Latest Contributions
We are sure you will agree that waiting around to get the good stuff has got knobs on it. This post will give you an early glimpse of some of the articles we will be including in the next two-monthly edition of the newspaper.
We will continually refresh this post as we receive new contributions.
If you have a burning issue that you want to tell the world about, please sit down and start writing now. When we receive it, we will immediately consider it for publication here and also later in the newspaper. If you have any comments on articles published here, please email us at eastsidernews1@gmail.com.
We would also like to keep you informed about what is happening in the many local organisations in our regions. These groups fulfill many purposes and bring people together to work towards shared goals. We want to help publicise what they are doing and to increase awareness of their important community building role.
Top Image by Alexa from Pixabay
Community radio station 3WBC broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed entirely by volunteers of all ages and backgrounds.
The best way to experience what 3WBC has to offer is to tune your radio to 94.1FM. Whatever time of day or night, you are sure to find music and conversation to suit your taste and interests. To find out more about their programs, go to their website at https://www.3wbc.org.au
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Eastsider News is a means by which people in Whitehorse, Boroondara and adjacent areas including Manningham and Monash can share information, opinions and experiences. A spread of interests and views that reflects the diversity of people in the area is encouraged, but views expressed in Eastsider News by individual writers do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors, Independent Community News Group Incorporated, or any other organisation.
Copyright © 2024. Copyright rests equally with the named authors and Independent Community News Group Incorporated. All rights are reserved but, consistent with the community spirit of the venture, a Commons approach to reproducing material is taken on the understanding that it is accompanied by an attribution which refers to both Eastsider News and the author, and a copy of the reproduction is sent to eastsidernews1@gmail.com.
Responsibility for material related to elections is taken by named authors and Independent Community News Group Incorporated. We accept advertising in good faith, but readers need to apply caveat emptor.
A call for help from Whitehorse Friends for Reconciliation
Virginia Burns
Like many community groups, Whitehorse Friends for Reconciliation (WFFR) have survived because of committed members who have served over several decades. We have now reached the time when WFFR cannot continue without an injection of new people.
We ask you to consider becoming a member of WFFR and take part in our work
If you are interested and would like to know more, please don’t hesitate to contact Howard Tankey. Email: howardtankey@bigpond.com or ph: 9898 2514
To become a member we ask that you:
- take out a subscription ($20 or $10 concession)
- attend most meetings, currently monthly
- be ready to assist on WFFR stalls
We need people who can contribute to the management of the group
This covers a wide range of tasks including organising meetings; management of our financial and treasury obligations; promotional activities; and any other project considered useful in creating a stronger, more creative relationship between First Nations people and non-Aboriginal Australians.
The WFFR has a proud history of carrying out projects within Whitehorse over the last 25 years.
Among the many highlights over this time are
- a project in which Whitehorse students made pavers with Aboriginal motifs, under the guidance of Aboriginal artists, for the Nangnak garden;
- the Long Walk in Whitehorse;
- the production of the DVD ‘Nobody’s Child’ highlighting the experiences of 5 stolen generation First Nations people, who had spent time in Government institutions in Whitehorse;
- a tennis exhibition with young Aboriginal players mentored by Evonne Goolagong-Cawley, who attended;
- many student days, cultural days, picnics at Blackburn Lake, film night;
- a weekend forum on the topic ‘Whitehorse Deliberates on Indigenous Issues;
- the creation of the very unique ‘Reconciliation Message Stick’, an example of two cultures walking together; and
- a Forum at the Box Hill Town Hall in September 2024 discussing the premise, ‘The world is in trouble and let’s look at some ideas from Aboriginal culture to help put our heads in a better place for contemplating the future’.
And there were many smaller activities in between these, more major projects.
Find out how to become part of WFFR
If you are interested and would like to know more, please don’t hesitate to contact Howard Tankey. Email: howardtankey@bigpond.com or ph: 9898 2514.
To help you decide, we invite you to join us at a normal meeting, where the main objective will be to provide a wider picture of reconciliation and to answer any questions you may have.
Meetings details:
7.30pm Thursday 8 May at Blackburn Neighbourhood House, 109 Koonung Rd, Blackburn North
You can also check out our website here, or our Facebook page here
Virginia Burns is Convenor of WFFR
New report finds electrifying homes and cars is the most efficient way to cut bills, slashing costs by more than $4000 annually
Rewiring Australia
A new report demonstrates that electrifying homes and cars will create the greatest long-term energy savings. It comes as political parties race to provide cost of living relief through energy rebates and fuel excises ahead of the election, but this latest research shows there is a longer-term solution which will provide more value for money, and that’s by fully electrifying households, including vehicles.
The modelling by Rewiring Australia shows Australia has reached its ‘electrification tipping point’: households who switch to an electric car, solar and electric appliances could save more than $4,000 a year, even when including upfront costs.
‘It’s good to see Labor and the Coalition acknowledge people are hurting when it comes to energy bills, but our research shows that investing in electrifying our cars and vehicles will bring greater cost-of-living relief. We want to see investment in long-term solutions, not a battle of the bandaids,’ Francis Vierboom, CEO of Rewiring Australia said.
The Electrification Tipping Point report has found households using gas appliances and petrol vehicles could save $61,500 over 15 years, or more than $4,000 a year on average, if they upgrade their appliances and vehicles to efficient, electric ones and get their power from a combination of rooftop solar, a home battery, and the existing electricity grid.
This calculation includes the cost of buying and installing the cars and appliances, financed with repayment interest at 5.5 per cent over a 15-year appliance lifetime.
The report shows taking even small steps towards electrifying Australian homes, such as switching from a gas heater to reverse cycle air conditioning could save households hundreds of dollars in just 12 months.
- Driving an electric vehicle saves around $1500 per year in driving costs, or $2500 per year if that car is charged with solar.
- Upgrading from a gas hot water system to a heat pump hot water heater will save $250 per year on energy bills.
- Installing rooftop solar to power those electric appliances and vehicles can save an additional $2200 per year.
- The average fossil fuel-powered home that goes fully electric with solar and a battery can save $4,100 per year.
‘This tipping point shows Australians can save money on energy bills and cut emissions as soon as they electrify. This is a far better deal than what an energy bill rebate or fuel excise can offer,’ Co-Founder and Chief Scientist of Rewiring Australia Dr Saul Griffith said.
Rewiring Australia is a non-profit, independent, non-partisan organisation. Their report can be found here –
Left Write Hook
In Australia, 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys experience sexual abuse before the age of 18. The numbers are staggering, and one Melbourne-based charity is refusing to let this uncomfortable social issue hide in the shadows.
Left Write Hook runs an 8 week trauma recovery program that uses creative writing and non-contact boxing to empower survivors of childhood sexual abuse to reclaim their lives.
Eight Manningham residents are currently taking part in the program, which has been made possible thanks to the support of Manningham Council, Frank Bianco Boxing and Chickick fitness.
The charity hopes to secure future funding to run regular programs in the Manningham area and is continuing to seek expressions of interest from Manningham council residents who may be interested in taking part in future programs or training to run more programs in the area.
Left Write Hook started at a grassroots level in Ferntree Gully in 2019 and has since been the subject of an award-winning documentary film and a large-scale research trial at the University of Melbourne.
There are over 600 people on the waitlist for the Left Write Hook program, which is open to women and gender-diverse survivors and will soon be expanding to run men’s programs and LGBTQIA+ specific programs.
Anyone interested in joining a future program or becoming a trainer should visit the Left Write Hook website for more information: leftwritehook.org
Wave of Independents reaches Chisholm
Voices of Chisholm
Local community advocacy group Voices of Chisholm has endorsed Kath Davies as the community-backed independent candidate for Chisholm following a preselection vote open to all community members.
Kath Davies is a local business owner, materials scientist, climate activist and passionate community leader who moved to the local area 27 years ago to raise her son. She holds degrees in Science and Engineering from Monash University, and has built a career solving complex problems in high-risk environments.
‘I can no longer stand by silently while political inaction puts the future of my kids in jeopardy: on rising costs, on falling economic opportunities, on climate inaction, on widening housing inequality, and on ongoing inaction on integrity in Canberra.’
This is an extract of an article that discusses Ms Davies’ policies and values. To read the full article, please click here.
