Councillor’s appearance on Eastern FM – September, with Councillor Paul Macdonald
Russ:
Well, it’s time. Hello, to, our regular, well not our regular guest. He’s not here all the time, but today we have in the studio in our City of Maroondah segment Councillor Paul MacDonald. So welcome again, we’ve seen you before Paul but you’ve got your hat back on again there.
Paul:
Yes, got re-elected last October. So it’s been over four years since I’ve been here with you gentlemen. I must say it’s a pleasure to be with you Russ and Norm.
Russ:
I hope you'll say that after we kick you out (ha ha)
Norm:
We were reminiscing about the old football days, and that goes back a long time.
Paul:
And where time goes…
Norm:
And family, I know your family.
Paul:
Family, yes. Just saying that my oldest boy Michael, I’ll make it public, I’m gonna be a grandfather. Laura and Michael are having a nice little boy. I gotta say this one too Norm and Russ, young David Latema my second son it’s his birthday today. So happy birthday David from Dad.
Norm:
And then Cathy listening is she?
Paul:
She’s listening
Norm:
Well g’day Cath, how are ya?
Russ:
Well perhaps it might be an appropriate time, Paul, for you to start to tell all our listeners all the things that are happening in the City of Maroondah at the moment.
Paul:
Well, it’s great to be able to get Council’s message out to our listeners, our community.
First thing I’d like to talk about, fellas, is H.E. Parker multi-sports complex, and one of the pleasures of being a Councillor is being involved in important infrastructure projects such as this. And down at Heathmont, a lot of planning, a lot of consultation with our community has gone ahead, and this is a multi-sports complex which will be a huge benefit to all our community, Maroondah and outside Maroondah.
And it’s a 16.5-million-dollar upgrade of the current netball facilities. And even since I was a young boy the girls have had a terrible time over there with playing outside and here we are in the 21st century-
Russ:
The facilities haven't been great have they?
Norm:
My girls played there quite a few years ago as well.
Russ:
So, it’s absolutely wonderful that State Government, Federal Government and Council all chipped in to make this happen. And I'm on the Maroondah’s Environmental Committee with Councillor Graham and our Council is very concerned about the environment and we know that our residents are as well. So, there’s been an environmental study down there and we’re keeping the development within most of the footprint of the existing courts. So when it comes to tree-loss, it’s minimal.
Russ:
No, it’s pretty down there isn't it. There’s a lot of tree cover in that neck of the woods.
Paul:
It is. And the complex, being indoors, at night time it can be opened up so that the games can be staggered over a period of time. So the way it is at the moment when the daylight runs out we’re in trouble.
Norm:
No lights going up?
Paul:
There will be lights there as well.
Russ:
And some of the courts will be undercover.
Paul:
Yeah, so four of the courts are outside and there’s a new surface that’s going down as well.
Norm:
No skinned knee and elbows.
Paul:
It’ll be a lot safer for the boys and girls, yeah.
Norm:
Boys too is it?
Paul:
I should imagine there’d be men playing netball.
Russ:
That’s right, there’s quite a number of netball teams.
Paul:
You might know this but Jim Jameson, legend at South Croydon Football Club.
Norm:
Oh we know Jimmy.
Paul:
Yes. One of his sons is a champion netball player. One plays for Carlton-
Norm:
Well he used to, Michael.
Paul:
Yes, and his twin brother William has played for Victoria in netball.
Norm:
Good on ‘em.
Paul:
Yeah so, the architects have been involved in making the building blend in with the environment down there. It’s been designed to take in consideration for people with disabilities, the change rooms you know for men and women. I think we look at there’s 29 trees down there being removed but there’s going to be another couple of hundred trees planted. So it’s a pretty amazing project.
Russ:
Well, I look forward to that. That’s not going to be too far away then, Paul?
Paul:
No, the demolition of the current facilities will commence in December and construction is due to commence in January next year. And hopefully, looking forward to the opening will be in 2019.
Russ:
Well that will be fantastic. Okay, what else have we got?
Paul:
What else have we got? A lot of consultation and debate going on about Croydon level crossing removal. So Council’s, previous Council, had brought in consultants to look at what we could do with our station and use the information gathered to advocate and lobby the Government for improvements there. So previous Council spent I think it was $40,000 on the consultancy who lookout it so they’ve come back with a proposal to have an elevated rail. The other option was to put it underground, but unfortunately because of the railway bridge at-
Russ and Paul, simultaneously:
Mount Dandenong Road.
Russ:
Yeah, you've got a grade problem.
Paul:
Grade problem, so we’re being told that the cost of putting it underground there’s not way known the government will look at that. So Council has been out at the moment talking to the Chamber, other committee groups, residents, through street forums and mail outs, and getting feedback. So we’re collecting information at the moment.
With the elevated rail the crossing at Coolstore Road will go of course because the rail will be above it and the principals are connecting. So the market area, Kent avenue, with Main Street. I’ve seen the plans but Council’s got a pretty good video that’s been put together, so visual concept design of what it would look like, open space parking and other relevant issues. So the video, I’d recommend you have a look at it. It’s very comprehensive.
With the feedback we get from the community that will then enable us to progress forward with the Government.
Russ:
That’ll be good.
Paul:
There’s more to come; Community Grants. The next subject I’d like talk about is a couple of weeks ago I was privileged enough to be up at Karralyka and we had our Community Grants. Council gave out 85 community grants which amounted to more than $140,000 to fund local projects.
Now, I love handing out cheques, Norm and Russ. It’s a good feeling.
Norm:
Ha ha. Somebody else’s money is always better Paul.
