Tag: maroondah festival

Delegates’ Report: Theatre, recognising volunteers and documenting Ringwood’s history

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On the 20th of October I attended the Monkami Drama Group’s Performance of the Picnic at Hanging Rock. This is now the third year of the Monkami Drama Group and it is great to see the group expanding its talents.

Monkami is a service provider for adults with intellectual disabilities and strongly believes in providing a range of opportunities for its clients, including drama and the arts. This year’s performance was another demonstration of Monkami’s commitment to the wider community and it was great to see the actors developing increasing confidence and skills during the production.

On the 5th of November I attended the Youth Volunteer Recognition Evening, which provides a chance to recognise the volunteering commitments of younger people. It was great to see the young people themselves involved in the preparation and conduction of the evening and to see that volunteerism is certainly strong within young people.

The 8th of November marked the new date of the Maroondah Festival and while the weather followed us to that date, it was great to hear the ongoing positive feedback about the new format and community involvement. I would like to commend the staff for their many hours in preparing and holding the event.

The 11th of November saw the launch of From Horse Shoes to High Heels, a history of Eastland, written by Richard Carter and introduced by our Director of City Development Phil Turner. This documented history of the Eastland site is timely given Ringwood’s status as a Central Activity District and the change that is proposed to occur.

While I believe that many people within our community would welcome change to Ringwood, it is always important to recognise the history of the area so that we can learn from the past and plan for the future. The book documents the history of the lots within what is now Eastland Shopping Centre and I do encourage people to read this history of one of the prominent locations within Ringwood.

Lastly, on the 12th of November I attended the Maroondah Volunteer Recognition Function, where we formally acknowledge the many volunteers within our City. I would like to add my congratulations to our residents that do dedicate their time to volunteering within our community.

2009 Maroondah Festival

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The Maroondah Festival is an annual event, which showcases the many community organisations within the municipality. The Festival attracts approximately 30,000 attendees and is now celebrating its 20th year.

This year the Festival moved from February to November and was relocated to Town Park, which provides shade for its many attendees and stallholders. The new-look Festival received positive feedback from attendees and community organisations alike. While the weather was in the mid 30s the shade provided by Town Park did provide a more pleasant environment than previous years.

A recharge point was available for people with motorised mobility aids to provide an accessible environment that could be enjoyed by all people within our community.

Alex signing the Eastern Transport Coalitions Monster Petition
Alex signing the Eastern Transport Coalition's Monster Petition

The Festival also included the Eastern Transport Coalition’s Monster Petition, calling on the State Government to deliver much needed public transport improvements, including the redevelopment of Ringwood Station.

I signed the petition at the Festival and encouraged members of the community to support the aims of the Eastern Transport Coalition and its call for public transport improvements.

The 2010 Maroondah Festival will be held on Sunday the 14th of November.

Croydon Library events at the 2009 Maroondah Festival

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The new location for the Maroondah Festival, which will now be held at Town Park in Croydon will assist in connecting the Festival with community facilities.

The Croydon Library is holding a series of events during the Maroondah Festival, including Richard Galbraith at 11am inside the Croydon Library and
Leigh Hobbs at 2pm at the front of the library.

Book signings by local authors will also be available at the Croydon Library, including Ray Smithies at 1pm and Shirley Jones at 3pm. In addition, Youth Services Librarians will be holding storytime sessions at 10:30am, 12 noon and 1:30pm.

Maroondah Festival will be held on Sunday the 8th of November from 10am through to 5pm.

Media Release: Kids rule the roost come festival time

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Some of the most exciting childrens entertainment on Maroondah’s 2009 social calendar can be found at Kids Kingdom – a much anticipated feature of the annual Maroondah Festival.

Kids Kingdom features a huge range of free activities, rides and entertainment for young ones.

Councillor Alex Makin said festival organisers had jammed as much fun as possible into this year’s program.

“It’s kids only at Kids Kingdom, but mums and dads are welcome of course!” Cr Makin said.

“The entire family could easily spend a day out at the festival exploring Kids Kingdom alone. Entertainment ranges from live performances to farmyard animals, cupcake decorating, rides and much more,” Cr Makin said.

“So make sure you mark Sunday 8 November in your diary to avoid missing out,” Cr Makin said.