State Government’s Planning Reforms: altering heritage, character throughout Victoria
Jane Oldham
In March 2025, the Victorian State Government announced 25 more train and tram activity centres across Melbourne. These activity centres are a central part of its Housing Statement, a policy designed to respond to Melbourne’s anticipated growth in population to 2051.
Included were 4 more activity centres in Boroondara, at Kew Junction and Riversdale, Willison and Ashburton Stations on the Alamein line. This brings the total number of Activity Centres in Boroondara to 8.
The Government says consultation on the first tranche of 25 Activity Centres including Hawthorn, Glenferrie and Auburn stations will begin in April. Consultation on the more recent announcements will start later. The intention is for the new plans to be in place by the end of 2025/early 2026.
Boroondara’s new housing target has been reduced from 67,000 to 65,500 new homes by 2051. All local councils have been warned that their power to make planning decisions will be removed if housing targets are not met and planning applications are not approved.
Camberwell Junction Activity Centre and Catchment final plan
The Victorian State Government has released the final map for the Camberwell Junction Activity Centre. While the catchment has been slightly reduced from previous proposals, many of the streets removed may be caught in catchments around train stations at Glenferrie, Auburn, Riversdale and Willison stations.
Residents’ concerns
Critics of the Activity Centre program, whilst accepting of the increased density, have expressed concern that not only do these proposals lack community and local government input but they lack strategic justification, transparency and infrastructure planning.
Major issues include the failure to indicate how far the catchment zones associated with these more recent activity centres will extend or proposed height. They argue that alternative models for densification that do not sacrifice the character and heritage of Melbourne’s suburbs should be developed by local councils rather than ‘one size fits all’ centralised planning approach.
Within catchments land is being rezoned for density rather than 1-2 storeys homes which consider heritage and neighbourhood character. Although the heritage overlay will remain heritage precincts/places are at risk from more diverse housing that increases density and compromises heritage values. Approximately 4500 heritage properties in the Camberwell Junction catchment and thousands more in the other seven centres are at risk over the long term.
Rescode Reforms
Across Victoria new ‘deemed to comply’ planning controls for townhouse and apartments developments up to 3 storeys remove the right to object and appeal to VCAT (except on heritage grounds for places in the heritage overlay). The changes reduce boundary setbacks (9m to 6m) at the front and (6m to 3m) at the side except to the south boundary, increased site coverage, reduced open space, reduced tree canopy and reduced protection from overshadowing and overlooking. Councils will have to approve plans which meet these new and lower standards. Neighbourhood character will not be a consideration.
The State Government’s Plan for Victoria outlines a state-wide vision for how Victoria will grow. The Plan replaces the existing metropolitan strategy Plan Melbourne 2017-2050 and regional growth plans. Under the Plan, car parking requirements for apartments built near transport connections will be eased.
The impact of rezoning on homes with Single Dwelling Covenants is a matter that Boroondara Community Group is currently exploring with Boroondara Council.
Future Homes template designs are already available to developers of 3 storey apartments. These designs will be fast-tracked for approval in the new Housing Choice and Transport Zone (HCTZ) and any land already zoned General Residential if that land is less than 800m from an Activity Centre. Residents have reduced rights to object and challenge at VCAT for Future Home development.
Where to from here?
Boroondara Community Group and likeminded groups across Melbourne have called on the communities to advocate for the disallowance of the new regulations (VC257 Activity Centres and VC267 Town House and Low-Rise Code) by the Legislative Council in May. This could be achieved with the support of the Opposition and seven of the eleven cross benchers.
Go to the Boroondara Community Group website here: https://borocogroup.org/#take-action where you will find a comprehensive list of actions and contact details that will guide you in your advocacy.
BHRR Rehomies supercharging the local circular
economy.
A community within a community.
Jennie Irving, Catherine Krestyn
Boroondara Hard Rubbish Rehome (BHRR) is much more than its name suggests. While the group’s core purpose is to recirculate resources within the Boroondara community, saving them from landfill, this is just the tip of the BHRR iceberg.
BHRR’s cofounders, Jennie Irving and Catherine Krestyn, have built a caring, grassroots sustainability community – the Rehomie community, or ‘Rehomies’ as its 13000+ Facebook members are known.
What sets this award-winning sustainability group apart is how it supports and educates residents in non-judgmental and practical ways. BHRR is about solving local challenges with local solutions by empowering individuals. This includes challenging people’s attitudes, and also the language around our surplus. Gone are the days when owners of hard rubbish piles were called ‘lazy’ or ‘thoughtless’, and ‘waste’ was mentioned more often than ‘resources’. A deliberate shift in language helps to drive this shift in approach to more sustainable practices.
Local access inspires local action.
As Cath points out, ‘Large volumes of reusable resources are commonly found in hard rubbish piles. But there are also different options for donating resources’. So why the disconnect between our significant surplus and options for their continued use elsewhere?
As the cofounders have discovered, available local options are not always possible to access or even that available. Jennie explains, ‘Often there are barriers to recirculating resources like social isolation, personal trauma, mobility challenges, language and time constraints, lack of transport, and limited provision or knowledge of local options.’
And the usual default – op shops – can’t take everything and are often full. As Cath reflects, ‘Hard rubbish bookings are often a last resort. People don’t want to throw away reuseable resources but they don’t always know where else to take them, or they lack the capacity to do this.’
Filling local gaps.
This is where BHRR is filling a significant gap in the Boroondara community, meeting people at their point of need. ‘Before putting resources out for hard rubbish, Rehomies can recirculate them by offering them for free, through the Rehomie community on Facebook. They can also share locations of local hard rubbish piles so anyone interested can rescue resources from them,’ explains Jennie. For this reason, BHRR is a game changer locally.
As Cath shares, ‘This has created an innovative way to address the local challenge of diverting reuseable resources from hard rubbish piles and landfill, whilst building connections and knowledge in the local community’. Jennie and Cath see this as a win-win, as increasingly more residents feel connected to and inspired by practical options like BHRR. As the Rehomie community continues growing, Jennie and Cath consider other possibilities for the group.
What next?
‘Storage options are always a challenge for local, grassroots groups, particularly those like BHRR dealing in large volumes of physical resources’, says Jennie. ‘A more permanent storage solution would be a boon for our group activities and the community events we run, like the BHRR Spring Community Market in late October.’ ‘This key event with a garden theme, is based on hard rubbish rescued resources,’ highlights Cath.
In the last two years alone, the two cofounders have rescued over 12,000kgs from local hard rubbish piles and recirculated these to the Rehomie community and beyond. ‘It would be great to get our verandahs, garages, living rooms and gardens back!’ quips Cath. And based on their remarkable contribution to local, community sustainability outcomes so far, it’s easy to see that this is not the last we’ll hear about BHRR. Check them out on Facebook.
Growing up in Surrey Hills: Autumn
Gill Bell
The days were drawing in. When we made our morning dash to the outdoor toilet, our breath puffed out in white clouds.
‘Fresh’ said our mother, relishing the break from summer heat. She put aside her summer recipes and began producing warming wintery dishes of osso bucco with its rich brown sauce. She made apple dumplings, peeling and coring Granny Smith apples and stuffing them with dates. Wrapped in pastry and baked in butter and sugar, they made a delicious autumn dessert.
The leaves on the old oak tree started to turn brown and drift to the ground. On Saturday afternoons a haze of fragrant smoke hung over the neighbourhood as families burned leaves in their backyard incinerators or even in small heaps in the gutters. The latter practice was banned by the local council, but backyard incinerators persisted until the 1980s.
Each autumn our father collected oak leaves to turn into rich compost. He created large wire cages from rounds of chicken wire, and filled them with oak leaves. In springtime he would mix the mulch with manure from the chook pens to nourish the soil.
The baby chicks in their pen had turned into awkward adolescent pullets. They were starting to sprout pin feathers and miniature red combs. Soon they would produce small test eggs. The chicks had lost their baby sweetness but were on their way to becoming dignified laying hens.
In the garden the soil was still warm from the summer heat. Dad busied himself planting more potatoes. The feathery tops of carrots appeared above the soil. Most of our vegetables were homegrown, including knobbly brown Jerusalem artichokes, which I enjoyed but have never encountered since. Other autumn crops such as capsicum, eggplant and zucchini were as yet unknown to us.
At the side of the chook pens grew an old fig tree which bore sweet purple fruit. The silver beet plants in front of the chook pens bore large glossy dark green leaves, but the pride of the garden was the row of sweet corn by the fence. These would grow into magnificent tall plants, with the golden heads of corn covered in a silvery-green papery wrapping. Each parcel was topped with a silken tassel.
