Eastern FM appearance with Councillor Michael Macdonald – Thursday 8 August
Russ:
It’s just after six minutes past midday and as is normal on the first Thursday of each month we have a visitor from the City of Maroondah and today we’re greeted by Councillor Michael Macdonald, whose - well, we’re in the Wyreena ward, and he’s the representative of the Wyreena ward. So welcome to Radio Eastern, Michael.
Michael:
Thanks very much, Russ.
Russ:
Good to see you back again. It was a long time ago since we last-
Michael:
Yeah, I served a single term between 2008 and 2012, I stepped down to run an electrical contracting business, and thought I might try my luck again and got reelected last year. So here I am.
Russ:
Well, it’s good to see you mate. According to my bit of paper anyhow you’ve got lots, and lots, of things to tell our listeners about happenings in the City of Maroondah. So over to you.
Michael:
I certainly do, there’s a lot happening in Maroondah, Russ, which is always good for the community. One of the important priorities of Council is to encourage our community to be healthy and active. One way we do this is through our Active Events series, and recently on the 23rd of July we hosted out first Duathlon. It was very well attended, we had over 100 participants. And it was a run, cycle, run format and was suitable for individuals and families.
Russ:
We had 100 of them, that’s good.
Michael:
It was. There was a lot of community members of all ages, families and young people and in support of people, if they're interested should sign up to our next Run Maroondah event coming up on Sunday the 24th of September at H.E. Parker Reserve in Heathmont.
I would certainly encourage a lot of people to go it’s a 15km challenge. It’s a 10km run and a 5km run/walk and there’s also a 1.2km kids bash, for the young ones there. For children ages 14 years and under. If anyones interested they can sign up through Council’s website.
Russ:
No, well, that’s an interesting one too of course and a nice menu down there too at H.E. Parker. It’s a nice area down there isn't it?
Michael:
Certainly is. I used to play football down there. Did a season down there, so a lot of memories, it’s a great place. Also Russ, while we’re on the idea of keeping an active community; we’re actually creating an active community space down in Croydon.
We’re spending $2 million dollars on a Croydon Town Square. For those of you who have been around Croydon for a while you might remember the old Two Shoes building, the old red building there, between Croydon Station and the main street. There’s an arcade that currently runs up there. What Council has done, we have purchased that building and we’ll be knocking down that building and we’ll be creating an open space and encouraging traffic between the station and Main Street Croydon.
Obviously we will be increasing the amenity of the area, providing seating, maybe having a few more coffee shops down there and really open up the place.
Russ:
That’ll be good, yeah. Some of those walkways there are a bit threatening aren't they, at times. They don't encourage you to walk through.
Michael:
They are unfortunately. And it ties into our broader project of looking at having the level crossing removed, obviously that’s a State Government project and will require their support. But Council has engaged a consultant to do some draft designs and they're currently available on Council’s website if anyone would like to have a look at. But if we get an improvement to the train station as well as an improvement to the arcade it think Croydon is going to be in a much better position.
Russ:
Yeah it certainly would open it up if we could do something about the station it sort of breaks the city in half doesn't it. The commercial centre there.
Michael:
It certainly does, and it would be good to link the thoroughfares. Obviously there’s an issue with car parking at the moment, there’s always been improvements needed at the bus interchange. So we’re very keen to talk to the State Government about the opportunities we have to improve the area.
Russ:
Ah well I guess as a Croydon resident I’ll be happy to see some of those things change. It’s good. Okay what else have you got there?
Michael:
Whilst we’re talking about open space there’s been some improvements done in regard to tobacco laws. Apologies to all smokers in advance, there’s a new ban on smoking in all commercial outdoor dining areas in Victoria. This is an initiative of the Victoria Government and it does apply to Maroondah, including areas around Croydon and Eastland.
The government has introduced these reforms mainly to protect the community from the effects of second hand smoke and to discourage you people from taking the habit, as well as encouraging existing smokers to quit. There’s a lot of changes, so most people can get the information from the smoke-free outdoor dining page on the Victorian Government website.
Russ:
No well that could have an impact on a lot of people.
Michael:
It will. Personally I think it’s a good initiative, my grandmother unfortunately passed away from smoking, so anything we can do to discourage people from smoking. At the end of the day it is a choice, but we want to encourage people in our municipality to make healthy choices.
Russ:
Well I guess the more important thing is that there’s nothing worse than sitting down and having a meal and being surrounded by clouds of smoke, so the passive smoking thing is perhaps one of the things that doesn’t have a big impact but obviously there are a lot of folk who are affected by it. And if you’ve got asthma and things like that it certainly would make a big difference. So, when does that start?
Michael:
That’s already in place at the moment.
Russ:
Right so there’s no outdoor smoking anywhere near eating areas or anything like that.
Michael:
That’s correct.
Russ:
Really good. Okay we might take a short break and be back with you after that.
You’re on Radio Eastern, it’s Thursday around noon our regular City of Maroondah segment with Councillor Michael Macdonald.
BREAK
Russ:
It’s coming up to 14 minutes past midday, you’re on Thursday around noon, our regular City of Maroondah segment with Councillor Michael Macdonald, and he’s got a list of more information to share with you. So back to you Michael.