One of the highlights of Kids Kingdom will be the Kids Stage, which will host performances from 11am by Yarra Road Primary School, Village School, Ruskin Park Primary School and the festival’s featured act The Workers.

Elsewhere, children will have the opportunity to participate in an activity presented by Brentwood Park Kindergarten, join the fun of the farmyard area (complete with animal farm, hay bales, scarecrows, animal craft activity and roving cowboy Slim Tim), and visit the snake handler’s live reptile display where they can learn about Charlie the Crocodile, venomous snakes, stumpy tails, bearded dragons and many more weird and wonderful creatures.

For something a little more sedate, children can try their hand at painting terracotta pots containing plants native to Maroondah. Once finished, children can take the plants and pots home.

To celebrate the festival’s 20th birthday children will be invited to join a special cupcake decorating activity. But you’ll have to be on-site early as there will be a limited number of cupcakes available.

“And if your child wants to get their hands a little bit dirty, the festival’s interactive play area is the place to be. Have a ball in the giant sandpit, and discover the fun of play dough, slime and bubbles at this popular section of Kids Kingdom,” Cr Makin said.

The Croydon Library will be open and will host special author readings through the day. Be sure to visit the Fairy Garden in front of the library at 12.30 and 3.30pm for special storytime sessions by authors Richard Galbraith and Leigh Hobbs.

Many childrens service providers servicing Maroondah exhibit at Kids Kingdom. Nursing mothers, lost children and baby change facilities are also located at Kids Kingdom for your convenience.

The Maroondah Festival is proudly presented by Maroondah City Council in conjunction with Ringwood Honda. The festival is held at Town Park, Croydon from 10am to 5pm on Sunday 8 November.

Be sure to visit the festival website www.maroondahfestival.com or contact the festival hotline on 9294 5604 for more information.

Eastern Transport Coalition – Presentation on Myki

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Tonight’s Eastern Transport Coalition meeting included a presentation on myki, Melbourne’s new ticketing system, as well as providing an update on the rollout of the Monster Petition.

Myki is due for introduction by the end of the year and will replace the paper-based Metcards with a plastic smartcard that will deduct public transport fares from credit established on the account.

There are currently no plans to alter Melbourne’s public transport fares with the introduction of myki and any fare reforms will need to be considered by the State Government. One of the touted benefits of myki is its flexibility and fare reforms would further provide equity across Melbourne’s public transport system.

The Eastern Transport Coalition’s monster petition was successfully launched at Monash University and will be available within each of the member councils.
The petition is currently located at the City of Whitehorse and is scheduled to arrive in Maroondah in time for Maroondah Festival in November.

The meeting also discussed the bus service reviews and will be calling on the State Government to ensure that the final reports of the review are released and that the findings, including frequency and operating span improvements, are quickly implemented.

2008 Maroondah FReeZA Group Graduation

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The Maroondah FReeZA program is designed for young people aged between 15 and 21 years. The program focuses on personal development and group skills through the organisation of all ages live music events.

The program is organised through Maroondah’s Youth Services Team and is jointly funded through Maroondah City Council and the State Government through the Department of Planning and Community Development.

I was asked to officiate the proceedings of the graduation evening and speak about the positive influence the FReeZA program has had on the graduates.

A transcript of the speech I delivered is available below:

Continue reading “2008 Maroondah FReeZA Group Graduation”

Delegates' Report: 2008 has begun

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Thank you, there are several events that I wish to comment upon to keep council and the community informed.

On the 24th of January I attended the first Eastern Transport Coalition meeting for 2008 as the delegated Maroondah representative. This meeting included a workshop to determine the ETC’s priorities for this year. The ETC has had a tremendous success over the past few years and Maroondah has been front and centre in the advocacy for public transport improvements. In 2006 the ETC successfully advocated for the abolition of zone three, saving outer eastern residents, including people in Maroondah up to a $1000 per annum. Last year the ETC was focused on the need for federal funding of urban public transport. While the Federal Government still has not accepted its role in the provision of urban public transport infrastructure; the calls for national leadership in urban sustainability are growing stronger, with the ETC joined by other transport and planning groups, the business community and the local governments across Australia.

This year the ETC will be focusing on both the Federal and State Governments, particularly since the Ringwood to Frankston SmartBus will begin operating in late March. This improvement, which will provide a fast, frequent and direct service between Ringwood, Knox, Dandenong and Frankston provides the ideal foundation for further public transport improvements.

