Tag: mobility expo

Final Scoot Wheel N Move meeting for 2007

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Maroondah’s Scoot Wheel N Move, is a combined council and community group that consists of people that use mobility aids, with the aim of improving accessibility within Maroondah.

To achieve this aim Scoot Wheel N Move has organised public events, including the Maroondah Mobility Expo and the forum Good Access = Good Business. Scoot Wheel N Move has also been responsible for the highly successful ReCharge Program, where participating businesses provide facilities for people to be able to recharge their electric scooters and wheelchairs. This ensures that people that use mobility aids are able to travel to and from their local shops safely and easily.

Today’s meeting focused on discussing the future direction of the group, including the possibility of increased independence from Maroondah Council. Increased independence would assist in strengthening the group’s advocacy efforts, which is particularly crucial given the redevelopment that is expected to occur in areas such as the Ringwood Transit City during 2008.

It is imperative that accessibility improvements are delivered as the revitalisation of Ringwood takes place. Projects such as Eastland and Ringwood Station, must be accessible from the very beginning so as to ensure an inclusive community and to prevent the need for costly and ineffective retrofitting.

A forum will take place early in the new year to discuss the future direction of the group and its priorities for 2008 and beyond.

2006 in review: some highlights from my first twelve months on council

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The end of 2006 has marked my first year on Maroondah City Council. Over this time I have helped achieve a number of results for both the people of Loughnan’s Hill Ward but and the whole of Maroondah.

Some of these achievements include:

  • Refining and passing Maroondah’s Integrated Transport Strategy to provide a whole of council focus on sustainable transport issues.
  • The successful reinstatement of the Walking School Bus program.
  • Strengthening Maroondah’s Illegal Graffiti Policy to provide additional resources to ensure a responsive approach to graffiti.
  • Securing the abolition of zone three from both major political parties as part of the Eastern Transport Coalition.
  • Responding and acting promptly on constituent concerns, including planning, pedestrian and traffic issues.
  • Supporting the needs of all residents, including people with disabilities, through promoting projects such as the Maroondah Mobility Expo.
  • Ongoing meetings with residents to directly hear feedback on council related issues.
  • Ongoing lobbying and advocacy to ensure much needed public transport improvements for Maroondah.
  • Advancing the revitalisation of Ringwood through the Ringwood Transit City project, including continued lobbying of the State Government for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station.
  • Regularly attending community events and meetings.

I would like to thank everyone who had contacted me to raise a council related issue or to provide feedback. I look forward to further representing the people of Loughnan’s Hill Ward over the next twelve months.

Scoot Wheel 'N' Move End of Year Celebrations

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This morning I attended the Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move end of year celebrations where the group reflected on its successes of the current year.

Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move provided a new basis for community engagement through empowering people with disabilities to become actively involved in planning events and improving accessibility within Maroondah. Scoot Wheel N Move has demonstrates its success as a model of community empowerment through he positive response received with the Maroondah Mobility Expo.

I look forward to further working with the Scoot Wheel N Move Working Group in 2007 as we continue to addresses accessibility issues within Maroondah.

Outer East Citizens Advocacy (OECA) End of Year Function for 2006

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The Outer East Citizens Advocacy (OECA) provides support and referral services for people with disabilities and the elderly. Based in Greenwood Avenue, OECA held its end of year celebrations with a barbeque.

The strength and vitality of a community is only as strong as its volunteers and OECA in roles such as supporting the Maroondah Mobility Expo and people with disabilities provides crucial a role for Maroondah.

Maroondah Journal: Expo takes mobility issues to next level

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The Maroondah Journal has reported on the success of Maroondah’s inaugural mobility expo, which attracted well over 300 attendees, and exceeded all expectations.

Maroondah councillor Alex Makin said mobility and accessibility were huge issues facing local government.

“It was encouraging people were now feeling empowered to speak out and better services. Many people got so much out of these sessions. It is important they can participate in society with confidence.”

