We are pleased to announce the appointment of Cr Andrew Davenport as Whitehorse’s new Mayor for the 2024/25 term, supported by Cr Prue Cutts as Deputy Mayor.
Both were elected by their fellow councillors at a special meeting on Monday 18 November.
Cr Davenport has previously served as Mayor in 2017/18 and as Deputy Mayor in 2023/24. He said he was proud to lead the city in an “important foundation year for this Council”.
“I look forward to working with each one of my fellow councillors to deliver good governance and good services for the community, and to work together for the next four years,” Cr Davenport said.
Find out more about our new councillor group on pages 6 and 7.
Welcome to your new-look Whitehorse News!
Following our reader survey in late 2023, we have transformed Whitehorse News into a more modern publication.
We hope you enjoy the changes we have made including our new A4 format, higher-quality paper stock, and new fonts and layouts.
We have also refreshed our web page, where you can read past editions online, view our list of pick-up locations and sign up for our e-newsletter.
Scan the QR code or search ‘Whitehorse News’ on Council’s website.
Festive season opening hours
Our customer service centres will have different trading hours over the upcoming festive season.
Box Hill Town Hall: Closed from Monday 23 December, reopens on Wednesday 8 January.
Forest Hill Chase Shopping Centre: Closed from Monday 23 December, reopens on Thursday 2 January.
Civic Centre Nunawading: Closed from 12 noon on Tuesday 24 December, reopens at 9am on Friday 27 December. Also closed on Wednesday 1 January.
For any urgent matters during our closures phone 9262 6333. You can view our centres’ normal opening hours in the ‘Contact Details’ on page 11.
Toy donations
Until Wednesday 18 December, you can leave new and unwrapped toys and books at our service centres to donate to Eastern Emergency Relief Network. For more information on its toy drive, phone the network office on 9874 8433.
Jingle all the way to the Whitehorse Carols
Get ready for an evening filled with music, laughter and holiday magic at the 2024 Whitehorse Carols on Saturday 14 December!
The festivities kick off at 5pm with free rides, face painting, and a delicious array of food to purchase. Do not miss your chance to get a photo with Santa or be entertained by our roving performers.
Bring a picnic rug, gather your loved ones, and find a spot on the lawn to enjoy the entertainment from 6.30pm.
This year’s Carols has a star-studded lineup led by all-female group Women of Soul, 2022 winner of The Voice Chris Sebastian and former Junior Eurovision representative Jael Wena.
They will be joined by the Blackburn High School Band with Richard Thomas and singers from Whitehorse Churches Care.
The event will have plenty of features to support the community including AUSLAN interpreters, a chill-out space, accessible viewing area and a parents’ room.
Best of all, this event is free! Bring your family and friends and make your way to the Whitehorse Carols for an unforgettable Christmas experience.
Major sponsors
Whitehorse Carols 2024
Date: Saturday 14 December
Time: 5pm to 9.30pm
Location: Whitehorse Civic Centre Precinct, 399 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading
Parking: Limited spots available. We recommend walking, riding, carpooling or taking public transport.
More information: Search ‘Whitehorse Carols’ at creativewhitehorse.vic.gov.au
For questions, get in touch with the Creative Whitehorse team via the ‘Contact Us’ page on Council’s website or phone 9262 6333.
Women of Soul
Chris Sebastian Jael Wena
Festive Season
Join us to celebrate with family and friends at one of our many fun and affordable events for all ages here: whitehorse.vic.gov.au/festive-season
Festive windows
Take a stroll and see the stunning window art painted by talented local artists Sophie Elyse, Emma Lyn Winkler and Lou Endicott. Their unique designs are on the windows of more than 65 shops.
When: Sunday 1 December to Friday 10 January
Where: Blackburn Station Village and Mont Albert Village
Age: All ages
Cost: Free
Bookings: Not required
Screen printing: Fabric Christmas wrap
Learn screen printing techniques while designing and creating your own reusable fabric Christmas wrap.
When: Sunday 15 December, 2pm to 4.30pm
Where: Box Hill Community Arts Centre
Age: Adults
Cost: $70
Bookings: Required
Make a festive paper decoration
Make an easy festive paper decoration inside Schwerkolt Museum. Take inspiration from the cheerful greeting cards on display.