The need for federal leadership in urban sustainability was recently conveyed in a recent Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) discussion on national priorities for transport. This forum, which was also attended by Cr. Naylor, expressed the need for a national transport strategy that encompasses people and freight across all modes, including public transport.

As the two well renowned speakers explained, Australia is currently unsustainable with the continued major road building not being economically viable or environmentally prudent. If Australia is serious about meeting greenhouse reduction targets we need Federal leadership to curb rising pollution due to the transport sector, the fastest growing source of greenhouse emissions.

On, the 12th of February I was invited to Enjoying Planned Retirement’s bocce afternoon. EPR organises a number of activities and provides bocce and a barbecue at Norwood Park in Ringwood North, every second and fourth Tuesday from January through to March. Unfortunately the occasion was marred by the theft of EPR’s barbecue. It is dismaying that someone would choose to steal from one of our community groups, particularly since the barbecue was dedicated to Ron Ginger, a former President and committed EPR member who unfortunately passed away a few years ago. While EPR, in their typical jovial fashion, made the best of the afternoon it is disappointing that this theft occurred.

On a lighter note, I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the many community stall holders and the dedicated council staff at Sunday’s Maroondah Festival. I did not receive a single negative comment about this year’s festival and council staff must be commended for organising such an awesome event.

Attending the 2008 Maroondah Festival

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This afternoon, after my presentation at the Sustainable Living Festival, I attended the 2008 Maroondah Festival to visit the many community groups that were on display. Fortunately the weather was slightly cooler than last year’s 40 degree heat and community groups were located at the forefront of the festival.

The Youth Stage was also well patronised with acts such as The Living End keeping crowds entertained. The community groups and the many volunteers and staff that contributed to the festival must be congratulated for their efforts.

2008 Maroondah Festival

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The Maroondah Festival is an annual community event with numerous attractions including a lifestyle precinct, youth precinct, a community expo and a large gourmet food area.

This year’s Maroondah Festival will also include a prominent sustainability display to discuss water, energy and transport conservation. The Festival is also part of the ReCharge Program, with power point avilable at the Information Tent located on the Main Oval to recharge motorised mobility aids.

The 2008 Maroondah Festival will be held on Sunday the 17th of February from 10am to 5pm at Croydon Park.

For more information please visit www.maroondahfestival.com.

Media Release: Go green at Maroondah Festival

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A Sustainability Expo to help Maroondah residents ‘go green’ is the latest addition to the Maroondah Festival to be held at Croydon Park on Sunday February 17.

Councillor Alex Makin said the Sustainability Expo is designed to encourage the community to incorporate environmentally sustainable methods into their daily lives.

“The Expo will feature workshops from Enviro Craft which aims to raise environmental awareness through education and hands on experiences,” said Cr Makin.

“Visitors to the festival can have some fun learning to make flags, musical instruments, and fashion accessories from recycled and reused materials that would normally go to landfill,” said Cr Makin.

“There will also be lots of information and environmentally friendly products and services on show, which can be used to conserve resources around the home,” said Cr Makin.

The popular Maroondah Festival Business Expos return again this year with the Lifestyle Expo featuring everything from cosmetics and skincare to photography and professional business advice. The Yarra Valley Nissan Auto Expo is a must see for car buffs and rev-heads alike. And if you are building, buying, renovating or after some home decorating ideas, make a note to visit the RESI Home Loans Homemaker Expo.

The RACV Community Expo is the place to see the largest gathering of Maroondah’s many social and support groups in one spot. Experience the diversity and talents of local performers with a day of live entertainment at the Community Stage and support the work of community organisations by buying a drink, snack or lunch at the DENSO Australia Community Food Court.

“The Kids Korner is the must-do activity for youngsters at the festival. The kids will love a day’s worth of on stage entertainment along with a petting zoo, a live educational reptile display by Snakebusters, face painting, rides and a special cow milking and butter making workshop,” said Cr Makin.

Local businesses and craft market holders are invited to participate in the Maroondah Festival as business exhibitors and craft site holders. Sites are limited and are filling quickly, so contact the Maroondah Festival office to secure your site.

For more information contact the Maroondah Festival office on 9294 5604.