Page 1 Monash Bulletin JUNE 2021 NAIDOC Week 2021 4 July-11 July Heal Country! Join us in celebrating NAIDOC Week with a range of free activities across Monash. NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year theme, Heal Country!, calls for stronger measures to recognise, protect and maintain all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage. A special event will be held as part of Council Winter Concert Series with Kee ahn, a 22-year-old Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal and Badu Island singer, on Wednesday 7 July. Join us as Keeahn honours her ancestors through vulnerable and soulful melodies of identity, heartbreak and healing. The concert will also include a Welcome to Country, food and Djirri Djirri Dancers. From 5-11 July, The Track Gallery will be showing Valley Reserve, an exhibition filled with photographic artworks and bush toy animals created by the Waverley Camera Club and Brine Street Kindergarten. The works were created after the camera club and kindergarten had a guided tour of Valley Reserve with Wurundjeri elder Ian Hunter. Monash Libraries will be hosting a range of free activities, including Indigenous-themed storytimes for children up to five-years-old, an online Astronomy event with Wiradjuri Australian astrophysicist Kirsten Banks, skateboard deck art workshops with Wiradjuri woman Tricia “Vandal” Van Der-Kuyp, and a screening of the Namatjira Project documentary. The Monash Gallery of Art (MGA) will also be publishing a special interview with Kaurna artist James Tylor, whose work Nguya is featured in MGA current exhibition STAGES: photography through the pandemic. For more info and bookings call 9518 3636 or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/naidoc-week-2021 The information in the June Bulletin is current at the time of going to print on 31 May, however may be subject to change due to COVID-19 restrictions. The best way to keep up-to-date about changes to our services is through:The Website: www.monash.vic.gov.au Facebook @cityofmonash Twitter @MonashCouncil Page 2 $2.4 million in community grants Monash Council will again fund more than $2.4 million in community grants to groups and organisations within Monash in 2021/22. Monash has one of the largest community grants programs in Victoria and, this year, 236 applications were considered. Council has allocated $2.44 million in funding to local community groups and service organisations. In addition, $60,000 has been allocated for the continuation of the successful Quick Response Grant program, which provides one-off funding for individual projects throughout the funding year, and $50,000 for a Community Resilience and Recovery Response Grants program that will enable Council to directly assist the community recovery from COVID-19. A total of 236 applications were considered, with 117 of these new applications and 119 applications previously committed to as part of a three-year agreement awarded in 2020/21. Council will provide cash and in-kind funding (including hall hire or printing) to 207 projects from 183 organisations who met the funding criteria. The grants are: * $753,996 to Positive Ageing * $663,918 to Specialist Services * $480,625 to Neighbourhood Houses * $356,522 to Community Strengthening Activities * $107,620 to Arts & Cultural Projects * $43,050 to Major Festivals * $37,844 to Community Events * $4,160 to Active Projects. The number of requests for community grants indicated the high value of the program to the Monash community, particularly after COVID disruptions last year. The Monash Community Grants Program encourages community connectivity and participation, as well as focusing Councils support on the groups most in need. For more info call 9518 3555 or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/community-grants Twinkle, twinkle: Kingsway lights up Funding from the State Government Local Councils Outdoor Eating and Entertainment program secured by the Glen Waverley Traders Group, is allowing it, in partnership with Monash Council, to shine a light on Glen Waverley Kingsway. Kingsway will host a weekly program of light-themed street entertainment designed to enhance the experience for diners and encourage visitors to the dining precinct. Every Friday from 11 June to 2 July, between 5pm–8pm, Kingsway will come alive to the lights and sounds of music from an LED lit-up DJ trailer, LED performers, interactive roving performers, a live fire ring and a special feature performance. There may be changes to this format pending further COVID-19 restrictions. Please check our website/social media for up-to-date information. Roving performers will interact with shoppers and mobile circus performance group Curbside Carnies will bring together this live street entertainment program. As well as the street entertainment, local traders will be offering dinner specials to further enhance the outdoor dining experience in Kingsway. The GW Nights program coincides with a second project that lights up Kingsway. The Glen Waverley trader group, in