Tag: north ringwood

Eastern Football League: 2010 Season Launch

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The Eastern Football League (EFL) is based in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, stretching from Balwyn through to Noble Park. The League consists of 43 teams total across four divisions.

This evening I attended the launch of the EFL’s 2010 season launch, which provided an overview of the League and the Clubs within the competition. The EFL consists of 12 First Division Clubs, 10 in Second Division, 10 in Third Division and 11 in Fourth Division, with the season commencing from the 10th of April.

Maroondah has several clubs competing within the Eastern Football League, including four in Division One; Norwood, East Ringwood, Croydon and South Croydon.  Ringwood Football Club competes in Division Two, while North Ringwood and Heathmont are in Divisions Three and Four respectively.

Speaking to the Fab 50s Social Group

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The Fab 50s are a social group that meets at North Ringwood Community House.  The group aims to provide a social environment and alternates between off-site activities and meetings at the community house.

This morning I was invited as the guest speaker at the Fab 50s, where I discussed my involvement with the North Ringwood Community House and explained that due to the changes in the Local Government Act, I chose to resign from the committee of management, so that I could discuss matters affecting the community house within Council.

I also explained Council’s undertaking of the landowner assessment, which will begin to explore how the North Ringwood Community House could potentially exist as part of Norwood Reserve.  This initial assessment will consider the traffic and site implications, as well as discussions with the existing users. This initial assessment will help provide further details to assist in relocating North Ringwood Community House.

Given that many of the Fab 50s particiapnts live within the vicinity of Ringwood, I also discussed the importance of securing additional funding for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station.

While the State Government has announced funding for the redevelopment of the bus interchange and station forecourt, it is imperative that further funding is confirmed to ensure the creation of an integrated and accessible transport interchange.  Many of the Fab 50s participants retold their experiences with Ringwood Station and how they tend to avoid using the Station due to the steepness of the ramps and the lack of easy access.

Groups like the Fab 50s help promote social inclusion and reinforce how community houses assist in community development and empowering residents.

Discussing Play Equipment Upgrades for Quambee Reserve

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This afternoon I had an on-site meeting to discuss upgraded play equipment for Quambee Reserve in Ringwood North.  Quamby Reserve is identified as a precinct park  in Maroondah’s Open Space Strategy, meaning it will have a mixture of recreational activities.

Quambee Reserve is home to the North Ringwood Football Club, North Ringwood Cricket Club, as well as the North Ringwood Tennis Club and the Ringwood Horse and Pony Club.

The play equipment, which will be installed towards the end of this year, will provide a unique and accessible playground, taking into account the natural gradient of the Reserve. A formal launch will be held when the equipment upgrade is completed.

North Ringwood Community House 2010 AGM

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North Ringwood Community House is located at 120 Oban Road, located at the rear of the Holy Spirit Primary School in Ringwood North.  The North Ringwood Community House is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and offers a range of accredited courses, as well as adult education and social groups.

As a community based organisation, North Ringwood Community House is overseen by a voluntary committee of management and this afternoon the organisation held its annual meeting to elect committee members for the next twelve months.  While I was previously a committee member of the North Ringwood Community House, I have chosen not to seek re-nomination and have resigned from the committee.

While I enjoyed being a committee member of North Ringwood Community House, changes to the Local Government Act, prevent a Councillor from formally discussing matters involving an organisation, where they are part of its decision making body.  As a consequence, this has meant that I was unable to discuss the community house within formal council meetings.

Given these changes to the Local Government Act, I believe I will be better able to advocate for the community house if I was no longer a member of the committee of management.

During the past twelve months North Ringwood Community House prepared a new business plan and completed the feasibility study exploring potential sites for the organisation and its services.  The study identified Norwood Reserve along Warrandyte Road as the preferred site and Council will now able undertaking an assessment of this location, including consultation with existing users and exploring the traffic implications.

This assessment is expected to be completed by July, when Council will discuss the findings with the North Ringwood Community House.

Maroondah Journal: House vision takes shape

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The Maroondah Journal has reported on the completion of North Ringwood Community House’s feasibility study into its relocation.

Mayor Alex Makin said the new site would allow the house to be part of a community house.

“The house is calling on Council to commit to a master plan, which will explore the needs of current users, as well as looking at the needs of North Ringwood Community House.”

The study, which was funded through the State Government, Maroondah City Council and North Ringwood Community House, has recommended Norwood Reserve in Warrandyte Road as the preferred site.

The masterplan will enable Council to develop and holistic approach to Norwood Reserve and the existing facilities.  The site is home to a number of organisations, including the North Ringwood Senior Citizens, Enjoying Planned Retirement, Ringwood U3A, the Ringwood Arts Society, the Ringwood Historical Society and the North Ringwood Children’s Community Centre.

“The house is not located on council land so it restricts the house’s ability to apply for infrastructure grants, not only through council but other levels of government.  This puts them at a severe disadvantage.”

“As a result the house hasn’t been able to expand and that’s really restricted their ability to introduce programs.”

With the changing character of Ringwood and Ringwood North it is imperative that  facilities are able to meet the diverse needs of our municipality.  The feasibility study underpins the importance of the relocation to meet these community needs.

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.