Page 1 Monash Bulletin January 2025 Meet Your new Council Inside this issue: Community Grants Program Live at Warrawee An Active Summer Christmas Recycling Page 2 HOLIDAY Opening Hours Waste and Recycling Collections Rubbish and recycling will be collected as normal, including on public holidays. Council Offices Monash Civic Centre and Oakleigh Service Centre Fri 13 Dec Closing at 2pm Tues 24 and Tues 31 Dec Closing at 3pm Wed 25, Thus 26 Dec and Wed 1 Jan Closed Monash Recycling and Waste Centre Fri 13 Dec Closing at 2pm Wed 25, Thurs 26 Dec and Wed 1 Jan Closed Monash Libraries* Glen Waverley, Clayton, Mount Waverley, Oakleigh and Wheelers Hill Libraries Tues 24 Dec 10am-5pm Wed 25 and Thurs 26 Dec Closed Fri 27 Dec 10am-6pm Sat 28 Dec 9am-4pm Sun 29 Dec (Glen Waverley and Clayton ONLY)2pm-5pm Mon 30 Dec 10pm-6pm Tues 31 Dec 10pm-5pm Wed 1 Jan Closed *Mulgrave Library will be closed from Mon 23 Dec to Sun 12 Jan, items can be returned via the afterhours chute. Monash Aquatic and Recreation Centre Tues 24 Dec 5.45am-5pm Wed 25 Dec Closed Thurs 26 Dec9am-6pm Fri 27 Dec 5.45am-9pm Sat 28 and Sun 29 Dec8am-7pm Mon 30 Dec 5.45am-9pm Tues 31 Dec 5.45am-5pm Wed 1 Jan 9am-6pm Clayton Aquatics and Health Club Tues 24 Dec 6am-5pm Wed 25 Dec Closed Thurs 26 Dec 9am-5pm Fri 27 Dec 6am-9pm Sat 28 and Sun 29 Dec 8am-6pm Mon 30 Dec 6am-9pm Tues 31 Dec 6am-5pm Wed 1 Jan 9am-5pm Oakleigh Recreation Centre Tues 24 Dec 6am-5pm Wed 25 Dec Closed Thurs 26 Dec 9am-6pm Fri 27 Dec 6am-9pm Sat 28 and Sun 29 Dec 8am-6pm Mon 30 Dec 6am-9pm Tues 31 Dec 6am-5pm Wed 1 Jan 9am-6pm COMMUNITY GRANTS: Helping Monash make a difference Applications for our 2025/26 Community Grants Program will be open from 9am, Tuesday 28 January until 2pm, Tuesday 4 March 2025. Last year, our grants program awarded more than $2.5m through over 200 grants to support local community groups and organisations in delivering projects, activities and events that strengthen, enhance, and benefit the Monash community . This included Notting Hill Neighbourhood House who received a grant from Council to host a fun and inclusive Pride Evening, which bought the community together to enjoy an evening of trivia and entertainment. Program information and support sessions and workshops are also available to help applicants prepare and apply for a community grant. The 2025/26 Community Grants Guidelines can be found at monash.vic.gov.au/community-grants Applicant Information and Support Sessions: Several sessions with our Community Grants Program Team will be available between 31 January - 21 February 2025. Bookings: trybooking.com/CWPUH Grant Budget Workshops: Wed 29 Jan, 10am-11am (in person) Thurs 27 Feb, 6pm-7pm (online) Bookings: trybooking.com/CWPUQ Effective Grant Writing Workshops: Thurs 6 Feb 6pm-8pm (online) Tues 11 Feb, 10am-12pm (in person). Bookings: trybooking.com/CWPNX Event Plans and Risk Management Thurs 30 Jan 10am-11.30am (in person) 6pm-7.30pm (online) Bookings: trybooking.com/CWPVB Page 3 Message from your new Mayor It is with great honour and a deep sense of responsibility that I begin my term as your Mayor for the next 12 months. The first year of a new council term is an exciting time, and I look forward to working alongside Deputy Mayor Cr Brian Little and returning colleagues, as well as getting to know new councillors Cr Elisha Lee and Cr Cameron Little. I will work to harness the strength of our community to create a Monash that continues to embrace innovation, prioritises sustainability, and celebrates diversity. I will strive to ensure our community services continue to be accessible and equitable for all. This means supporting programs that foster social inclusion, ensuring our libraries, community centres, and recreational facilities continue to be welcoming to everyone, and breaking down barriers that prevent people from fully participating in community life. Environmental sustainability is one of the defining challenges of our time. We will continue to reduce our carbon footprint, become a leader in climate resilience and achieve our net zero ambitions by exploring renewable energy options and improving energy efficiency. As Monash grows, it is essential that our infrastructure keeps pace with the needs of our residents – both current and future. With a strong history of delivering major projects and facilities, Monash sets a standard that others admire in local government. I’m