collaboration with Council and the State Government, is lighting up Kingsway street trees, draping them with fairy lights and adding sparkle to diners night-time outings. For more info call 9518 3297 or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/gw-nights Monash Contact details: Monash Civic Centre, 293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley Open from 8.30am to 5.15pm, Monday to Friday* Oakleigh Service Centre, 3 Atherton Road, Oakleigh Open from 8.30am to 5.15pm, Monday to Friday* Call 9518 3555, Email mail@monash.vic.gov.au, visit www.monash.vic.gov.au National Relay Service (for the hearing and speech impaired) 1800 555 660 We welcome your feedback about the Monash Bulletin: Call 9518 3678, Email joanne.robertson@monash.vic.gov.au * May be subject to change pending COVID restrictions. Check our website, social media or call us for latest information. Page 3 MESSAGE FROM Mayor Brian Little As I write this column, Victoria has just gone into its fourth lockdown for a period of seven days. The lockdowns pose challenges for us all particularly our small businesses and traders who have already weathered difficult times. It impacts all of us in different ways but I want you to know Council is here to provide support. Our Community Response Team is available to assist those struggling to make ends meet and Council has offered support to all ratepayers with the deferral of rate payments with zero interest and we are looking to extend this further until June 2022 as part of our budget considerations. The important thing to remember is that help is available so please get in touch with us and we will do what we can to support you. We also have a remarkable and hard-working band of volunteers in Monash who have always provided great service and support but never more so than during the past year. It was my pleasure to attend two ‘thank you events in the past month with our volunteers and present certificates recognising their service – some recipients clocking up more than 25 years. We would not be the wonderful city we are without these volunteers and it was humbling to meet them all and hear of their work. Thank you from us all. I was proud as Mayor to be the first to sign the Pledge to Tackle Ageism as part of the EveryAge Counts campaign. Monash is advocating for people of all ages to be treated with respect and be valued for their experience, not considered “too old”. Six other eastern region councils are also part of the campaign. Like a growing number of you, I rolled up my sleeve to get my vaccination several weeks ago after becoming eligible. Whilst I know there are differing views, it really is imperative that we all do take that step of becoming vaccinated and preventing further significant outbreaks and lockdowns. Sandown Racecourse is now open as a vaccination hub as is Monash Health or book in with your GP. Our story on page 4 has more information. You can contact me on: Call 9518 3524 or 0407 878 033 Email: Brian.Little@monash.vic.gov.au NEXT COUNCIL Meeting The next Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday 29 June from 7pm. The meetings agenda will be published on Councils website from 5.30pm on Thursday 24 June. Monash residents and ratepayers can ask questions at the meeting, with questions to be submitted to Council by 2pm on Tuesday 29 June. At the time of going to print, the lockdown was in place and public meetings were restricted. Please check our website or call to check the latest arrangements. You can also watch via our livestreaming service at webcast.monash.vic.gov.au Visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/meetings or call 9518 3555 Extra week for hard waste collection The hard waste collection will run for an additional week this year to ensure the timely collection of hard waste items. The hard waste collection starts on Monday 19 July and runs to Friday 3 September. Information on when it is your turn for the collection, and what you can put out, is outlined in the annual hard waste calendar that is soon to be delivered to your home. It is also available online at www.monash.vic.gov.au/hard-waste-collection There are no changes to what you can put out or the size limit allowed (4m3). Council is making this change as Monashs population has increased and more residents are using this free service. For more info call 9518 3555 Page 4 Take the pledge to tackle Ageism Monash Council has joined forces with six other eastern Melbourne councils to tackle ageism across the region. Mayor Brian Little joined the Positive Ageing Seniors Forum in May to officially launch Councils involvement in the EveryAGE Counts campaign. The launch event was attended by 55 older residents representing over 40 local seniors groups and was an opportunity for Council and the community to take the pledge to tackle ageism. Monash is the first metropolitan council to sign the pledge to “stand for a world without ageism where all people of all ages are valued and respected and their contributions are acknowledged. We commit to speak out and take action