Michael:
Thanks Russ, I’d to make an appeal to experienced drivers in Maroondah, who may be looking for a rewarding volunteering opportunity. Council’s Youth Services runs a fantastic program to assist young learner drivers, called the VicRoads L2P program. What it does is it pairs experienced driver mentors with young learner drivers, aged 16 to 20, who need help to gain their 120 hours of compulsory driving experience prior to going for their probationary license.
There’s a high demand from young people for this program so we’re calling on more volunteers and mentor drivers. After induction and training, mentor drivers are paired with a learner driver, and receive support throughout the program. It’s a wonderful way for people to support a young person in a practical way. For many young people, as you would know Russ, a driver’s license is their ticket to employment and study opportunities.
Russ:
That’s right.
Michael:
It’s important that we support them to get this.
Russ:
Where abouts is the program run? Through the local driving schools?
Michael:
I would think so. I know that there is a local driving school down in Kilsyth there and there’s plenty of information available if people want to get on board they can go through the Maroondah Careers page on Council’s website or they can phone 9294 5703.
Russ:
Have a go at that if you've got any queries. That’s very good. What else have we got?
Michael:
Well one of the fascinating things about Maroondah, Russ, is our extensive arts scene. We’ve got a lot of local and talented artists and a lot of the works in Maroondah are inspired by our beautiful landscape.
On 10th August, Maroondah Access Gallery at Maroondah Federation Estate, will be launching the exhibition Full Circle by artist Gavin Fry. Gavin, now resides in Newcastle, but spent his formative years in Ringwood. And latest exhibition features traditional landscapes spanning from his early years as a student in the 1960s to his most recent works that embrace vibrant colour and abstract form.
He’s got a fascinating career, Russ, young Gavin. His career spans as a museum director and curator at institutions such as Newcastle Museum and the Australian War Memorial. He has also published more than 20 books on Australian art and history.
Russ:
Well that should be an interesting exhibition then. It’s the old- Norm’s and my old school.
Michael:
That’s right. the old school up the road there.
It’s also important to note, Russ, that there’s a new cafe in there called Hungry4Success. It’s a hospitality program and social enterprise. It’s aimed to give young people the opportunity to gain experience in the hospitality industry.
It’s a partnership between Maroondah Council and Eastern Access Community Health, where students receive individual support, pre-accredited and accredited training, and hands on work experience and pathways to long term employment.
Russ:
That’s a terrific initiative, that one. Because I know there’s a lot of kids who are sort of wondering what they're gonna do in their future life and it could open doors for them
Michael:
It certainly could. So, I would encourage all residents to get up to Maroondah Federation Estate to have a look at the exhibition but also pop into the Hungry4Success cafe to buy a coffee and support our young people.
Russ:
Sounds good. Okay, what else have you got? Are we getting towards the end?
Michael:
I am. There’s actually another council meeting coming up on Monday 28 August. It’s always good to see people up there getting involved with their local community. The meeting will start at 7.30pm, in the Council Chambers, Braeside Avenue, Ringwood.
Everyone is welcome to attend, but if for any reason you can’t make it on the night, you can now watch via the internet through live streaming. Hopefully I don't make a mistake so everyone laughs at me.
Russ:
That’s a bit scary.
Michael:
It is a bit, it’s a bit like being on radio Russ. No, it’s good we enjoy having people support us and I would encourage everyone to get along and see how the system works.
Russ:
Alright well, perhaps a recap of those things you’ve covered before you leave us?
Michael:
Certainly, I can do. Residents should be looking forward to the $2 million dollar redevelopment of the 2 Shoes Building in Croydon, which is becoming a new thoroughfare to the station (and) the new Croydon Town Square. We’re also calling on volunteers to participate in the L2P volunteer mentors program. That’s assisting young learner drivers with achieving their 120 hours.
There’s also a community service announcement in regards to smoking reforms, and the ban of smoking in public spaces including dining areas.
And just finally a reminder once again to get up to Maroondah Federation Estate have a coffee and enjoy the gallery up there.
Russ:
Now if somebody was interested in participating in that L2P program how would they get in touch?
Michael:
The best way to get involved is to look on Council’s website, all the information is there for everybody to have a look at, and if they have any questions they’re more than welcome to call me as well.
Russ:
Okay. I think that’s covered most (of) the things. You’ve got through it very quickly today. And we’ve got no real problems there with anything, if you do have any queries about any of the points that Michael’s raised you can get in touch with the Council and we’ll look forward to having a representative in future on the first Thursday of each month in the future.
All the W’s dot Maroondah dot vic dot gov dot ‘AU’ is that website if you were looking for information of any of the things that Michael’s covered or any of the other topics you may be interested in. There’s lots and lots of information available on that website, so if you have access via a computer but you’d also be able to pick out information at any of the Council offices. The Council office itself up on the hill at Braeside avenue or down at Eastland in the entry to Realm or in the Croydon town square.
Thank you Michael for joining us today and we hope we've been able to fill in all the local residents on all the things that are happening around our local area.
Michael:
Thanks Russ.
Russ:
Okay we’ll look forward to catching up with you or somebody next month.