Tag: young leaders

Attendance Report: National Volunteering Week and Young Leaders

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National Volunteering Week was held between the 9th and 13th of May and provides an opportunity to promote volunteering and the many community groups that exist within the community. The week included an expo at Eastland Shopping Centre encouraging volunteers and was supported through media coverage in the Maroondah Leader.

Volunteering is a measure of the vibrancy and success of our community and I encourage people to consider how they can volunteer for the many community organisations that exist within Maroondah.

On the 13th of May, along with Cr Natalie Thomas, I attended the Young Leaders Presentation Evening providing an opportunity to congratulate the participants who completed the Young Leaders Program. The Young Leaders Program is a week-long course operated through EVs Youth Centre, which promotes leadership qualities for Year 10 students within Maroondah.

I would like to congratulate the participants for their dedication and for completing the course. I trust that the skills they have learnt will be useful in their future education, employment and employment endeavours.

The 2011 Young Leaders Presentation Evening

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The Young Leaders Program is a week long imitative providing leadership opportunities for Year 10 students within Maroondah. The program works with schools to identify potential students who undertake a week-long intensive leadership course at EV’s Youth Centre in Croydon.

The program covers public speaking, confidence and teamwork, with the aim of developing leadership skills. At the end of the course the participants organise a presentation evening, which includes the presentation of certificates from Council.

This evening I was invited to speak about the program and to formally congratulate the students for their completion of the course. The speech delivered during the presentation is available within this post:

Continue reading “The 2011 Young Leaders Presentation Evening”

2010 Youth Volunteer Recognition Evening

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The Maroondah Youth Volunteer Recognition Evening provides an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts younger people make through volunteering within their communities. Tonight’s function reinforces the strength of volunteering that exists within Maroondah and highlights the positive work that younger people undertake in a voluntary capacity.

Volunteering not only benefits the community but can also provide educational and employment pathways through the development of new skills and experience. There are a range of volunteer opportunities and I encourage younger people to look at how they can become involved in the community.

The speech provided during the recognition evening is available within this entry:

In the spirit of Reconciliation, we acknowledge that we are meeting on land for which the Wurundjeri people have been custodians for many centuries, and on land which the Indigenous Australians have performed age old ceremonies.

We, Maroondah City Council, accept, respect and have shared with the Wurundjeri people in their customs of welcome.

The Wurundjeri people support the coming together of all people, respecting their individuality to focus on a unified and cohesive nation.

Good Evening and welcome to EV’s Youth Centre for Maroondah City Council’s Annual Youth Volunteer Recognition Evening. I am very pleased to be here tonight to take part in an evening that celebrates Maroondah’s young people.

Council’s Youth Volunteer Recognition Evening is held in recognition and appreciation of the outstanding contribution made by young volunteers and leaders in the Maroondah Community.

As I look around the room tonight, I see a number of inspirational young leaders and volunteers from the Maroondah Community. The dedication these young people have shown towards their volunteer work is inspiring and has helped brighten so many lives around them.

Each nominee should be very proud of their volunteer work and that an individual from their relevant school, agency or organisation has acknowledged their efforts by nominating them for tonight’s award ceremony.

On behalf of Maroondah City Council and our local residents, I would like to thank and congratulate all the nominees for their dedication and commitment to their work. Volunteering is something that often goes unnoticed, but the value it gives to our community is immeasurable. It improves the lives of so many and should be celebrated and recognised. It is young people like yourselves that build strong community to make Maroondah such a fantastic place to live.

I would also like to thank the representatives from schools, church groups, service clubs and various organisations for their efforts in assisting young people achieve their goals through volunteering. A special mention to the individuals who took time out of their busy schedules to assist with the nominations. With your support, Maroondah City Council is able to formally recognise the contributions of the young people here tonight.

Thank you also to Council’s Youth Services Team; for your hard work in putting this event together. Tonight is one of many great events and programs run by Council’s Youth Services Team, so be sure to speak with a team member if you would like any further information. We shall now commence the presentation of these well deserved awards.

Delegates’ Report: Dawn Service, youth projects, community facilities and recognising our natural environment

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On the 25th of April I attended the Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Ringwood Clocktower along with Councillors Ann Fraser, Nora Lamont and Natalite Thomas.  The Dawn Service is facilitated by the Ringwood RSL and I would like to congratulate them on their ongoing involvement and for catering to the growing crowds that gather each year.

On the 6th of May I spoke with the participants within the Young Leaders Program, which is a week long program providing leadership and confidence skills for up to thirty Year 10 students.

The students participate in a number of activities throughout the week and part of the program includes a session entitled ‘Councillor for a Day’.  I was the speaker for this session, where participants discussed the role of local government and I provided an overview of the activities undertaken as a Councillor and Mayor.  The students had many questions around the role of local government and it was fantastic to see an active interest in our local community.

The graduation ceremony for the Young Leaders Program was held on the following day, the 7th of May, and while students may have finished the course, there is a further opportunity to use these skills through the Community Action Project.  The Community Action Project involves students choosing a project that they wish to develop and to deliver positive outcomes for the community.  The skills that were developed throughout the past week will equip these participants with the ability to undertake this project and I look forward to seeing the positive work they will be undertaking in the community.

The Young Leaders Program is one of several activities undertaken through the EVs Youth Centre in Croydon and I wish to congratulate staff and the students for their involvement in the Young Leaders Program.

