Cardinia Connect Aug Sep

Your Council magazine

August–September 2015

Ash Wednesday ambassador Graham Simpson wins Stan Henwood Award Swinging into action

New all-abilities playground

Hub for the hills

Community services boost for Emerald

Grants for good

Funding for shire projects

Welcome

Council contacts

Message from the Mayor

Cardinia Shire Council Civic Centre is located at 20 Siding Avenue, Officer and is open 8.30am–5pm Monday to Friday.

Address all correspondence to PO Box 7 Pakenham 3810

Welcome to the August−September edition of Connect magazine.

Phone: 1300 787 624 Fax: 5941 3784 After hours emergencies: 1300 787 624 Email: mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au Website: cardinia.vic.gov.au National Relay Service (NRS): Customers who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment can call through the National Relay Service: TTY users phone 133 677 then ask for 1300 787 624. Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 1300 787 624.

Connect is the official Cardinia Shire Council magazine. It is published six times each year and is distributed to more than 35,000 homes and businesses in Cardinia Shire. It is also available on audio CD from local libraries.

All images and other personal information collected for Connect will be stored securely, and be made available only in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2000 and in accordance with Council’s Information Privacy Policy, a copy of which may be obtained from Council’s website cardinia.vic.gov.au/privacy For enquiries, contact the editor on 1300 787 624 or editor@cardinia.vic.gov.au Next edition: Summer 2015–16 Cover photo: Council’s 2015 Stan Henwood Award winner Graham Simpson inside the Ash Wednesday Memorial in Cockatoo, which is now under construction.

Photo: Clinton Plowman Printing: Blue Star Print is a Forest Stewardship Council, Chain of Custody certified company. All processes are controlled via our Environmental Management System which is certified to ISO 14001.

Printed on ecoStar paper made from 100% recycled post-consumer waste.

Connect with Council facebook.com/ CardiniaShireCouncil

CONGRATULATIONS to Graham Simpson on receiving the Stan Henwood Award at Council’s grants night in July. I’m thrilled Graham’s decades of contribution to the Cockatoo community have been acknowledged with this award. You can read more about his service and achievements on page 3.

A new service hub for Emerald is now being planned that will greatly benefit residents in the hills area. Council, with a number of partners, will bring together existing services and organisations into one facility with new space to accommodate new services for Hills residents. Various services are being considered including a potential Council customer service outlet. More details are outlined on page 4.

Council provided nearly half a million dollars to community groups for capital works or major equipment upgrades at our local facilities as part of Council’s 2015–16 grants program. I wish the 44 groups awarded grants well as they go about making their improvements over the next 12 months. Read more about how this program operates to benefit local communities on page 5.

The program is successful because of the hard working volunteers who coordinate and get the job done in their local community. We really appreciate their hard work and effort to bring these projects to fruition. This is a true partnership with Council.

Mayor Cr Leticia Wilmot

Must do …

1. The “Follow your waste” tour lets you see first-hand the recycling process. Join the tour of two facilities on Thursday 27 August 2015, 9.15am to 4pm, lunch and transport is provided. Robust closed toe shoes are to be worn. To book call Council on 1300 787 624.

2. Council’s Open Air Burning Policy has been reviewed. Visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay to see the proposed changes and provide feedback. Submissions on the changes close Monday 24 August, 5pm.

3. Get active by joining in a guided nature walk at Kurth Kiln Regional Park in Beenak on Monday 5 October. The walk is part of the Victorian Seniors Festival; see the ‘What’s On’ section for details.

4. Attend the first Casey Cardinia Women’s Business Lunch on Friday 14 August at Cranbourne Racing Centre featuring The Alannah and Madeline Foundation CEO Dr Judith Slocombe (right) as guest speaker; turn to page 6 for more info.

5. Council is drafting a framework so we can become a recognised International Safe Community. To help us to do this, we want your ideas on how you think Cardinia Shire could be made safer. To provide feedback visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay – submissions close on Saturday 31 October, 5pm.

A healthy treat at Vista Cafe

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ea Vista Cafe is offering de residents a free fruit salad r cup with yoghurt or a scone served with fresh jam and cream with every tea or coffee purchase during August and September.

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Simply cut out this voucher and present it to the friendly staff at Vista Cafe when you make your selection – then sit back and enjoy your hot drink and treat as you take in the water views at Lakeside.

App for Android and Apple devices Subscribe to our eNewsletters

Offer closes Wednesday 30 September 2015.

One coupon per person. Conditions apply.

The Vista Cafe Cardinia Cultural Centre Lakeside Boulevard, Pakenham

Open seven days a week from 9am for breakfast and lunch.

Phone:1300 887 624.

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‘Community Compass’ online mapping and information tool

News

In brief ...

The former McBride Street kindergarten starts to take shape as the Ash Wednesday Memorial.

