The Maroondah Partners in Community Wellbeing Committee is a delegated committee of Council that includes two Councillors and a number of external organisations, including EACH, Eastern Volunteers, the Outer East Primary Care Partnership, Women’s Health East and other health and education providers.
The Committee meets on a quarterly basis, with Council representation consisting of myself and Cr Ann Fraser. The Committee oversees the implementation of Council’s Community Wellbeing Plan, which aims to improve health and wellbeing within Maroondah through working in partnership with other key organisations.
Today’s meeting reviewed Council’s internal progress towards implementing actions within the plan. This ensures that the various Council departments are working towards progressing the plan and delivering upon its outcomes.
The Community Wellbeing Plan is renewed every four years and as such it is imperative that progress is measured to consider its success. Progress has been positive and it is encouraging to see outcomes being achieved.
The Maroondah Swimming Bus provides transport for frail aged older adults to access Ringwood Aquatic Centre on a weekly basis each Monday. The program is provided by volunteer drivers who provide their time to deliver the members to and from the Ringwood Aquatic Centre.
The service has delivered not only improved health and wellbeing but social interaction and inclusion through the forming of friendships and support. This afternoon volunteers and participants celebrated the 10 year anniversary of the swimming bus program
The speech I delivered during the celebrations is available within this entry:
Good afternoon and welcome to the 10th anniversary of the Swimming Bus Program. I would like to welcome Cr Ann Fraser, as well as welcome past and present participants, volunteer drivers and aerobics instructors of the program from the past 10 years.
I’m very pleased to be here at the 10th anniversary of the swimming bus program which began on 9 October 2000. There has been approximately 43 residents participating in the program over the past 10 years.
Over 15 volunteer drivers have given their time enabling a large number of otherwise house bound older adults to access the Ringwood Aquatic Centre on a weekly basis for the Monday Swimming Program. This free service has played a vital role in both maintaining and improving health and providing an opportunity for socialisation. Many valuable long term friendships have been formed on these bus trips which has provided another support mechanism for these otherwise isolated residents.
Congratulations to everyone who has been involved in this program over the 10 years including the volunteers who provide the transport services, your dedication has improved the lives of many older Maroondah residents.
The Relay for Life began in 1985 in the United States and has since been held in 21 countries worldwide, including Australia. This year a local Maroondah family will be organising a Relay for Life in Maroondah, which will be held on the 20th and 21st of November at Town Park Athletic Track in Croydon. The Relay for Life is held over the two days, where Cancer survivors, carers, family and friends participate in the event to raise funds for Cancer research and support.
This evening an information session was held at the Maroondah City Council, whereby a committee was formed to organise and oversee the event. While the Relay for Life is a community based event, Maroondah Council is providing assistance, ensuring that we are working in partnership to help raise funds and awareness for this cause.
I urge the Maroondah community to support this event, either through volunteering, raising funds or participating in the relay on the 20th and 21st of November at Town Park Athletic Track in Croydon,
Maroondah Council formally adopted its Community Wellbeing Plan in December 2009, which outlines the initiatives that improve the health, safety and wellbeing of the municipality.
Councils are required to adopt a municipal health plan, which is aligned with the term of the council. These plans are developed in partnership with the community and the Maroondah’s Partners in Community Wellbeing Committee will be overseeing the implementation of Maroondah’s Community Wellbeing Plan.
Alex launching Maroondah's Community Wellbeing Plan
This morning I officially launched Maroondah’s Community Wellbeing Plan, in an event that included the many organisations and community members that assisted Council in developing the strategy.
The speech delivered during the launch is included below:
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.
The Maroondah Partners in Community Wellbeing Plan was developed in partnership with the Maroondah community, local organisations and State Government.
The development and implementation of the Plan is a legislative requirement under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.
The Plan aims to improve the health and wellbeing for the Maroondah community, by addressing issues that impact Maroondah’s community.
Maroondah undertook extensive consultation in developing the plan, including a survey of households through the Maroondah Focus, as well as discussions at Eastland, community organisations and the Council’s know your parks program.
Part of this consultation included the involvement of Primary School students who provided drawings of what they like in Maroondah. Several of these drawings are available in the plan, as well as on display today.
Six priority areas were identified during this extensive consultation:
Healthy Minds Healthy Choices
Engaged Resilient Communities
Accessible Safe Communities
Lifestyle Opportunities to Support Health and Wellbeing
Targeting Equity and Social Inclusion
Healthy Sustainable Environments.
Each of these six priority areas have action plans involving specific objectives, strategies, and timeframes, which will be monitored by the Maroondah Partners in Community Wellbeing Committee.
Some of the action plans have already been implemented, including the forming of Maroondah’s new Partners in Safety Committee, which is a partnership between Council and agencies dedicated to improving safety within our municipality.
The development of the plan was made possible through the many organisations that provided input, including the members of Maroondah’s former Partners in Safety, Health and Wellbeing Committee and many of these participants are here today.