The day of Harvest Festival at our local Methodist church arrived. At the front of the church stood long trestle tables laden with fruit and vegetables mainly produced by the congregation. Bales of straw and sheaves of wheat gave a country feel. Apples jostled for space with carrots and parsnips, and a large Queensland Blue pumpkin presided over the display. The air smelled deliciously of apples, pears and earthy vegetables. Our father proudly set out a long row of jars of golden honey from his bees.
The strong voices of the congregation rang through the church.
‘The ripe fruits in the garden
The pleasant summer sun’ we sang.
On this autumn Sunday afternoon, the sound of the Tramways brass band wafted across from Wattle Park. The distant notes of the brass came in gusts on the breeze, floating in the air with the drifting smoke. It was the very essence of autumn in the sixties.
Which Kooyong candidates will help us save money on energy bills by supporting rooftop solar and household electrification and work to secure a clean, sustainable future? Which candidate has the best policies to ensure that Australia benefits as the world decarbonises? The energy transition offers significant opportunities to secure good quality jobs, clean manufacturing and green exports. Who has the policies to best grasp these opportunities and ensure a safer climate future for our kids?
Join us at the Hawthorn Arts Centre on Wednesday April 2nd, at 7:00pm for a 7.30 start.
Listen to the candidates, ask them questions and inform your vote!
Too often our candidates are no more than names on a ballot paper. This forum offers the opportunity for you to get a sense of the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates and their climate policies. There is nothing quite like seeing them on stage answering the hard questions.
The forum will be moderated by Victoria McKenzie-McHarg, seasoned climate campaigner and Strategic Director at Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia.
For further information please contact Lighter Footprints Convenor Jenny Smithers on convenor@lighterfootprints.org
This event is supported by the Australian Conservation Foundation Boroondara Community Group.
RSVP here: https://lighterfootprints.org/event/kooyong-candidates-2025/
Unfinished graffiti
Gill Bell
Recently my attention was once again caught by graffiti on a Surrey Hills pavement, but this message was unfinished.
Without the rain there would be no fl …
Was this an invitation to complain about the recent floods in Queensland. Without the rain there would be no floods?
But no, the message as always was upbeat.
The next day I found the sentence completed. Of course! Without the rain there would be no flowers. Another gentle reminder to appreciate natures gifts, even those which seem inconvenient. And rain is a gift we would really appreciate in our region at the moment.
headspace calls for targeted support to meet increasing and changing youth mental health needs
As Australia’s flagship youth mental health service, headspace aims to ensure that every young person, regardless of location or background, can access the support they need, when they need it. To achieve this, it is advocating for sustainable funding to strengthen its national network of centres, reduce wait times and expand access.
Key initiatives include funding for 30 metropolitan and large regional headspace centres on par with Medicare Mental Health Centres (MMHCs) and more outreach to young people in rural and remote areas, who often find it hard to seek mental health support due to stigma, distance and cost to access.
To address acute workforce shortages across the mental health sector, headspace stands ready to expand the first-of-its-kind Early Career Program, which places graduates, early career clinicians and a clinical educator in participating headspace centres.
The most recent independent evaluation of headspace for the Federal Government judged it to be both effective and cost-effective. Much of its success was attributed to its services being informed by young people, by families, and with the expertise of workers from right across the headspace network of nearly 170 centres around the country.
Young people aged 12 to 25, as well as their family and friends, can visit headspace for support. Help is also available via phone and online counselling service eheadspace seven days a week between 9am–1am (AEST). The number is 1800 650 890.
For locations of headspace services, as well as factsheets and resources for young people and their families and friends, please visit the headspace website
If you’re looking for someone to talk to immediately, Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), and 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) are available to talk 24/7.
Become a Boroondara home energy hero
Electrify Boroondara
Electrify Boroondara is expanding its free home energy assessment program and is looking for ten enthusiastic volunteers to be trained as Home Energy Guides.
As a Home Energy Guide you will:
- Conduct in-home energy assessments for Boroondara residents and
- Provide personalised advice on how to improve energy efficiency, save money on bills and help residents make their homes more comfortable and healthier.
No prior experience or knowledge is necessary. If selected for the program, trainers receive two and a half days of training with a government accredited scorecard assessor during May 2025.
Peer-to-peer knowledge sharing is a powerful tool and one of the most effective ways of helping people along their electrification journey. You’ll also gain valuable skills and knowledge in home energy efficiency, make a positive impact on the environment, connect with your community and meet new people.
If you’re ready to join the team or interested to know more, click here.
We are accepting applications on a rolling basis. Together, we can electrify Boroondara.
(Photo: Julian Meehan)
Helping Boroondara residents move to all-electric homes
Electrify Boroondara
The volunteer team from Electrify Boroondara have been out and over the last few months raising awareness and answering questions about home electrification. We’re excited to be part of such a vibrant community and we enjoyed having stalls at several local events including the Ashburton Festival, Glenferrie Festival, Melbourne Girls College Pedal Powered Cinema and the Boroondara Sustainable Living Festival.
If you’re just starting out on electrifying your home, want to know about the latest, technical developments or read case studies about how other residents are making changes, our website is a great place to start.
Photo credit : Julian Meehan
Doctors lead Kooyong community forum on climate change, its health impacts, and what we can do about it
Carmela Ferraro
As the effects of a changing environment become increasingly apparent, a recent health forum in Melbourne’s east had an urgent community message: ‘For the sake of those you love, this coming federal election vote for candidates who Put Our Health First.’
The Balwyn Health and Climate Community Forum took place on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at the Balwyn Park Centre. It brought together medical experts and policymakers to address the pressing health impacts of our changing climate and to provide a clear roadmap for our leaders and the public
The panel featured Dr Monique Ryan, Federal MP for Kooyong; Dr Kate Wylie, a GP and the executive director of the medical group Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA); and Associate Professor Chris Leung, a gastroenterologist and deputy chair of the board at DEA. Dr Ben Dunne, a specialist Cardiothoracic surgeon and co-chair of DEA’s Victorian State Committee, facilitated the event.
The discussion commenced by emphasising that fossil fuels are a significant health hazard. The importance of renewable energy was a key topic. The panel noted that renewable energy improves community health by reducing air pollution and preventing premature deaths….
The panel emphasised the solutions needed both systemic change and individual action. They called for government policies to support the transition to renewable energy and sustainable practices. At the individual level, they encouraged attendees to switch to energy-efficient appliances, use sustainable transport, reduce meat consumption, and engage in climate discussions.
The panel urged attendees to assess political candidates based on their commitment to a number of specific points. ‘We have solutions now that are better for our health, can protect our environment, can ease the cost of living, and give us, our children, and our grandchildren a safe future,’ Dr Wylie added.:
This is an extract from an article that reports in more detail the discussion that occurred at the Kooyong Health and Climate Community Forum held on 4 March and sponsored by the Doctors for Environment Australia. To read the full article, click here.
New independent study finds using super for house deposits would make house prices rise by 7.4% to 10.3%
Super Members Council
Allowing first home buyers to withdraw super for house deposits could see house prices hike by 7.4% to 10.3%, a rigorous new academic study from one of Australia’s leading housing economists has found.
Pouring retirement savings into house deposits would supercharge an already-inflated property market – raising capital city median prices by up to $92,500 and adding $260 a fortnight to a homebuyer’s mortgage.
The study, authored by University of South Australia Professor Chris Leishman and commissioned by the Super Members Council, uses two econometric models to estimate the price impacts of a Coalition policy proposal for first home buyers to withdraw $50,000 from super for a home deposit.
The Leishman study examined thousands of published studies on housing market modelling and selected two well-established models. These models use different mathematical approaches to analyse the complex economic forces that drive housing prices.
The modelling found the policy would increase house prices by between 7.4% and 10.3%. The study built an econometric model of homeownership decisions based on the HILDA Survey to estimate demand for the scheme, providing a key input into both housing market models.
‘The very close range of estimates despite using different data and methodologies for each means we are very confident in concluding the proposal would be inflationary,’ Professor Leishman said.
‘It is an uncontroversial finding – if you add demand to an inelastic market, prices are going to rise, with the unintended consequence of making housing less affordable’ he said.