especially excited about the Glen Waverley library project, which reflects our commitment to progress. We’ll continue to advocate for the best community outcomes in Monash from the Victorian Government’s Suburban Rail Loop project and its proposed housing and planning reforms. It is crucial that local voices and local government has input into these. I want to acknowledge Cr Nicky Luo, the final Mayor of the previous Council term. I have known Nicky for several years, and it has been my privilege to watch her grow as a Councillor – she was an outstanding Mayor. I thank the residents of Wellington Ward for choosing me as their councillor and my fellow councillors for electing me as Mayor. I look forward to meeting many of our residents over the coming 12 months. I hope all residents have a wonderful Christmas and new year spent with family and friends. Meet your new Council Your new Council includes two new councillors and nine councillors returning for another term. Elected councillors are (in alphabetical order by ward): Banksia Ward, Cr Cameron Little (new councillor) Blackburn Ward, Cr Rebecca Paterson (returning councillor) Gallaghers Ward, Cr Geoff Lake (returning councillor) Gardiners Creek Ward, Cr Anjalee de Silva (returning councillor) Jells Ward, Cr Elisha Lee (new councillor) Mayfield Ward, Cr Brian Little (returning councillor) Scotchmans Creek Ward, Cr Nicky Luo (returning councillor) University Ward, Cr Josh Fergeus (returning councillor) Warrigal Ward, Cr Stuart James (returning councillor) Waverley Park Ward, Cr Shane McCluskey (returning councillor) Wellington Ward, Cr Paul Klisaris (returning councillor) Contact details for your Councillors are on page seven. Page 4 Day of fun for the family It was amazing to see a crowd of more than 5000 people enjoying the festivities at our Family Fun Day in November. The near-perfect weather at Chadstone’s Batesford Reserve created an ideal atmosphere for a day filled with live entertainment, rides, children’s activities and delicious food from a variety of vendors. Attendees also enjoyed workshops and experiences provided by Waverley Woodworkers, Sanderrific and Aussie Wildlife, as well as face painting and rides. Community stalls added to the atmosphere, with participation from the RSPCA, Victoria Police, SES and other community groups. Visit monash.vic.gov.au/Festivals-and-Events Live at Warrewee Sat 15 February, 4pm-9pm, Warrawee Park Taylor Henderson, That Gold Street Sound, Austral, Blanco trance, Mr Muk and Superhoodz Crew Free ticketed event, visit monash.vic.gov.au/festivals Page 5 Cricket net construction  Construction of new cricket practice facilities at Mount Waverley Reserve got underway in early-November. Works, expected to be completed by May 2025, will include: * Construction of a fully enclosed facility with five synthetic cricket wickets and six turf strips * Building of a maintenance shed to serve both the Council’s horticulture team and the tenant cricket club. The cricket practice facility, delivered as part of the Mount Waverley Reserve Masterplan, will add to the completed oval reconstruction, perimeter pathway, sportsground lighting upgrades, and the under-construction pavilion. The project will support the growth of the Mount Waverley Cricket Club, the largest cricket club in the municipality, as it expands its cricket program. Visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/mount-waverley-reserve-masterplan Oakleigh leads million-hour smash   Oakleigh Tennis Club has been recognised as the top-performing Book-a-Court venue, nationwide, by Tennis Australia. Book-a-Court, Tennis Australia’s online court booking system, recently reached a remarkable milestone, with more than one million hours of court bookings recorded in just over a year. Oakleigh Tennis Club was honoured for its significant role in the achieving of the milestone, receiving a visit from Grand Slam doubles champion and Davis Cup winner John Fitzgerald OAM. Oakleigh is one of four Monash clubs using the on-line booking system, and its courts have been open to the community with Book-a-Court since the redevelopment of the facility in 2019, welcoming players of all levels and making tennis more accessible to the Monash community. Under the new leasing arrangements with Council, all tennis clubs on Council land are required to allow non-member access to their facilities. Visit