CiVic Magazine Issue 2 - March 2013

Better

at workhealth

ISSUE 2 MARCH 2013

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This page: Photo by Jen Ritchie-Jones.

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Disclaimer Puffafish (“Publisher”) advises that the contents of this publication are at the sole discretion of the Municipal Association of Victoria and the publication is offered for background information purposes only. The publication has been formulated in good faith and the Publisher believes its contents to be accurate, however, the contents do not amount to a recommendation (either expressly or by implication) and should not be relied upon in lieu of specific professional advice. The Publisher disclaims all responsibility for any loss or damage which may be incurred by any reader relying upon the information contained in the publication whether that loss or damage is caused by any fault or negligence on the part of the publisher, its directors and employees. Copyright All advertisements appearing in this publication are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced except with the consent of the owner of the copyright. advertising Advertisements in this magazine are solicited from organisations and businesses on the understanding that no special considerations other than those normally accepted in respect of commercial dealings, will be given to any advertiser.

R E g U l A R S

10 Geelong’s swimming program for women

4 CEO’s Report

5 Editor’s Note

6 Opinion by Banyule Cr Tom Melican

7 Sector Connector by Verne Krastins

26 In Brief

27 Events

32 5 minutes with Surf Coast Cr Libby Coker

C O N T E N T S

F E A T U R E S

ISSUE 2 MARCH 2013

8 New Aboriginal early learning centre opensWhittlesea City Council

12 New waste services improve community satisfactionMacedon Ranges Shire Council

14 Flashmobs link arts and healthNillumbik Shire Council

16 COVER STORY: Healthy workplace practicesGreater Dandenong Shire Council

19 Mobile kitchen launchesGreater Bendigo City Council

20 Stormwater harvesting projectBanyule City Council

22 Innovative business solutionsGreater Geelong City Council, Latrobe City Council, Alpine Shire Council, Towong Shire Council

25 Tribute to Raoul WallenbergPort Phillip City Council

30 Employee Benefits ExpoBaw Baw Shire Council

30 Green roof creationBoroondara City Council

31 Driver training for migrantsMoonee Valley City Council

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Rob SpenceMAV CEO

a new dynamic has been established with the recent council and MAV board elections. Local

government reforms are high on the Victorian Government’s radar, and the economic outlook continues to present us all with financial challenges. The MAV is eager to make the most of these changes as they provide many opportunities for improvement.

In the year ahead, the MAV will continue to deliver significant cost savings through our collaborative procurement efforts, and our ongoing work with councils on IT, asset management, planning and other productivity programs that boost sector efficiency.

With the return of Melbourne City Council as a financial member of the MAV, working together with a stronger united sector voice will be critical to ensure fair, effective and productive outcomes for local government and our communities. Among the focus of our advocacy and support efforts will be to ensure effective and cost neutral transition for councils to impending state reforms, such as the new fire services property levy, guidelines for differential rates, introduction of a performance reporting regime, emergency management system restructures, and major changes to planning zones.

The upcoming federal election in September provides timely

opportunities to secure new funding commitments for the next term of government, and we will be working with our national peak body on a united local government campaign. The MAV’s State Budget submission focused on priority funding areas identified by members including home and community care, public libraries, youth services, efficiency improvement, transport and infrastructure, and emergency management.

We hope to see you as we travel around Victoria during March and April as part of our annual strategic planning process. These consultation sessions are an important opportunity for members

to influence the MAV’s work priorities and inform the development of our 2013-14 Strategic Work Plan. Dates and locations of our strategic planning sessions, and some highlights of our 2013 events program, can be found on page 24. I encourage you to come along.

As CiVic was being prepared for print, Cr Bill McArthur was re-elected President of the MAV for a further two years. Cr McArthur will return as author of this column in the June edition.

I extend my congratulations to Cr McArthur and the newly elected board and look forward to working together as a strong voice for local government over the next two years.

we hope to see you as we travel around Victoria during March and april as part of our annual strategic planning process.

Ceo’s report

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we have had a lot of fun putting Issue 2 of CiVic together.

The photo shoot down at Waterworld in Norland/Corio for Geelong City Council’s Women’s Swimming Program was a hoot! What an inspirational group of women bound together by enjoying water activities, but also in the socialising it brings – there was a lot of laughter and chit-chat going on between laps and aqua aerobics. Thanks to Veema Mooniapah and Cr Kylie Fisher (both inspirational in their own right), and the wonderful women of Geelong, for allowing us the privilege to photograph the session.

Thanks also to everyone at Greater Dandenong City Council involved in our cover story about developing and delivering healthy practices in workplaces – Emma Bruce and Joanne Warnecke from the Health and Wellbeing team, Kylie Sprague from communications and of course our cover guys Stephen and Lindsay. Greater Dandenong is one of 14 councils involved in the ground-breaking health promotion initiative, Healthy Together Victoria, which is being funded to the tune of $119 million by the federal and state governments. We plan to showcase a story from each of these councils involved in developing local solutions to healthy living in their communities

over the coming editions. But, if you want to see what these councils achieved last year, see the video on our iPad.

In the next issue, we will feature a number of the great activities going on around the state in recognition of Cultural Diversity Week and Harmony Day. Please drop me a line if your council is celebrating these important events.

To all the other councils involved in this issue – a big thank you – particularly to the communications teams where a lot of these stories start!

Don’t forget to add us to your media distribution list, ‘like’ us on Facebook and download the iPad app for more content.

to all the … councils involved in this issue – a big thank you – particularly to the communications teams where a lot of these stories start!

editor’s Note

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editor Kristi High § 0407 366 466 § [email protected] Deadline 17 May 2013 § [email protected] Tony Cornish § [email protected] & layout Jason Jeffery & Kathryn Steel

Proudly published by

Kristi HighEditor

Contributors:Justene Cowie, Verne Krastins, Eliza Nolan, Kathryn Page, Jen Ritchie-Jones, Loretta Watson, Anthony Woodcock.

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opinion

My decision to run for council in 2003 was predominantly sparked by sustainable transport

issues and my concern at the time that Banyule was not doing enough to support and encourage cycling. The long-term goal was to see the ‘missing link’ in off-road transport infrastructure – connecting the Main Yarra Trail to the Darebin Creek Trail.

The current Darebin Creek Path finishes a tantalising 1.8 kilometres short of connecting with the Main Yarra Trail.

I, and many others, wrote letters and submissions to the state government to lobby for funding over many years.

Serious planning for this connection started 13 years ago and the proposal to establish a new path to fill this ‘missing link’ enjoyed strong community support. This included support from walking, cycling and

Cr Tom Melican has lived in Banyule for 31 years and is raising four children in East Rosanna.

He first became a councillor in 2003 and was elected mayor in 2010, and again in 2012.

Every week, Cr Melican clocks up over 300 kilometres on his collection of bicycles – commuting to work, council meetings, events and, when he has a spare moment, for recreation.

Needless to say, Cr Melican is passionate about his health, and the environmental and community benefits cycling brings.

Cr Melican has tirelessly advocated for improvements to public and sustainable transport since joining Banyule and he has been a big supporter of proposals to construct a link between the Main Yarra Trail and the Darebin Creek Trail bicycle path.

environmental groups, and from VicRoads and Parks Victoria.

I believe now, as I did then, that this project is the single most important cycling priority in the northern part of Melbourne. But it did face many challenges.

There were discussions with a privately owned golf club about establishing the best route, with the least impact on the golf club.

The location of the bridge over the Yarra River, along with the impact on the river and surrounding environment, were hot issues.

Construction itself will require four bridges to be built and compulsory land acquisition; this added greatly to both the price and complexity.

There were several VCAT hearings and after many submissions were made, both for and against it, VCAT finally approved the proposal in July 2009.

In late 2012 mayors from six councils wrote to the Environment Minister, Transport Minister, local PMs and the Planning Minister, Matthew Guy, urging them to fund

Cr tom MelicanBanyule City Council

the right path for cycling

this vitally important regional project.It was our shared belief that

it would provide a huge boost for transport, by creating a vital link that joins the off-road path network north of the Yarra, to the off-road path network south of the Yarra to more than 600 kilometres of existing off-road path networks across Melbourne.

The economy, recreation, tourism and sustainable transport will all benefit. As will wellbeing and health – so many more people of all ages and cycling abilities are ready to switch to a healthy, cheap and sustainable transport option like cycling.

Who else will benefit?§§ The northern suburbs into the CBD

of Melbourne.§§ Key educational institutions such

as Latrobe University and RMIT Bundoora Campus from inner suburbs such as Richmond, Collingwood, Fitzroy, Carlton and the Docklands as well as from areas south of the Yarra including Kew, Hawthorn and Camberwell.

§§ Important regional tourism and recreational assets, particularly Bundoora Park and the Darebin Parklands.

§§ The broader Metropolitan Trails Network.So, it’s great news that the

Victorian Government committed funding for this project in December 2012 – an announcement celebrated by many local people and members of Bicycle Network Victoria.

