Tag: north ringwood community house

North Ringwood Community House – Committee of Management meeting

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The North Ringwood Community House, located at 120 Oban Road, Ringwood North, is a community owned and managed centre which provides a diverse range of courses and educational opportunities for our community.

One of the strengths of the house is the provision of accredited Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses within a supportive, friendly and nurturing environment. The community house also provides a creche and occasional care.

The Committee of Management oversees the development of the community house and establishes a strategic direction for the facility. I was a member of the committee between 2007 and March 2010, when I resigned due to changes in the Local Government Act, which hampers the ability of Councillors to advocate for organisations when they are a member of a committee.

The main priority for the committee and staff is to find a new location so that the community house can continue to provide a range of courses and services for the local community.

For further information please visit www.nrch.org.au.

Media Release: Living clean and green

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The first in a series of educational workshops on sustainable living will be held at Council’s Braeside Avenue Offices in Ringwood on Thursday 11 February.

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, said the workshops formed part of the Sustainable Living Space (SLS) Project, a community learning initiative involving Council, the City of Manningham, North Ringwood Community House and the Eastern Volunteer Resource Centre.

The first SLS community meeting will address draught-proofing the home.

“Presenter Maurice Beinat will discuss draughts and heat leakage and how these are a major source of inefficiency in home heating and cooling,” Cr Makin said.

“By sealing the sites of the draughts, comfort can be improved and money saved by reducing heating and cooling costs,” Cr Makin said.

“Maurice will discuss a range of products available to eliminate draughts and there will be plenty of time for questions,” Cr Makin said.

The second SLS community meeting will be held on Thursday 11 March, addressing lighting and insulation. The meeting will discuss options for residents interested in power efficient lighting and insulation alternatives.

Both sessions run from 7.30 to 9.30pm with a gold coin donation.

To book or find out more, phone SLS Project Worker Christine Easdown or Sue McDermott on 9876 3421, or email project@sustainablelivingspace.org.au

Probus Club of Ringwood – outlining a vision as Mayor

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The Probus Club of Ringwood meets on a monthly basis and provides regular speakers and outings for Maroondah’s seniors.

This morning I was invited to speak to the Probus Club of Ringwood to discuss my vision for the oncoming year and my term as Mayor. As part of this discussion I spoke about the need for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station, an issue shared by the attendees, many of whom avoid the station due to the steepness of the ramps.

I also discussed the shortage of accommodation for community organisations and the need for council to identify these shortfalls and a plan for action.

The redevelopment of Eastland provides an opportunity to incorporate community space within the centre of Ringwood and likewise the proposed redevelopment of North Ringwood Community House can deliver a similar opportunity.

As a council we must ensure that people within our municipality are able to partake in community organisations and causes and this will be one of my priorities during the oncoming year.

North Ringwood Community House – End of Year Barbecue

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North Ringwood Community House is currently situated at the rear of the Holy Spirit Primary School at 120 Oban Road.  The organisation provides a range of courses and is the only Community House that is accredited as a Registered Training Organisation within the City of Maroondah.

Alex with Cr. Nora Lamont, Ryan Smith MLA and Lorraine (Chairperson of the NRCH Committee of Management) at the North Ringwood Community House End of Year Barecue
Alex with Cr. Nora Lamont, Ryan Smith MLA and Lorraine (Chairperson of the NRCH Committee of Management) at the North Ringwood Community House End of Year Barecue

This accreditation means that North Ringwood Community House is able to provide courses that deliver Certificate III and IV qualifications, ensuring a range of new skills and training opportunities for our community.

This afternoon the Committee and Staff of North Ringwood Community House organised an end of year barbecue for staff and students.  Community Houses promote social inclusion, as well as the opportunity to learn skills and the barbecue reinforced the friendly atmosphere of the House.

Alex with Cr. Nora Lamont, Ryan Smith MLA and Cr. Ann Fraser at the North Ringwood Community House End of Year Barbecue
Alex with Cr. Nora Lamont, Ryan Smith MLA and Cr. Ann Fraser at the North Ringwood Community House End of Year Barbecue

I was joined by my fellow ward Councillors Nora Lamont and Ann Fraser, as well as Ryan Smith the Member of Warrandyte. It was great to see such a strong presence at the barbecue, demonstrating the community house’s importance to the City of Maroondah.

The feasibility study exploring options for the relocation of North Ringwood Community House is expected by February next year where it will be considered by Council and other levels of government.

Bendigo Bank Community Meeting

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Maroondah has two Bendigo Bank Community Branches, one in Heathmont and one in Ringwood East.

This evening the two branches convened a public meeting to discuss projects that could be assisted through the bank’s program of supporting local community groups.  Community Banks invest a portion of their profits into local community projects and the branches are keen to support initiatives that are consistent with a strategic vision for the municipality.

