tis the agm season, tonight tvag

At mid November we're well and truly in the middle of AGM season, tonight's AGM was for TVAG, the Tecoma Village Action Group. That's one township group that has had an enormous workload over the past year with much focus on McDonalds in Tecoma. Other issues have also been progressed with ongoing involvement in the Shire's Graffiti Working Group and the Township Network Group.

I was delighted to accept an invitation to preside over TVAG's elections for the 2013/14 year at the Upwey RSL.

 

I'm pleased to report the following members were elected:

President: Nicole
Vice President: Anita
Secretary/Public Officer: Anne
Treasurer: Barbara
General members: Erica and Steve.

Congratulations and thank you, you've all worked immensely hard and have been dedicated to fulfilling your volunteer role as a township group, it's quite a credit to your commitment to Tecoma. 

save the dandenongs league agm 2013

I was delighted to preside over the annual elections for the Save the Dandenongs League, one of the oldest conservation groups in Victoria. They provide an important community voice and advocate for the protection and restoration of the Dandenong Ranges as a natural asset for all time.

Myself and Betty Marsden OAM, President of the Save the
 Dandenongs League, it was terrific to catch up with League
members at their AGM held at Kallista Community House.

The League began in 1950 when residents and non-residents of the Ranges were drawn together by the efforts of Miss Moon, John Turner and Cr Leane of Ferntree Gully to express their united concern about sub-division unplanned urban development across the Ranges unregulated activities of public and semi-public bodies such as the State Electricity Commission and the Country Roads Board.

They celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2010, a wonderful occasion where many a tale was told about their trials and tribulations.

At this year's Annual General Meeting various matters were reported by President, Betty Marsden OAM. Betty spoke about the loss of the two heritage buildings, Saffron Cottage and Hazelvale Dairy as part of the McDonalds development. She also talked about the newly exhibited Design and Development Overlays (planning scheme amendment C126) but reiterated that they were only general guidelines.

She also mentioned sign off of the Birdsland Masterplan and with that the call for a new management committee, she also expressed concern about the state government move to allow development in national parks.

Betty also expressed concern about the recently approved ALDI development in Monbulk and raised concerns about the Burnham Beeches development (yet to be decided by council).

In front of over 30 community members I was delighted to announce that Betty had been re-elected President of the League for the upcoming year. I was also delighted to announce Ross Whitford as Secretary, whilst Jenny Saulwick, Carolyn Ebdon and Daryl Shatte were elected general members.

Congratulations Betty, you continue to be an inspiration with your undying passion for what's special about the Dandenong Ranges.

agm's aplenty, tonight tvag

It is most definitely AGM season, tonight saw the AGM of the Tecoma Village Action Group (TVAG) held at the Upwey RSL. I was delighted to be able to preside over their elections.

The new TVAG committee for 2012/13, from left to right:
Steve W, Nicole G, Anita D, Steve G, Anne E, Rosalind B,
Cr Samantha Dunn, David J and Barbara C.

It's been a busy year for this township group, their work mainly focussed on fighting McDonalds in Tecoma and preparation of the VCAT appeal. However there have been a few other planning issues too, Winscombe Avenue (an inappropriate multi-unit development), the Doctors Surgery extension (welcomed by the community) and the Saffron Cottage rebuild application (generally welcomed by the community).

There's also been work on the Graffiti Removal Project, working with the Upwey Township Group, the Community Noticeboard Project and representing TVAG on the UTCRASH Project.

It's a credit to TVAG that they've had time for other projects, McDonalds has taken so much of everyone's time. I thank the TVAG committee and members for their efforts, they give of their time freely and they've given much time over this past year, it's a credit to them and their community spirit.

I'm pleased to report the new committee for 2012/13 are:
President - Nicole Gale
Vice President - David Jewell
Secretary - Anne Elizabeth
Assistant Secretary - Anita Dean
Treasurer - Barbara Crisp
General members:
Steve Gale
Rosalind Burns
Steve Wood

southern dandenongs landcare click over another year

It was terrific to be invited to chair the fifth Annual General Meeting of the Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group (SDLG) at Selby Community House.