Minister of Planning Matthew Guy realised the great benefits and to his great credit has been instrumental in securing funding. I believe, without his support, this project would not proceed.

This outcome is also the culmination of many years of hard work and planning from several great community-minded people who look to the future with hope, rather than complain about the present. They are the true heroes of this project.

Together, we can now all look forward to a great day when residents and visitors alike will be able to travel right around Melbourne both safely and sustainably.

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Column

Being litter consciousMy litter conscience kicked in at a young age. I believe this was thanks to Keep South Australia Beautiful’s (KESAB) work in schools in the 1960s and 70s, though details have faded from memory. Of course, KESAB continues to do good work.

Somehow, the litter message got through to me and stayed.

The notion of environmental sustainability was only just filtering into government language, so I think the message back then was not about sustainability as it often is now, but

Verne Ivars krastinsBSc (Hons), Fellow LGPro

Sector Connector

litter conscienceI try to do the right thing.

about pride of place and modelling good citizenship.

In my defenceNot that I wear a halo. I have littered, so string me up if you like, but in my defence I was only being human. Moments of weakness, little more.

Under duress, we humans gravitate to the simplest solution. With littering, the threshold isn’t very high – inconvenience is enough to tip us over the edge.

If possible though, we go for the choice that seems to have least impact,

or possibly some benefit. Examples are seeking littered places to litter in (it only adds a bit more) and dumping at charity stores (my rubbish is going to a worthy cause).

Bagful of messagesI don’t remember what slogans were used back in SA, but ‘Keep South Australia Beautiful’ is a slogan and call to action in itself, not just an organisation name.

As a tagline, the angle is pretty clear, linking litter with looks. And notably, ‘keep it beautiful’ is an international phenomenon, with Keep America Beautiful and Keep Britain Tidy alongside our own Keep Australia Beautiful and its state chapters.

There’s a colourful history of litter related slogans, and as serious a matter this is, they can be a lot of fun. Puns and wordplay abound!

Doing the right thingNow, isn’t ‘do the right thing’ an evergreen? The slogan was originally developed by the beverage industry, and has transcended its original purpose by becoming virtually synonymous with ‘don’t litter’, without mentioning the ‘L’ word.

Not that it changes much. Influencing behaviours and getting the public to think the right way needs constant refreshing.

In Victoria, the refresh just happened in January with the launch of EPA Victoria and Sustainability Victoria’s joint pilot campaign – A cleaner Victoria is in your hands.

Stick or carrot?Litter campaigning highlights a tension between two schools of thought.

One is that we can change people’s behaviour by appealing to their sense of personal responsibility. The other is that without the fear of shame or penalty, littering will continue.

Well, both are right. The trick to litter prevention, if there is one, is to sensibly integrate these two approaches.

Vicarious sticksThe umbrella message in A cleaner Victoria is in your hands is more about the carrot than the stick.

However, the campaign leverages off EPA Victoria’s refreshed suite of litter reporting portals, namely 1300 EPA VIC, online reporting and a recently developed iPhone app.

This is the enforcement component, handed to everyone on a platter, including local authorities, and backed up with A cleaner Victoria’s umbrella brand.

Better yet, recipients of recently announced Victorian Roadside Litter Prevention grants are getting training and support for their programs with a set of new tools produced by the Victorian Litter Action Alliance, a unique consortium of litter stakeholders managed by Sustainability Victoria.

It’s complicatedLitter prevention may sound mundane to some, but it is complicated.

On the ground, you need to be a psychologist, engineer and legal eagle all in one. Higher up, the interests are not necessarily in the same realm. Some create the goods that become litter, and others remove it at considerable cost.

Litter campaigning has a very long history, and alas, is likely to have a long future as well. But we do seem to be getting better at it.

C I vI C 7

centre to primary school, and on to secondary school.

Under one roof, the new centre includes a pre-school, long day care, a multi-purpose training room, and space for community meetings.

Council also operates a Maternal and Child Health service from the centre and other health professionals and family support services are available.

“This is an excellent model offering quality early learning and care for Aboriginal children and provides a supportive environment for families,” Whittlesea Mayor Rex Griffin said.

“Children are able to move between rooms to play with siblings, cousins, adults and staff.

“It has been shown that vulnerable and traumatised children are now

showing themselves to be trusting, happy and engaged.

“Programs are focused on building self-esteem, cultural identity, providing creative educational experiences and transitioning children to school.”

The name Bubup Wilam in Woiwurrung means ‘children’s place’ and its program is structured to grow children’s self-esteem, emphasise their identity, and emotional and educational rights and needs.

Centre Director Alister Thorpe said Bubup Wiliam would provide a thriving Aboriginal, family-based early learning centre that creates strong foundations through learning, health and wellbeing.

“The children have a chance to explore their heritage, make new friends and get active through art and play,” he said.

The first Aboriginal early learning centre in Melbourne’s north has officially opened, five years after planning for the $8.7 million project began.

Planning for the project began in 2007 after a meeting between the local Aboriginal community, Whittlesea City Council and the Victorian Government to identify a number of key priorities.

After securing initial state government funding for an interim centre including a kindergarten at nearby Lalor in late 2009, the community wanted to establish a permanent facility.

In fully supporting the vision of the Aboriginal community, Whittlesea City Council allocated a prime location, which includes a library, a recreational centre and an aquatic centre. The location was also chosen for the close proximity to two government schools, which will support the smooth transition of children from the early learning

Delivered through funding from the federal and state governments, and supported by Whittlesea

City Council, the Bubup Wilam for Early Learning Aboriginal Child and Family Centre will help set strong foundations of lifelong learning for local Aboriginal children.

Around 60 Aboriginal children, aged from six months to five years, are now attending the centre, which aims to meet the needs of Aboriginal families by providing children with an opportunity to learn in a quality environment that supports and builds on self-esteem while acknowledging their cultural heritage.

The new centre is run by the local Aboriginal community, which is the fourth largest in the Melbourne metropolitan area.

Around 60 Aboriginal children, aged from six months to five years, are attending the Bubup Wilam for Early Learning Aboriginal Child and Family Centre.

Preschoolers’ learning supports koori culture

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A priority for Bubup Wilam is to become incorporated and managed by the Aboriginal community.

“Traditional owners were involved in the landscaping, which includes mostly local trees, plants and flowers,” Cr Griffin said.

“A Board of Directors will now be appointed to focus on financial sustainability and all aspects of governance, business planning, partnerships and workforce, and training needs will be considered as part of the long term viability.”

The Bubup Wilam Early Learning Centre has been recognised in two prestigious award schemes. In the Kidsafe 2012 National Playspace Design Awards, it was recognised for excellence and innovation in providing safe, creative play spaces for kids across Australia.

Taking out the Children’s Services section, the judges commented on the centre with its strong references to the local indigenous community, saying it offered leadership to others

engaged in journeys of reconciliation with indigenous communities.

“Being a multi-purpose play space it reflects a commitment to cultural recognition and understanding, including its use of natural materials,” Cr Griffin said.

Bubup Wilam was also Highly Commended in the 2012 Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Early Years Awards.

The judges commented that it provided greater access to services for Aboriginal families and their

children and a community-focused hub. It also commented on the support the project received by all three levels of government, plus the employment of 17 early childhood workers that includes eight Aboriginal educators.

The Bubup Wilam Early Learning Centre received $8.2 million funding from the federal government under the Indigenous Early Childhood Development National Partnership, and $500,000 from the state government.

Programs are focused on building self-esteem, cultural identity, providing creative educational experiences and transitioning children to school.

The new centre supports and acknowledges the local Aboriginal cultural heritage.

C I vI C 9

water worldthis all-inclusive swimming

group brings local women of different cultures, shapes and sizes together for two hours

each week during school terms.One resident’s approach to

council two years ago searching for a private swimming pool to overcome religious and cultural barriers, coupled with an identified need in the broader community during the developmental phase of council’s first Multicultural Action Plan, started the Women’s Swimming Program.

Community Development Officer Veema Mooniapah spoke with local residents and researched statistics around active participation in sports and leisure activities by women in the community. She then started exploring options for council to assist all women wanting to learn to swim or take up swimming for fitness in an environment they felt comfortable in.

“There are religious and cultural barriers to some women being able to swim in public centres but there are also women who are conscious of their bodies or who just want to swim only with women, who benefit equally from this program,” Ms Mooniapah said.

Greater Geelong City Council recognised the community value for a women-only swimming group and gained support from across the organisation, in particular the Leisure Services Unit that assisted with identifying a venue along with employing instructors and other staff at the facility.

Sunday evenings was agreed because the council-managed Waterworld facility closes early and allows the women access from 7.15-915pm.

The pilot for the Women’s Swimming Program was launched during Diversity Week 2010, but some negative local press carrying a racist slant almost derailed the group from starting.

“During the promotion of the Women’s Swimming Program, a newspaper reported the group being for Muslim women only,” Ms Mooniapah said.