‘National treasure’ at Nobelius EMERALD Museum’s Nobelius-related display items have been declared of ‘national significance’ by the National Library of Australia.

Award acknowledges Cockatoo contributor

“As a boy from the city who had only lived in the bush for five years, it was very confronting and something I had never experienced,” Graham said.

Mayor Cr Leticia Wilmot, who nominated Graham for the Award, said he was “dedicated to making Cockatoo the best it could be”.

“Graham has been a very dedicated member of the Cockatoo community for almost four decades, and I truly believe it would not be the township it is today without his hard work and dedication.

“He is a resident many people in the community respect and admire and I feel he is deeply

Emerald Museum is a Council facility located in Nobelius Heritage Park, Emerald.

Local Law 17 adopted

The proposed changes were presented for community feedback during October and November 2014. Three submissions were received.

The local laws streamline some amenity management issues and bring many of Cardinia’s local laws into line with other metropolitan councils. Key changes will affect personal trainers offering training in municipal reserves, poultry and large birds in residential areas, smoking within 10 metres of municipal buildings, and wandering livestock on roads.

Graham was nominated in part for his work as president of the Ash Wednesday committee which has worked with Council to redevelop the site of the McBride Street kindergarten as a memorial to the event that took six lives and destroyed 300 buildings in 1983.

Graham has seen some of the community’s saddest moments. He had only been captain of Cockatoo Fire Brigade for three months when the Ash Wednesday bushfire roared through the town.

The National Library of Australia and Council provided funding to support the assessment.

COUNCIL has adopted and will now enforce Local Law 17, replacing Local Law 10 and Local Law 9.

COCKATOO resident Graham Simpson is Council’s Stan Henwood Award recipient for 2015. In his 38 years of living and volunteering in Cockatoo, Graham has become ingrained in the fabric of the hills community.

Although he is still a serving firefighter and secretary of Cockatoo CFA, Graham has also been president of Cockatoo Township Committee ‘on and off’ for more than 12 years. He has been pivotal in driving and shaping many community projects, coordinates the annual Cockatoo Australia Day breakfast, and was a member of the planning committee for a community volunteer’s reception.

Long known to be locally significant, the museum’s records of the former Nobelius Nursery and its founding family were declared important to Australia’s history by assessing whether the collection was rare in comparison to similar collections at other museums around Australia.

For more information about Local Law 17, visit Council’s website.

Help preserve our heritage deserving of this recognition. Congratulations Graham!” Cr Wilmot said.

Graham was presented with the Stan Henwood Award at Council’s annual grants dinner in July.

The Award, now in its 11th year, recognises an outstanding individual who has made a valuable contribution to Cardinia Shire. The Award commemorates the lifetime achievements of the late Stan Henwood, a Tynong resident who gave much to the community through his charity work, sporting and volunteer roles.

APPLICATIONS for Council’s 2015–16 heritage grants will close on Friday 28 August. Dollarfor-dollar grants (up to $5,000) are available to help repair, maintain, manage and restore places of heritage significance to Cardinia Shire. Funding may also be allocated for developing conservation or interpretation management plans.

For eligibility criteria, to apply or for more information visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/grants or call Council’s heritage officer on 1300 787 624.

Free lessons reward active efforts GARFIELD Primary School students enjoyed free scooter lessons in June to celebrate their achievements during Mobile March. As the most active school in the shire (79 per cent of students participated) Garfield won the Streets Ahead Cup and free scooter lessons for all students; hosted

by Council and delivered by YMCA. Mobile March is part of Council’s Streets Ahead project encouraging students to actively travel to and from school. In 2015, 5,200 students from 16 schools signed up.

AUGUST–SEPTEMBER 2015 | 3

Your Council

Meet Rates Officer Marni Rotteveel

Spotlight on …

New ‘hub’ for the hills A MAJOR new community hub is being developed to meet the needs of residents in Cockatoo, Emerald, Gembrook and their surrounding townships.

The Hills Hub in Emerald will address important social, health and economic issues by connecting people in the local community and providing better access to health services, educational and skillsbased learning, and local business information.

The hub will be located in the Emerald Library and Mechanics Hall precinct. The existing hall will be renovated and a new building constructed in the space now occupied by the Men’s Shed and U3A buildings.

The hub will bring a range of existing community services and organisations under one roof including Emerald’s Mechanics Institute, U3A and Men’s Shed, and community radio station 3MDR. Services being considered to be available from the hub include skills and training development, health and counselling services, an arts space, rooms for community groups to hire, local tourism promotion and a Council customer service outlet.

The $5.7 million project is being funded by Council ($3.95 million), the Australian Government’s National Stronger Regions Fund ($1.5 million), and the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Group and Dandenong Ranges Community Bank Group ($250,000).

I started working at Council …

Local residents have played an important role so far in shaping the development of the Hills Hub. Keep an eye on the ‘major projects’ web page on Council’s website for more opportunities to have your say on the project and stay updated on its progress.