play.tennis.com.au/OakleighTennisClub It’s an Active summer in Monash Beat the heat this summer and spend the school holidays at our three Active Monash Aquatic and Leisure Centres! Get ready for a variety of fun family activities from December to February – test your balancing skills on our water inflatables, have your face painted, enjoy free snow cones, plus more. Feel the rhythm at Oakleigh Recreation Centre For those who love to ‘move to the rhythm’, join us for a Zumba Mega Party where we intend to fill the Oakleigh Recreation Centre stadium across five courts. Join the party, Friday 20 December,6pm – 7.30pm For more info visit activemonash.vic.gov.au Page 6 BEYOND THE GREEN: New life for old golf balls Monash Council has partnered with Notting Hill's Golf Ball Recycling to set up collection points for old golf balls at Glen Waverley Golf Course, Oakleigh Golf Course and Monash Recycling and Waste Centre. Since the trial began at Glen Waverley in May 2023, more than 12,000 golf balls have been recycled by Monash community members. The collected balls are shredded and can be repurposed for various uses, including making golf course bridges and stormwater pit lids. In a testament to local collaboration, Mount Waverley Primary School is trialling these porous pit lids, which allow water to seep through while preventing leaves and litter from clogging the drain. Find golf ball drop-off points: monash.vic.gov.au/golf-ball-recycling Sediment removal in Gardiners Creek wetland We’ll be conducting works in the wetland at Gardiners Creek Reserve in Burwood to remove accumulated sediment, litter and debris. The wetland captures most of the sediment, litter and debris that washes off our streets and helps to filter that runoff and protect the health of Gardiners Creek. A recent assessment estimated that the pond is 90 per cent full of sediment which needs to be removed before it washes further into the creek and clogs the system. While we conduct the sediment removal works, the Gardiners Creek Trail shared user path will be closed between Highbury Road and the Ashwood Drive access. Traffic management will be in place to detour pedestrian and bike traffic via Montpellier Road and Ashwood Drive. Works are expected to commence in early-January and be completed by mid-April 2025. For more info: Mihai Florea 9518 3555 Playspaces win state and national awards Monash playspaces have added another feather to their cap with Oakleigh South’s Cameron Avenue Reserve and Progress Park Reserve recognised by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) at its national awards in October. The project won at the AILA state-level awards in August 2024, advancing it to the national awards, where it earned the Landscape Architect Award. Cameron Avenue Reserve and Progress Park Reserve are two complementary playspaces with a link across Pitt Street, upgraded in 2022 by Council and contractors Playce and Warrandale Industries, with partial funding from the Victorian Government’s Suburban Parks Program. Slides and monkey bars are complemented by more challenging features like the pump track, social swings and climbing walls, encouraging varied play experiences for children of different ages. Page 7 Festive season recycling   Whether it’s disposing of packaging, reducing food smells, or making more space in your bins, our Christmas recycling guide can help. www.monash.vic.gov.au/christmas-recycling Visit the Recycling and Waste Centre Open year-round except some holidays*, the centre (380 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill) accepts items like cardboard, expired batteries, old electronics, and certain polystyrene (check online what type, fees may apply). Reduce food scrap smells Freeze scraps in an airtight container until bin night. Sprinkle bi-carb soda on food waste and layer with garden waste in the green bin. Christmas trees Cut real trees into small pieces for the green bin. Save fake trees for next year or, if broken, put in the red bin. Both can be taken to the Recycling Centre (fees may apply). * Check holiday opening hours and accepted items at monash.vic.gov.au/recycling-centre Spreading Christmas Cheer It’s the lead up to Christmas, and Monash’s busy shopping precincts are preparing for the holiday rush. We’ll be decorating Monash’s bustling activity centres with Christmas trees, large baubles, gift boxes, bright flags, banners