With persistence, high level support from management and councillors, particularly Cr Eddy Kontelj (Multicultural and Aboriginal Affairs) and Cr Kylie Fisher (Community Development), council stood by their commitment to deliver an all-inclusive program for the women of Geelong, and went ahead with the launch of the pilot.

“A number of people did turn up to the first session purely to find out if it was for all women,” Ms Mooniapah said.

“The good thing was, in doing this, some of them stayed on and joined in as regulars.

“Some of the women who already enjoy swimming in mixed pools also attend the women-only program, purely to enjoy time with their peers and family members like mothers and daughters.”

While the early press coverage contributed to a wrong perception

about the program, it had a longer-term ‘myth busting’ effect about Islam.

“When some of the women came to see what it was all about, they have since built friendships with all of the women in the group,” Ms Mooniapah said.

Once the pilot was completed, council continued to fund the program, which includes running the centre outside normal operating hours, and employing female swimming instructors and lifeguards.

Each Sunday, rain, hail or shine, about 35 new arrivals and residents from African countries, the Middle East and South-East Asia, join local women from Geelong and surrounding areas, with attendance numbers bursting into the 50s on some weeks.

With a large percentage of the group from non-English speaking backgrounds, an interpreter attends each session, which is critical for learning to swim and also understanding safety rules.

“There have been challenges around understanding safety rules at the facility among the newly arrived non-English speaking participants which are being addressed by having an interpreter and tour of the facilities,” Ms Mooniapah said.

During the two-hour session, participants can learn to swim, join the aqua aerobics class, enjoy some free swimming or relax in the spa or sauna.

“Some of these women haven’t stepped into water for 15 years, or in some cases, ever in their lives,” Ms Mooniapah said.

women united in a

Every Sunday after close, Waterworld in Corio/Norlane Geelong transforms into a womens-only zone where participants in a swimming program coordinated by Greater Geelong City Council can learn, relax and play.

(L-R) Greater Geelong Community Development Officer Veema Mooniapah and Cr Kylie Fisher.

Photos by Jen Ritchie-Jones.

Arm-in-arm these women conquer the challenges of swimming.

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“It is just amazing to watch those walk towards the water and enter for the first time.

“You can just see the joy, they are loving the water.”

This year, council expanded the program to include a Mums and Toddlers class, which responded to an identified need for women bringing along their children.

“Some of the women started bringing their children who needed to be supervised, so this year we have introduced a class for

mothers to bring along their toddlers – boys and girls – aged up to four years,” Ms Mooniapah said.

Geelong Cr Kylie Fisher has been part of the Women’s Swimming Program since the start of the pilot two years ago, and described the group as an important social and community connector for participants.

“Along with health and fitness outcomes, social inclusion is also a big part of this program,” Cr Fisher said.

“For those women who are new to Geelong, it is a great way

to connect to the community and make new friends.”

Many community development outcomes and powerful stories of friendship, resilience and acceptance have emerged from the group.

“There are times when language barriers kick in but a smile is a smile in any language and we have a whole lot of fun laughing together, whether it is at something the kids are doing or when we are relaxing at the end of the session in the spa,” Cr Fisher said.

“In the end we are all here for

the same reason, to enjoy the pool and the bonus is the creation of some very powerful friendships.”

The Women’s Swimming Program is heavily subsidised by council. It is free for Waterworld members and children under 16 years, and $5 for non-member adults.

The all-inclusive program is promoted through council’s community and multicultural networks, newsletters, website and word of mouth. Participants have also created a Facebook page.

Taking instruction during the Women’s Swimming Program.(L-R) Cr Kylie Fisher catches up with a fellow regular swimmer after an aqua aerobics session held as part of Greater Geelong City Council’s Women’s Swimming Program.

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the most of council’s free Green Drop service.

“We did not offer the compulsory green waste service to residents on larger properties because they deal with their green waste in their own way, whether through mulching, re-use on the garden or composting,” Mr Thornton said.

“However, all our residents can drop off large branches and thicker prunings at council’s three transfer stations as part of our free Green Drop service.”

As part of the improvements, waste and recycling collection services were extended beyond the large townships to rural areas on an opt-in basis.

“We conducted surveys in rural areas and found support for a waste

and recycling service was mixed so council decided to make it optional but to remain mandatory in the township areas for the purpose of amenity,” Mr Thornton said.

The extension of waste and recycling to rural properties has already added 1,500 properties to take the service to 21,000 properties across the shire.

Macedon Ranges Mayor Roger Jukes said as soon as the service was introduced, take up had been in excess of what was anticipated.

“By extending the waste and recycling service, council has been able to offer a more affordable solution to rural residents who previously could not access a council bin collection and were reliant on private contractors,” Cr Jukes said.

Historic Hanging Rock makes a nice backdrop for these innovative waste and recycling collection trucks.

Community satisfaction with Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s waste collection service is at an all time high with better reliability and the introduction of new services.

every property in the shire, along with new initiatives to collect green waste.

A green garden bin collection service for 9,500 residential properties in the nine larger township areas is now in full swing. For a small weekly fee of $1 per week, and just $0.50c for pensioners, council provides the fortnightly service along with the supply of the 240 litre bin.

Dale Thornton said Macedon Ranges was one of a few peri-urban areas to offer a green service.

“The green waste service has filled a real need with residents,” he said,

“As a semi-rural, fire-prone shire, our residents have large gardens that need to be maintained.”

All residents, including those on large properties, can also make

this is a great result for Macedon Ranges, which has been working both internally and with its

community to expand and improve waste collection services in the shire for the past four years.

With a growing population, educated demographic and high native vegetation retention, council has answered the call for better waste collection services.

In 2008, a Waste Management Strategy was developed with plenty of time to explore the best collection options before its existing waste management contract was due to expire in 2011.

Since October 2011, council has been able to offer a waste and recycling collection service to almost

happy ‘bin better’ community

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“The extension to this service also means council can collect recyclables at 1,500 properties where they previously could not.

“This is important to our council so that we can continue to minimise waste and maximise recycling in order to achieve the state government’s

‘Towards Zero Waste’ target of a 65 per cent waste diversion rate by 2014.”

Provided the new large collection trucks can gain access, any rural property within Macedon Ranges can access the waste and recycling collection service.

Using the campaign slogan,

‘Bin Better’, council communicated with its residents about improvements to

waste management services through a

booklet that was sent to all households, newsletter articles, newspaper adverts and media stories.

The six new garbage and recycling trucks are specially designed to minimise damage on rural roads.

The trucks have customised suspensions to minimise the weight on the roads while some are fitted to take recycled and general waste.

These changes to Macedon Ranges’ waste collection services have resulted in a 70 per cent reduction in missed bins, with an average of just 40 missed bins reported monthly, compared to 145 bins missed prior to the new service commencing.

Residents have noticed the improvements to their collection services, with the community satisfaction survey for waste increasing from an average score of 65 from 2008–2011, to a score of 74 in 2012.

“This has been a sustainable way of doing things and cost-effective for the ratepayer,” Cr Jukes said.

“It’s a long-term sustainable approach to waste management (and) the service will only become more important as the shire’s population grows in the coming years.”

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has introduced a green garden bin collection service for 9,500 residential properties.

C I vI C 1 3

Historically, Nillumbik is known and loved for its arts culture. Images of mud brick artist colonies like Montsalvat, the architecturally aesthetic Eltham library building and the inspiring landscape of towering eucalyptus trees shading native kangaroos and echidnas come to mind. Yet over 52 weeks, over 900 residents showed onlookers just how ‘into’ the arts they are by participating in 52 Flashmobs.

By kathryn Page

Flashmob participants get into the spirit during the Great Big Muddy Symphony.

were also artistically acknowledged. During Book Week, participants assembled on the steps of the State Library, each holding an open book.

Flashmobs attracted older residents to line dancing at the Hurstbridge Farmers Market and singing the Cat Stevens classic Peace Train on a peak-hour train from Greensborough to Eltham.

It seems that not a day goes by without another statistic reminding us of declining rates of physical activity correlating with the increasing width of Australians’ waistlines.

Cr Perkins praised council’s work to engage residents in creative and different ways of participating in physical activity.

“[The project] challenged some of the stereotypes about what being active means and helped people realise that physical activity can be achieved in fun and unexpected ways,” he said.

partnerships, uniting people and utilising public places. The 52 Flashmobs website demonstrated this by featuring colourful caricatures endorsing the positive ways residents can be involved and the health benefits of participating in the arts and cultural scene of Nillumbik. One features a boy playing with his dog who exclaims, ‘Fresh air makes me stronger!’ The words, ‘Getting outside is good for both your mind and body. Being close to nature helps to reduce stress and illness,’ follows.

Song and dance were the most common flashmobs, with 16 and 19 performances respectively. Yet, the action didn’t stop there. Other residents swiveled hoola hoops around their hips, covered themselves in mud or worked out at a gym dressed in Santa costumes.