In January 2009 as the trainee for Rates and Valuations.

My role involves …

Creating records of all the properties in subdivisions in Cardinia Shire and registering these into our systems. I also keep our system up-to-date with any garbage, recycling and green waste bin changes, update property parcel or title details and take rates enquiries from residents.

To embark on this career …

During my VCE I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do the following year. When a traineeship opportunity at Council came along I thought it would be a great opportunity to study and work at the same time. From there I gained a permanent position in the property and revenue team.

The best part of my job is …

Interacting with lots of different people, learning new skills and being involved with the many things that Council does. I was also involved in the move to activity based working in the new civic centre as a ‘change champion’ – I really enjoyed this role and taking on something additional to my daily duties.

A challenge of my role is …

Cardinia Shire is growing at such a fast rate that it is sometimes difficult to keep up with the amount of work generated by new developments. Property numbers have almost doubled over the past 10 years.

Outside of work …

I love travelling! I have travelled to Europe and also done some trekking in Nepal. It was an amazing experience and I would love to go back one day.

When I am not travelling the world, you can usually find me spending time with my niece and nephews, shopping or attempting some type of a DIY project at home and then trying to fix it up!

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(From left to right) Cockatoo Gembrook Bendigo Bank Manager Kristy Sumner, Hills Hub Advisory Committee Mal Bowmaker, Hills Hub Advisory Committee Ian Robins, Hills Hub Advisory Committee Mike Allery, Hills Hub Advisory Committee Dave Ashton, Cr Tania Baxter, community member Bill Pell, Hills Hub Advisory Committee Elaine Spencer, Cr Leticia Wilmott, Hills Hub Advisory Committee Russell Soderland, Hills Hub Advisory Committee Ron Harmer, Hills Hub Advisory Committee Ray Spencer, community member Joy Harmer at the location for the Hills hub.

News

(From left to right) Cr Graeme Moore, Garfield Recreation Reserve president Marg Bogart and Cr David Young in front of the new shelters at the netball courts at Garfield Recreation Reserve which were funded through the Community Capital Works Program.

Support for communities groups ‘granted’ once again ALMOST half a million dollars was awarded to 44 community organisations at Council’s annual community grants night in July.

The event provides Council with an opportunity to recognise the contribution of volunteers who manage capital improvement projects and to announce its annual Stan Henwood Award.

Each community group received up to $35,000 to support either a capital work or a major equipment upgrade as part of Council’s 2015–16 grants round.

The community capital works grants support important upgrades at facilities including senior citizens centres, kindergartens, halls, recreation reserves and sporting clubs. Recipients included Pakenham Senior Citizens Centre, Bunyip Tennis Club and Beaconsfield Kindergarten.

Garfield Recreation Reserve, which received a grant of just under $28,000 in the 2014–15 grants round, will again receive a similar amount. The reserve will use these grants, as well as money raised by the netball club, to undertake the second stage of improvements to the facilities around the netball courts.

The community capital works grants program is a dollar-matching initiative, meaning organisations must generate an equivalent amount of funds to be eligible for a grant.

Garfield Recreation Reserve president Marg Bogart paid tribute to those who had worked tirelessly to raise funds to improve the recreation reserve. Voluntary contributions of labour formed part of the recreation reserve’s 50 per cent contribution to the project.

“Hats off to the netball club and everybody involved for raising the funds to make our project possible,” Marg said.

“With everyone’s hard work, as well as the grants provided to us by Council, the netball facility will be updated to be a great facility.”

Mrs Bogart also praised Council’s Community Strengthening and Recreation teams, saying the work of staff in providing support for the project was key to ensuring the project could be delivered.

Works on Stage 2 of the $130,000 Garfield Recreation Reserve project will start at the end of the netball season. They include upgrading the coach’s boxes at the southern end of the courts to match upgrades at the northern end under Stage 1.

Council’s Community Strengthening Facilitator Natasha Spicer said Council was committed to providing support for community organisations who pulled together to raise funds.

“Organisations put a lot of time and effort into raising funds to support their application for the grants program.

“It’s for this reason they are so passionate about the project. Selfless volunteers work tirelessly in their commitment to managing capital works projects, with some also offering their own labour towards completing projects,” Natasha said.

AUGUST–SEPTEMBER 2015 | 5

What’s on August

October

Friday 14

Friday 21

Business lunch: Empowering women

Pakenham Bluelight Disco

Be inspired by businessperson Dr Judith Slocombe. Cranbourne Racing Club, Grant Street, Cranbourne. Registration 11.30am, luncheon 12–2pm. Visit eventbrite.com.au and search for ‘Business lunch: Empowering women’.

Dance the night away at a drug- and alcohol-free event for young people in years 5–8. Cost: $5.