From left to right: Vicki Boyle, President of the Southern
Dandenongs Landcare Group, Cr Samantha Dunn,
Lyster Ward and Betty Marsden AO, President of the
Save the Dandenongs League

I am always impressed by the breadth of activities this group undertakes, there's no doubt they are committed and passionate when it comes to improving our local environment and raising awareness about environmental issues.

In the past year the SDLG have been involved in so many activities. There are some key annual events the group are committed to including Awesome Ornithorhynkids day at Belgrave Lake, Mini Beast Festival at Birdsland and Selbyfest.

Other activites throughout the year include a regular and highly successful stall at the monthly Kallista Market, a partnership with the Belgrave Traders Association and the Weedbuster Day which will be once again supported in 2013 for a month by the traders. In good news to hand the owner of Jorgies (now Earthly Pleasures Cafe) has agreed to have the ivy removed from the building, ivy is one of Yarra Ranges worst weeds, ranked the number 2 worst environmental weed.

There's been support with the Southern Ranges Environmental Alliance, the newly forming CWAD, numerous Friends of Groups, the list is extensive and this report is in no way complete.

It was also terrific to hear from guest speaker Betty Marsden AO, former Shire of Sherbrooke Councillor and current President of the Save the Dandenongs League, talk about the history and activities of the League. Betty is an inspiration and living legend and gave great insights into the many battles the conservation movement in the hills has undertaken since the League was established in 1950.

I congratulate all involved with SDLG and thank you for the extensive volunteer hours you contribute to improving our environment, it is well and truly appreciated.

I'm pleased to report the new committee for 2012/13:
President - Vicki Boyle
Vice President - Darcy Duggan
Secretary - Anne Elizabeth
Treasurer - Mike Clarke
General Members:
Leslie Wilson
James Fraser

southern dandenongs community nursery agm

It was terrific to attend the Southern Dandenongs Community Nursery AGM this month and preside over their elections. I'm always impressed by the passion and commitment of our community and for those involved in the nursery their passion definitely hasn't waned.

Alex Maisey was guest speaker for the SDCN AGM,
his knowledge on the habits of Shebrooke Forest's
Lyrebirds is impressive and people were impressed
by not only Alex's knowledge but some of the forest
footage he's captured on sensor cameras.
Pictured left to right: Alex Maisey, Cr Samantha Dunn and
SDCN President Garrique Pergl.

I was amazed at the breadth of activities the nursery has undertaken in the last 12 months. The rains of the last year have made for some of the best seed collection in a long time. The nursery continues to supply Yarra Ranges, Casey, Cardinia and Melbourne Water with indigenous plants and has provided plants to rehabilitate the habitat corridor along the Monbulk Creek.

I was delighted to be invited by SDCN President
Garrique Pergl to plant a Hakea to mark the
SDCN AGM for 2012.

The revegetated corridor creates an important link between the Dandenong Ranges National Park and Lysterfield Park and provides habitat for some of our threatened species including Yellow Bellied Gliders, Wedge Tail Eagles, Powerful Owls and Platypus. Over the last 12 years, 45,000 plants have been planted along the creek corridor - a truly impressive effort.

The nursery have been participating in a DPI biological trial to eradicate boneseed and are supplying Kangaroo Apple to Monash University, as they contain a chemical compound that may be a cure for eye cancer.

They've also been doing a lot of work on the nursery itself and developing an online presence through the internet and facebook.

The list of partnerships is impressive and the nursery continues to support Friends of groups, schools, Monash Uni, DPI, residents, councils, Melbourne Water Stream Frontage Program, bushland contractors and South East Water.

I congratulate the ongoing efforts of the committee and the volunteers, you do a great job supplying indigenous plants and our environment and native animals are all the better for it.

I'm pleased to report the committee for 2012/2013 are:
President: Garrique Pergl
Secretary: Ian Rainbow
Treasurer: Rhonda Adams
General members:
Anton Pergl
Kerry Furnell
Paul Birch
Robert Pergl
Leslie King
Anne Elizabeth
Michael Butler

Congratulations to you all.

If you'd like to visit the Southern Dandenongs Community Nursery, they are located at Birdsland next to the Education Centre (right at the end of the vehicle track) and are open:
Tuesday - 9 AM to 4:30 PM
Friday - 9 AM to 1 PM
Sunday - 9 AM to 12 Noon 

belgrave traders agm, new committee elected

Me, with the new Belgrave Trader's Association
President, Marjo Robinson. Congratulations Marjo!