Each flashmob attracted between 10 and 60 participants, and while open to anyone aged from two to 82 years old, some were targeted at or appealed to specific demographics. Teenagers from bushfire-affected areas got into character as ninjas and zombies. They danced to the classic 90s song Macarena in costumes strung with macaroni and ‘shuffled’ – a dance move inspired by the popular 2012 song party rock anthem by band LMFAO – their way through the fruit section of a Woolworths supermarket. Current themes

It is understandable then that until they knew what was going on, some onlookers were shocked by the apparent spontaneity and element of surprise that flashmobs inspire. Nillumbik Mayor Peter Perkins best described onlookers’ reactions as priceless.

“Some [onlookers] were surprised and loved it, some people didn’t know what was going on and looked confused, others openly stared, and some people hid. But overall it made onlookers smile,” said Cr Perkins.The 52 Flashmobs project was part of council’s 2013-2017 Growing our Arts and Culture plans, which focuses on four areas of integration – increasing participation, encouraging

Flashmob is a relatively new concept where exposure to, and understanding of them, is largely thanks to watching

videos posted on YouTube. Blink and you could miss it!

It’s where a group of people seamlessly assembles in a public place, perform some type of activity together and then disappear in a flash (hence the name).

While they may not look like it, flashmobs are highly organised events. Nillumbik Shire Council organised the flashmobs through a number of avenues including a specially created website, social media platforms, flyers, advertising at festivals and through word-of-mouth.1 4 C I vI C

The 52 Flashmobs project received $85,000 in funding, which was integral to its objective of being accessible, local and free.

VicHealth contributed most of the funding, with $70,000 allocated to the project from the MOTION program, which endorses health benefits gained from participating in the arts field.

VicHealth CEO Jerri Rechter praised the creativity and inclusive aspect of the project. “It’s great to see that the local community embraced this unique program,” she said.

“It has provided a chance for people to feel part of the community, be active, have fun and feel great all at the same time.”

A further $15,000 funding came from Regional Arts Victoria, which was used to develop the technical aspects required including the creation of the website, recording and uploading flashmob videos and providing music for some acts.

Residents reaped physical and mental rewards from the satisfaction of pushing through comfort zones, feeling energised by expending energy through dance or movement, increased mental clarity from breathing in fresh air by being outdoors, gaining a sense of achievement in learning a new skill and feeling socially connected to members of their community.

It is without a doubt that the project was a success due to the organisation, involvement, engagement

and participation of a broad range of members of the community, working in partnership with Nillumbik Shire Council.

“Council staff developed relationships with many community groups, schools, families, young people, festival committees, artists, shopping centre management and the general public,” Cr Perkins said.

While the individuals who participated in the flashmobs thoroughly enjoyed themselves, Cr Perkins said another benefit of the flashmobs was opening residents’ eyes to what their local community offers.

“The project allowed us to strengthen existing partnerships with groups and organisations such as Living and Learning Nillumbik, Edendale Community Environment Farm, Yarra Plenty Regional Library and the Nillumbik Community Health Service,” he said.

“Council’s role is broader than just providing infrastructure, collecting bins and maintaining roadsides – we also have a responsibility to promote health and wellbeing for our residents.

“We hope to make the most of these relationships in our future work with the community as we continue to promote health and wellbeing in Nillumbik.”

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Cover Story

(L-R) Fruit brings smiles to Greater Dandenong Horticulture Services Coordinator Stephen Nelson and Service Coordinator Grass Cutting Lindsay Paterson. Photo by Hilton Stone.

healthy

eMPloyeeShaPPIer

workPlaCeS,

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schools, early learning settings and the broader community,” she said.

“Work in schools and early childhood settings is well established and this funding has provided a great opportunity to shine the light on workplaces and raise the profile of the benefits health and wellbeing programs have for employers and staff.”

Healthy Together Greater Dandenong’s workplace initiatives will prioritise mental health and wellbeing, reducing harmful alcohol consumption, reducing the incidence of smoking, and increasing physical activity and access to nutritious foods.

The team has created a roadmap for the program using a systems approach whereby it is ‘peeling back the onion layers’ in an effort to engage with 75 per cent of medium to large workforces in the municipality over the next three years.

“This is very different to other work that has been done in the area of preventative health before,” Dr Bruce said.

“We are being led by what is already happening in the community, and then filling much needed gaps.

“This is a world-first approach to preventative health and we are ensuring the work is being done from the ground up and utilising existing communication channels.”

Health and Wellbeing Workplaces Team Leader Joanne Warnecke said the team was working with council’s business and economic development units and developing relationships with key agencies such as the South East Business Networks, South East Melbourne Manufacturing Alliance and the Chamber of Commerce to reach medium-large businesses operating in the municipality.

Together, the groups are developing case studies to showcase how local businesses are leading the way to address health and wellbeing at work. The message is that even a small change is a good start.

“It doesn’t matter the size of the workforce or budget,” Ms Warnecke said.

“There are plenty of options to improve health and wellbeing. Among these are introducing

Fruit box deliveries, scheduled stretching exercises, pledges to make healthy choices at work and other healthy workplace ideas are being shared across Greater Dandenong as council rolls-out the Healthy Together Greater Dandenong initiative to 11,000 local businesses.

a team leader for each of the three identified focus areas.

Health and Wellbeing Coordinator Emma Bruce said the team was working in partnership with existing council departments and local community service providers to implement the initiative in workplaces, schools, early learning settings and the broader community.

“This funding is a great opportunity to put in place initiatives that can improve the health and wellbeing of our community,” she said.

“A large component of council’s work will focus on workplace health and wellbeing, a more underdeveloped area of preventative health than our other focus areas –

Facing a wide range of health challenges with 45 per cent of people overweight or obese, and 53 per cent

not eating the recommended daily serving of fruit and vegetables, Greater Dandenong City Council was thrilled to be one of 14 councils to receive funding under the Healthy Together Victoria initiative to improve health and prevent chronic disease.

Over the past 12 months, Greater Dandenong has built a team of 13 new staff, dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of Greater Dandenong.

Among the 13 new staff, four leadership positions have been created – a program coordinator and

CHEP Australia encourages staff to improve their health and wellbeing by getting involved in activities like the pre-shift warm up. Photo by Anthony Woodcock.

continued on page 18C I vI C 1 7

walking meetings, developing healthy catering policies and fundraisers, liaising with local fruit and vegetable suppliers to deliver fruit and veg boxes to the workplace, encouraging health-related social functions, and even providing infrastructure that supports physical activity like lockable bike facilities. These options make it easier for a worker to make healthy choices.”

Health and wellbeing in workplaces is still considered a new area and while the link between work and productivity and health is not widely publicised, many employers understand the benefits.

“The team has also been looking at reasons why workplaces would benefit from implementing healthy choices and have found that productivity is improved, absenteeism is decreased, there are fewer insurance and compensation claims, and businesses have opportunities to become employers of choice,” Ms Warnecke said.

Internally, council has also become an integral part of the initiative by ensuring it is a healthy workplace.

“We have been working with the OHS committee to develop a Health and Wellbeing Policy for council,” Dr Bruce said.

“Two key areas have been identified for 2013 – smoking and healthy eating – based on council’s Work Health checks, which found 90 per cent of council officers don’t eat enough fruit and vegetables.

“There are also ongoing issues with smoking and litter so it was a good time to relook at existing policies.”

Greater Dandenong is moving to a new municipal building in 2014 and will introduce healthy options in vending machines and explore market days for local producers that will aim to provide all staff with easy access to purchasing healthy fruit and vegetables on site.

Greater Dandenong Mayor Angela Long said many workplaces strived to have healthy workplace programs and some have requested support to make the first step or to tailor good ideas to suit their workplace.

“Council will recognise and promote the efforts of businesses to create healthier workplaces through

business networks, publications and sharing the experiences of other local workplaces.”

One local business encouraging staff to improve their health and wellbeing by being involved in workplace health activities such as pre-shift warm-up exercises is manufacturing company CHEP Australia.

The company’s Fitness at Work Program has shown an improvement in safety behaviour and awareness, with 80 per cent of employees that took part in a survey showing they enjoyed the Warm Up at Work pre-shift stretching program.

“We know that healthy workers are happier workers, so there’s a great incentive for decision makers and workers to make healthy choices to benefit themselves, their workplace and their families and the wider community as a flow-on effect,” Cr Long said.

Healthy Together Victoria – a new era in health promotion

§§ Involves 14 councils:§§ Hume§§ Wyndham§§ Whittlesea§§ Knox§§ Dandenong§§ Cardinia§§ Mildura§§ Bendigo§§ Wodonga§§ Latrobe§§ Geelong§§ Ararat§§ Pyrenees§§ Central Goldfields

§§ Joint commitment between Australia, Victorian and local governments

§§ Working with businesses, schools, early learning settings and the community

§§ $119 million funding

§§ Reaching 1.3 million Victorians

§§ Formerly called Prevention Community Model

Visit the CiVic iPad App to view highlights from Healthy Together Victoria in 2012.