SMC estimates that, based on the Leishman model, median house prices could rise by an average extra $123,000, in Sydney, $80,000 in Melbourne, in Brisbane by $92,000 and by around $84,000 in Perth and Adelaide. The average home buyer would pay an additional $260 per fortnight in mortgage repayments, adding up to $200,000 more over the life of the loan.
In a comprehensive report in 2024, respected independent economist Saul Eslake showed policies that allow Australians to pay more for housing just result in more expensive homes rather than a higher proportion of people owning housing.
The overwhelming majority of Australia’s leading respected economists say the housing supply and affordability crisis needs to be tackled with other policies – in a recent Economic Society of Australia survey, only 1 out of 49 top economists supported withdrawals of super for housing.
Out of bounds in Gardiners Creek
Moira Tobin
Local environment group 3147 Love Our Street aims to bring people together as a community to look after our environment, to keep our streets beautifully clean and to stop litter reaching Gardiners Creek and the ocean.
One way we do this is collecting golf balls from Gardiners Creek. Volunteers have retrieved over 3000 golf balls from Gardiners Creek near the Solway Bridge. We are meeting to wash them and will (attempt to) sell them thereby raising funds to support the group.
This has prompted us to ask the question, ‘If residents were polluting Gardiners Creek in this manner, they would be fined? Why are authorities turning a blind eye – why don’t golf courses incur penalties for polluting our local creeks and destroying habit?’.
We are only collecting the golf balls we can see. How many end up in the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay?
3147 Love Our Street is not the only group collecting golf balls and litter. On Clean Up Australia Day, 11 supermarket trolleys were removed from Gardiners Creek (just upstream from the Solway Bridge). On the day this group collected 110 additional golf balls.
We call on public bodies such as Melbourne Water and local Councils to join with us in addressing the high levels of pollution in our beloved local waterways.
To learn more of the work of 3147 Love our Street and to attend our monthly meetings, go here: www.beachpatrol.com.au, www.litterstopper.com or 3147 LOS Facebook Page
Love singing? Join in the fun with Swinburne Chorale.
Rosie Cannington
The Swinburne Chorale is a Community Choir that sings a diverse range of acapella and accompanied songs including folk songs from around the world, spirituals, madrigals and contemporary pop songs.
The choir is a wonderful demonstration of the benefits of choral singing and of belonging to a group of supportive members who come together to achieve a common goal. It has brought much joy and social connectedness to its members who have benefited greatly, in a physical, psychological and emotional sense from singing together.
What Swinburne Chorale members are saying.
That the choir is a friendly and informal group is confirmed in comments from members:
I love Tuesday nights at choir practice. I always come away feeling relaxed, happy and energised.
I look forward to Tuesday nights. Singing is good for the soul and we sound wonderful!.
The Swinburne Chorale is not just a choir but a group of people who care about each other and the joyful process of music making.
I like the sense of achievement that comes with the learning of new songs and the friendship and happy collaboration with members. Really, I go to choir ‘cos it is fun.
Come join in the fun
Anyone who likes singing is welcome to join this non-audition, community choir which has been making music for over 20 years. At present, it consists of about 20 singers but is always looking for more members.
The repertoire of the choir is mainly chosen and directed by the current musical director, Sarah Mandie, but she encourages input into song choices by choir members. Songs are arranged in three to four parts. The Choir is always changing, evolving and adapting to the needs and abilities of its members. Swinburne Chorale, or as Sarah calls it, the Swinny Singers, has achieved much, completed projects and grown together during Sarah’s leadership.
The Choir rehearses at the Canterbury Neighbourhood Centre, 2 Kendall St. Canterbury on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30pm during school terms. The Choir performs in the local, Boroondara area throughout the year, culminating in a family friendly end-of-year concert.
If you love singing, come along and experience the joys of singing together at a number of free workshops to be held soon. Go to the notice above to find the dates for these workshops.
Is your senior pet suffering Degenerative Joint Disease (Osteoarthritis)?
Dr Susanna Gamage
With autumn in full swing preparing to hand the seasons baton over to winter, some of you may have noticed your older pets slower to get up in the cooler mornings. One of the most common reasons senior pets struggle this time of year is because of osteoarthritis, also known as Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD).
What is DJD?
DJD is the progressive deterioration of the hyaline cartilage surrounding the joints. The function of this cartilage layer is to help facilitate the smooth, fluid motion of joints. If the cartilage is damaged the joint becomes inflamed, resulting in stiffness and sometimes painful movement in the affected areas. It is more commonly seen in older patients and affects both cats and dogs.
What causes DJD?
DJD may be the result of natural aging but more commonly secondary to joint trauma such as a previous injury, infection or surgery. DJD can also be seen in younger pets as a result of a congenital joint abnormality, for example elbow, shoulder or hip dysplasia. Other contributing factors to DJD include genetics, age, bodyweight, obesity, exercise and diet.
What are the signs of DJD?
Struggling to get up after long periods of lying down, particularly in cooler temperatures and slowing down on exercise. More subtle signs include hesitation when jumping or seeking alternatives routes and becoming protective of petting in sore areas. Your veterinarian may be able to identify pain or resistance on physical manipulation of your pet’s joints and may suggest further diagnostics such x-ray imaging or blood testing.
If I think my pet is showing sign of DJD, what can be done?
If you feel your pet is showing any of the above signs it might be worth booking an appointment with your local veterinarian. Firstly, to rule out other possible causes such as heart disease and secondly because if the symptoms are due to DJD there are some simple management strategies that can be implemented to help manage the progression of DJD in your pet. Some of these strategies may include modification of your current exercise routine, a tailored pet weight loss program, dietary supplementation, acupuncture, injections to support joint function as well as pain relief medication.
Dr. Susanna Gamage BVSc MRCVS has over a decade of international veterinary experience and is the founding director of Dr. Suze – My Visiting Vet, a mobile veterinary business in the Eastern Suburbs providing caring, personalised and professional veterinary care in the comfort of your own home, keeping things convenient for you and comfortable for your pet.
If you have a general pet question you would like answered by Dr. Suze to be featured in Eastsider News or to find out more about our services, please contact us via the website: www.drsuzemyvisitingvet.com.au
Please note the information in this article is of a general nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional healthcare advice. If you have specific concerns about your pet, you should always seek advice directly from your veterinary healthcare practitioner.
Guide Dogs Victoria Community Fair
Saturday, April 5 from 10am to 2pm
Guide Dogs Victoria Kew Campus, 2 – 6 Chandler Highway, Kew
The Community Fair is being held at Guide Dog Victoria’s new world-first fully accessible campus. The campus is a game-changer for people with low vision or blindness, providing a space that fosters independence, confidence, and community.
Tickets are available through Humanitix here https://events.humanitix.com/guide-dogs-victoria-community-fair-2025
Dear Editor
Traffic Calming on Nelson Rd
In your article Nelson Road, Box Hill a misguided planning proposal (Eastsider News Edition 28), Michael Kirk argues against the safety improvements Council is planning for Nelson Rd, opining that outpatients and visitors are being ‘dispossessed’, having to use more expensive parking spaces.
It is an attitude cyclists encounter often: Risking your life counts for nothing when (cheap) parking is in jeopardy. Larger and larger vehicles occupied by ‘frail’ patients whose abilities at the wheel might not be the best while distracted by, say, being late for an appointment.
Kirk might be surprised to hear that ‘recreational’ cycling is not what I do on Nelson Rd. Having been nursed back from a life-changing, SUV-induced injury at the Epworth, cycling to my appointments is just what the doctor ordered. For most patients, the need to drive scuppers opportunities for physical exercise, which for almost all patients improves health outcomes.
While unable to cycle, I arrived in a taxi. Limping on crutches to the hospital amidst cars carelessly pushing past was a panic-inducing nightmare. Wider, smoother footpaths that are easier to use with mobility aids would also have helped.
Hearing about my specialist’s interest in cycling to work, my first reaction was fear for his life. Every cyclist knows that cars are a mortal danger. A Monash study reported that 78% of survey respondents count themselves as ‘interested but concerned’. This is where the ‘current’ cyclists are that Kirk is asking for: waiting for a safe cycling network where they won’t experience what I did.
Irene Moser PhD, Burwood
Should there be a rate discount for private tree maintenance? 