I was delighted to be able to preside over the Belgrave Trader's Association AGM election of committee members. It was wonderful to join with this group of people who are keen to promote Belgrave to locals and visitors to the area.

The night included presentations on a variety of events and happenings in Belgrave, it's a vibrant town with a new energy and it's great to be a part of it.

We heard from CJ from Limerence who's the spokesperson for End of the Line Festival, a celebration of arts and community. Next up was Vicki from the Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group, who is a powerhouse of knowledge and enthusiam for all things happening on the local environment front. Justine and Jamie gave an update on Reverberation, a hills culture festival which aims to promote local talent and businesses, followed by Tiffany Bishop, who talked about her collaborative youth art initiative, the tiffany bishop collective. We also heard from Bronwyn from the Shire who talked about the current investigations underway for a site for the Belgrave Community Hub.

There's so much going on and with new businesses in the area, there's a new vibrancy in the town.

I'm pleased to report the committee for 2012/13 are:
President - Marjo Robinson - Through the Looking Glass Second Hand Books
Vice President - Brent Dakis - Limerence
Secretary - George Harmon - George Harmon & Associates Quantity Surveyors
Treasurer - Jacqui Day - Business Lynx
General Members:
Paul Dakis - The Confectory
Damien McIntyre - tiffany bishop collective
Yolanda Rayner - Wicked Lady
Charmaine Jeffrey - Bendigo Bank Belgrave
Arthur Kyriakis - Belgrave Community Pharmacy

Congratulations to you all and thanks for dedicating your time to Belgrave.

sdlg welcomes a new committee

One of the joys of being a local councillor is the request to preside over elections in community AGM's. I'm always pleased to be part of this process, I'm always impressed by the enthusiasm our community has for it's various activities.
The Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group (SDLG) is no exception. A wonderful and dynamic group of people dedicated to improving and enhancing our environment and our understanding of the local environment.

From left to right: Anne Elizabeth, Mike Clarke, Vicki Boyle,
Jackie Glenn, Gillian Anderson, Cr Samantha Dunn
and Leslie Wilson.

It was terrific to be part of this occasion and hear the many activities this group has undertaken in the past year. SDLG were a constant at the Kallista Market helping locals understand what is a weed and what is a good indigenous plant to replace the weeds. 

They held two successful weed trade days, one at Belgrave Lake Park, the other in Tecoma. Yarra Ranges Council was very pleased to support these initiatives by funding plants, promotional material and a skip for the days. 

Not satisfied with one planting for National Tree Day, the group held three tree plantings, including Monbulk Creek - Colby Drive, Monbulk Creek - Trestle Bridge and Monbulk Creek - Colin Avenue. All of the plants, stakes and guards were supplied by Yarra Ranges Council from our Ribbons of Green program. 

Monbulk Creek got even more focus with a collaboration between SDLG and Belgrave Heights Christian College, which saw 2,500 plants planted to improve the riparian health of the creek in the Apsley Rd region. 

The SDLG also had a great program working with Mater Christi students, who are starting to make a real impact on their section of Monbulk Creek near Stoney Road. I congratulate teachers of Mater Christi for their efforts to embed Environmental Science into the curriculum. 

SDLG will also play a role in council's new Waterwatch Scheme, Council's Water Management Office, Beth Wallis, has been keenly working with volunteer groups to get out and start monitoring our waterways. 

Of course there's the ever popular Awesome Ornithorinkids Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness of our local platypus population, held at Belgrave Lake Park. Last year's was a delight as the resident Powerful Owl roosted just above us!

The group were instrumental in participating in consultations for the Shire's Flora and Fauna Strategy and I thank them for their time. 

This is a snapshot of some of the key activities of this group, it goes on, I am always impressed by their boundless energy for their volunteer work. 

I congratulate the group, your passion for our environment is second to none. 

I'm pleased to announce that the committee for the ensuing year is:
President: Jackie Glenn
Vice President: Vicki Boyle
Secretary: Anne Elizabeth
Treasurer: Mike Clarke
General Committee Members:
Leslie Wiliams
Gillian Anderson
Darcy Duggan

Well done for going that extra mile and dedicating time to these important leadership roles in the group.