On Sunday the 15th of May I attended a public forum convened through the Maroondah Interfaith Network.  This group, which was formed in partnership with Maroondah City Council, provides a forum for Maroondah’s faith based communities and aims to provide dialogue between the religious communities within the municipality.

The forum was the first event convened by the Maroondah Interfaith Network and it highlighted that all beliefs hold the same core values of respect and acceptance.  I would like to congratulate the Maroondah Interfaith Network on holding such a successful event and I look forward to their ongoing involvement within the community.

On the 20th of May I had the pleasure of opening the upgraded facilities at Central Ringwood Community Centre, which is a project that was completed in partnership with Council and the Federal Government.  The new facilities will enable Central Ringwood to provide a more accessible centre and to offer additional programs and courses for our community.  This project represents the positive community outcomes that can be achieved when multiple levels of government work together to achieve results for Maroondah.

Lastly, last Saturday on the 22nd of May I attended the Mullum Ward Picnic in the Park along with Cr. Ann Fraser.  It was wonderful to see so many members of our community enjoying the day and this was certainly helped by the pleasant weather that we had.

The Picnics in the Park provide an opportunity to rediscover Maroondah’s Reserves and at BJ Hubbard there was a strong environmental focus given that the Reserve is part of Maroondah’s remnant bushland and home to unique flora and fauna.  Speakers provided information on the environmental significance of BJ Hubbard Reserve and it was wonderful to see such a strong interest in our local environment.

I’ll be tabling the rest of my report.

Media Release: Youth Services website posts early points with users

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Council’s new Youth Services website is already proving popular among cyber citizens after generating around 4000 page views in its first month online.

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, has been busy checking out the new site on his mobile phone and was impressed with its user-friendly layout and contemporary design.

“All you have to do is log on to www.maroondahyouthservices.com and you’re a click away from all the information you need on the City of Maroondah’s youth services, programs and events,” Cr Makin said.

“There’s information for about youth-related services and advice, and young people can stay up-to-date with what’s happening at EV’s Youth Centre,” Cr Makin said.

“Local young people have played a big role in helping to develop the site and deserve a pat on the back for the assistance they’ve given to Maroondah Youth Services over the development phase of the project,” Cr Makin said.

It’s been a busy period for young people in Maroondah, with 20 students completing a challenging self confidence and life skills program last week during Council’s annual Young Leaders initiative.

Cr Makin said the personal development program was again well received by participants, who learned skills they could apply in their daily lives.

“The program aimed to empower young people to participate more confidently and effectively in their school and community by assisting them to develop and refine their skill and knowledge in regards to leadership, communication, participation, group dynamics, decision making, public speaking, assertiveness and conflict resolution,” Cr Makin said.

Cr Makin said a second phase to the Young Leaders Program – a Community Action Project – would again be held in 2010.

To find out more about Council’s Youth Services phone Youth Programs Worker Railey Orger on 9298 5701 or visit www.maroondahyouthservices.com

Maroondah Young Leaders Presentation Evening

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The Maroondah Young Leaders is a week-long program held at the EVs Youth Centre in Croydon and involves up to thirty local year 10 students..  The program aims to develop confidence and leadership skills, with the students  selected in consultation with teachers from the participating schools.

This evening I officially congratulated the students for their successful completion of the program.  The Young Leaders program provides life-long skills, including working with groups, public speaking and confidence, which are useful in educational, recreational, employment and community pursuits.

The presentation evening includes a performance organised by the participants, where they showcase the skills they have learnt during the week.

In addition, several of the students will be participating in the Community Action Project, which is where the participants complete a project that aims to be of assistance to the wider community.  Last year’s group completed a video highlighting bullying, which was well received by schools within Maroondah.  Discussions and planning for the Community Action Project will begin in a few weeks and is coordinated through the Maroondah Youth Services Team based at the EVs Youth Centre.

The speech I delivered at the presentation evening is available within this post:

Continue reading “Maroondah Young Leaders Presentation Evening”

Media Release: Equipping Maroondah’s young people for the future

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Year 10 students from throughout Maroondah have converged on EV’s Youth Centre this week for Council’s annual Young Leaders Program.

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, said 20 students are taking part in the week-long, interactive personal development program from 3 to 7 May.

“The Young Leaders Program provides a safe and supportive environment for young people to challenge themselves and grow in self confidence during a week-long learning program,” Cr Makin said.

“The program aims to empower young people to participate more confidently and effectively in their school and community by assisting them to develop and refine their skill and knowledge in regards to leadership, communication, participation, group dynamics, decision making, public speaking, assertiveness and conflict resolution,” Cr Makin said.

Cr Makin said a second phase to the Young Leaders Program would again be held in 2010.

“The success of the pilot of last year’s Community Action Project (CAP) meant it was an easy decision to include it again in 2010,” Cr Makin said.

“The CAP will open the door to selected Young Leaders Program participants to take part in a 12-week community-oriented project where they will address the needs of young people in Maroondah. This will begin shortly after the Young Leaders Program,” Cr Makin said.

Last year, CAP participants produced a short film on bullying and ran workshops with younger students about bullying.

To find out more about Council’s Youth Services phone Youth Programs Worker Railey Orger on 9298 5701 or visit www.maroondahyouthservices.com.