John Mosig
There’s a lot said about Boroondara’s green canopy. This includes how we’re losing it; how it’s the ambient feature of the Leafy East; how the Council is determined to maintain that ambience at any cost; how it adds to the land values of the suburb (and the rateable value). But the question is, who picks up the tab for that cost?
Public trees, of course, are the responsibility of the Council. From our rates, they are trimmed from powerlines and Council arborists oversee their health as a safety issue, trimming where necessary. But who pays for the upkeep of the private canopy that has made gracious Boroondara a showcase of the Garden State?
We live in an old weatherboard bungalow surrounded by trees, shrubbery, flowerbeds and a vegetable plot. It gives us great pleasure and our house is partially shaded by a large peppermint gum (Eucalyptus nichollii). Planted by a previous tenant, the tree is now a local giant. The Council arborist has told us the tree contributes to the canopy effect of the neighbourhood and provides a high aesthetic value.
To preserve that canopy effect, which spreads over two properties, and to retain the high aesthetic value, we maintain the tree. Over the last 14 years, to lighten the load and remove deadwood, that has cost $9,220 in arborist’s fees, two SES call outs to remove fallen branches, and $974 to have the fibrous roots pigged out of the sewerage line. Then there’s the ongoing cleaning of leaves from the gutters, which our aging bodies dictate we now hire to have done. Then there’s the voluntary labour of picking up the small branches and twigs broken off in storms. Last winter, one branch was big enough to snap our clothes prop.
Now I don’t want to sound like a whinger, but I can’t help but feel that if the Boroondara Council wants to keep our suburb leafy, it should be prepared to help out those who are making the effort out of their own pockets. A rate discount wouldn’t be out of question.
What do you say Mayor Torney? You never know, it might even encourage architects to design buildings so they incorporate significant trees as a feature; instead of clear felling the block and building fenceline to fenceline.
Nelson Road Box Hill planning proposal – a response from a cyclist
Elaine Hopper
The February 2025 issue of Eastsider News featured an article by Michael Kirk, a former CEO of Box Hill Hospital, about what he called ‘a misguided planning proposal’ for Nelson Road, Box Hill.
I would like to assure readers that, contrary to what was stated in that article, there was an extensive consultation process by Council, for Nelson Road improvements. This included the managers of the two Nelson Road hospitals, Epworth and Box Hill, as well as managers of the RSL and the Box Hill Institute (TAFE). In addition, community members from the various groups that use Nelson Road took part in workshops and these included two groups representing cyclists and walkers. There were also nurses, and local people from the Elgar Contact group. On checking with council, I was told that further talks were held with the RSL, and with the Box Hill Hospital management to consider their concerns. I was a participant as a cycling advocate in the Nelson Road workshops and forums.
The consultation was then widened to allow for more community input, and the process wound up in April 2023 at which point a 4-stage plan for improvements was prepared.
That plan involves pedestrianisation and calming of the area, making it walker and cycle friendly. Nelson Road is on a Principal Bicycle Network route leading north to Box Hill and the Gardiners Creek Trail, and south to connect to the Koonung Trail. Cyclists would be enabled to use it as a commuting route to Nelson Road itself, and to other destinations. Mr Kirk wants to know how many cyclists use the route now. Well, safety there is a big concern yet to be solved for them, as well as for pedestrians. The upgrades will enable alternative transport to be more viable and attractive to people who attend the hospital and the TAFE.
Nelson Road is certainly challenging. Busses, cars, taxis, bikes and pedestrians are always about in the daytime, and large waste removal trucks operate in the early hours. The street is narrow. Safety has been helped by recent 40kph speed limits, but the pavements and the nature strips near the hospitals are broken down and have hollows and tree roots. There is a pedestrian crossing in Nelson Road near the Box Hill hospital, but many people cross elsewhere, unprotected, along the area between Thames and Arnold Street.
The plans for improvement are in line with the Council’s Metropolitan Activity Centre Review Report which recommended modifying Nelson Road (and the central area of Box Hill) to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists, to cater for the huge increase in population planned for that area, with most people living in high-rise apartments.
The staged plan involves eventually removing parking on Nelson Road, parking which would be replaced elsewhere. For those who are too frail to walk far, there are circular driveways into both hospitals for people being dropped off or picked up by car or taxi. There is other parking already available in nearby streets. Refuge places for pedestrians along the centre of the road, will make the road safer for them.
If readers would like to see the Nelson Road plans the link is here: Nelson Road, Box Hill, Safety Improvements | Your Say Whitehorse
https://yoursay.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/nelson-road
Elaine Hopper is a committee member of Metro East Bicycle User Group
New tool to cut through energy debate as price hike prompts new questions about nuclear
Australians for Affordable Energy
Amid today’s news of energy bill spikes, Australians have a new tool to calculate how their bills would fare with a nuclear generation option.
It’s been confirmed that unreliable coal-fired electricity plants are causing 2.5 to 8.9 per cent energy bill increases. That has raised concerns about the Coalition’s nuclear proposal, which would keep households vulnerable to coal price spikes for many years, Australians for Affordable Energy (AFAE) warned today.
With energy costs shaping up as a key election issue, AFAE has launched a free calculator, available at afae.net.au/calculator, which provides a real-world cost estimate for households based on the proposed nuclear energy plan.
The calculator extrapolates from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) analysis to provide Australians with a clear picture of nuclear energy costs based on international examples.
The tool allows users to input their current electricity costs and household size – or use state averages if unsure – to see potential changes to their bills under various nuclear scenarios and help them make an informed decision.
Winner of the Kew Croquet Club Heritage Badge, Philip Brown
Angela Killingsworth
The 2024 Heritage Badge was awarded to Philip Brown. Philip is an outstanding player, coach, captain, referee and contributor across Australia to the sport of Gateball.
Philip was one of four nominees for the Award which considered both on court and off court highly valued sportsperson qualities. Our three active life members were unanimous in choosing Philip for the badge amongst the stellar cast of nominees put forward by the Coordinators of our four mallet sports.
Philip is the National High-Performance Manager for Gateball, Victorian Gateball Coordinator, Victoria’s only Level 3 coach, a Level 2 referee and a national selector.
Whilst Philip has won many tournaments in Australia in both teams and doubles, his focus is never limited to his own success. In doubles, he often partners with a weaker player to encourage and skill them further. He will enter two Kew teams in tournaments rather than one All Star team. As a High-Performance coach, he has done a great deal across Australia to lift Gateball standards by providing on line scenarios and running Captains courses.
In a busy life of fulltime work and a young family, Philip finds the time and grace to be a friendly and generous force at the Kew Croquet Club. A worthy winner amongst so many other generous members at our Club.
After receiving the Award, Philip spoke powerfully about what Kew Croquet Club has meant to him over many years. On 10 December 2024, Philip flew to Hangzhou China to Captain a Gateball team in the Asian Championships along with two other Kew Croquet Club members. Congratulations Philip.
Angela Killingsworth is President Kew Croquet Club
The Breadwinner
Beverley Walsh
He was the breadwinner for a
Family of twelve
When war broke out.
His dad was an invalid
His younger brothers unreliable or too young to work.
His mother grim; a relentless life,
Harsh to the extreme.
He fronted up at the recruiting station
`Sorry mate,’ the doctor said,
`With eyesight like that you’d be a handicap.’
`Well it’s good enough to earn a living,
Why not good enough for service?’
`Sorry mate, you’d be a handicap.’
He was the breadwinner for a family of twelve
What was he thinking?
But the eyes that followed him
The mothers’ who’d sent their sons
To die, to be maimed, to be sent mad
He couldn’t look at them.
He didn’t tell his mother
He didn’t tell his wife-to-be
He shrank inside himself.
He eyed them in their new uniforms
Rosy cheeks freshly scrubbed
Hair barbered within an inch of its life
Some barely eighteen, raring to go.
He pitied them their enthusiasm
He knew they’d no idea what it meant to go to war.
He would have gone
But with far less fervour.
At twenty-eight he knew something of life
He knew war wasn’t adventure
Knew it wasn’t life-affirming
Knew it was destruction of all that was good and true.
There was valour, of course, but not enough
to grease the passage of death.
To make it soft and smooth and meaningful.
There were lies, propaganda they called it
To make you believe that they cared
And that you could win.
But when did the war-makers ever care about the life of a soldier,
snuffed out in an instant?
Did they care in World War One?
Will they care in World War Two?
No, and yet he cared that he couldn’t go,
He wasn’t a shirker.