Pakenham Hall, corner John and Henry streets, Pakenham 6.30–9pm. Contact Sharon Patterson or Cath Emmett 5945 2500 or bluelight.org.au

Tuesday 18

Sunday 30

Casey Cardinia Business Group 2015: Business showcase series

Bunyip Community Market and car boot sale

Hear presenter Annemarie Cross on ‘public speaking as a proven path for service-based business owners’. Cost: 3-star CCBG members $15, non-members $25, discounts for 5-star CCBG members and Narre Warren Region Business Group members. Bookings essential: trybooking. com/123323 Waterman Business Centre, 64 Victor Crescent, Narre Warren 6.30–8.30pm

Last Sunday each month. Stallholders of all types: farm produce to hardware, hot food and drinks. Bunyip Recreation Reserve, Fire Brigade Track, Nar Nar Goon–Longwarry Road, Bunyip 9am–2pm. Contact Tony Arrigo 0407 563 441 or acarrigo@bigpond.com

September Friday 11 Outlook Community Centre Garden Club Second Friday each month. This month’s outing: Cloudehill Gardens and Nursery in Olinda. Cost: $18 (includes entry and transport). Leaves from Outlook Community Centre, 24 Toomuc Valley Road, Pakenham 10.30am–3.30pm. Contact Alison Ryan 5940 4728.

Saturday 12 Stress Less Seminar An afternoon of tips and tricks to create more peace and calm in your life. Cost: gold coin donation. Outlook Community Centre, 24 Toomuc Valley Road, Pakenham 1–2pm.

Contact Alison Ryan 5940 4728 or communitycentre@outlookvic.org.au or outlookvic.org.au

Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 Koo Wee Rup Quilt Fest Stalls including quilting fabric, cards, and cushions. Koo Wee Rup Community Centre, Rossiter Road, Koo Wee Rup. 9.30–3pm.

Cost: $5, proceeds Breast Cancer Foundation.

Contact Di 0427 540 494.

Saturday 19 SHIPtember FReeZA event Free live music in the park celebrating everything ‘pirate’ for young people aged 12–25. Fully supervised; drug-, alcohol- and smoke-free event.

PB Ronald Reserve, Henry Street, Pakenham 12–4pm. See cardinia.vic.gov.au/youth

Monday 5 Guided walks at Kurth Kiln Guided nature walks at Kurth Kiln Regional Park in Beenak. Light refreshments provided. Kurth Kiln Regional Park, Soldiers Road, Beenak 9.30am– 12noon. Contact Council’s Active Places Officer Simon Harrex 1300 787 624 or mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au

Thursday 8 Emerald Garden Club Second Thursday each month. Meetings include speakers, display bench, trading table, raffle, information on gardening events.

Emerald Art Society Hall, corner Church and Anne streets, Emerald 7.30–9.30pm.

Contact Emerald Garden Club 5968 3394 or hawring@gmail.com

Lang Lang Wattle Week

Tuesday 1 September Celebrate National Wattle Day in Lang Lang as the town is transformed with yellow and gold. Learn about the history of the wattle and celebrate the Australian floral emblem.

Contact Elizabeth Gregorevic elimar@live.com.au

Monday 21–Friday 25 Portsea Camp A fun week away with high ropes, giant swing and more for young people aged 13–16.

See cardinia.vic.gov.au/youth

Sunday 27 Hills riders Head out for an afternoon motorcycle run to a cafe, pub or barbecue. Meet at St Mark’s Church, 1–3 Church Street, Emerald 11.30am–5.30pm. Contact Wayne Collins 0407 824 323 or wayne.collins@echo.org.au

Outpost Gaming Club Second Saturday each month. Play cards and board games or tabletop war games in a fun and friendly environment. Cost: 12-month membership $100, 6-month membership $50, casual entry $10 (per attendance), spectators free.

Beaconsfield Neighbourhood House, 8 O’Neil Road, Beaconsfield 9am–5pm.

Contact outpostgamingclub@gmail.com

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For more Council and community events visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/calendar Library news

Bookings are essential.

Book at: tinyurl.com/cclcevents or phone the library.

All events are free unless advised.

Emerald Library

Cardinia Cultural Centre Lakeside Boulevard, Pakenham Phone: 1300 887 624 Website: cardiniaculturalcentre.com.au

August

Wednesday 19

Sunday 13 Melbourne Psychic Expo Enjoy a day of mediums, clairvoyants, spirit artists, tarot and palm readers, massage, Reiki book, tarot card, crystal and jewellery 10am–5pm.

400B Belgrave–Gembrook Road, Emerald Phone: 5949 4600

Daylight entertainment: Close to you – the complete Carpenters

Sunday 23

Friday 14 August

Enjoy morning tea with friends and sing along with timeless soft rock classics ‘You’, ‘Only yesterday’, ‘I’ll never love again’ and more!