80 per cent of CHEP employees enjoy the Warm Up at Work stretching program. Photo by Anthony Woodcock.

continued from page 17

FaSt

FaCtS

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Bendigo residents join in sporting activities at a Community Day held to welcome the arrival of Jamie’s Ministry of Food mobile food kitchen and promote healthy eating and physical activity.

Jointly funded by the federal and state government, Bendigo was the first Victorian location to host the state-of-the-art mobile kitchen.

In January, the Healthy Together Bendigo team from Greater Bendigo City Council, along with partner Bendigo Community Health Services, welcomed the mobile kitchen’s arrival with a Community Day that promoted healthy eating and physical activity.

While the mobile kitchen was in town, participants completed a five-week, hands-on, cooking course providing them with hints, tips and shortcuts to a healthy and balanced meal. The weekly 90 minute classes provided informative hands-on experience in cooking, budgeting, meal planning and buying seasonal local produce.

“We are hoping that this program will lead to further initiatives in Bendigo that will result in behavioural changes leading to a reduction in preventable chronic disease among our residents,” Mr Jess said.

Places on the course filled fast with a percentage being allocated to those from disadvantaged groups and the remainder open to the general public. Participants paid $10 a class and took their culinary efforts home to share with family and friends each week. The course inspires and empowers its participants to gain confidence in the kitchen to cook fresh local ingredients from scratch.

Bendigo was chosen as one of 14 local government areas to participate in the Healthy Together Victoria program. The state government targeted specific communities where residents have some of the poorest health profiles in Victoria, including low levels of physical activity and healthy eating and high smoking and obesity rates.

Funding and participation in the program is targeted where it is most needed, and where it will have the most effect. Bendigo will receive

almost $3.5 million in funding up until June 2015.

“This is a significant health initiative for Bendigo, due to the length of time involved and level of funding. We have a real opportunity to have a lasting impact in our community,” Mr Jess said.

“We plan to leverage the awareness created from involvement in the Jamie’s Ministry of Food program to develop partnerships to continue achieving our Healthy Together Bendigo goals long after the mobile kitchen has moved on.”

Bendigo has already formed partnerships with local IGA supermarkets and Bendigo Community Farmers Market. Both of these organisations are also exploring new innovative ideas that will bring healthy cooking messages into stores and market activities. IGA Supermarkets will also help in tracking behavioural changes by reporting on any increases in the sale of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Bendigo City Council also coordinated a Healthy Champ competition where the community nominated a schoolmate, work colleague, a sporting team member or community group representative to become an advocate for Healthy Together Bendigo.

The cooking classes are planned to continue long past the presence of the mobile kitchen. Local residents are being trained and community cooking facilities identified in places such as sports clubs to maintain the momentum of learning about healthy eating and living healthy lifestyles.

“All these activities help to create an awareness of Healthy Together Bendigo. People have come together with so many creative ideas to make the initiative sustainable,” Mr Jess said.

The Jamie’s Ministry of Food mobile kitchen will travel throughout Victoria over the next three years, with Whittlesea, Cardinia and Latrobe finishing off the 2013 tour.

The purpose-built Jamie’s Ministry of Food mobile kitchen classroom rolled into Bendigo in January for a 10-week stay to help transform locals’ eating habits as part of the Healthy Together Victoria and Victorian Healthy Eating Enterprise programs.

The Jamie’s Ministry of Food mobile kitchen classroom arrived at its first stop, Bendigo, in January and will visit Whittlesea, Cardinia and Latrobe in 2013.

“we plan to leverage the awareness created from involvement in the Jamie’s Ministry of Food program to develop partnerships to continue achieving our healthy together Bendigo goals long after the mobile kitchen has moved on.”

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the $6 million stormwater harvesting project is being delivered in three stages under a unique

partnership between federal and state government, Banyule City Council and Ivanhoe Grammar School, which is a primary user of one of the parks used in the project, and the Ivanhoe Golf Course.

Stage 1 includes the rejuvenation of the lake at Kalparrin Gardens in Greensborough. An innovative water conservation and quality improvement system is being built to capture, treat and store stormwater underground for use on parks and ovals in Greensborough.

A mandatory environmental clean up of the lake before the stormwater harvesting project could commence yielded a few surprises.

Banyule Mayor Wayne Phillips said a treasure trove of interesting items emerged from the murky depths of Kalparrin Lake when it was dredged.

“As part of the environmental clean-up, three cars, shopping

trolleys, a bunch of bicycles and even a dumped safe were removed with more entombed discoveries expected to be dug out of the silt,” he said.

Now on track for completion by mid-2013, this project will harvest up to 17 Olympic swimming pools of stormwater each year, representing about $110,000 in value, and will provide an improved habitat for local wildlife.

The Kalparrin Lake project features a double-decker design with a wetland built on top of an underground storage, partly filled with light volcanic rock. The stormwater is cleaned by the wetland and biofilm building up on the rock, and is also treated through a sand filter and ultra-violet light.

Similar underground water storage systems are being installed at Chelsworth Park in Ivanhoe and DeWinton Park in Rosanna. Placing the tanks underground means there will be no loss of park space.

At Chelsworth Park, more than 30 Olympic swimming pools worth of stormwater will be

Stormwater harvesting brings greener future

(L-R) Mayor Wayne Phillips with Waterwatch volunteers Jesse Mahoney and Maria Marando taking a water sample from Kalparrin Lake. Waterwatch has taken baseline data about water quality at the lake and will compare it to water quality once the project is completed.

One of Melbourne’s largest stormwater harvesting projects is underway in Banyule – capturing, filtering and storing stormwater underground at three locations to irrigate parks and sporting grounds throughout the municipality.

WETLANDS

SEDIMENTATION BASIN

IRRIGATION PIPE UNDERGROUND STORAGE

KALPARRIN LAKE

RAIN GARDEN

Banyule’s stormwater harvesting project§§ 138 million litres (45 Olympic swimming pools) of stormwater

harvested annually

§§ $300,000 of drinking water saved for irrigation use

§§ 70 tonnes of litter, 180 tonnes of sediment, 1 tonne of nitrogen and 250 kilograms of phosphorous removed from stormwater flows into local lakes and rivers.

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To learn more about the benefits of stormwater harvesting view and understand why wetlands matter view this story on our iPad app.

harvested each year, the equivalent of $200,000 worth.

Council consulted with local residents by holding information sessions prior to construction starting and continues to work closely with park users, Melbourne Water and other authorities.

The Banyule Environment Advisory Committee, council’s primary community forum on environmental issues, has also been consulted and

regularly updated on the project along with several arborist reports being produced for the project.

Cr Phillips said while sport, recreation and open space were important for community health and wellbeing, they also accounted for council’s biggest use of mains water.

“This innovative project provides a sustainable water supply to help Banyule’s parks and ovals stay green, as well as significantly

reducing pollution in our waterways,” Cr Phillips said.

“During times of drought, water restrictions significantly impact on sport. Games have been cancelled and people’s enjoyment of open space is diminished.”

An important environmental benefit of the project is reducing pollution – including litter, sediment, nitrogen and phosphorous – carried by stormwater into local waterways,

and thereby improving habitats for local wildlife.

The Australian Government is supporting this project through the National Urban Water and Desalination Plan, a key component of the Water for the Future initiative. The Victorian Government has provided funding and Melbourne Water has provided funding through the Living Rivers Stormwater Program.

One of three cars recovered during an environmental clean up at a Banyule lake in preparation for council’s stormwater harvesting project.

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awarded for doing business better

Reducing paper brings great profit to Latrobe.

the Team Achievement award went to Greater Geelong City Council for its Roadside Asset Capture Program. Geelong broke new ground by auditing

its estimated 80,000 trees and 20,000 street signs with an innovative video capture and identification system.

Information Services Manager Andrew Downie said while the original scope of the project was both time and cost intensive, by adopting new video capture and auto identification technologies, high quality data was achieved without a physical audit and saved council almost $35,000.

“All data was returned automatically, it was a complete technology-based solution so not only was time and cost reduced, but so too were the inherent risk and safety concerns in a typical in-field capture program,” he said.

Geelong’s Information Services Team then expanded the capabilities of the technology to develop a tree capture interface and maintenance application that has already captured 100,000 trees.

Reducing paper consumption at Latrobe City Council saved the organisation $80,000 last financial year, and earned the Information Services Team an Environmental Sustainability award.

The team consolidated printers and photocopiers across the organisation by introducing a smaller number of more efficient machines. Council also increased digital communications both within council and with the community and introduced more mobile devices.

General Manager Organisational Excellence Zemeel Saba said the project was about doing business better, using new and existing resources more efficiently and driving sustainability across council.

“We had no budget at all to introduce mobile devices,” Ms Saba said.

“However, by reducing paper, we were able to fund mobile devices, which has actually helped us to reduce paper even more.”