Paul:
Well it’s my rates too. It’s a very important thing we do every year and this year there was a diverse range of programs being funded, spanning cultural and language, children, community support, support for disabilities, emergency relief, arts and more. So, I’ll give you an example;
computer training sessions for the Chin community, playgroups for newly arrived families at the Migrant Information Centre. They’re all part of our community grants.
A cultural inclusion program at the Greenwood Park, your old state school fellas, in Ringwood. A kindergarten there. Homework group and community meal program at Ringwood Community Church. Even the Scouts, they were funded for a life skills program at the 3rd Croydon Scout Group and musical instruments provided for the Croydon Orchestra. So these community groups are non-for-profit organisations and they enhance the life of our city.
Russ:
It certainly helps a lot of the citizens of the city of Maroondah too with those organisations, they're a terrific innovation.
Paul:
That’s right. The trouble is they’re cash strapped. They’re all volunteers.
Russ:
Tell me about it.
Paul:
Well here we are, yes. You two fellas are volunteers.
Norm:
I don’t get paid, but I don’t know about Russ haha.
Russ:
No that’s right, yeah.
Paul:
Where would we be without our volunteers? I went out the other day with Meals on Wheels to visit one of the ladies in Ringwood and it was an absolute pleasure to talk to her and the volunteer, that was there delivering the meal, it was as though she was part of the family.
Russ:
Yeah they’re really terrific the folk involved in that area.
Paul:
They do a great job. So, for more information on Community Grants Scheme, visit Council’s website and applications for the 2018/19 grants will open in March 2018. But visit Council’s website.
Russ:
Okay, we might take short break, Paul. Give your chance to catch your breath and we’ll be back with more City of Maroondah segment after this short break.
[ad break]
Russ:
We’re coming up to 20 minutes past 12. It’s Thursday around Noon, our City of Maroondah segment on the first Thursday of the month and in the studio with us, representing the City of Maroondah, is Councillor Paul Macdonald. With a sheaf of information that he’s got to pass on to you folks so back to you Paul.
Paul:
Russ. I’d like to encourage our listeners to look at the draft Maroondah Health and Wellbeing Plan, which is on public exhibition until Monday 25 September. The plan is a key strategic document, as health and wellbeing are central to Council’s work, as guided by the 2040 community vision plan.
The plan outlines vital work being done by Council and external partners to improve the health and wellbeing of our community.
The plan contains 57 high level priority action items to be undertaken over a four-year period. Some of the key directions include: promoting safer behaviours around alcohol, drugs, tobacco, gambling, child abuse, family abuse and violence towards women, facilitating services and resources that support physical and mental health for people of all ages, and of course promoting healthy eating and physical activity.
The draft Plan is based on solid research and statistics as well as feedback from more than 7000 members of our community, including Indigenous community, people with disabilities and young people. The draft plan is on exhibition until the 25 September. Interested residents can go to Council’s website or view hard copies at Council’s Service Centres.
Russ:
That’s going to be a busy time to, be you want everybody to have a chance to have input.
Paul:
Always, always. Very important Russ.
Russ:
Okay, what else have you got?
Paul:
This is something that’s very good for your mental health, what I'm about to talk about now.
Up at Karralyka, we’ve got a Van Morrison performance up at Karralyka it’s called.
It’s on Saturday 7 October at 8pm, for one show only, Karralyka audiences can experience the soaring vocals and trumpet delights of Vince Jones, as he performs the hits of Van Morrison.
Morrison’s music influenced Vince Jones, especially the albums Astral Week and Moondance.
So, Vince Jones has invited a selection of the country’s finest jazz and rock musicians to form The Astral Orchestra, which will accompany Jones as he interprets hits like Gloria, Brown-Eyed Girl and Russ, Have I Told You Lately.
Russ:
I agree, I play a bit of Van Morrison. I don’t think I could put my fingers on one of his tracks right this instant in my collection, I have here but he has some great music and Vince Jones of course a very well known musician here in Australia.
Paul:
Be a great night.
Russ:
So there’s an opportunity for you to go along to Karralyka and hear that show on, what was the date again?
Paul:
Ah, I have to say too; don’t forget you can have a two-course meal before the show, and a glass of wine if you wish, or soft drink. To book your tickets, visit Karralyka’s website or phone the Box Office. And the phone number for the box office is 9870 2888.
Russ:
And what was that date again? Saturday?
Paul:
Saturday the 7th of October.
Russ:
That’s not far away. That’s about a month so get your skates on if you would like to go along.
Paul:
My word. Because it will be sold out.
Russ:
That’s right, well it’s a magnificent venue there too. There’s not a bad seat in the house. So if you were thinking about going along don’t worry about things or poles in the way. Every seat has a great view.
Paul:
And they have a great meal there too. Great service.
Russ:
There’s an opportunity to have that meal there too beforehand if you’d like to. Okay you can find more information at the box office there. Now what’s next on the list?
Paul:
Next? Edna Walling exhibition, we’ve got coming up. Edna was a famous Australian lady who designed gardens. And what stands out straight away is Bickleigh Gardens in Mooroolbark. Bickleigh Vale in Mooroolbark, and I've actually worked up there in that estate and that’s one of hers, it’s amazing. Edna was one of the earliest people to talk about conservation and environmental impacts from road development.
The Creative Legacy of Edna Walling is an exhibition being held at Artspace at Realm, Ringwood Library, opposite the station there. And that exhibition starts on the 19th September and carries through to 12th November in honour of her legacy that she’s left our community.
Four artists have produced art work that explore Edna Walling’s influence. There will also be a series of public programs and activities for all ages across Maroondah – including walking tours, lectures and workshops. The Mayor will launch the exhibition, at an official launch event, from 3pm and 5pm on Saturday 21 October at Realm, with guest speakers, including Edna Walling’s own niece. ArtSpace at Realm is located at 179 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood.