Melton City Council

From 12pm, Tuesday 17 September 2024, Melton City Council will enter into an Election Period prior to the October 2024 Council election.  During this time, we legally cannot publish anything that may be seen to help or hinder election candidates. We will continue to post and keep you up-to-date with what’s happening in our City, including emergency updates when required.  Reactions to our posts are still very welcome, however, until after the election, all comments will be turned off or automatically hidden. It doesn’t mean we’re not listening; we just can’t join in the conversation right now.  You can email us at [email protected] or call us on 9747 7200. If you'd like more information on the Election Period, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/gPthsx84  The Election Period finishes on Saturday 26 October, so it will be back to business as usual on Monday 28 October 2024. Thanks for your patience during this time.

Congratulations to the 21 local, not-for-profit community organisations and groups who received funding from the Mayoral Charity Fund.   Last month we encouraged local not-for-profit groups to apply to help fund small scale community projects of up to $2,000. Projects and organisations that received funding: * Bella's batteries to support awareness on the dangers of button batteries for children * Melton South Community Centre for their Food for All initiative * Taylors Hill YMCA Early Learning Centre to establish a Community Pantry and Library * Australian Integrated Fijian Association of Victoria to support their 2024 Sports Day for all Abilities program * Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services for their Neighbourhood House Group Support program * INCommunity Care Services to establish a financial mentoring program in the community * Melton Men's Group Incorporated to distribute hygiene packs to disadvantaged men * Celebrate Diversity for their Bridging the Digital Gap for Seniors initiative. * Gobind Sarvar Gurmukhi Learning Centre Melbourne to develop their Indian String Music for children. * Headspace Melton to deliver their Ninja Art for youth program * We Love Aintree to purchase shovels for their community tree planting initiative * Edmund Rice Community Services to establish welcome studios in Mt Atkinson and Aintree. * Arnolds Creek Grandparents Playgroup to fund excursion, parties, and craft activities for their group. * Melton City Badminton Club to run a Beginner's Badminton Clinic * M’mbembe M’mbondo Victoria Incorporated to help run their Melton Harmony Music Training Events. * 2nd Melton Scout Group to purchase camping equipment for their Scouts * Greater Western Community Band to help update their music library. * Lions Club of Diggers Rest to assist with the Diggers Rest Train Station Beautification Project * Family Care Fellowship to help deliver their Creative Lettering and Colour Art program. * Dinka Ethnic School of Victoria for their Kids' Art Skill for Cultures program. * Burnside Heights Football Club to assist with their Bring Girls Back to the Bears campaign.   Congratulations to all the recipients!

Congratulations to our Community Achievement Award 2025 winners! Citizen of the Year: Mary-Anne Rovers Young Citizen of the Year: Ava Collins Disability Access & Inclusion Leader of the Year: Ravinder Kaur Gender Equity Leader of the Year: Melanie Mouser Intercultural Engagement Leader of the Year: Kayenaga Tupouniua The Awards were presented on Tuesday 3 September and recognise the remarkable service of community leaders and volunteers across the municipality, and celebrates their amazing contributions to our community. Read about the achievements of all of our winners at our website: www.melton.vic.gov.au/CAA

This week is National Child Protection Week and Melton City Council is committed to being a child safe organisation. This year’s message is ‘Every child in every community needs a fair go’ and the campaign is all about raising awareness to prevent child abuse and promoting a nurturing and supported life for every child. Council recognises that all children and young people are an important part of our community, and we want all children to feel and be safe, supported, respected, included and heard in the City of Melton. We are committed to creating a culture of child safety and promoting child safety and wellbeing. 

This week we’ve welcomed a fifth Changing Place facility to the City of Melton – and this one is portable!  Designed so it can be transported to and from events and activities, this Marveloo will provide more accessible facilities for people living with disability at a variety of community events and festivals. In 2023, Melton City Council received a funding grant from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing to build the Marveloo, and this week City of Melton Mayor Cr Kathy Majdlik, State Government Minister for Disability Lizzie Blandthorn and State Member for Melton Steve McGhie MP took delivery of it. We will be using at events including Djerriwarrh Festival and Carols by Candlelight. Changing Place facilities are larger than standard accessible toilets and meet strict design standards. Marveloo's design features include fold down height adjustable adult change table, overhead ceiling hoist, fully accessible toilet, privacy curtain, heating and cooling, wash sink, access ramp and handrails.  More than 326,000 Victorians rely on Changing Place facilities as they provide necessary facilities for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets. The other four Changing Place facilities in the City of Melton are located at Caroline Springs Leisure Centre, Melton Waves, Cobblebank Stadium and the Melton Library and Learning Hub.

The winners in the 2024 City of Melton Business Excellence Awards have been announced! Twenty-seven outstanding businesses from hospitality, trades, professional services, and creative industries were in the running to win a business excellence award in nine categories. In its 17th year, the Melton Business Excellence Awards recognise and reward the fantastic contributions local businesses make to our diverse City. Congratulations to all the winners. 🏆Business of the Year - ABMT Textiles 🏆Mayoral Achievement Award - Punthill Caroline Springs 🏆Award for Disability Inclusion Initiative - Autism Goals ASD School Advocates 🏆Award for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - Melton Music 🏆Award for Health, Wellness and Care - Hitfit Melton 🏆Award for Innovation and Transformation - ABMT Textiles 🏆Award for New Business/Start Up - KidZalia Caroline Springs  🏆Award for Professional Services - Varcon Group (Aus) 🏆Award for Sustainable Excellence - CDS Melton 🏆Award for Visitation and Hospitality - Witchmount Estate Winery (Wedding & Events) 🏆Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year - No 9 The Café – Deniz Ahmet

UPGRADED PLAYGROUND! The new-look Black Knight Way Reserve was officially opened by Mayor, Cr Kathy Majdlik and Member for Melton, Steve McGhie MP, last week. The project has transformed the reserve into a wonderful recreation space for the Kurunjang community. The new play equipment has been designed to encourage exploration and discovery for children, and is complemented by shelter, barbeque facilities and furniture for families to enjoy. New plants enhance the natural environment and exercise equipment, bike racks and water fountains make this a great place to spend time for residents and visitors of all ages and abilities. The project was jointly funded by Melton City Council and the Victorian Government through its Suburban Parks Program.

It was great to welcome Minister for Creative Industries, Colin Brooks MP, and Member for Kororoit, Luba Grigorovitch MP, to CS Gallery this week to showcase the work of local visual artist, Britt Salt and acknowledge the role the gallery plays in supporting our local arts community. Last year, we received funding from the Victorian Government, through its Creative Neighbourhood Infrastructure Support Program, to improve climate control and environmental monitoring at the gallery. During the visit, the group toured Salt’s "Spatial Murmuration" exhibition, which challenges visual perception through meticulous weaving, drawing, and sculpture, inviting viewers to uncover hidden details in built environments. 

A message from Melton City Council on the passing of Maribyrnong City Councillor, Sarah Carter.

The FairGo 4 Youth Fund is back! The program was hugely popular last year and is again available to help eligible young people aged eight to 16-years-old take part in local extra-curricular activities to enrich their lives. The FairGo 4 Youth Fund is part of Melton City Council’s new and improved Community Grants Program. Available for both winter and summer activities, the fund encourages community participation and social connection and improves young people’s physical and mental wellbeing. Families can apply to register with dozens of sports including Aussie Rules, netball, cricket and tennis and activities such as dance, scouts and fishing. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/gF-ibEDg