Tag: ringwood north

North Ringwood Community House Annual General Meeting for 2011

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North Ringwood Community House is located at 120 Oban Road in Ringwood North and is the only community house in Maroondah that provides accredited training through courses offering Certificate III and Certificate IV accreditation.

North Ringwood Community House is the only community house not located on Council land, hampering the ability to seek grants for extensions and new developments.

Today’s Annual General Meeting provided an update on the relocation of North Ringwood Community House, with Council adopting in December last year to fund a masterplan for Quambee Reserve through the 2011/2012 Council Budget. This masterplan will include extensive consultation with North Ringwood Community House, Quambee Reserve and residents to ensure the best range of facilities for the community.

The guest speaker was Russ Haines the President of the Ringwood Historical Society who discussed the progress of the group’s history of Ringwood North.

I offered to return to the Committee of Management for North Ringwood Community House to assist the House in its activities over the course of this year.

North Ringwood Community House continues to experience strong growth in its courses reinforcing the need for a new home for this community facility.

Media Release: Get to know your Mullum Ward Councillors

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People living in Mullum Ward will have an opportunity to mingle with their local councillors during the first Maroondah Picnic in the Park event for 2011.

The event provides an opportunity to have a chat with your friendly Mullum Ward Councillors Ann Fraser, Nora Lamont and Alex Makin at Maroondah Federation Estate on Saturday 26 February.

“The Picnic in the Park is a fantastic concept which allows us, as ward councillors, to meet members of the community face-to-face and discuss all sorts of things,” Cr Fraser said.

“People can come along and have a chat about whatever is on their minds. It doesn’t have to have anything to do with Council matters,” Cr Fraser said.

“We encourage all Mullum residents to come along to the event and share with us their views on the area, and what they love about living in Maroondah,” Cr Makin said.

“An event like this is a perfect opportunity to speak face to face with a councillor and have your questions answered and your concerns addressed,” Cr Makin said.

“These picnics are a good chance for everyone to get to know each other on a different level, and find out more about the services offered by Council,” Cr Lamont said.

“The event coincides with the 10th anniversary celebrations of Maroondah Federation Estate, so residents will also be able to join in the festivities which include demonstrations from community groups, artists talks and fun activities for the kids,” Cr Lamont said.

Mullum Ward is located on the western side of Maroondah and includes most of Ringwood and Ringwood North, half of Ringwood East, and a small part of Croydon and Heathmont.

Head along to Maroondah Federation Estate on Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood, between 12noon and 4pm on Saturday 26 February to be part of the Picnic in the Park event.

– ENDS –

Maroondah Leader: Half-hearted trips

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While there was a definite need for the Department of Transport to undertaken a review of bus services across metropolitan Melbourne, some of the resulting changes have not provided better services.

The Maroondah Leader has reported on changes to bus route 364, which was altered to terminate at Warrandyte Bridge instead of Doncaster Shoppingtown.

Cr Alex Makin said Warranwood and Ringwood North residents were worse
off and that he would raise the issue at the next Eastern Transport
Coalition meeting.

This means that there is no longer a seamless service for Ringwood North or Warranwood residents to get to destinations like Doncaster Shoppingtown making public transport less efficient and more difficult to use.

The review undertaken for bus services need to provide service improvements, specifically more frequent services that connect destinations. Overall implementation of the review has been poor and the new State Government needs to ensure that resources are allocated to provide improvements to bus services.

North Ringwood Community House 2010 End of Year Luncheon

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North Ringwood Community House is located at 120 Oban Road in Ringwood North and provides a range of community based educational courses, as well as accredited training, including Certificates III and IV as a Registered Training Organisation.

This afternoon North Ringwood Community House held its end of year luncheon to thank students, staff, tutors and volunteers. North Ringwood Community House is currently operating at capacity and is the only community house in Maroondah that is not located on Council land making it difficult to expand the services that it offers.