Many projects were discussed throughout the evening including the relocation of North Ringwood Community House and a premises for Eastern Volunteers.  The most prominent, however, was the need for community hubs, that would house several community organisations and provide much needed community space within our municipality.

This meeting is an example of how businesses can assist community organisations and it was encouraging to see a strong attendance from many different organisations.

Open Forum with Enjoying Planned Retirement

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This evening I was invited to speak at Enjoying Planned Retirement’s members meeting to discuss council and my long interest and involvement with one of Maroondah’s largest seniors based groups.

Enjoying Planned Retirement is based at Norwood Hall and shares its facilities with Ringwood U3A and the North Ringwood Senior Citizens. The Ringwood Arts Society and the Ringwood Historical Society are also located as tenants within the building.

Enjoying Planned Retirement provides a diverse range of activities, including bocce, table tennis, card games and day trips.

The open forum provided an opportunity to discuss the group and the hall, as well as the cooperative nature of EPR as it shares facilities with other groups.

I also discussed the plans for the redevelopment of Ringwood, including the ongoing need for advocacy in regard to Ringwood Station. While the current State Government funding is a positive step forward, further commitments are required to ensure an accessible and integrated transport interchange.

I also discussed the feasibility study into the relocation of North Ringwood Community House and the need for continued improvements to our community facilities.

While the transformation of Ringwood will deliver opportunities to provide a community heart for the centre of Ringwood, it is also important that other suburbs retain local facilities that meet community needs.

Enjoying Planned Retirement is an example of a group that meets community needs, through having many members involved in organising activities and participating within the club. This enables the group to hold a diverse of range of activities through sharing the organising and responsibility.

Enjoying Planned Retirement now has a website, for further information please visit www.enjoywithepr.org.au

Public Forum on the Sustainable Living Space

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The Sustainable Living Space is a partnership project between North Ringwood Community House, Maroondah City Council and Eastern Volunteers, which aims to provide a central information service on sustainability.

Tonight a public forum was held to invite community participation within the project and to encourage involvement. The forum provided background information on the project, including the survey data that indicated a high level of community interest in sustainability.

The project aims to establish a community working group, whereby members of the community can shape the future of the Sustainable Living Space. Details on the community working group and the nomination process will be released shortly.

For further information please visit www.sustainablelivingspace.org.au.

North Ringwood Community House – consultation over feasiblity study

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North Ringwood Community House is currently undertaking the feasibility study into its relocation. The study is required to ensure that the community house is able to provide an accessible and diverse range of courses for the community.

As part of the study process the consultants have undertaken consultation with staff, committee members and students to help identify the current and future requirements for the house.

Today’s consultation sessions involved a series of workshops involving several groups of people who are part of the community within the house. A range of issues were discussed including the need for an accessible location that is in close proximity to public transport and available to both the Ringwood and Ringwood North communities.

The feedback received from today’s sessions will help guide the consultants as they undertake an assessment of potential locations for North Ringwood Community House.

Maroondah Leader: full house seeks options

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The Maroondah Leader has reported on North Ringwood Community House’s successful grant application to identify a new preferred location for the facility.

Councillor Alex Makin said the feasibility study would provide a “clear sense of direction” for the centre.

The State Government must be congratulated for contributing $25,000 towards the study, which combined with Council’s $5,000 contribution will enable the house to identify a preferred location for a new community centre.

A steering committee, involving the Community House and Council will appoint a consultant to undertake the feasibility study and to report back on potential options.

The study is expected to be completed by the end of this year and will include potential funding options and the preferred site for a new Community Centre in Ringwood North.

Maroondah Journal: Move on the cards as users outgrow house

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North Ringwood Community House, located at the rear of the Holy Spirit Primary School at 120 Oban Road Ringwood North requires a new location so that it can expand its services and continue to meet the needs of the community.

The Maroondah Journal has reported on its successful application to the State Government for $25,000 to commence a feasibility study into identifying a preferred site.

Combined with a council grant of $5,000 the funding marks the first step towards North Ringwood Community House achieving its objective of creating an accessible and sustainable community centre in Ringwood North.

Cr Alex Makin said the community house needed to be relocated to better meet the needs of the Ringwood North community in an accessible and prominent location.

North Ringwood Community House is not situated on council owned land, which limits its access to grants. In addition, the house is unable to expand to meet increasing demand and its location lacks street frontage making it difficult for the community to access.

“The North Ringwood Community House is the only community house within Maroondah that is not located on council land [and] this has limited the house’s ability to apply for grants. As a result, the house has outgrown its current location and the buildings do not meet current accessibility standards.”

The feasibility study is a critical step in achieving the vision of a new community centre for Ringwood North. The funding provided through the State Government has enabled the house to begin this process.

Cr Makin praised the State Government for recognising the importance of the house to the Maroondah community.

The study is expected to be completed by early next year and will identify a preferred location for North Ringwood Community and the potential for co-location with other community organisations.