When: Saturdays and Sundays, 7 to 22 December, 1pm to 4pm
Where: Schwerkolt Cottage and Museum Complex
Age: 3 to 8 years
Cost: Free
Bookings: Not required
Rejoice and be Merry
Midweek Matinee daytime concert packed with all your favourite carols plus some contemporary Christmas songs.
Includes complimentary morning tea from 10am.
When: Wednesday 11 December, 11am
Where: The Round Theatre
Age: Adults
Cost: $23
Bookings: Required
Gingerbread cookie house
Get into the festive spirit with our gingerbread cookie house workshop and decorate your own holiday gingerbread house!
When: Sunday 15 December, 1pm to 2.30pm
Where: Strathdon House and Orchard Precinct
Age: Families
Cost: $70
Bookings: Required
Christmas with the Band
Whitehorse City Band festive concert.
When: Sunday 15 December, 2pm
Where: The Round Theatre
Age: All ages
Cost: $20 to $55
Bookings: Required
Tips for a sustainable festive season
We all love spending time with family and friends over the festive season, but it often leads to excess food waste, unwanted gifts and unnecessary packaging. Here are some simple tips to celebrate sustainably.
Feast mindfully
- Compost food scraps using your food and garden organics bin. Use only bright green liners with the AS 4736 code or pick up a roll at one of our customer service centres.
- Plan your menu around seasonal produce – think cherries, basil and eggplants.
- Freeze leftovers to avoid food waste.
Recycle right
- Keep recyclables loose in your bin and flatten cardboard to save space.
Upcycle e-waste
- Keep items with batteries, plugs or cords out of your bins. Visit recyclemate.com.au for disposal options.
Gift thoughtfully
- Choose experience or entertainmentbased gifts and opt for recycled or no-wrap options.
For more sustainable living tips scan the QR code or search ‘Sustainability’ on Council’s website.
Support during the festive season
While the festive season is often a time of joy, for some it can bring up feelings of loss, grief or loneliness.
If you are finding this time challenging, remember that support is available and you do not have to go through it alone.
We offer a range of services that can help including:
Positive Ageing Connect and Support Service: Phone 9262 6333 and register for a call back.
Youth Services: 9898 9340.
Maternal and Child Health Services: 9837 1116.
Additionally, you can always reach out to the following services for immediate support:
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636, beyondblue.org.au
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14, lifeline.org.au
Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800, kidshelpline.com.au
Meet your new councillors
Following the local government elections on Saturday 26 October, we are delighted to welcome the new Whitehorse councillors.
The 11 councillors have been elected to serve a 4-year term until October 2028. They will be led over the next 12 months by Mayor Andrew Davenport and Deputy Mayor Prue Cutts.
Along with representing the municipality, the councillors are also serving as representatives on a variety of Council committees and interest groups.
The councillors will be providing updates on their work and activities around Whitehorse through their columns in Whitehorse News, returning from next month.
To find out more about your new councillors, search ‘Councillors’ on Council’s website.
Kingsley Ward
Cr Kirsten Langford 0423 445 390
Kirsten.Langford@whitehorse.vic.gov.au
Cootamundra Ward
Cr Kieran Simpson 0431 486 849
Kieran.Simpson@whitehorse.vic.gov.au
Wattle Ward
Cr Andrew Davenport
Mayor 0407 652 145
Andrew.Davenport@whitehorse.vic.gov.au
Elgar Ward
Cr Blair Barker 0459 857 280
Blair.Barker@whitehorse.vic.gov.au
Sparks Ward
Cr Peter Allan 0423 504 325
Peter.Allan@whitehorse.vic.gov.au
Elga r
Cootamundr
Kingsley Spar
Lake Ward
Cr Hayley Weller 0431 486 836
Hayley.Weller@whitehorse.vic.gov.au
Council Meetings
Council Meetings are generally held fortnightly in the chambers at our Civic Centre in Nunawading. The public is welcome to attend.
Walker Ward
Cr Ben Stennett 0448 375 937
Ben.Stennett@whitehorse.vic.gov.au
Eley Ward
Cr Daniel Griffiths 0431 486 455
Daniel.Griffiths@whitehorse.vic.gov.au
The next Council Meeting is on Monday 16 December. The first Council meeting of 2025 will take place on Monday 3 February.