This year Council approved the undertaking of Masterplan to assist in relocating North Ringwood Community House onto Council land at Quambee Reserve located at Wonga Road in Ringwood North. This location will complement the existing community facilities at Quambee Reserve and work on the Masterplan will commence from July next year through the 2011/2012 Council Budget.

North Ringwood Community House has continued to serve the Maroondah community and will be offering further programs in 2011 to provide new skills and opportunities. For further details please visit www.nrch.org.au.

Speaking to Grade 4 students at Ringwood North Primary School

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Ringwood North Primary School is located at Oban Road and was founded in 1923 and has continued since this time to provide primary school education to the Ringwood North community. The school prides itself on being a close-knit community with a range of services to students and community based activities.

This morning I spoke to approximately 70 grade four students to discuss my role as Councillor and Mayor within the City of Maroondah. As part of an educational trial the students have been provided with an iPad and it is great to see the embracing of technology and its support amongst the teachers and pupils.

I remarked on the continued adoption of technology within schools, whereby when I was in Primary School there was just one computer per classroom compared to today where each student has been provided with an iPad. Students were taking notes on the iPads and asked questions in relation to my time as Mayor including the importance of teamwork and delivering a vision for Maroondah.

Discussions with students are one of the most enjoyable functions in being Mayor and it was great to see how engaged and enthusiastic each of them were in discussing Council. I wish each of the students the very best for their future.

Enjoying Planned Retirement – The Final Spotlighters Performance

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Enjoying Planned Retirement is a community group, based at Norwood Hall in Ringwood North, that provides a range of activities for seniors. One of these activities is Spotlighters, an annual musical performance, which is organised by members.

This afternoon I attended the final Spotlighers Performance, which featured a range of musical talents, including tap dancing, musical acts and solo singing performances. All aspects of the performance, including the stage and costumes, are made by members of EPR over the 20 years of Spotlighters Performers.

While this years marks the final performance for Spotlighters, Enjoying Planned Retirement will be providing further performance activities over 2011 and beyond.

Picnic in the Park at BJ Hubbard Reserve

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The City of Maroondah holds regular Picnic in the Parks to provide an opportunity for the community to meet their Ward Councillors and to rediscover the many parks within the municipality.

Today’s Picnic in the Park was held at BJ Hubbard Reserve for residents of the Mullum Ward and it was great to see the many community members attend.  BJ Hubbard is part of Maroondah’s remnant bush reserves and has a range of unique flora and fauna.  In addition, there are a a number of community groups based at the Scout Hall at BJ Hubbard, including the Scouts and the Maroondah Toy Library.

The Picnic in the Park at BJ Hubbard had a strong community and environmental focus, with regular environmental presentations and a range of activities for children, as well as information stalls from Council, the Scouts and the Maroondah Toy Library.

Picnics in the Park provide an informal occasion to meet many members of the community and I had a wonderful afternoon meeting residents from the nearby streets in Ringwood North, as well as several from other parts of Maroondah. In addition, there many young families with children enjoying activities such as the jumping castle and the games that were available.

Many residents spoke about the Council’s plans for the redevelopment of the Ringwood Aquatic Centre and it was pleasing to receive many positive comments about Maroondah’s vision for Ringwood and the need for a new standard of community facilities within the municipality.  Council has begun discussions with the user groups within Ringwood Aquatic to plan arrangements during the demolition and construction of the old centre.

BJ Hubbard Reserve is a truly unique bush reserve and it was encouraging to see the strong interest in its environmental significance.  Council holds regular Picnics in the Parks and a further one is planned for the Mullum Ward later this year.

Ringwood U3A – 25th Birthday Celebrations

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Universities of the Third Age (U3A) are a global movement which provides education and life-long learning for retirees. The concept of U3As began in France in 1972 and spread quickly throughout the World, including Australia.  Thirty years ago, Ringwood became the home to one of the very first U3As within Victoria, based at Norwood Hall along Warrandyte Road in Ringwood North.

