The Maroondah Community Volunteer Luncheon provides an opportunity to thank the many volunteers that dedicate their time to community groups and causes within the City of Maroondah. In addition, the luncheon provides an opportunity for groups to meet and network with each other and thus share their experiences in volunteering within the community.
Our community is enriched through the active involvement and participation of people who volunteer within the municipality. Maroondah City Council appreciates the work of these volunteers and the luncheon is our way of showing our support.
The speech I delivered is available within this post:
This afternoon I joined Peter Garrett, the Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts, as well as Mike Symon, the Federal Member for Deakin, in observing the new co-generation plant at Ringwood Aquatic Centre.
The co-generation plant was jointly funded through a $250,000 Federal Government grant complementing Council funding of $200,000. The plant includes two 70kW gas generators, which creates enough electricity to run the centre and to maintain heating for the pools at the Ringwood Aquatic Centre.
Alex with Peter Garrett, the Minister for Environment Protection and Mike Symon, Member for Deakin, at the opening of the Ringwood Aquatic Centre co-generation plant
The co-generation plant will be stored off-site during the construction of the proposed multi-purpose Ringwood Leisure and Aquatic Centre and will be returned to the site once the new facility is operational.
The speech I delivered during the visit is included within this post:
Glen Park Community Centre is located in Glen Park Road in Bayswater North and has strong emphasis on community development, as well as providing courses for the local community. The Community Centre was recently redeveloped, through a partnership between Glen Park and SCOPE, to provide an accessible facility that can provide an inclusive environment for all people within our community.
Alex with the Arrabri Ward Councillors; Tony Dib, Paul Macdonald and Natalie Thomas along with Shaune Leane, MLC and Mike Symon, Member for Deakin, at the re-opening of the Glen Park Community Centre
This morning Glen Park Community Centre Council held a Picnic in the Park to celebrate the redevelopment of Glen Park Community Centre, as well with other recent improvements, including the redeveloped Sports Pavilion and the new Men’s Shed. Further improvements, such as a new play space will be completed later this year.
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
All submitted photographs will be on exhibition until the 24th of July at the Maroondah Art Gallery.
Glen Park, located in Bayswater North, is home to Glen Park Community Centre, as well as sporting facilities, including an oval, which is used by the Croydon South Cricket Club and the Ringwood East Junior Football Club.
Alex with Mike Symon, the Member for Deakin, at the opening of the Glen Park Pavilion
Glen Park is part of the Bayswater North Neighbourhood Renewal Project and as a result Council Future Directions Masterplan, which identifies community improvements within the precinct. The new pavilion provides dedicated facilities for the sporting clubs and provides additional space for the Glen Park Community Centre.
Alex with Mike Symon, the Member for Deakin, at the opening of the Glen Park Pavilion
This evening I joined Mike Symon,the Member for Deakin, in officially opening the new pavilion. The speech I delivered is within this post:
The Dorset Golf Course is Trawalla Road in Croydon and is one of two public golf courses located within the City of Maroondah. The course was opened in 1983 and is an 18 hole course on a 45 hectare site.
As part of the Federal Government’s economic stimulus package, Maroondah City Council was able to secure funding to redevelop the club rooms, which failed to meet accessibility standards and were in need of restoration.
Alex with Mike Symon, Member for Deakin and Senator David Feeney at the launch of the new Dorset Golf Club Rooms
This afternoon I was joined by Senator David Feeney to officially open these extensions. The copy of the speech is included within this post:
This evening I was invited to launch the new lights at Dorset Reserve, home of the Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club. The Club was founded in 1957 and hosts men, women and junior teams. The lights, which were installed in a partnership between the Club, Maroondah City Council and the State Government, will enable the Club to host evening and night games, ensuring that they can continue to meet the growing demand in Soccer.
Maroondah City Council contributed $28,000 towards this project, due to the growing demand for Soccer facilities, as identified in the 2009 – 2013 Leisure Services Strategic Plan. The speech I delivered during the opening is included within this post:
Good evening and welcome to the opening of the Dorset Reserve Croydon City Soccer Club Lights.
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.
On behalf of the Maroondah community I would like to thank the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs, the Honourable James Merlino MP for his attendance here today.
I would also like to welcome:
Mr David Hodgett MLA, Member for Kilsyth
Mr Frank Dixon, the CEO of Maroondah City Council.
I am pleased to see so many participants and committee members from the Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club here today. I would also like to welcome members of the Maroondah Social Darts Association who also make use of this facility.
Alex launching the lights at Dorset Reserve, the home of the Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club, along with David Hodgett, the Member for Kilsyth and the Minister for Sports, Recreation and Youth Affairs, James Merlino and the President of the Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club.
This facility is home to Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club, who provide competition to many teams including men, women, boys and girls. The Club has over 450 members with ages ranging from as young as six through to 45 plus. It is great to see such significant numbers participating in competition within the Club.
The project was first identified through the Eastern Regional Soccer Strategy as a high priority and I would like to thank the Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club for initiating the application to Sport and Recreation Victoria for this upgrage.
Council’s 2009 – 2013 Leisure Services Strategic Plan confirms the assertions within the Eastern Regional Soccer Strategy that soccer participation rates are continuing to increase in Maroondah and that the upgrade and redevelopment of soccer facilities to meet current and projected future demand is critical.
The provision of lighting will now open up new winter training opportunities for both junior and senior teams. The lighting will enable the ground to be used to it’s full potential, with teams being able to train on all parts of the ground as well as competing in night matches at their home ground.
Alex with the President of the Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club, at the launch of lights for Dorset Reserve
On behalf of Council and the facility users, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the State Government for its contribution. Without their support of approximately $44,000 this project would not have been possible. Maroondah City Council also contributed approximately $28,000 towards the project, demonstrating our commitment to the provision of high quality facilities to enhance local sport. I would also like to acknowledge approximately $24,000 that was contributed to the project by Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club.
On behalf of Council I also extend our sincere thanks to the Committee and Club for their dedication in working with Council to see the project to its conclusion.
