Upcycled Art Competition/ 2023/

Calling eco-conscious creatives of all ages!

Submit an upcycled work of art and go in the draw to win a share in a $5,000 prize pool.

Box Hill Community Arts Centre and Whitehorse City Council are asking the community to think sustainably about art. Anyone over the age of 16 who lives, studies or works in Whitehorse is eligible to apply. Older generations are encouraged to apply.

Applications are open from now until Tuesday 11 April.

The time to start recycling your food waste is now

Thanks to everyone who is using Council’s food and garden organics service to keep food waste out of landfill. If you have a bin, but haven’t started, visit our website for information and support.

For households without home composting or a food and garden organics bin, almost 50 per cent of their garbage is food waste. When food waste is sent to landfill it rots and produces a potent greenhouse gas called methane. Using Council’s food and garden organics service means your waste is taken to a composting facility where it is recycled into quality mulch and compost for gardens and farms.

Order your food and garden organics bin today and receive a free starter kit which includes a kitchen caddy, roll of compostable liners and information pack.

New user offer

First time lime green-lid bin users can now enjoy a discounted purchase fee until 30 June 2023.

To apply for your lime green-lid bin, visit the link below.

L More information: www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/food-recycling

Winners and shortlisted artworks will be exhibited at Box Hill Community Arts Centre from Friday 28 April to Thursday 11 May. There will be an opening celebration and winners announcement on Sunday 7 May from 12-2pm. Stay tuned for more information about the event.

To apply, visit the link below.

L More information: www.bhcac.com.au

Giving your items a second life with HomeCycle

HomeCycle is a free service that gives Whitehorse residents the opportunity to donate household items and clothing in good condition, without leaving the comfort of their home.

Residents can donate up to eight items – from clothing, shoes to homewares, sporting equipment, toys, furniture and small electrical items. This convenient service will run weekly till the end of June 2023. Limit of one pick-up per household.

HomeCycle is one of the many ways to rescue reusable items from landfill. Last time HomeCycle collected 35,550kgs - of these items, 70 per cent were rehomed to communities that needed them most and the remaining items were recycled.

Book a collection today and leave your donations securely outside your front door.

L More information: www.homecycle.com.au/whitehorse

Caring for the Community

Harmony Week (Monday 20 March –Sunday 26 March) is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity and multiculturalism that makes Whitehorse such a great place to live and work.

Back in January, we held our annual Citizenship Ceremony at Box Hill Town Hall. Dina Elsayed and her family were among the 130+ people from countries far and wide who became Australian Citizens.

accepted and welcomed for our heritage and our faith.”

Of course, moving to a completely new country without knowing anyone was challenging.

“I had to take a few steps back in my medical career. It was also challenging to start over in terms of getting a new house, finding a new school for the kids, and getting acquainted with the overall customs and traditions here,” Dina said.

But Dina and her family soon found their feet, embarking on the journey to become citizens – a process which Dina described as laborious, but well worth it in the end.

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Dina was born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt. She moved to Australia in 2016 with her two children, Ali and Sohalia, and was soon joined by her husband, Mohamed Elnahrawy. Dina and Mohamed are both ophthalmologists, and their family settled in Whitehorse in mid-2022.

Dina’s motivation to immigrate to another country was to give her children a better future, with regards to education, opportunities and quality of life.

“I thought Australia, with its well-known and widely respected universities and its diverse populace, would be the perfect place. My son also loves wildlife, for which Australia is known!”

“I think what I love the most about Australia, and Whitehorse specifically, is its diversity,” Dina said.

“That multiculturalism can be felt in a lot of meaningful ways, from being able to try cuisines from all around the world to feeling

Don’t forget to register your pets!

A reminder to all Whitehorse dog and cat owners that pet registration renewals are due Monday 10 April 2023.

Registering your animal is an important part of being a responsible pet owner. Dogs and cats in Whitehorse must be registered with Council by three months of age. All pets must also be desexed and microchipped (some exemptions

“The Citizenship Ceremony was quite emotional for me. It was simple and beautiful, the perfect way to commemorate all that my family and I have worked so very hard towards.”

Reflecting on this year’s Harmony Week theme ‘Everyone Belongs’, Dina notes the importance of living in a community such as Whitehorse, where everyone feels supported and like they can contribute.

“I feel very thankful to have an opportunity to give back to this community that has been so welcoming to us, through my work as a medical practitioner and a mentor for students and junior doctors.”

Dina also noted that belonging should not come at the cost of giving up one’s cultural identity and heritage.

“Belonging means accepting and celebrating the differences we may have as well as the commonalities we share.”

Image (L-R): Sohalia, Ali, Whitehorse Mayor Cr Mark Lane, Mohamed and Dina at the Citizenship Ceremony at Box Hill Town Hall.

Image credit: Kiel Egging/Whitehorse Leader apply). Council offers free first-time registration to microchipped and desexed puppies and kittens under three months of age. Once registered, you will be issued with a lifetime tag to place on your pet’s collar, which helps us to reunite you in case your pet goes missing. Make sure this tag is always worn by your pet.

By mid-March, all dog and cat owners should have received notices for their pets’ registration renewal. If you have not received yours, please contact Council.

Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance and Monash University XYX Lab - Gender + Place invite you to watch the captivating documentary UNDER COVER, which shines a light on the devastating reality that women over 50 are the fastest growing cohort experiencing homelessness in the country. You can then join feminist and ageism activist Jane Caro AM for a panel discussion on housing solutions for older women.

Date: Thursday 16 March 2023

Venue: Karralyka Centre, Mines Rd, Ringwood

Cost: $10 per ticket. This includes the film screening, feature event and light refreshments. Tickets can be purchased from the Karralyka Centre Box Office or online at https://aukarralyka.sales.ticketsearch. com/sales/salesevent/95654

The event has two parts: the film screening and panel discussion hosted by social commentator, Jane Caro. If you have already seen the film but would like to be a part of the panel session, arrive at 7:00 pm to join the event after the film screening. This event is supported by partners UNDER COVER and Schored Projects.

Keeping your information up to date is crucial for a fast reunion if your pet goes missing. Renew your pet’s registration or update your details now at the link below.

L More information: www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/livingworking/pets/pet-ownership-whitehorse/ register-pet