The Innovation Fellowship was awarded to Alpine Shire Council for the development and use of map-based iPad applications. Early successes in mobile inspection app developments for bridge and footpath inspections, allowed Alpine’s IT team to see the potential to develop a configurable app that would allow maintenance inspections across all asset classes through a common inspection system.

Alpine’s IT Manager Craig Collins said council recognised time savings with the apps and opportunities to develop them for other areas like tree inspections, open spaces, playgrounds and buildings.

“Rather than create an app for each asset type, as we had been doing, we created a more generic framework for the iPad,” he said.

The current inspection apps have achieved a 50 per cent time saving to complete maintenance inspections, a reduction in human error, lost information and administrative costs and a high level of acceptance by outdoor staff.

Towong Shire Council Director Community and Corporate Services Dave Barry was the 2012 recipient of the Individual Award. Mr Barry was nominated by CEO Juliana Phelps as the ‘main driver behind the development of Insight 360’ – a software solution that uses GPS technology to track council’s heavy plant and light fleet every 15 seconds every day. In council’s award submission, Ms Phelps said the project ‘translated best practice private enterprise thinking to the unique environmental of local government’. Read more about these innovative solutions on our iPad app.

Victorian councils came out on top in four categories at the 2012 Local Government Excellence in ICT Awards for innovations that resulted in doing business better.

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Port Phillip City Council, where a sculpture outside the city’s Town Hall commemorates Mr Wallenberg, held a ceremony in his honour.

Mr Wallenberg is hailed a great man, and is believed to have saved the lives of up to 100,000 Jewish people living in Nazi-occupied Hungary during the Second World War.

While on a five-month special envoy in Budapest in 1944, the Swedish diplomat issued protective passports – Shutz-passes – and sheltered Jewish people in buildings designated as Swedish territory.

A number of those rescued settled in St Kilda after the war and are committed to keeping alive Wallenberg’s memory, and acknowledging the significance of individuals who make a difference.

Acting Mayor at the time of the commemorative ceremony in January Cr Serge Thomann said, “This ‘righteous gentile’, as some call Wallenberg, or the ‘Angel of Rescue’, as others knew him, still lives.”

“He lives in the hearts of those who survived because of him – and the hearts of their descendants.

“He lives in the hearts of all those who value freedom from persecution.

“The term ‘hero’ is one that is often over-used these days. But there is no doubting that Raoul Wallenberg was a real hero. What he accomplished

in the darkest days of World War II at great personal danger to himself lives on – not just then but now and into the future. It shows us again what one determined individual can do.”

It has been over 60 years since the Swedish diplomat disappeared and while Wallenberg’s fate still remains unknown, despite numerous

investigations and inquiries, he is commemorated all around the world.

On the contemplative seat constructed to commemorate Wallenberg outside the Port Phillip Town Hall is an inscription from the Talmud in both English and Hebrew. It reads, ‘... and whoever preserves the life of a single human being ... it is as if he preserved an entire world’.

Mr Wallenberg’s rescue methods were at times unorthodox, ranging from bluff, ingenuity, bribery and extortion to shear bravery. At the end

of the war, the Hungarian Jews were the only substantial Jewish population left in Europe and, even today, remain the largest.

Council launched a sculpture in memory of Raoul Wallenberg in September 2012.

“This sculpture honours all people who stand up against oppression and uphold human rights. It also acknowledges the Port Phillip’s support of refugees and migrants and, in turn, their significant contributions to the municipality,” Cr Thomann said.

tribute to a real heroThis contemplative seat outside the Port Phillip Town Hall commemorates Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, who saved 100,000 Jews at the end of WWII.

Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, who is believed to have saved the lives of thousands of Hungarian Jews, was honoured in simultaneous cermonies held around the world recently.

this ‘righteous gentile’, as some call wallenberg, or the ‘angel of rescue’, as others knew him, still lives.

C I vI C 2 5

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‘real men’ take a standMore than 200 men wore orange shirts emblazoned with the slogan ‘Real men don’t hit chicks’ at Knox O-Zone recently in protest of violence against women.

The Knox City Council-led campaign to end violence against women has attracted widespread support through social media.

At the event, many other men took shirts and more took to Twitter and Facebook to proclaim their support.

Like many council-run programs and initiatives around preventing violence against women, Knox was aiming to raise awareness through its Real Men Don’t Hit Chicks campaign.

“What we saw was residents taking the message on board and sharing it themselves (on social media),”Knox Mayor Karin Orpen said.

“We had men from local sporting clubs posting images of themselves wearing the t-shirts, people ‘liking’ videos and photographs, and many supportive comments.”

On council’s Facebook page, the total reach increased by 249 per cent in just one week, and the ‘virality’ (people talking about the campaign) increased by 212 per cent.

Mobility maps

Bass Coast Shire Council has developed mobility maps to show the safer paths of travel, pedestrian crossing points and accessible parking, toilets, and baby change facilities. Council’s Community and Economic Development Director Steven Piasente said the maps were designed to help people with limited mobility. “Anyone using a wheelchair, walker, mobility scooter or a parent with a pram will benefit from using these maps,” said Mr Piasente. “We’ve also got tips for mobility scooter users to help everyone get around our towns safely.” The maps are available at Visitor Information Centres in Cowes, Inverloch, Newhaven and Wonthaggi or on council’s website.

Gippy ride a go-go

Six Gippsland councils have secured a government grant to develop and trial a web-based car pool and ride share portal.

The Gippy Ride Share program will allow registered locals to construct a trip online through a website and find other local residents with similar journey details.

Locals will enter their travel details such as destination, preferred travel days, and whether they would prefer to be a driver or passenger. They can then link with other residents with similar journey details.

Baw Baw Shire Council Mayor Murray Cook said this was a great social and environmental initiative.

“In an ideal world, public transport would provide connections for every person in our communities, but that simply isn’t financially viable,” said Cr Cook. “This program may just be the missing link.”

history in action

Ballarat City Council has launched a short film about its historic Peel Street South.

The film captures the community’s memories of the iconic strip of shops and houses that is currently being

restored. The Peel Street Story includes anecdotes from locals who lived and worked on the strip, as well as historical information about the heritage places there.

Funded by the federal government, the film recognises Ballarat’s heritage as told through local stories.

on the edge

The Footscray On the Edge festival saw the streets of Maribyrnong adorned with public art produced by local artists and community members that were curated by international artist-in-residence Kendal Henry. One piece of art, titled Compulse, transformed pedestrian crossing buttons into a game of virtual ping-pong that passers-by can play.

Mayor Catherine Cumming said the festival reflected Footscray’s edginess.

“In Footscray we have a thriving arts scene that attracts the most innovative international artists and curators, like Kendal,” Cr Cumming said. “It is home to some of Melbourne’s most creative emerging and established artists.”

art vending

Locals and visitors to Mildura can collect original, affordable art from around the world following Mildura Arts Centre’s acquisition of two art vending machines.

Dubbed Art-O-Mat, the converted cigarette vending machines are the only two of their kind in the southern hemisphere and are among more than 100 located around the world.

The custom-made art dispensers will be set up in the Mildura Arts Centre gallery and at the Mildura Visitor Information and Booking Centre.

Mildura Rural City Councillor for Arts and Culture Jill Joslyn said the machines provided a quirky venue for artists to showcase their work, with more than 100 Art-O-Mats now located around the world.

“By becoming part of the Art-O-Mat network, artists’ work will be available in places such as the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, the Whitney Museum in New York and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington,” Cr Joslyn said.

In Brief

Knox City ‘real men’ gather to show their support for council’s campaign to end violence against women.