Alex Makin launching the Maroondah Mobility Expo
Maroondah’s Mobility Expo and the Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move working group have provided a model for strengthening community engagement and encouraging to speak out of issues of concern.

Strengthening community engagement and participation in council decisions will result in better outcomes that reflect genuine community needs.

ALGA and the Maroondah Mobility Expo: Empowering the Community

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I will be tabling my report but would like to elaborate further on two items, those being the National General Assembly of Local Government and the Maroondah Mobility Expo.

From the 26th through to the 30th of November I along with Cr. Gurr and Cr. Willmott participated in the National General Assembly of local government in Canberra. The National General Assembly convened by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) allows councils to raise issues within a national context., allowing ALGA to make representation on behalf of local councils to the Federal Government.

In this regard I am particularly pleased that Maroondah’s motion in relation to sustainable transport was passed by the general assembly. This will empower ALGA to advocate for federal involvement in sustainable transport.

I will be tabling a written report, which provides further details on the conference. View the written report on the 2006 National Assembly of ALGA

On the 5th of December I was invited by the Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move to officially launch and MC the proceedings of Maroondah’s first mobility expo.

The expo provided a full day program that included:

  • Free scooter and wheelchair safety checks;
  • Trials of a low-floor bus;
  • Information sessions on topics such as:
  • Accessing public transport safely;
  • Road rules for motorised scooters and pedestrians;
  • Advice from occupational therapists;
  • Scooter etiquette to ensure safe usage of motorised scooters and wheelchairs;

The expo, which attracted over 250 attendees, was an overwhelming success and demonstrates the results that can be achieved with strong community partnerships.

The expo coincided with the launch of the booklet, Maintaining Your Mobility in Maroondah, which contains valuable tips and etiquette on using mobility aids with Maroondah.

Both the expo and the booklet were only possible due to the strong partnerships that exist between Maroondah City Council and the Maroondah’s Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move Working Group.

The Scoot Wheel N Move working group comprises of local residents who are passionate volunteers and dedicated to improving mobility within Maroondah. The empowerment of the Scoot Wheel N Move and the strong cooperation with Maroondah resulted in the mobility expo exceeding all expectations.

The community members of the Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move working and staff from Maroondah City Council, in particular Katie Goodrope Maroondah’s MetroAccess and Trisha Matthes, must be congratulated on working tirelessly to ensure the success of the expo.

The Mobility Expo coincided with the International Day for People with Disabilities and it was therefore fitting that the aim of the expo was to help ensure that all members of the Maroondah community could participate confidently and fully in society.

Given the positive it is clear that the Mobility Expo succeeded in its aim of empowering people within Maroondah. The success of the Expo and Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move provides a framework to ensure further engagement and empowerment of our community.

Maroondah Mobility Expo demonstrates community interest in accessibility

Posted on by alex

Maroondah’s Mobility Expo, as part of the International Day for People with Disabilities attracted over 300 attendees demonstrating that the community has an overwhelming interest in mobility issues.

The Expo provided a full day program that included:

  • Free scooter and wheelchair safety checks;
  • Trials of a low-floor bus;
  • Information sessions on topics such as:
  • Accessing public transport safely;
  • Road rules for motorised scooters and pedestrians;
  • Advice from occupational therapists;
  • Scooter etiquette to ensure safe usage of motorised scooters and wheelchairs;

A number of vendors were also available allowing participants to try various motorised scooters and accessibility aids.Maroondah’s Mobility Expo succeeded in its aim in promoting equity and assisting people with mobility aids to participate in society with confidence.

The Mobility Expo was made possible due to the work of Maroondah’s MetroAccess worker, Katie Goodrope, Trisha Matthes who was assisting Katie, and the Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move working group, which consisted of community volunteers dedicated to raising awareness and improving accessibility within Maroondah.