Scan the QR code to view Council’s Meeting schedule or search ‘Council Meetings’ on Council’s website for minutes, agendas and further information.
Simpson Ward
Cr Prue Cutts
Deputy Mayor 0409 867 540
Prue.Cutts@whitehorse.vic.gov.au
Terrara Ward
Cr Jarrod Gunn 0431 487 348
Jarrod.Gunn@whitehorse.vic.gov.au
Mahoneys Ward
Cr Jason Martin 0431 486 973
Jason.Martin@whitehorse.vic.gov.au
Whitehorse locals win at Victorian Senior of the Year Awards
Congratulations to these Whitehorse residents who won categories at the 2024 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.
Gail White Health and Active Living Award
After a 30-year career as a librarian, Gail continues to share her passion for lifelong learning through volunteering. Through Family History Connections Blackburn, she has supported more than 2000 people to keep their minds active, learn computer research skills and make friends with people with shared interests.
Ken Briscoe
COTA (Council on the Ageing) Victoria Senior Achiever Award
Ken is a dedicated volunteer who helps to bring adult education and the preservation of local history to Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. He has been involved with Nunawading U3A since 2014 and is the organisation’s vicepresident. Ken’s support has helped Nunawading U3A almost triple its membership base, bringing more opportunities for learning to the community. He has also been a committee member and archivist for the Ringwood and District Historical Society for 9 years.
New cafes create opportunities
Two new social enterprise cafes are now open in Whitehorse, helping people with a disability gain valuable training and employment.
We are partnering with not-for-profit services Villa Maria Catholic Homes and Alkira to deliver these real-world training initiatives for their clients, with the cafes operating from Council-owned sites.
Both cafes held opening celebrations on Tuesday 3 December, to mark International Day of People with Disability. Visit them for your next coffee fix or social catchup and support their work.
Where Is My Coffee
Operated by Villa Maria Catholic Homes
Nunawading Community Hub, Level 2, 96-106 Springvale Road, Nunawading
Alkira Biz Cafe
Operated by Alkira 10 Harrow Street (car park building), Box Hill
Gail White (centre) with Premier Jacinta Allan and Victoria’s Lieutenant-Governor, Professor James Angus AO.
Ken Briscoe.
whitehorse.vic.gov.au/school-holidays
How you are helping to shape Whitehorse
Over the past few months, we have been busy developing some important documents that set the priorities for current and future Council services, facilities and projects.
These documents include the Integrated Council Plan 2025–2029 (includes the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan) and our Annual Budget 2025/26. Our community has been helping to shape this important work, with 1430 people sharing their perspectives, ideas and priorities during our first round of community consultation earlier this year. Our second round of community consultation involved a panel of community representatives to deliberate on key issues that Whitehorse will face in the coming years.
Through our community survey and community panel, you told us Council’s priorities over the next 4 years should be:
roads, traffic and parking
more and improved open space
more and improved footpaths and bike paths
trees and landscaping
supporting community connection.
Using your feedback, the draft Integrated Council Plan, Annual Budget 2025/26 and other key planning documents will be released for community comment in the first half of next year.
Find out more by visiting the ‘Shaping Whitehorse’ page at yoursay.whitehorse.vic.gov.au
Copyright
A touch of gold at Artspace
Whitehorse Artspace at Box Hill Town Hall is proud to be hosting a golden new exhibition containing expressive textiles, 3D objects and wearable art.
‘A Touch of Gold: Celebrating 50 Years of ATASDA’ contains work from 60 members of the Australian Textile Arts and Surface Design Association.
The exhibition showcases fibre, weaving, felting, dyeing, printing, embroidery and stitch techniques, and historic pieces by renowned Australian textile artists.
The exhibition will run until Thursday 19 December. You can visit the venue from Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, and Saturday from 12 noon to 4pm.
Barbara Schey, Clayton’s Handbag, 2006.
the Artist.
La nuova squadra del Consiglio comunale
Diamo il benvenuto ai nuovi consiglieri e alle nuove consigliere del comune di Whitehorse dopo le recenti elezioni comunali.
I nostri 11 consiglieri e consigliere serviranno un mandato di 4 anni che scadrà a ottobre 2028.