Morning tea 10am; show 11am.

Tickets: $15 (includes morning tea).

Lose yourself in live music all afternoon.

From 3pm. Tickets: $20, children and concession $15, family of four $65

2.30–3.30pm Book chat with ‘Yes Chef!’ author Lisa Joy Lisa debuts her novel ‘Yes Chef!’ Loosely based on the world of high-end restaurants where chefs are treated like rock stars and cooking isn’t all that goes on in the kitchen!

Wednesday 14 October Connected: the sustainable landscapes of Philip Johnson 6.30–8pm Phillip designed his first garden aged five, clinched ‘Best in show’ at the Chelsea Garden Show in 2013 and is now sharing the philosophy behind his work.

Pakenham Library Corner John and Henry streets, Pakenham Phone: 5940 6200

September

Saturday 5–Sunday 6

Thursday 17 September 4.30–5.30pm Let’s talk books Chill out and explore what others have been listening to, watching or reading! For teens aged 13 and over. Snacks are provided.

Saturday 10 October 1–2.30pm The secrets of happiness with Dr Bruce Wells Gain insight and tools to change your thinking and habits to achieve deeper and longer-lasting happiness.

Monday 21 September – Friday 2 October School holiday program Free fun for kids! Pick up a brochure in September for more details.

Casey–Cardinia Library Corporation operates public library services for Cardinia Shire Council in Pakenham and Emerald. Cardinia Mobile Library visits the following suburbs and townships every week: Beaconsfield, Bunyip, Cockatoo, Garfield, Gembrook, Koo Wee Rup, Lang Lang, Maryknoll, Tynong and Upper Beaconsfield. Library membership is free. For more information on library services including mobile library locations, dates and times visit cclc.vic.gov.au

Friday 25 Sleeping Beauty – the pantomime

Featuring more than 400 images from 80 local and national exhibitors. Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 10am–3pm. Contact Rosie Chatfield 0413 584 703 or pakenhamcameraclub.org

Enchant your children with the antics of the narrator, Glinda the good fairy, the prince and princess and wicked Wanda 11am.

Tickets: $15

Friday 11

Monday 28

The Casey Cardinia Foundation annual charity dinner and auction

The Owl’s Apprentice

Eleventh Pakenham National Photographic Exhibition

Quality food, community connection, lively auctions and raising funds for the Casey Cardinia community 6.30pm. Tickets: $135, book online trybooking.com/140668

Join young owl Poot Poot on his journey to wisdom.

Meet a range of Australian animals as they share their own special kind of wisdom.

From 10am. Tickets: $12

The Addams Family: The musical –

September school holidays movies

presented by Cardinia Performing Arts Company (CPAC)

All movies screen at 10am Tickets: movie only $3, *combo $8 *Combo includes movie, popcorn and drink.

Tuesday 25 August De-clutter for a simpler life with Tanya Lewis 6–8pm Tips and tricks on how you can de-clutter your life and take part in the ‘handbag de-clutter challenge’.

Cardinia Civic Concert Band

Wednesday Addams has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family.

She confides in her father Gomez to keep this a secret from Morticia. Can Gomez keep this a secret?

How will this tale unfold?

Wednesday 23 September The Spongebob Squarepants Movie: Sponge out of water

Wednesday 30 September Home

Friday 2 October Cinderella

Tickets: $32, concession $29, children $25, family (two adults, two children) $105, groups of 15 or more $25 each.

August Saturday 22 at 8pm, Sunday 23 at 2pm, Friday 28 and Saturday 29 at 8pm, Sunday 30 at 2pm

September Thursday 3 at 7pm, Friday 4 at 8pm

Council meetings Open to the public. Meetings are held in Council Chambers at Cardinia Shire Council Civic Centre, 20 Siding Avenue, Officer* at 7pm.

August

October

Monday 17 – Council meeting

Monday 5 – Town planning meeting

September Monday 7 – Town planning meeting Monday 21 – Council meeting

*Unless otherwise advised. Check Council’s website for meeting locations.

AUGUST–SEPTEMBER 2015 | 7

Feature

Koo Wee Rup Primary School Students and Micky Dalais (inset photo) enjoying the new all-abilities playground at the official opening in July.

New playground for all abilities PEOPLE of all abilities can now get ‘swinging and spinning’ in Koo Wee Rup at the new all-abilities playground in Cochrane Park launched in June.

In addition to the existing playground and skate park, the all-abilities playground has a rotating carousel suitable for up to four wheelchairs, a cantilever basket swing, rubber soft-fall area and bongo drums. Accessibility improvements were

also made to the nearby skate park, playground structure and surrounding pathways. Accessible toilet facilities are also under construction nearby.

“Park and play facilities like this are really important to bring together people of all ages and abilities,” Mayor Cr Leticia Wilmot said.