to ensure older people can participate on equal terms with others in all aspects of life.” Ageism exists when someone is considered - too old - for something like a job or promotion. Essentially, it is a lack of respect for older people affecting their self-confidence, quality of life, job prospects and health. At its extreme, ageism contributes to elder abuse. We invite our community to stand with us and take the pledge too. For more info call 9518 3555 or visit www.everyagecounts.org.au #ThisIsMonash up in lights #ThisIsMonash neon lights are popping up in several shopping precincts across Monash. A neon sign and seat unit will be installed in four locations in Monash, at Coleman Parade/Kingsway, Glen Waverley, Cooke Street, Clayton, Hamilton Place, Mount Waverley and Huntingdale Road, Huntingdale. Why not use the signs for a selfie and social media post when you are out and about in these great shopping and dining areas? For more info call 9518 3555 or visit steve.mcgrath@monash.vic.gov.au COVID-19 Vaccinations Council is not a COVID-19 vaccination provider but there are a number of vaccination providers in Monash or close to Monash. This includes GP providers and Victorian Government vaccination sites. The Australian Department of Health COVID-19 vaccine website includes a wide range of information on the vaccine and vaccination roll-out. For more info visit www.health.gov.au This includes a Vaccines Eligibility Checker to check when you will be eligible for a vaccination and local GP vaccination sites in Monash. Use the eligibility checker to see when and where you can be vaccinated. You will need to answer a series of questions to check your eligibility before the locations will be displayed. The Victorian Government has established a number of vaccination centres close to Monash. These are: * Monash Health – Monash Medical Centre * Sandown Racecourse – Springvale. For more information about other Victorian vaccination centres including how to book an appointment and opening hours visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccination-centres You can also book an appointment by calling 1800 675 398. Walk-ins are accepted at some centres. If you walk in, you should be prepared to wait until an immuniser is free to provide you with a vaccine. Check which centres accept walk-ins and their opening hours. Page 5 Smoke free Local Law introduced Monash Council has approved a new Local Law on Smoke Free Areas which will allow Council to declare a particular area in the municipality smoke-free. The footpath trading and access policy has also been updated, now requiring that food must be made available for consumption at all times in alfresco dining areas. As designated outdoor dining areas, smoking would not be allowed in these areas. The decision follows community consultation on the proposed Local Law that saw a strong 87% support from Monash residents for smoke free areas. The revised policy with its changes will apply across Monash from 1 July. Prior to declaring any area smoke free, Council will undertake further community consultation with residents and traders. As a first step, Council is considering making Eaton Mall, Oakleigh and Kingsway, Glen Waverley smoke free areas and consultation will start soon to seek community feedback. In February and March this year Council undertook its first round of community consultation which included writing to all traders, information on Councils website, Bulletin, E-news and social media. An online survey and a telephone survey of 400 residents and 100 traders (chosen at random) was undertaken on both the Smoke Free Areas Local Law and the revised Footpath Trading and Access Policy. The consultation found that there is a high level of support for the proposed smoke-free laws (87%). Support for change to the Footpath Trading and Access Policy was also high (79%). The consultation also found that around half of the community surveyed said that if the law on outdoor smoking was changed and outdoor trading areas became smoke-free, they would be more likely to go for coffee or a drink (52%), go for a meal (51%) or attend events (49%). Among traders, support for the proposed changes to the outdoor smoking law was also high (84%) as was support for the change to the Footpath Trading and Access Policy (79%). Whilst it will be considered an offence to smoke in areas that are declared smoke-free, and those who do so risk a $200 fine, Council's focus will primarily be about education and changing behaviour in the roll-out of the new local law. For more info call 9518 3555 or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/smoke-free-local-law We have signed on to Vic Energy Collaboration Monash is one of 46 Victorian councils to sign on to VECO, the Victorian Energy Collaboration, the largest ever emissions reduction project by local government in Australia. VECO, led by Darebin City Council in Melbournes north, will provide 45 per cent of all Victorian councils electricity requirements with 100 per cent renewables, reducing greenhouse emissions