Price, winner of the 2009 Ringwood Art Society Artist of the Year, will also be showcased during the exhibition.

Cr Makin will launch the exhibition on Thursday 15 April at 6.30pm.

The Maroondah Art Gallery is located at Maroondah Federation Estate, 32 Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood. Gallery opening hours are Tuesday to Friday, from 10am to 4pm and Saturday from 12noon to 4pm. For further details phone 9298 4542.

– ENDS –