“It is fantastic to see that this park is so close to other play spaces so everyone can play together in a safe and fun environment. I am looking forward to seeing how much enjoyment it brings over the coming years.”

The $100,000 project was funded by Council’s Capital Works Program.

Get moving these holidays COUNCIL’S ‘Let’s Get Moving’ Program is on again – encouraging families with children aged seven and under to get active with a day of age-appropriate activities in Cardinia Shire.

make the school holidays more enjoyable for both children and parents.

The free event is held each school holidays and usually includes art and crafts and ball skills games for children and parents.

The next Let’s Get Moving event is on Wednesday 30 September from 10.30am to 12noon at Dick Jones Reserve, corner Westernport Road and Rosebery Street, Lang Lang.

The program promotes physical activity, healthy eating and social skills to children.

It was introduced two years ago, based on feedback from parents looking for ideas to

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Council’s Active Places Officer Simon Harrex said the Let’s Get Moving Program was introduced to help parents learn about low-cost activities at home and in Council’s open spaces.

“Council is committed to the health and wellbeing of our community’s children. This program is our way of providing a free day to allow kids to develop their creative skills – and most importantly to have fun,” he said.

For all enquiries contact Council’s customer service team on 1300 787 624.

Feature

Rates support growth and services EVERY rates dollar goes towards making Cardinia Shire a great place to live.

Rates deliver important new community facilities and upgrades, road and footpath works and vital Council services.

Approximately 63 per cent of Council’s total revenue comes from rates and it all goes back into the community.

Council will provide $91 million to deliver services to the community and invest more than $30 million in important building projects and infrastructure upgrades.

Spending will reflect the needs of residents as Cardinia Shire continues to experience significant growth, welcoming up to five new families each day as one of Australia’s fastest growing municipalities. It is crucial that Council plans carefully to deliver the facilities and support our residents need.

To achieve this aim, Council has approved a 5.5 per cent rate rise in the 2015–16 budget.

This increase recognises the importance of maintaining and improving services in both the established areas in the Ranges and Port wards as well as providing for the growth area around Pakenham, Beaconsfield and Officer.

This increase is 0.4 per cent lower than last year and comparable with rate rises in other municipalities. Residents can also expect their garbage charge to drop by more than $5 per household (from $233.50 to $228.20).

Pay rates by instalment Rates notices will be issued in early August and this year Council is encouraging payment by quarterly – or more frequent – instalments rather than a lump sum.

Mayor Cr Leticia Wilmot said Council hoped the quarterly payment system would make it easier for residents to manage their payments and minimise circumstances where unpaid rates accrue large interest bills.

“About half of Cardinia Shire’s rates are paid by instalments and many ratepayers prefer this method as it puts less stress on household finances by spreading payment across the year.

“However, it is important to note that residents will still have the option of paying in a lump sum; this single instalment is due by 30 September,” Cr Wilmot said.

The $50 rates rebate scheme for residents who are in receipt of a Newstart Allowance will continue in 2015–16.

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS 2015–16

Council will invest $13.9 million into renewing and upgrading roads, bridges and footpaths, replacing drainage and improving recreation reserves and community facilities across Cardinia Shire.

The 2015–16 budget will also deliver projects such as: • Officer Secondary College stadium and community hub ($2.2 million)

Why rates are necessary

• Emerald Community Hub ($1.5 million)

Rates support Council in providing services for the benefit of all residents. Rates help pay for:

• Regional soccer facility at IYU Recreation Reserve, Pakenham ($1.4 million)

• waste and recycling collection and disposal

• Lang Lang sporting facilities ($1.3 million)

• animal control • community safety initiatives • street lighting and cleaning • local roads, footpaths and drainage • operation of halls, centres and libraries • maintenance of parks, playgrounds and recreation reserves • youth, family and children’s services • community events.

• New kindergarten at Arena Estate, Officer ($1.2 million) • Emerald netball facility ($1.1 million) • Heatherbrae Recreation Reserve, Officer ($1 million) Council will also deliver more than $500,000 to community groups and organisations to support local projects while a further $150,000 will be used to improve local townships.

AUGUST–SEPTEMBER 2015 | 9

Connections

Award winning Tigers’ ‘PAWsome’ program is helping students kick life goals RICHMOND Football Club is delivering its award winning Tiger PAW (Physical Activity and Wellbeing) program into selected schools in southeast Melbourne, including two Cardinia Shire schools.

Designed by the club in accordance with VicHealth guidelines, the program supports schools to develop students who are physically and mentally healthy, respectful and able to ‘bounce back’ when things go wrong.

The program recently won Aquatic and Recreation Victoria’s Innovative Program Award.

Years 5 and 6 students at Nar Nar Goon Primary School and St Patrick’s Primary School in

Pakenham are participating in the program.

These schools were selected as they are part of the Healthy Together Cardinia Shire Schools Achievement Program.

The program is fully funded by Richmond Football Club and its partners Medicare Local and Parklea.