Per conoscere meglio i consiglieri e le consigliere vai alle pagine 6 e 7 oppure cerca ‘Councillors’ all’indirizzo whitehorse.vic.gov.au.
Orari di apertura durante le festività
Durante le festività gli orari di apertura dei nostri uffici assistenza utenti subiranno delle variazioni.
Box Hill Town Hall: chiuso lunedì 23 dicembre, riapre mercoledì 8 gennaio.
Civic Centre Nunawading: chiude martedì 24 dicembre a mezzogiorno, riapre venerdì 27 dicembre alle ore 9:00. Chiuso anche mercoledì 1 gennaio.
Per urgenze durante i periodi di chiusura chiama il numero 9262 6333.
Servizio traduzioni
Per l’assistenza gratuita di un/a interprete chiama il 131 450. Indica la lingua che parli e chiedi di essere messo/a in contatto con il Consiglio comunale di Whitehorse.
Vietnamese | Tiếng việt
Diện mạo mới của Hội đồng Thành phố chúng ta Chúng ta chào đón các ủy viên hội đồng mới của Whitehorse sau cuộc bầu cử hội đồng gần đây.
11 ủy viên hội đồng sẽ phục vụ nhiệm kỳ 4 năm cho đến tháng 10 năm 2028.
Tìm hiểu thêm về họ trên trang 6 và 7 hoặc tìm kiếm ‘Councillors’ tại whitehorse.vic.gov.au.
Giờ mở cửa mùa lễ hội
Các trung tâm dịch vụ khách hàng của chúng tôi sẽ có giờ mở cửa khác nhau trong mùa lễ hội.
Box Hill Town Hall: đóng cửa vào thứ Hai ngày 23 tháng 12, mở cửa trở lại vào thứ Tư ngày 8 tháng 1.
Forest Hill Chase Shopping Centre: đóng cửa vào thứ Hai ngày 23 tháng 12, mở cửa trở lại vào thứ Năm ngày 2 tháng 1.
Box Hill Town Hall: Κλειστό
Forest Hill Chase Shopping Centre:
Civic Centre Nunawading:
Whitehorse.
Civic Centre Nunawading: đóng cửa lúc 12 giờ trưa thứ Ba ngày 24 tháng 12, mở cửa trở lại lúc 9 giờ sáng thứ Sáu ngày 27 tháng 12. Cũng đóng cửa vào thứ Tư ngày 1 tháng 1.
Nếu có bất kỳ vấn đề khẩn cấp nào trong thời gian đóng cửa của chúng tôi, hãy gọi số 9262 6333.
vụ Biên dịch
dịch
Hội đồng Thành phố Whitehorse
Free interpreting service Call 131 450, mention the language you speak and ask to be connected to Whitehorse City Council.
Stay safe this summer
As the weather heats up, it is important to be prepared for potential emergencies.
Extreme heat
Days of extreme heat and high temperatures can be a dangerous time for some members of the community. When it is hot, it is important that you keep yourself and your family safe, while also checking on people you know who could be vulnerable.
Search ‘Extreme heat’ on Council’s website for tips.
Fire danger
The risk of bushfires peaks during the drier, hotter summer months. Be aware of the fire danger ratings and have your own emergency plan prepared. If there is a ‘Catastrophic’ fire warning for your area, leave the area as early as possible and follow your plan.
Search ‘Fires’ on Council’s website for tips.
Contact Whitehorse City Council
Whitehorse City Council, Locked Bag 2, Nunawading, VIC 3131
Scan the QR code and sign up to receive Whitehorse News via email.
This newsletter can be placed in your recycling bin (yellow lid).
Water safety
Summer is a great time to cool off in the water – but it is important to familiarise yourself with the local water conditions first. This includes beaches, lakes, inland waterways and swimming pools. Know your swimming capabilities and plan for what you need to do to stay safe.
Visit Life Saving Victoria’s website: lsv.com.au/summersafety for tips.
Acknowledgement of Country
Whitehorse City Council acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the land. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
Cover photo: Our newly elected Whitehorse councillors for 2024 to 2028. Pictures: Madeline Bishop.
Connect with us on social media
Search ‘Whitehorse City Council’ or @whitehorsecitycouncil
Customer service centres
Whitehorse Civic Centre Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Forest Hill Chase Shopping Centre Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 1pm