The implementation of Maroondah’s Community Wellbeing Plan will only be possible through partnership with community organisations. It gives me great pleasure to officially launch the plan and Council looks forward to working with the many members of our community to ensure how we can improve the health, safety and wellbeing of Maroondah.
The City of Maroondah is preparing to unveil a high-level strategic plan that will guide Council’s promotion of a healthy, happy municipality over the next four years.
The 2009-2013 Maroondah Community Wellbeing Plan is underpinned by extensive community consultation and a comprehensive research report, which provided the basis for its six health and wellbeing priorities – healthy minds, healthy choices; engaged, resilient communities; accessible, safe communities; lifestyle opportunities to support health and wellbeing; targeting equity and social inclusion; and healthy, sustainable environments.
Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, said the plan included six action plans with specific objectives and strategies to support each of the priorities.
“The Maroondah Community Wellbeing Plan will be implemented by Council in partnership with the community, local agencies and the State Government,” Cr Makin said.
“The plan aims to work towards an optimal state of health and wellbeing for the Maroondah community by addressing issues impacting on the entire municipality. The plan will also address issues related to social and economic disadvantage that result in poor health outcomes for particular groups in our community,” Cr Makin said.
The former Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Community Wellbeing Committee (now retired) was responsible for the plan’s development and setting its strategic direction. Maroondah’s new Community Wellbeing Committee will oversee the plan’s implementation.
“The Maroondah Community Wellbeing plan is a significant strategic document and we are confident that, with the involvement and support of our community and partners, we will nurture and develop the health and wellbeing of the Maroondah community well into the future,” Cr Makin said.
Cr Makin will launch the 2009-2013 Maroondah Community Wellbeing Plan on Monday 19 April at the Karralyka Centre in Mines Road, Ringwood East.
VicHealth Social Connection, Economic Participation and Workforce Development Manager Irene Verins will cover the topic of social inclusion and health during the keynote speech of the launch.
Copies of the plan will be available at Council Service Centres or online at www.maroondah.vic.gov.au after Monday 19 April.
The Maroondah Partners in Community Wellbeing Committee meets on a quarterly basis to oversee the implementation of Maroondah’s Community Wellbeing Plan. The plan aims to improve the wellbeing of the Maroondah community through working in partnership with other organisations, many of which are represented on the committee.
Priority areas in the plan include:
Promoting healthy minds and healthy choices
Developing engaged and resilient communities
Creating accessible and safe communities
Promoting lifestyle opportunities that support health and wellbeing
Targeting equity and social inclusion
Achieving healthy and sustainable environments
Cr Ann Fraser and myself are the two Councillor representatives on the the Maroondah Partners in Community Wellbeing Committee and there is a newly formed Safety Committee which is represented by Cr Rob Steane. These two committees provide a collaborative approach to the health, safety and wellbeing of our community.
Glen Park Community Centre is located in Bayswater North and has a strong emphasis on community development and empowerment. The Centre undertakes a range of community development activities, including a community cafe and programs for people with disabilities.
One of the projects identified by Glen Park was the need for a Men’s Shed to provide a friendly and social atmosphere for men to participate in trades and woodcraft.
As a result, the need for a Men’s Shed became a priority for Glen Park and this afternoon I was invited to open the Shed, a project that received State and Council funding, as well as in-kind support from members of the Glen Park Community Centre.
Alex opening the Glen Park Men's Shed with Shaun Leane, Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region.
The speech delivered during the opening is available within this post:
‘Cutting the ribbon’ will take on a whole new meaning at the launch of Glen Park Men’s Shed this Friday 19 March, with the sawing of a wooden plank to open the facility.
The $110,000 project – made possible by funding from Council ($50,000), the Department of Planning and Community Development ($50,000) and in-kind support from Mitre 10 and Glen Park Men’s Shed members ($10,000) – provides a hands-on learning and social environment for Maroondah men.
Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin, said the building would become a focal point for men – young and not so young – to interact, learn a new skill and deliver projects of benefit to the community.
“There’s nothing new about men gathering together in their own space to talk, share skills, swap ideas, solve problems or just discuss life in general,” Cr Makin said.
“However, what is new is that men – particularly retirees – are combining these activities in a communal space known as a men’s shed,” Cr Makin said.
“The Glen Park Men’s Shed will provide such a communal space to support men’s health and wellbeing and promote social interaction,” Cr Makin said.
“Activities offered will aim to provide opportunities for life-long learning and open the door to volunteering, connecting with others and contributing to the community,” Cr Makin said.
“It is envisaged that Glen Park Men’s Shed participants will have the chance to complete projects and mentor young people from the facility,” Cr Makin said.
“Council is delighted to support Glen Park Men’s Shed and I’m sure it will be well received by the community,” Cr Makin said.
Cr Makin joined fellow councillors Tony Dib, Natalie Thomas, Paul Macdonald and Ann Fraser along with Mr Leane, Deakin MP Mike Symon and other representatives to officially open the facility.
People interested in learning more about Glen Park Men’s Shed can phone Glen Park Community Centre on 9294 7525.