This afternoon I attended a luncheon to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Ringwood U3A, where past and current members reflected on the past thirty years and the ongoing interest in U3As. Twenty-five years ago U3As were a new and novel concept and the establishment of Ringwood’s U3A was the result of determination and ongoing support from several founding members.  This dedication has delivered results, with the Ringwood U3A flourishing and offering a wide variety of courses to cater to a diverse range of interests.

Alex with the Member for Deakin, Mike Symon and U3A members at the 25th birthday celebrations for Ringwood U3A.

As part of the proceedings I was invited to speak at the celebrations, where I reiterated the importance of life-long education and congratulated the many people involved in their ongoing support to the Ringwood U3A.  I also discussed the future opportunities that may exist through Council’s assessment of community facilities.  This assessment will assist in providing information on available community space, assisting community groups in finding locations for their activities.

In addition, Maroondah Council is currently conducting an assessment of Norwood Hall, prompted by the desired relocation of North Ringwood Community House and this will provide an opportunity  to explore options to better cater for the needs of the existing groups at Norwood Hall.

Alex presenting a certificate of appreciation recognising the assistance provided towards Ringwood U3A.
Alex presenting a certificate of appreciation recognising the assistance provided towards Ringwood U3A.

Community organisations like the Ringwood U3A provide new opportunities for seniors, as well as reducing social isolation and promoting active participation within our community.  I look forward to seeing many years of future success for the Ringwood U3A.

Media Release: Meet your Mullum Ward councillors at free BBQ

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People living in Mullum Ward will have an opportunity to mingle with their local councillors during the next Maroondah Picnic in the Park.

Take the opportunity to have a chat with your friendly Mullum Ward councillors Ann Fraser, Nora Lamont and Mayor Alex Makin at BJ Hubbard Reserve in Ringwood North on Saturday 22 May.

“The picnic in the park is a fantastic concept which allows us, as ward councillors, to speak face-to-face with the local community about all sorts of things. It doesn’t necessarily need to be related to Council. These picnics are a good chance for everyone to get to know each other on a different level,” Cr Makin said.

“So if you live in Mullum Ward it would be great to see you at BJ Hubbard Reserve on Saturday 22 May,” Cr Lamont said.

“There will be a free barbecue and plenty of fun activities for the kids. I look forward to seeing you there,” Cr Fraser said.

Mullum Ward is located on the western side of Maroondah and includes most of Ringwood and Ringwood North, half of Ringwood East, and a small part of Croydon and Heathmont.

Head along to BJ Hubbard Reserve in Ringwood North from 11am on Saturday 22 May for Maroondah’s next Picnic in the Park.

Launch of new playground for North Ringwood Community Children’s Centre

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Maroondah City Council offers a variety of grants to assist community based organisations, including funding through the third/third/third grants, which can be utilised for capital works within council owned facilities.  The upgraded playground at North Ringwood Community Children’s Centre, based at Norwood Reserve on Warrandyte Road in Ringwood North is one example of this funding.

North Ringwood Community Children’s Centre is a community based, not-for-profit organisation, which is managed through a voluntary Committee of Management.  The Centre provides a range of programs for young children, including an accredited four year old kindergarten program, with an emphasis on creativity and learning.

This afternoon I was invited to officially launched the new playground at the Centre, which was funded through Council’s third/third/third program. This grants program is where Council contributes time and financial resources to assist community organisations with capital works.  The community group contributes one third of the project, Council another third and the final third can be provided as a loan or through other external sources of funding.

The playground provides an expanded range of activities and play spaces for the children in the Centre and is an example of an organisation that is meeting the long-term needs of Maroondah’s community.  For further information on the third/third/third funding program and other community grants offered by the City of Maroondah please visit www.maroondah.vic.gov.au/GrantsProgram.aspx.