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events

MarChLegends on the Lawn at Werribee ParkDate: 17 March 2013Venue: Werribee Park Mansion, 320 K Road, Werribee SouthDescription: An outstanding line-up of some of Australia’s finest musical acts will perform in the grounds of historic Werribee Park. The event will also include free children’s activities and food stalls.Need more? www.experiencewyndham.com.au

Melbourne International Flower and Garden ExpoDate: 20 - 24 March 2013 Venue: Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens, MelbourneDescription: Australia’s biggest flower and garden show is once again bringing colour and perfume to Melbourne’s beautiful Carlton Gardens. This world renowned event showcases the best landscaping and floral talent in Australia and is a horticultural celebration not to be missed.Need more? www.melbflowershow.com.au

Lake Bolac Eel Festival Date: 22 - 24 March 2013Venue: Lake Bolac boatshed and foreshore, Glenelg Hwy, AraratDescription: A showcase of blues, roots and acoustic music that attracts major Australian artists. Includes an art exhibition, workshops, roving entertainers, a climbing wall, a touch tank of live eels, plenty of children’s activities, and a craft and produce market.Need more? www.eelfestival.com.au

Viva Victoria Multicultural FestivalDate: 24 March 2013Venue: Federation Square, MelbourneDescription: A family-friendly event celebrating Victoria’s colourful multicultural communities. Be part of Cultural Diversity Week’s celebrations and come and enjoy the dedicated kids zone, arts and crafts markets, food, and some of the finest multicultural performers in Victoria.Need more? www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Whatson

Rip Curl ProDate: 27 March 2013 - 7 April 2013Venue: Bells Beach ForeshoreDescription: Join the annual pilgrimage for the world’s best surfers at Bell’s Beach this Easter. In its 52nd year, the world’s oldest surfing event is an epic spectator’s event. Celebrations will be happening both on the beach and in the surrounding towns.Need more? www.ripcurl.com.au

MayLavandula’s Autumn Harvest FestivalDate: 5 May 2013Venue: Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm, 350 Hepburn-Newstead Road, Shepherds FlatDescription: Join in the olive harvest and learn how to grow olive trees, bottle fruit, make jam and roast chestnuts, all while grazing on local foods and wines and listening to local music. Need more? www.lavandula.com.au

Festival of OlivesDate: 5 May 2013Venue: Old Mildura Homestead, Cureton Avenue, MilduraDescription: Celebrate all things Greek at this festival where the local community shares their traditional music, food and culture with the broader community. Need more? www.mildura.vic.gov.au

Ballarat Heritage WeekendDate: 11 May - 12 May 2013Venue: Ballarat, various locations (check the website)Description: Turn back the clock and celebrate Ballarat’s rich cultural heritage and world-class buildings. Pedal cars, dolls, carousels, puppet shows, and classic cars and trains are all a part of this favourite event. Take high tea and ride in a vintage bus, and you’ll think you’ve truly stepped back in time.Need more? www.ballaratheritageweekend.com.au

Children’s Expo Date: 20 May 2013Venue: Bundoora Children’s Farm, 1069 Plenty Rd, BundooraDescription: A great day out for children and parents. Entry to the farm is free, as is a shuttle bus to and from Reservoir Neighbourhood House where you can join in the fun with a scarecrow competition, African drumming and market stalls.Need more? Call Abby Wills on 8470 8117.

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STEP 1 – Establish a Vision and Mission StatementThis statement describes the future state of your organisation at some point in the future. Identify your purpose (mission statement) - This is the statement(s) that describes why your organisation exists, i.e., its basic purpose.

STEP 2 – Assess Where You Are and Where You Want To BeAnalyse your current state through SWOT analysis (or similar).

STEP 3 – Plan Where You Want To GoFollowing your analysis, set the objectives your organisation must reach if it is to effectively work toward your mission and achieve your vision. Assign measures and targets to each objective and identify the specific approaches (strategies) that must be implemented to fulfil each objective.

STEP 4 – Take ActionDevelop your Execution Plan with specific action plans to implement each strategy. Actions should be clearly worded to the extent that people can assess if the objectives have been met or not.

STEP 5 – Monitor & ReviewReview your progress against your plans. Reassess the context as required.

X marks the spot…doesn’t it?FIVE KEY STEPS to make sure your strategic plan creates the outcome you desire!!

Strategic planning is an organisation’s process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy. In order to determine the direction of the organisation, it is necessary to understand its current position and the possible avenues through which it can pursue a particular course of action.

There are five (5) key steps to achieving your strategic vision:

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At Enhance Solutions we understand what it takes. We’ve had the privilege of working with a number of Local Government Organisations, assisting them in assessing their current state and strategy, and helping them to develop a comprehensive and meaningful strategic plan. Why not let us help you?!

In Australia, we like to be leaders and so when we see what is happening on the other side of the world, we ask “why can’t we have that here?”, or better yet, “why not have the world look to us for ideas?”

In recreation, our communities are demanding more - in placemaking and the better use of public spaces, in informal recreation, in accessibility by a cross-section of the community.

Public Outdoor Ping Pong (POPP) is a leading example of how a new, world-leading form of informal recreation in Australia is meeting this mixture of objectives and grabbing the attention of an international audience.

The permanent, weatherproof, outdoor table tennis tables are designed as a blank canvas for local commissioned artists, thus creating interactive public art. Each 700kg steel table:

n provides a means of social connection between community members of different generations;

n promotes healthy, active lifestyles through fun rather than exercise; and

n supports local artists, art and culture in its visual forms through commissions for public art on tables, thus giving ownership of the tables and the art to the community and reducing incidences of graffiti vandalism.

Borne from a month of daily outdoor ping pong games in Berlin in 2008, the founders of POPP now lead the world in the progressive integration of outdoor ping pong and art into communities. The local company has installed over 50 tables across Australia and New Zealand (all made locally in capital cities) with many more specified in master plans and open space developments. We may see one of the world’s biggest games get much bigger in Australia’s outdoors.

A Bright Future for Outdoor Ping Pong

[email protected]: POPP Australiainstagram: popptablescontact: media John Durey 0438 401 793

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Since pioneering the backhoe

we have employed advanced

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throughout the industry.

Today, we continue to improve on our first concept design.

With its new ECO range, JCB once again resets the

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making it the most efficient backhoe ever.

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NEEDED ONE MACHINETO DIG AND CARRY.

SO WE INVENTED IT.

275x310 CIVIC_Layout 1 22/02/13 3:37 PM Page 1

the Minifie Park Childcare Centre roof shows you don’t need millions of dollars to do it.

an employee expo developed by Baw Baw Shire Council has addressed a number of

challenges faced by local government around workforce development and increasing staff morale.

Attracting and retaining staff is a sector-wide issue, as is health and wellbeing, community responsibility and partnership, and organisation culture.

In 2010, Baw Baw experienced significant organisational change and emerged stronger, and more positive and resilient.

To celebrate, council developed an annual Employee Benefits Expo to acknowledge the excellent work being done across the organisation and deal with some of the local government sector workforce challenges.

At its second annual expo held last year, Baw Baw employees were invited to attend during work hours to speak with exhibitors from the education, healthcare, financial services and arts sectors.

Aimed at further developing an emerging new culture of recognition

Boroondara City Council has used a redeveloped childcare centre to feature a huge, 450 square metre, cutting edge

green roof.It is the first time a green roof of its

size has been created on top of a single storey building, outside Melbourne’s CBD and in a suburban park setting.

Boroondara Mayor Jack Wegman said council worked with the local community to transform Minifie Childcare Centre’s roof and help blend the building with its surroundings, particularly when viewed from the adjacent street.

“We wanted to work with the parents and committee at Minifie Park Childcare Centre to build something that suited the setting and created a safe haven for birds and insects indigenous to the area,” Cr Wegman said.

“The roof is lightweight, which is unusual for one of this size. Many of Victoria’s larger green roofs, such as those in central Melbourne, use heavier and more expensive concrete slabs.

“While Victoria’s desalination plant has a large lightweight green roof,

Baw Baw’s catch of the day

Baw Baw Human Resources Coordinator Marie Downie supports the Fish! philosophies while enjoying a game of rugby in Melbourne.

and engagement in the organisation, the expo’s program was themed around the Fish! philosophies - Play, Make Their Day, Be There and Choose Your Attitude.

DVD screenings of Fish! were held during the expo, along with awards for individual staff that embraced the philosophies.

A staff photo exhibition was displayed. The photos included staff promoting the Fish! DVD outside council, often in exotic overseas locations. Other activities included a fortune telling Fish! game played throughout the day.

Human Resources Coordinator Marie Downie said the expo was a low-cost and sustainable HR solution that aimed to increase staff retention by building on the benefits offered to council employees.

“The success of the expo can be seen with the rate of Study Assistance Applications received in the financial year following the expo tripling that of previous years,” she said.

“Another notable outcome is the increase in Employee Assistance

Program usage over the past twelve months, where usage was previously low. As a result of the expo it suggests employees are developing a better awareness of this service.”

The Employee Benefits Expo is now an annual event and council is looking at ways to expand the program by potentially rolling out a road show that will reach employees located across different sites.

Green roof first for leafy eastern suburbs

unlike the Minifie Childcare Centre, the desalination plant’s roof is built on plywood and requires a specialised waterproofing system.”

Due to its lightweight base, the Minifie Childcare Centre roof cannot support large heavy trees so smaller indigenous plants that grow no higher than one metre have been used.

Only council maintenance staff have ladder access to the roof, meaning cats, dogs and foxes cannot access the microenvironment, providing a haven for native ground-nesting birds and insects.

The roof’s plants and soil insulate the childcare centre, reducing energy needs. The plants’ respiration creates a kind of natural evaporative cooling

in the warmer months, cutting the roof surface temperature by up to 30 degrees in summer.

“We’re hoping the Boroondara’s cheaper, simpler, lightweight green roof will create more interest in the concept and inspire smaller organisations, developers and private citizens to consider building a green roof of their own,” said Cr Wegman.

“The Minifie Park Childcare Centre roof shows you don’t need millions of dollars to do it.”

The approach to building the new childcare centre was also innovative. The children remained in their old childcare centre while a new building was constructed nearby. They then moved into the new centre while the old one was demolished and construction completed, reducing upheaval for them.