He didn’t tell his mother
He didn’t tell his wife-to-be
He shrank inside himself.
But still, he was the breadwinner for a
Family of twelve.
Hartwell Probus Club
The new Hartwell Probus Club will soon be having its first meeting and are inviting all interested retirees to come along and learn all about it.
The meeting will be held at the Camberwell Pétanque Club, Wakefields Grove, Camberwell VIC 3124 on the Thursday 3rd of April at 9:45am for a 10:00am start.
Make new friends, listen to interesting guest speakers, learn a new skill, explore new interests and hobbies – there is so much to choose from when you become a member of your local Probus Club.
Membership is open to anyone who is retired or semi-retired. Whether you can make the meeting or you will be busy please RSVP by contacting Ethan on 1300 630 488 or membershipsupport@probussouthpacific.org.
Silent Suffering: the hidden danger of dental disease in pets!
Dr Carly Cheung
Dr Carly Cheung from the North Croydon Veterinary Clinic is passionate about educating pet owners on the importance of dental health. With extensive experience in veterinary dentistry, she has seen firsthand how untreated dental disease can lead to pain, infection and other serious health complications. She has put together the following information for pet owners in the hope that she can bring more awareness to this preventable condition.
Dental disease is one of the most common issues that we see in dogs and cats at our clinic, in both young and old pets alike. Young dogs may suffer from retained baby teeth or a poorly aligned jaw that can result in crowding of the teeth or eruption of adult teeth in the wrong areas, for example a lower canine tooth that grows inwards and pushes up onto the hard palate of the mouth. Crowded teeth and retained baby teeth often result in the accumulation of plaque, tartar and worsening dental disease.
A retained baby canine causing tartar accumulation and gum disease affecting both the baby and adult canine teeth.
Plaque is formed when bacteria in the mouth mixes with saliva. It forms a softy slimy layer on the teeth that can be easily removed manually (with an abrasive diet, toothbrush or wipe). If plaque is not removed as it forms, after a few days it mineralizes into hard tartar, which is darker in colour and unable to be removed with simple brushing. Over time, the gums become inflamed in response to the bacteria and tartar, resulting in gingivitis (inflamed gums that bleed easily) and bone and ligament loss around the affected tooth. Ultimately, if left untreated, these teeth may develop tooth root abscesses or simply rot and fall out.
The scary thing about dental disease is that it doesn’t just affect the mouth. As the gums become more inflamed, there is an increased blood supply to them. This blood flow can potentially transport nasty bacteria from the mouth through the blood stream and set up infection in other organs. The liver, kidneys and heart are the organs most commonly affected in this manner. To put it simply, bad teeth can lead to heart disease, kidney failure and other more life-threatening health issues seemingly far away from the mouth.
Many owners are shocked when we point out the degree of dental disease in their pet – some owners don’t realise that their pet’s teeth should still be pearly white instead of darker brown, and many owners are not in the routine of lifting and retracting their pet’s upper lips to better inspect the teeth at the back of the mouth. Most pets with dental disease will power on eating and behaving as normal, with the only clue being the development of increasingly bad breath. Occasionally, pets will exhibit additional symptoms such as dribbling excessively, pawing or rubbing at the mouth, tenderness with eating hard foods or bleeding from the gums.
Dog’s mouth before dental procedure
Once we have diagnosed dental disease in a patient, we then need to work out how best to remedy the situation. In early stages, owner intervention can be enough to improve things. This can involve encouraging more mechanical abrasion of the teeth through dietary methods (cutting out wet food in the diet, feeding dental dry foods, offering dental chew treats under supervision). Regular brushing or wiping of the teeth can help remove plaque and prevent further build-up provided it is done frequently enough (ideally at least every couple of days).
More advanced dental disease will need work under anaesthesia, often with dental x-rays taken first to ascertain the level of dental disease present below the gumline. Any teeth deemed too damaged to save are removed. Remaining teeth have the brittle tartar cracked off manually before being cleaned with an ultrasonic scaler similar to that used in human dentistry. The teeth are then polished clean and the mouth rinsed out. Once the mouth has healed adequately, we then recommend implementing the dental hygiene methods mentioned above to try and prevent future dental work being required.
Dog’s mouth after dental procedure
If you have any concerns about your pet’s dental health, it is best to get them seen to sooner than later. A happy mouth is much more likely to lead to a healthier life, as well as making licks and kisses from your beloved pet much more acceptable!
Victorian Government’s Activity Centre Program fails many tests.
John Mosig
On the evening of 11 February, I attended a forum of Boroondara ratepayers addressing the state government’s Activity Centres Program. Designed to accommodate a Melbourne population of 7 to 9 million, it was a lesson in environmental, social and economic vandalism.
What made the evening most bizarre was that the government planners speaking to the slideshow points didn’t once mention climate change or future-proofing building standards. A housing and amenity infrastructure program designed to carry us through to the end of the century without considering climate change in its brief is professionally incompetent and a scandalous use of taxpayers’ money. Future generations may describe it as criminal negligence. Without strict regulation and oversight, this very expensive and resource-consuming build has every chance of delivering a massive environmental slum. Here in Boroondara and across the whole city.
Just as worrying was the absence of clear guidelines on such issues as compulsory acquisition, adequate compensation and the right of appeal. Attendees were assured that these issues would be dealt with later. The person next to me muttered; ‘Oh yeah; pull the other one’.
Furthermore, while no budget figure was offered, Boroondara residents were told private developers would do the construction and pick up the tab. In the light of the government’s track record overseeing projects of this nature, it brought jeers from the assembled ratepayers.
The runoff alone from the proposed concrete jungle, in Boroondara and across Melbourne, would necessitate a complete restructure of the zones’ stormwater systems to prevent flooding, which in turn would distort the downstream hydrology in the Yarra catchment, an area home to a third of the city’s population.
The plan is totally unhinged from reality on several fronts and dwarfs the big infrastructure build, the run-away cost of which has paupered Victoria, forcing, presumably, the increases in state taxes and service charges imposed, while public services have been restricted.
In the absence of any business plan or cost benefits schedule, the centres aim to almost double the population of Boroondara. To meet the estimated population, the project has a presumed timeline of 25 years. The scramble for scarce labour and material is going to leave residents living and working amongst building sites for decades. With Boroondara already operating close to maximum serviceable capacity, this will impact amenity and property values will fall. Any fair compensation for this would be in the billions; a reparation not considered in the draft, and one would presume, not envisioned by those who threw together this wild social engineering adventure.
Treeless, high-rise building zones form heat banks and wind tunnels. The combination of a self-regulating private sector and the absence of community facilities, such as schools and open space, has left the Dockland housing stock development a white elephant. The government proposal outlined on the night threatens the same fate for those areas chosen for this 20th Century solution to a 21st Century problem.
To put some perspective to the situation beyond a local political distraction, the UN’s International Organisation for Migration reported that, driven by climate change and its societal impact, there are currently over 400m refugees searching for a home. With no global consensus to reduce the use of fossil fuels the present rate of climate breakdown can only increase, further driving up the number of displaced persons. While an unimaginable catastrophe, spending money and resources building more houses to absorb this tidal wave of humanity is only going to generate more greenhouse gas emissions. Clearly, we’re going to have to face the consequences of the world we’ve created and think our way out of the predicament but destroying a functioning facility we already have is not the answer.
Infrastructure Victoria proposes 30km/h speed zones
Monash University
Victoria’s independent expert advisory body, Infrastructure Victoria has released a draft 30-year plan which includes proposed 30km/h per hour speed limits on local streets to improve safety and promote walking and cycling.
Dr Lauren Pearson is a Research Fellow and Equity Lead within the Sustainable Mobility and Safety Research Group in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University. She spoke about the need for 30km/h speed zones
In her opinion, 30km/h speed zones are one of the most cost-effective interventions we can use to enhance the safety and liveability of local streets. Amid a physical activity and mental health crisis, increasing road trauma rates, and a climate emergency, the need for interventions such as these to enable people to use active mobility (walking and biking) are more important than ever.
‘We have seen the effect of these speed zones in places such as Wales, Canada, Scotland, Colombia and across Europe. In Toronto, Canada, there was a 67 per cent reduction in serious injuries following implementation of 30 km/h speed zones. Similarly in London, fatal and serious injuries dropped by 46 per cent in areas with 30 km/h speeds, with a further 8 per cent reduction in adjacent areas.