and recyclable decorations on our tree guards and bins. Stop by Eaton Mall to take in our grand seven-metre Christmas tree that sparkles at dusk, and snap a selfie as Santa or one of his reindeer or elves at Mount Waverley Village (Hamilton Walk), Pinewood Shopping Village (Centreway, Mount Waverley), Syndal shops (Blackburn Road), Clayton shops (Clayton Road) and Huntingdale Road shops. Why not enjoy Glen Waverley’s Kingsway and surrounding streets, always beautifully illuminated by our stunning tree lights and perfect for a magical evening out. So, if you’re out supporting your local businesses, look around and get into the spirit of the season! Your Councillors Banksia Ward, Cr Cameron Little, 0472 523 241, Cameron.Little@monash.vic.gov.au Blackburn Ward, Cr Rebecca Paterson, 0437 959 163, Rebecca.Paterson@monash.vic.gov.au Gallaghers Ward, Cr Geoff Lake, 0411 645 281, Geoff.Lake@monash.vic.gov.au Gardiners Creek Ward, Cr Anjalee de Silva, 0424 679 096,Anjalee.deSilva@monash.vic.gov.au Jells Ward, Cr Elisha Lee, 0461 305 956, Elisha.Lee@monash.vic.gov.au Mayfield Ward, Cr Brian Little | Deputy Mayor, 0407 878 033, Brian.Little@monash.vic.gov.au Scotchmans Creek Ward, Cr Nicky Luo, 0451 560 398, Nicky.Luo@monash.vic.gov.au University Ward, Cr Josh Fergeus, 0466 465 421, Josh.Fergeus@monash.vic.gov.au Warrigal Ward, Cr Stuart James, 0413 184 250, Stuart.James@monash.vic.gov.au Waverley Park Ward, Cr Shane McCluskey, 0466 345 406, Shane.McCluskey@monash.vic.gov.au Wellington Ward, Cr Paul Klisaris | Mayor, 9518 3524 | 0412 516 026, Paul.Klisaris@monash.vic.gov.au You can contact Councillors via phone or email. Letters can be mailed to: PO Box 1, Glen Waverley, VIC 3150 monash.vic.gov.au/Councillors Page 8 Whats on in Monash WOMEN’S BUSINESS Network Hear from Carman’s Kitchen founder Carolyn Creswell and celebrate International Women’s Day. Learn about creating employee-friendly workspaces and being an employer-of-choice. Sponsored by PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne.   When: Tuesday 4 Mar 2025, 11.30am - 2.30pm Where: PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne, 872 Blackburn Road, Clayton $70 (includes two-course lunch)   RSVP: Monday 24 Feb 2025  Bookings: trybooking.com/CWEVW  Low-cost pet vaccinations In January, through Council’s partnership with RSPCA Victoria, you can get your dog or cat vaccinated by a registered vet for just $20. Appointments must be pre-booked. When: Wednesdays - 15 Jan (cats only) and 22 Jan (dogs only) 2025 Where: Black Flat Community Hall, Glen Waverley, and Notting Hill Community Hall, Notting Hill. How: monash.vic.gov.au/pet-vaccination LIBRARY Membership Become a member of Monash Public Library’s 129,000+ strong community! We have social groups; print and digital collections; computers and wi-fi; plenty of free events. Branches at Clayton, Glen Waverley, Mount Waverley, Mulgrave, Oakleigh and Wheelers Hill Join online: monlib.vic.gov.au/join Book Binding Series Interested in creating your own hardcover book? Go through the basic steps in this two-part workshop. Part 1: Creating the Text Block Create signatures, hand sew the text block and glue the spine. Part 2: Creating the Hard Cover Create the hard cover and glue both parts together. When: Thursday 13 and 20 Feb 2025, 6pm – 8pm Where: Mount Waverley Library, 41 Miller Crescent monlib.events.mylibrary/book-binding Contact us Monash Civic Centre, 293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley 8.30am-5pm, Monday to Friday Oakleigh Service Centre, 3 Atherton Road, Oakleigh 8.30am-5pm, Monday to Friday Call 9518 3555, email mail@monash.vic.gov.au, visit www.monash.vic.gov.au National Relay Service (for the hearing and speech impaired) phone 1800 555 660 We welcome your feedback at media@monash.vic.gov.au Copyright © 2024 Monash City Council. All Rights Reserved; reproduction in any form will require Council written approval. Monash Council acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land that makes up Monash, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong People, and recognises their continuing connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Information in the December Bulletin 2024 is current at the time of going to print on 25 Nov 2024. Snap Send Solve is a great app to report through to us what needs fixing visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/snap-send-solve