It consists of four sessions: healthy eating, understanding and respecting cultural diversity and difference, resilience, and physical activity.

Council is supporting the initiative by conducting a program evaluation through Healthy Together Cardinia Shire. The evaluation will help to seek further funding so the program can be delivered into more schools.

Program sessions are fun and interactive, promoting messages that are easy-to-understand and likely to be shared with family, friends and the wider community.

In the four sessions the Richmond players share their life experiences and participate in activities based on the session theme with the students.

Bowled over!

A SYNTHETIC bowling green is scheduled to be installed at Cockatoo and District Bowls Club from late August. It is the latest in a string of projects to upgrade bowling greens across Cardinia Shire.

Since 2011, Council has provided more than $750,000 in funding to rejuvenate greens at Pakenham, Koo Wee Rup, Lang Lang and Garfield bowling clubs.

Garfield Bowls Club secretary Jill Rouse said the works have made ‘a world of difference’ to players and staff at the club.

“The new synthetic greens are wonderful to play on, so much easier to maintain and look beautiful,” Jill said.

“Weather permitting, we can now play all year long. We’re just delighted!”

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In the diversity session, Richmond staff talk about being migrants or refugees who faced discrimination and overcame bullying. Tigers’ players Shane Edwards and Ivan Maric speak of their experiences via video message.

In the physical activity session, students run, jump and tumble their way through work stations and are each given a football to take home.

Tigers’ CEO Brendon Gale said the club is strongly committed to the ground-breaking program and working with Cardinia Shire in “using the power of AFL football to inspire, enrich and improve the lives of people in the communities in which we work”.

“Our club shares Cardinia Shire Council’s commitment to helping young people become well-adjusted, open-minded and happy adults.

We hope to see Tiger PAW reach into many more schools as part of our partnership with Cardinia Shire,” Brendon said.

Connections

(From left to right) Community Planner Megan Gill, Cr Jodie Owen and Artist Leah Horvath hold Leah’s work designed to depict Cardinia Shire’s community, culture and landscape for the Reconciliation Plan, with Team Leader Social and Community Planning Petra Dodd Buckley.

Taking action on reconciliation COUNCIL has recognised the importance of committing to reconciliation and supporting Cardinia Shire’s growing community of Aboriginal people by adopting its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

The inaugural plan outlines Council’s commitment to establishing meaningful relationships with Aboriginal people and includes actions based on ‘relationships’, ‘respect’ and ‘opportunities’.

Councillor Jodie Owen said the RAP 2015–19 would guide Council over the next four years in creating and supporting opportunities for Aboriginal people living in Cardinia Shire.

“Our first RAP details Council’s commitment to reconciliation through building strong relationships and enhancing respect between Cardinia’s Aboriginal peoples, Council and the Cardinia Shire community,” Cr Owen said.

“The development of the RAP is only the beginning of the journey as we start to engage in more meaningful and respectful relationships with our Aboriginal community.”

Council’s RAP includes actions aligned to current polices, strategies and services and was developed in consultation with Aboriginal leaders, service providers working with Aboriginal people and the local community.

Reconciliation Australia guided the development of the RAP and has endorsed the plan.

Local Aboriginal artist Leah Horvath designed and painted an original artwork to depict Cardinia Shire’s community, culture and landscape. The artwork, titled ‘Everything connected to the land’, captures the spirit of the RAP. For more information, or to view the RAP, visit Council’s website.

Grants for healthy living A NEW Council grants program will help community groups and organisations promote healthy living.

The Community Wellbeing and Support Grants Program will provide funding for activities to promote health and wellbeing to Cardinia Shire residents. Walking and bicycle groups, drug and alcohol programs, organisations that promote healthy eating and anti-smoking groups will be among the programs eligible for the grants.

Three categories will be available:

• seeding grants (up to $5,000) – supporting new groups or initiatives seeking to improve community health and wellbeing • volunteering grants (up to $3,000) – assisting with recruiting and developing volunteers • small change grants (up to $2,000) – assisting established community-based groups by supporting one-off requests.

This new grant will replace Council’s Minor Community Support Grants Program and comes in response to the Australian Government’s decision not to continue funding Healthy Together Victoria.

Applications will be open from Tuesday 1 September to Wednesday 30 September.

For more information visit Council’s website.

AUGUST–SEPTEMBER 2015 | 11

Looking forward Cr Brett Owen Ranges Ward

From your councillors

Cr Leticia Wilmot Ranges Ward

Phone: 0418 993 370 Email: b.owen@cardinia.vic.gov.au Ranges Ward has many township committees.

These forums have an integral role in ensuring our unique towns have a strong voice. Their advocacy has contributed to many projects and positive outcomes. Please join or attend your local township meetings.

Council has an ongoing commitment to upgrade existing council/community facilities to ensure that they are accessible for all.