by 260,000 tonnes of C02-e every year. Provided by Red Energy, the 240GWh of clean power is equivalent to powering 48,000 homes with renewables or removing the emissions from 90,000 cars every year. Initiated by and facilitated with the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances, VECO recognises the benefits of renewable energy for the environment and the economy. VECO is expected to save Monash Council 8 per cent on its electricity bills, based on current costs. By joining the project, Council will power up to 100 per cent of its electricity use with 100 per cent renewables, including streetlights, major facilities and community buildings. The project will assist in reducing Councils greenhouse gas emissions, in line with Councils commitment to zero net corporate emissions by 2025. For more info call 9518 3733 or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/veco Page 6 COUNCILLOR NEWS Cr Geoff Lake Making Eaton Mall safe at last Smoking is legal in Australia. If an adult wants to smoke, they are entitled to make that decision. They can assess the risks and consequences. And they can decide for themselves whether they want to assume the risks to their health established by decades of science. However, passive smoke is not a choice. It is pervasive. It is harmful. And above all, when it impacts others, it is selfish. No one in our community should be forced to suffer harm from other peoples second-hand smoke when out enjoying public spaces. But for far too long they have had to. Nowhere is this more evident than in Oakleighs Eaton Mall. Eaton Mall has been ground zero over the past decade for battles over smoking in outdoor dining spaces in Melbourne. Oakleigh has a wonderful Greek heritage. But some media commentators have been quick to exploit this culture by asserting the right of older groups of men to sit around enjoying their coffee and a smoke outdoors. The consequence has been that Eaton Mall has become infamous as Melbournes passive smoke central. But thats all about to change. Council is progressing new local laws to remove smoking entirely from Eaton Mall as well as in Kingsway in Glen Waverley later this year. Other Monash activity centres will follow soon after. Families and others in our community who have steered clear of Eaton Mall will be able to return and reclaim these spaces. Traders who have prioritised smokers over the rest of our community by exploiting loopholes in state legislation to offer smoking when they should not, will no longer get away with it. While some traders led a campaign in 2018 to oppose Councils efforts to clean up smoking, they are out of step this time. Independent surveying has established that 87% of our community support new smoke-free local laws. Even 71% of smokers are supportive. And, remarkably, 84% of traders support it as well. If you are one of the thousands who have not stepped foot in Eaton Mall for years because of the ever-present blanket of smoke: get set to return. In a few weeks you will be able to order a coffee or meal outside, inhale the clean air and enjoy this iconic café precinct once again. Feel free to contact me on 0411 645 281 or email Geoff.Lake@monash.vic.gov.au YOUR Councillors You can contact Councillors via phone or email. Letters can be mailed to: PO Box 1, Glen Waverley 3150 Glen Waverley Ward Cr Geoff Lake, call 0411 645 281, Email Geoff.Lake@monash.vic.gov.au Cr Nicky Luo, call 0451 560 398, Email Nicky.Luo@monash.vic.gov.au Mount Waverley Ward Cr Anjalee de Silva, call 0424 679 096, email Anjalee.deSilva@monash.vic.gov.au Cr Brian Little, Mayor, Call 9518 3524 or 0407 878 033, Email Brian.Little@monash.vic.gov.au Cr Rebecca Paterson, Call 0437 959 163, Email Rebecca.Paterson@monash.vic.gov.au Mulgrave Ward Cr Paul Klisaris, Call 0412 516 026, Email Paul.Klisaris@monash.vic.gov.au Cr Shane McCluskey, Deputy Mayor, Call 0466 345 406, Email Shane.McCluskey@monash.vic.gov.au Cr Tina Samardzija, Call 0435 011 927, Email Tina.Samardzija@monash.vic.gov.au Oakleigh Ward Cr Josh Fergeus, Call 0466 465 421, Email Josh.Fergeus@monash.vic.gov.au Cr Stuart James, Call 0413 184 250, Email Stuart.James@monash.vic.gov.au Cr Theo Zographos, Call 0430 316 911, Email Theo.Zographos@monash.vic.gov.au Page 7 Upgrade works at Waste Transfer Station We are upgrading areas of the Waste Transfer and Recycling Station in Notting Hill, to improve safety for visitors and staff. The works include the replacement of old concrete blocks in our tipping area with new fit-for-purpose facilities. As a result of these works, started on 31 May, the facility will be unable to accept tipping of some materials. However, customers can choose to unload this material manually. In addition, some large vehicles and vehicle combinations may be restricted because of limited space. The works will require the temporary relocation of the metal and concrete disposal areas to the existing general waste and green waste areas. The works are expected to take six to eight weeks to complete. The Waste Transfer Station is at 380 Ferntree Gully