During 2012, the construction featured in the children’s education. There were windows in the hoardings between the construction area and the playground so the children could see their new centre being built. They were also taken on tours of the construction area before it was completed.

Fish! is not far from Baw Baw Accounts Payable Officer Joe Magyar’s mind while visiting the Grand Canyon, USA.

Boroondara’s 450 square metre green roof at a local redeveloped childcare centre provides a haven for native birds and insects while providing a nice outlook from the street.

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aunched in November 2012, the RoadSTART project has received widespread support from the state government, community groups and volunteers.

RoadSTART came about through an idea from Flemington Rotary Club, which identified an opportunity to partner with Moonee Valley City Council to organise driving experience for recently arrived migrants and refugees.

Mayor Narelle Sharpe said many new arrivals did not have social or family support networks to help them learn to drive, and were also not always familiar with the Australian driving system including licencing, registration, tollways and fines.

“Having a licence is essential in Australian society today,” Cr Sharpe said.

“Newly arrived migrants and refugees need licences to either gain employment, or to get to study or family commitments, and we know they face many barriers in getting a licence.

“Supporting local residents through this process is important as it will mean a safer community, in line with our Community Safety Plan.

Volunteers driving new migrants

Moonee Valley’s newly arrived migrants and refugees are being taught to drive by volunteers from their new community. Photo: Martina Gemmola, Moonee Valley Weekly.

Moonee Valley City Council is delivering an inspirational project through community volunteers to help teach newly arrived migrants and refugees to drive.

“It will also significantly contribute to social inclusion, enhancing local residents’ ability to access required services for their families.”

Training the first round of learners has commenced, and council is hoping for its first Victorian Driver’s Licence graduate in March this year.

“The RoadSTART project model has been developed to provide local residents with the opportunity to have supervised driving experience.

“This opportunity will enable them to learn Australian road rules, driving culture and to obtain their probationary licence.”

To date, 17 volunteers, including residents from local public housing estates, have been trained in safe driving practices and teaching techniques by the RACV to deliver the program.

“Our volunteers are an integral part of the success of the project and are also expected to gain valuable experience,” Cr Sharpe said.

Although in its early stages of delivery, the project has been a success among new arrivals, with 300 migrants and refugees signing up to a waiting list, eager and ready to learn to drive in their new country.

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Cr Libby CokerSurf Coast Shire Council

Describe a day in the life of Surf Coast’s Mayor?Every day is different and as diverse as our region. It can be quite frenetic dealing with emerging issues and advocating for projects that reflect the needs of a fast growing municipality experiencing coastal and hinterland pressures. It is likely to be punctuated by constituent emails or phone calls, strategic planning sessions, briefings, working with fellow Councillors to build a dynamic team and representation at Council events. There is never a dull moment.

You’re entering your fifth year as councillor, what keeps you going?I want to set an example to my two young daughters – if you work hard and believe in something, you can make a difference and help people. I also believe that in doing the work of a councillor, I honour my father, who passed away last year. He was a strong believer in democracy and his death motivated me to stand for council again at the October 2012 election. Lastly, being a councillor is a humbling and rewarding role

FIVeMINuteS wIth …

where you serve a community you love and play a role in planning for its future. While challenging, it is also very rewarding.

What are some of the unique elements of Surf Coast?It is an exciting place with a bright future that is growing rapidly in the coastal areas of Torquay and Jan Juc. We have the privilege of enjoying life in a magnificent coastal location with a beautiful hinterland. It is accessible to Melbourne, Geelong and the south-west, with the duplication of the Princes Highway and a recently announced international airport at Avalon. All these elements augur well for local work and the economy.

What is your key priority for council?To build a dynamic council that works with the community to achieve. Also, to create a team that works effectively internally, and with stakeholders including federal and state governments. Balancing growth with the preservation of what makes this place special, our natural environment, is another important priority.

What’s on Surf Coast’s agenda for lobbying both sides of federal government in the lead up to September’s election?Corangamite is a marginal Labor seat so therefore we have had quite a bit of attention since the election was announced. We met with Prime Minister Julia Gillard in February to talk about G21 (municipalities of Surf Coast, Queenscliff, Colac Otway, Golden Plains and Geelong). We talked about key priorities including recognising the Great Ocean Road as a road of national significance and the funding required to support this iconic destination. We discussed Avalon airport as becoming Victoria’s second international airport. Developing alternative routes between Melbourne and our region by way of an effective road link is on the agenda, as is the National Insurance Disability Scheme (NIDS) – in particular advocating for the NIDS headquarters to be located in Geelong. At a more local level, Surf Coast is advocating for a children services hub in Torquay, where the population is expected to double by 2025.

You’re a school teacher by profession with a background in journalism and other skills in communications, literature and the arts. How does all this experience help in your role as Mayor? My teaching experience has proved to be a great foundation. As a teacher you have to multi-task, time management, there are lots of stakeholders and it can be emotional. In my work as a journalist (at The Age and Geelong Advertiser) and in communications and media, I learnt a lot about the mechanics of council, which helped in my first term. It has also helped deal with the media and looking at emerging issues and how council should respond.

And, when you’ve taken off your Mayor’s hat for a bit of down time, how do you spend it?I’m sure most councillors will agree that this is rare. But, when I do have time off I spend it with my family, I go for a run along the beach up to the lighthouse at Aireys Inlet, or walk in the hinterland in the Otways.

Surf Coast Shire Councillor Libby Coker has been re-elected Mayor for the second time in five years. The Aireys Inlet resident of 25 years shares what drives her passion to serve the Surf Coast community, council’s key priorities, and home life by the sea.

Illustration by Kathryn Steel.

Litter bugsCouncils are

spending around $2.3M a year on removing

roadsidelitter.

Floods and firesGreater Dandenong City Council has donated $5,000 to the Red Cross Tasmanian Bushfires Appeal and another $5,000 to the organisation’s Queensland Floods Appeal.

Money for rehabBaw Baw Shire Council has received $1.2M advanced state government funding for emergency clean up and repair works of storm damaged roads – taking its total funding for rehabilitation works to almost $3M.

Slam dunkBendigo will host the Basketball Victoria Country Club Championships, expected to attract up to 120 Under 12 to Under 18 teams from across Victoria, in October 2013 and 2014.

Permit comes with problemsVCAT has ordered Monash City Council to issue a permit for the redevelopment of a hotel that will bring extra customers – causing parking pressures and noise disruptions to its residents.

Non-votersVEC confirms more than 478,000 Victorians across 73 councils failed to participate in the October 2012 elections.

WHAT’S HOT

WHAT’S NOT3 2 C I vI C

MADE LOCALLY IN MELBOURNE

PONGPERMANENT OUTDOOR

1. An indestructible 700kg of steel

2. Informal recreation for every generation

3. Installed at over 50 locations in Australia

4. A place-making catalyst that promotes social interaction and creates engaging community ‘hubs’

5. A canvas for commissioned and community-driven public art

6. Low-level noise and require minimal maintenance

If you would like to find out more about Public Outdoor Ping Pong, please visit our website: www.popp.net.au or email [email protected] or contact our sales and marketing manager John Durey on 0438 401 793

Public Outdoor Ping Pong

NUDE DESIGN STUDIOPOPP Australia

POPP IS THE WORLD LEADER IN OUTDOOR TABLE TENNIS. OUR TABLES ARE:

.

popptables

“The tables are really popular - people are queuing up to use them!” Moreland Open Space Planner

S O T O U G H T H E Y ’ R E W O R R Y - F R E E

PINGI N C R E D I B L YF U N

MADE LOCALLY IN MELBOURNE

PONGPERMANENT OUTDOOR

1. An indestructible 700kg of steel

2. Informal recreation for every generation

3. Installed at over 50 locations in Australia

4. A place-making catalyst that promotes social interaction and creates engaging community ‘hubs’

5. A canvas for commissioned and community-driven public art

6. Low-level noise and require minimal maintenance

If you would like to find out more about Public Outdoor Ping Pong, please visit our website: www.popp.net.au or email [email protected] or contact our sales and marketing manager John Durey on 0438 401 793

Public Outdoor Ping Pong

NUDE DESIGN STUDIOPOPP Australia

POPP IS THE WORLD LEADER IN OUTDOOR TABLE TENNIS. OUR TABLES ARE:

.

popptables

“The tables are really popular - people are queuing up to use them!” Moreland Open Space Planner

S O T O U G H T H E Y ’ R E W O R R Y - F R E E

PINGI N C R E D I B L YF U N

95% of goods collected by Southern Cross Recycling are successfully diverted from landfill.

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Renew: � A specialised kerbside collection program designed

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Second Hand Saturdays: � Special community events designed for residents to drop

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management to OH&S and marketing

Every year, Southern Cross Recycling:Collects 7,000 tonnes of unwanted clothing

Supports 23 charity organisations

Creates 150 jobs for people with a disability

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