A recent upgrade included the installation of an accessible toilet at the Emerald Community House.

Cr Tania Baxter Ranges Ward

Phone: 0427 135 879 Email: L.Wilmot@cardinia.vic.gov.au Each month I attend community township and Progress Association meetings throughout the ward. These committees are volunteers working for the betterment of their communities. I encourage all residents to find out when your local township meeting is held and attend to find out more about what’s happening in your community.

Congratulations to all the grant recipients through this year’s Capital Works program.

Our communities benefit from the great work done by volunteers.

Cr Collin Ross Central Ward

Phone: 0427 528 358 Email: t.baxter@cardinia.vic.gov.au This year, I voted against the budget because I feel that it had too strong a priority towards new multimillion dollar sport facilities within a very small geographic area, above spreading them more widely in the growth areas and providing more broadly utilised (but unbudgeted) passive recreation community activities, like pedestrian trails and bike-paths; linking key communities such as Beaconsfield, Officer and Pakenham.

What are your thoughts on this?

Cr George Blenkhorn Central Ward

Phone: 0428 598 491 Email: c.ross@cardinia.vic.gov.au The Cardinia Shire Interfaith Network provides a forum for the celebration of commonalities and the promotion of peace and harmony through a better understanding and respect of cultural and religious diversity. Events include the Tour of Places of Worship and A Taste of Faith. The network meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 6pm at the Council offices. If you are interested in joining contact the Diversity Officer on 1300 787 624.

Phone: 0429 139 902 Email: g.blenkhorn@cardinia.vic.gov.au As Council promised last year we are reviewing the Open Air Burning Policy.

This will be available, in August, for residents to view and pass on their comments and suggestions for improvement to Council.

Since the introduction of the policy last year there have been 63 complaints which highlighted smoke and illegal burning as the main issues. The majority of the complaints came from Pakenham followed by Cockatoo then Emerald.

Cr Kate Lempriere Central Ward Phone: 0427 371 263 Email: k.lempriere@cardinia.vic.gov.au Attended Audit Committee meetings.

Pushing advocacy for funding ongoing infrastructure and services. I applaud all volunteers, where would Cardinia be without you. Arts are alive and flourishing. Specialist School, Officer, requires Artist volunteers.

Men’s Sheds: local men finding new friends, learning new skills. Community consultation progressive in all areas. Achieving good outcomes. I support Lakeside all-abilities sailing and a retirement village rate reduction.

Cr Graeme Moore Port Ward

Cr Jodie Owen Central Ward Phone: 0427 294 893 Email: j.owen@cardinia.vic.gov.au Cardinia Shire Council is working towards World Health Organisation designation as an International Safe Community. To assist Council with understanding how to make communities safer, an extensive community consultation process will occur between August and October. Individuals and community groups are invited to participate with further information available on Council’s website. Council is dedicated to working towards ensuring that Cardinia Shire is a place people will be proud to live in heading way into the future.

Cr David Young Port Ward

Phone: 0400 167 844 Email: g.moore@cardinia.vic.gov.au Congratulations to the successful applicants of our Community Capital Works Grants Program, particularly Port Ward which received a fair share of much-needed funding.

The grants are a wonderful example of community and Council uniting to upgrade vital facilities.

Phone: 0427 455 798 Email: d.young@cardinia.vic.gov.au After a patchy autumn, June was quite dry.

If it stays dry, it could be a poor spring.

The roads and drains are always a challenge during winter so on behalf of residents, I thank our staff for their hard work with maintenance and repairs to keep our Shire a safe place to live.

At the recent Community Capital Works Grants evening, it was pleasing to see many Port Ward community organisations receive grants to undertake works in partnership with Council.

Cora Lynn’s new netball pavilion is completed and Catani’s is well underway.

I applaud the Catani netball community for taking on the construction job, thus saving costs.

Views expressed in ‘Looking forward’ are those of the Ward councillors.

Cardinia Shire Ranges Ward • Avonsleigh • Beaconsfield • Beaconsfield Upper • Clematis • Cockatoo • Dewhurst • Emerald

• Gembrook • Guys Hill • Menzies Creek • Mount Burnett • Nangana • Officer • Pakenham Upper • Toomuc Valley

12 | cardinia.vic.gov.au 1300 787 624

Port Ward • Bayles • Bunyip • Bunyip North • Caldermeade • Cardinia • Catani • Cora Lynn • Dalmore • Garfield

Central Ward • Garfield North • Heath Hill • Iona • Koo Wee Rup • Koo Wee Rup North • Lang Lang • Lang Lang East • Longwarry

• Maryknoll • Modella • Monomeith • Nar Nar Goon • Nar Nar Goon North • Nyora • Officer South

• Pakenham South • Rythdale • Tonimbuk • Tooradin • Tynong • Tynong North • Vervale • Yannathan

• Pakenham