Rd, Notting Hill. For more info call 9518 3555 or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/rubbish-recycling Monash headspace open Youth mental health service headspace has opened the doors at its long-awaited Syndal centre to young people in Monash seeking support. The Syndal headspace opened at 265 Blackburn Road, Mount Waverley. It is operated by a consortium of service providers, led by Alfred Health, including Monash Youth Services, Access Employment Services, EACH, Gateway LLEN, Hawthorn Football Club and Launch Housing. The site is located close to public transport and schools, making it easier for young people aged 12 to 25 to access support for mental health, physical health, sexual health, alcohol and other drug services, as well as work and study. The centre is open for business following tireless advocacy over several years from Monash young people and Council. The Monash Youth Committee led the push for this service, most recently through the #RaiseYourHand4MonashYouth campaign, which included heartfelt pleas from young people about the critical need for a headspace in Monash. This campaign was supported by Monash Leader. In March 2019, the Australian Government committed funding for a headspace facility to be built locally. Headspace Syndal is a free or low cost service for young people aged 12-25. For more info visit headspace.org.au/syndal Fire Flood Plague Sir John Monash Lecture Monash Gallery of Art, Wednesday 14 July, 7pm-8.30pm Has the planet reached a tipping point? Whatever the answer to that question, the events of the last 18 months – fire, floods, plague – have changed how Australians think, feel and live. Writers Sophie Cunningham, Melanie Cheng and James Bradley will join us to discuss our recent past, the near future and their perspectives on bearing witness and the urgent conversations that are needed if we are to cool our over-heated planet. Panellists Sophie Cunningham AM writes and commentates on environmental issues and is the author of six books including City of Trees: Essays on Life, Death and the Need for a Forest (Text, 2019). She is also the editor of the collection Fire, Flood, Plague: Australian writers respond to 2020 (Vintage, 2020). James Bradley is an author and critic and writes and reviews for a wide range of Australian and international publications. He has been awarded the Pascall Prize for Australias Critic of the Year, nominated for a Walkley Award and been shortlisted twice for the Bragg Prize for Science Writing. Melanie Cheng is a writer and general practitioner based in Melbourne. She is the author of Australia Day, which won the 2018 Victorian Premiers Literary Award for Fiction and Room for a Stranger, which was longlisted for the 2020 Miles Franklin Award. Her nonfiction has appeared in The Guardian, The Age, The Weekend Australian, SBS Online, The Griffith Review, and Meanjin, among others. She is The Saturday Papers health columnist. For more info and bookings visit www.monlib.vic.gov.au/wordfest Page 8 STAGES: photography through the pandemic Until 29 August Featured in the MGA Atrium Gallery, the STAGES: photography through the pandemic exhibition features community photographs that capture quintessential moments throughout the Melbourne lockdown. Entries for the exhibition are being accepted in waves, concluding on 8 August. Location: MGA, 860 Ferntree Gully Rd Wheelers Hill FREE entry. For more info visit www.mga.org.au/exhibition/view/exhibition/270 Refugee Week 2021 Concert: Saray Iluminado Friday 25 June, 7pm-8.30pm Join us in the spirit of unity to celebrate Refugee Week 2021 with a free performance by Saray Iluminado. The ensemble has a distinctive performance style, blending a curated repertoire of Balkan folk music with story-telling rituals. Location: Clayton Theatrette, Clayton Community Centre, 9-15 Cooke St FREE entry. Bookings essential (maximum of six tickets per booking) visit www.trybooking.com/BRSII The Truth is Longer than a Lie Thursday 1 July, 7pm Written and directed by award-winning playwright, Kieran Carroll, The Truth is Longer Than a Lie is based on the original book by Monash University researchers Dr Neerosh Mudaly and Professor Chris Goddard. The 50-minute play explores domestic child abuse and will be followed by a panel discussion with domestic violence and childrens services organisations, as well as Kieran Carroll and Dr Neerosh Mudaly. Location: Clayton Theatrette, Clayton Community Centre, 9-15 Cooke St For more info and bookings call 9518 3636 or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/truth-play Winter Concert Series: Keeahn – NAIDOC Week Wednesday 7 July, 7pm-9pm Keeahn is a proud Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal, Zenadh Kes song woman, effortlessly blending the sounds of soul, R&B and pop throughout her music, in lush melodies and words that are reminiscent of heartbreak and healing. Location: Mount Waverley Community Centre, 47 Miller Crescent FREE entry. Bookings essential visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/winter-concerts-2021