Alex Makin at the launch of Maroondah's Mobility Expo

In addition, the booklet Maintaining Your Mobility in Maroondah was launched the Expo. This booklet which provides advice on using mobility aids such as scooters and wheelchairs, was created by the Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move working and reflects the first hand experiences of members within the group. The booklet was launched by Angela Fitzpatrick, a long time community volunteer, who was awarded a Deakin Community Australia Day Award in 2006.

On behalf of the Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move working group I was invited to officially launch the Expo and MC the proceedings.

My opening speech was as follows:

Continue reading “Maroondah Mobility Expo demonstrates community interest in accessibility”

Discussing Maroondah's Mobility Expo on Eastern FM

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Eastern FM, available at frequency 98.1, is a community radio station that covers Melbourne’s outer east. On the first Friday of each month Eastern FM has a radio segment with Maroondah City Council to publicise upcoming events or issues.

Eastern FM’s studio is based at Wyreena Community in Hull Road, Croydon.

This morning I, along with Maroondah’s MetroAccess worker Katie Goodrope, was invited by Eastern FM to discuss the upcoming Maroondah Mobility Expo. At this stage we have already received 150 pre-registrations for the expo and an overwhelming response from suppliers meaning that eastern Melbourne’s first ever mobility expo should provide a wealth of information for all involved. Information session on topics such as using public transport safely, road safety and scooter etiquette will be covered throughout the day.

Also discussed was the booklet, ‘Maintaining Your Mobility in Maroondah’. This booklet, which will be launched at the Expo, contains advice on using scooters, wheelchairs and other mobility aids within Maroondah and includes a section on etiquette to ensure that everyone is able to travel in Maroondah safely and confidently.

The Maroondah Mobility Expo will be held on Tuesday the 5th of December at Maroondah Federation Estate, Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood.

For further information on Eastern FM, tune into radio frequency 98.1.

Maroondah Leader: Expo offers latest in mobility technology

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The Maroondah Leader has reported on the upcoming Maroondah Mobility Access Expo, which will be held at Federation Estate on Tuesday the 5th of December.

The event is an initiative of the Maroondah Scoot Wheel ‘n’ Move working group and will feature several information sessions and opportunities to meet independent living providers and support organisations.

Councillor Alex Makin said the working group was made up of local people who used mobility aids and were passionate about improving access in the Maroondah community for everyone.

For further details on the Maroondah Mobility Expo please contact Deanne Keogh at Maroondah Council on 9298 4364 or visit www.maroondah.vic.gov.au.

Media Release: Expo for mobility in Maroondah

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If you use a scooter, wheelchair or other mobility device, or know someone who does, then the Maroondah City Council Mobility Access Expo is an event not to be missed.

Councillor Alex Makin said the Mobility Access Expo is a first for Maroondah, and one of the initiatives of the Maroondah Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move working group.

“The Scoot, Wheel ‘N’ Move working group is made up of local people who use mobility aids, and are passionate and dedicated to improving access in the Maroondah community for everyone,” said Cr Makin.

“The free Mobility Access Expo will be held at Maroondah Federation Estate on Tuesday 5 December from 10.00am to 4.00pm, providing numerous information sessions and opportunities to meet independent living providers and support organisations,” said Cr Makin.

Another initiative of the Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move group has been the development and publication of a booklet for users of motorised scooters and electric wheelchairs. ‘Maintaining Your Mobility in Maroondah’ will be launched during the Expo at 10.15am.

“This booklet will assist people to make an informed purchase choice based on their individual needs, as well as providing information on how to manage a motorised scooter or electric wheelchair responsibly while out and about in the community,” said Cr Makin.

Brochures detailing the complete range of exhibitors, information sessions and times for the Maroondah Mobility Expo are available from Council’s Customer Service Centres, or visit Council’s website at www.maroondah.vic.gov.au

Please register your attendance by calling Deanne Keogh on 9298 4364. This will ensure any additional requirements for attendees can be met.

The free Maroondah Mobility Access Expo will be held at Maroondah Federation Estate, 32 Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood on Tuesday 5 December from 10.00am to 4.00pm.