She commented that, ‘Here in Australia, we’re well behind – there are only two areas in Victoria where these have been implemented and they are only on a trial basis. We have strong and growing body of evidence for the vast benefits of these interventions, and continued calls for their implementation from not only this report from Infrastructure Victoria, but from a recent road safety parliamentary inquiry, and from the World Health Organization as well.’
Associate Professor Ben Beck, is an Australian Research Council Future Fellow and Head of Sustainable Mobility and Safety Research in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University.
He pointed out that 30km/h zones create safer, more inviting streets by reducing the risk and severity of crashes, and our research has shown that it also makes walking and cycling more accessible for people of all ages and abilities. ‘We also see things like emissions reductions, noise pollution reductions, and enhanced social connectedness within communities where they are implemented.’
Dr Beck noted the challenges of implementing 30km/h speed zones in Victoria. ‘In terms of how we implement these in Victoria, our research has shown that while there is strong support for these speed limits throughout government, the current speed policy only enables them to be implemented on a trial basis. In turn, this creates a series of ongoing challenges, as well as bureaucratic and resource-intensive approvals, often at the cost of local governments.’
‘A really good place to start for these kinds of interventions is around our schools, playgrounds and childcare centres. Aussie kids are among the least physically active in the world, and this is really pushed by the fact that our streets are no longer what they used to be – kids and parents do not feel that it’s safe to be walking, riding, scooting to school. And 30 km/h zones are an important part of how we increase active travel to school.’
Iconic Australian bird reveals hidden farming talent
La Trobe University
A beloved Australian bird best known for its stunning tail and powers of mimicry may have a cunning hidden talent.
New research has revealed the superb lyrebird to be a resourceful farmer, creating micro-habitats to host and fatten its prey before returning later to feast. Scientists from La Trobe University observed the ground-dwelling birds working to create habitats suitable for their diet of worms, centipedes and spiders.
In a new paper published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, the researchers found that lyrebirds arranged litter and soil on the forest floor in ways that promote more prey. They fenced lyrebirds out from small areas throughout the forest to create lyrebird-free environments. In some of these areas the researchers raked the leaf litter and soil to simulated lyrebird foraging. Where raking had been undertaken, there were more types and larger invertebrates than the areas without simulated lyrebird foraging.
Lead researcher Alex Maisey said this type of animal farming was rarely seen in nature. ‘Lyrebirds set up the perfect home for their prey, creating conditions with more food resources and effectively fattening them up before eating them.’
The superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) is mainly found in the moist eucalypt forests in south-eastern Australia. Lyrebirds, through foraging, have heavily influenced the plants and animals that lived in Australia’s south-eastern forests.
In this project, lyrebirds were measured moving an average of 155 tonnes of litter and soil per hectare while farming invertebrates. They also lower the intensity of bushfires by burying leaves and branches that fuel fires, thereby shaping whole ecosystems. Dr Maisey noted that, ‘Lyrebirds are widespread and active across millions of hectares of forest. Their farming actions play an important role in maintaining forest biodiversity.’
Local Government ‘asks’ for Melbourne’s East in the lead up to the 2025 Federal Election
Eastern Region Group of Councils
The Eastern Region Group of Councils (ERG) exists to provide a united voice for communities in Melbourne’s east. With an election likely to be called any day, the ERG has identified priorities for the region that require ongoing collaboration and Federal Government investment to ensure the region not only grows sustainably but thrives.
The five ERG councils of Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges work together on common challenges for the region, advocating, planning and cooperating for the benefit of our communities.
ERG Chair, Cr Deirdre Diamante, pointed to matters that ERG believe are central to a liveable and prosperous region. These include housing affordability and liveability; access to open space and community infrastructure; addressing climate concerns such as flooding; improving public and active transport; and growing the local economy.
The group has identified a range of projects that recognise the challenges facing the region and will be exacerbated by rapid growth. Cr Diamante noted that, ‘With a population of 750,000, around 14 per cent of metropolitan Melbourne, it is imperative that the Federal Government continue to invest in longer-term planning, infrastructure and services to keep the region thriving’.
The priorities identified by ERG for Federal Government action include:
- Addressing financial sustainability
The ERG supports the Australian Local Government Association’s call to increase the Financial Assistance Grants to councils to at least one per cent of tax revenue.
- Supporting housing growth
With the release of State Government housing targets, the east is expected to accommodate a 78 per cent increase in houses by 2050. Councils require dedicated community infrastructure funding to be able to continue to meet critical community needs.
Regional strategies, such as for open space are essential to guide investment. Communities are also crying out for safer public spaces and the ERG with work with crime prevention partners to achieve this.
- Building climate resilience
Improved cooperation across all levels of government is needed to respond to climate challenges. Improving flood infrastructure in known areas of risk is a regional priority, along with addressing the decline in canopy tree cover and furthering the work done by the Eastern Alliance for Greenhouse Action to enable community assets to adapt.
- Transforming movement in the east
To maintain liveable and prosperous neighbourhoods, public and active transport and road infrastructure must improve. The region requires coordinated and collaborative effort to build on the work of the ERG’s Plan East and the shared priorities of the Eastern Transport Coalition and Eastern Regional Trail Strategy Group.
With Federal assistance, the ERG will prepare an Integrated Transport Plan to support an efficient, safe and integrated regional transport network and identify priorities for investment. This work will recognise the kilometres of unsealed roads that make the last mile connections to producers difficult and impede regional economic productivity.
The ERG will publish feedback from local candidates on their support of these priorities on the ERG website. See the ERG’s priorities for Federal Government action at: www.easternregiongroup.org.au
A Top Design by a local student on display at Melbourne Museum
Melbourne Museum
The annual Top Designs exhibition is returning to Melbourne Museum, opening to the public on Saturday, 29 March.
With ingenious creations of 77 selected students from diverse design fields, Top Designs addresses real-world challenges with flair. One student, Amy Robertson from Ringwood Training, Croydon has created a Functional Model Metal Lathe.
Amy’s inspiration
Inspired by the cast metal lathe her father built as an apprentice over 40 years ago, Amy’s primary goal was to incorporate as many recycled materials as possible, sourcing them from around her home and Ringwood Training.
Amy spoke about what inspired her to create her Functional Model Metal Lathe. ‘My project was inspired by my father’s casted model lathe he made as an apprentice more than 40 years ago. The main aim was to use as many recycled materials as possible found around my home and at Ringwood Training’.
All parts of the project, apart from the chuck, the centre in the tail stock, tools and the electric motor, have been fabricated and machined to produce the final product.
Top Design at Melbourne Museum: an exhibition of youthful creativity
Bringing bold ideas like eco-friendly sunglasses made from repurposed coffee grounds and a quick-build housing solution for Australia’s housing crisis, Top Designs is back at Melbourne Museum from 29 March in its 25th year.
The exhibition celebrates Victoria’s next generation of designers, featuring student works that re-imagine innovative, renewable and inclusive futures. Top Designs 2025 exhibitors interrogate the changing world around them to propose new possibilities in sustainability, place, community, automation and craftsmanship.
In partnership with the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA), Melbourne Museum will display works of 77 students across government, independent and Catholic schools, selected by expert panels from nine design subjects. Each work highlights the unique and creative ways students have approached and interpreted the assessment criteria.
Top Designs 2025 is open from 29 March until 20 July at Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street Carlton. Tickets are on sale at Melbourne Museum and online here.
Go here to find out more about Top Design at the Melbourne Museum. More information about the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and its involvement with Top Design can be found here.
Coffee concrete wins national research award
Coffee concrete innovators Dr Rajeev Roychand (left) and Professor Jie Li (right) celebrate their national research award with RMIT Vice-Chancellor Professor Alec Cameron at Parliament House in Canberra.
RMIT University
RMIT University’s coffee concrete innovators have won an award at Universities Australia’s Shaping Australia Awards in the Problem Solver category, after tallying the most votes from the public.
Dr Rajeev Roychand, Professor Jie Li, Associate Professor Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch, Dr Mohammad Saberian, Professor Guomin (Kevin) Zhang and Professor Chun Qing Li’s innovation strengthens concrete by 30% using biochar made from spent coffee grounds to give the drink-additive a “double shot” at life and reduce waste going to landfill.
The coffee biochar can replace a portion of the sand that is used to make concrete. This invention tackles major sustainability challenges. Australia generates around 75,000 tonnes of ground coffee waste annually, contributing to 6.87 million tonnes of organic waste in landfills, which account for 3 per cent of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Within a year, the team progressed from the lab to real-world applications with industry and government partners, including a world-first footpath trial in Gisborne. Their coffee concrete is also being used in Victoria’s Big Build projects, and is displayed in Germany’s prestigious Futurium museum as an innovative material for a sustainable future.
Following the success of the research and the extensive media coverage it received, the team has expanded its collaboration with industry leaders both locally and internationally. RMIT’s partnership with Ambiolock in Australia and C-Green in Sweden, emerged as a key step in advancing high durability, low-carbon biochar-based materials for sustainable construction.
Through these partnerships, the team’s research continues to expand its global impact, demonstrating how innovative waste-to-resource solutions can be integrated into mainstream infrastructure and construction practices worldwide.
RMIT is engaged with a commercialisation partner to translate the team’s innovation into a commercial reality. The partner is in the process of building the business case with key stakeholders and supply chain partners in the construction and agriculture sectors that would potentially benefit from using biochar products or play critical roles in bringing the technology to market.
‘Transforming spent coffee grounds into a valuable resource for the enhancement of concrete strength’ is published in the Journal of Cleaner Production (DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.138205).
Balwyn Evergreen Centre
Diane Falzon
Balwyn Evergreen Centre is a community centre dedicated to ensuring that older individuals stay active, healthy and socially connected.
Championing men’s health and community connection
An important theme in the work of Balwyn Evergreen Centre is the active support they give to the health and wellbeing of men in our community. The Centre recognises the vital role that community-driven support plays in encouraging men to stay physically active, mentally engaged and socially connected. Programs such as the men’s exercise classes and Men’s Kitchen offer men the opportunity to look after their own health, while being there for one another.
Balwyn Evergreen’s Men’s Kitchen – where tasty meals meet meaningful connections
Monthly Men’s Kitchen cooking classes at the Centre give participants the opportunity to experience a unique blend of culinary exploration and social connection.
Led by qualified nutritionist and Balwyn Evergreen volunteer, Ruby Cheung, these classes are designed to teach new skills, improve nutrition knowledge and foster a sense of community. Participants are guided through interactive cooking demonstrations, where they learn to prepare delicious meals and discover the secrets of maintaining a healthy diet.
But the true highlight? Enjoying the fruits of their labour with new friends and creating a shared experience around the table.
The bold voices of 3 extraordinary women at Balwyn Evergreen Centre
The Centre celebrates the contribution of 3 women associated with the organisation. Despite their varied roles within the Centre, each is united by a common goal to empower older Victorians and build a resilient and connected community.
Joanne Zhou is a dedicated board member at Balwyn Evergreen Centre and a sales and marketing professional who energises community events and fosters inclusive outreach at Balwyn Evergreen Centre. Tina Hogarth-Clarke is the Centre’s CEO who champions gender equality and ensures aged care services remain responsive and empathetic. Jo Golds is a seasoned exercise instructor with more than 40 years of teaching experience who inspires women to embrace movement and social engagement through her energising exercise to music classes.
Balwyn Evergreen Centre is proud of these extraordinary women whose diverse roles enrich every facet of our community. Their wisdom and dedication serve as the vital currency that strengthens their families and our broader society.
To read more about these aspects of the Balwyn Evergreen Centre, please go here.
Making liveable neighbourhoods shouldn’t be forgotten in housing plans
Monash University
The Victorian Government has released the first 10 pilot activity centres and announced the locations of the next 25 ‘Train and Tram Zone’ Activity Centres to deliver more than 300,000 additional homes close to jobs, services and transport by 2051.
Senior Lecturer Katherine Sundermann, from Monash Art, Design and Architecture (MADA), said the focus on housing shouldn’t overlook that people living in the new Activity Centres need access to open space, jobs, and services for a healthy and productive life.
Ms Sundermann noted that ‘In general, the aims of the Activity Centres Program are sound in supporting more people to live close to public transport, jobs, shops and social networks’. She welcomed the changes in approach for the first 10 pilot activity centre locations, where the boundaries of the upzoned area have shrunk to better relate with walkable distances from the heart of these activity centres.
She emphasised, however, that ‘Given that there are 60 of these centres planned across Melbourne, it is important that we get the process right.
‘The current process requires more planning to respond to the specifics of each place, and ensure that we also consider the factors that make these places liveable through new parks, upgrades to streets, new libraries and schools, affordable housing, and places to work and shop.
‘In being so focused on housing, we can’t forget that people will be living there who need access to open space, jobs, and services for a healthy and productive life.’
She pointed to the need for the process to evolve to give more agency to local councils and residents. In NSW, councils have been given time and money to create these plans themselves, and residents can give feedback on three options for transformation, like in Ku-ring-gai.
Boroondara Council’s Road Materials Policy: an update on progress
George Demetrios
The City of Boroondara is responsible for maintaining and renewing Council-owned roads to ensure they are safe. It also works to protect the distinct character of Boroondara’s neighbourhood streets. To guide the materials they use to repair, renew and replace these local roads, Council officers are currently drafting a new iteration of the Road Material Policy.
As part of the policy development process, Council officers undertook a survey in April 2024 of residents’ views. They are now considering those responses. When they finalise the policy, the officers will present it to Councillors at a Council Meeting for adoption.
Boroondara Mayor, Cr Sophie Torney recently reported back to the Save Boroondara’s Bluestone Heritage group on progress in the development of the new policy. She said the Road Materials Policy will consider Council’s approach and incorporate heritage considerations and the results of our consultation with the community.
While a specific policy on heritage kerb and channels and laneways is not currently proposed, Council is preparing a new Heritage Strategy this year which will cover Conservation Development Plans for Council-owned heritage assets.
For more information about the Road Materials Policy, go to the City of Boroondara website here.
Bushwalking for fitness and fun
Koonung Bushwalking Club
Want to improve fitness, discover natural environments, and enjoy social activities? Then the Koonung Bushwalking Club (KBC) may be for you. Local residents formed the club 40 years ago to explore nearby bushland tracks and interesting hikes further afield in state and national parks.
KBC has a varied walks program including short Tuesday walks in the Templestowe/Doncaster area, longer walks in the wider eastern suburbs on Wednesdays and more rugged longer hikes out in the bush on weekends.
Occasionally, base camps over several days or a week are held at locations such as Phillip Island, the Bogong High Plains, and the Bellarine Peninsula. Each day has a variety of walks with group dinners at night. These camps are popular and often booked out.
The scheduled walks suit all fitness levels and age groups. Trained, experienced leaders who have scouted the area and know the terrain and conditions, head each walk. Depending on each walk’s length, morning tea and lunch breaks are included.
KBC also has regular social activities such as dinner nights and club meetings. It will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a special night that includes original members attending to share great memories and adventures.
For details or to join, visit koonungbushwalkingclub.org.au and click “Join us”.
Photos by Ross Kimber
Meet the Locals – David Winter OAM
Glenys Grant
After 23 years, David and Bev Winter have sold their iconic business, Bread Street, in Hamilton Street Mont Albert.
The new owners are Fabrice and Sandrine Hiest. They moved to Australia 12 years ago and have lived locally for six years. He is a baker with 36 years’ experience, having operated a boulangerie in Paris and, more recently, a café/bakery in Richmond. Changes are certainly anticipated.
Over many years Bread Street has been generally acknowledged as the best bread bakery in Melbourne. With 48 years baking experience, David brought focaccia to Australia, boiled bagels and sourdough to Queensland, franchised Old Style Bread (listed on the ASX as Brumbys in 1984), sat on various baking industry associations and never lost his passion for 2am starts and baking bread.
David is well known for his community work and recognised with many awards including an OAM, Chisholm Award (twice), City of Whitehorse Citizen of the Year and five prestigious Paul Harris Rotary Awards.
Since the early 2000’s, he has brought many annual events to Hamilton Street that still continue. These include the hugely popular Halloween dress up party event; an Easter egg hunt and a Christmas Fair and Feast in the street. The latter is assisted by members of Rotary Club of Mont Albert & Surrey Hills (MASH) who have run a monthly sausage sizzle in front of the bakery for 20 years.
Special events to help charity have included six barbeques in the street to raise funds for men’s health at Cabrini Malvern Hospital in 2012, and a Purple Clothes Week in 2014. More than $12,000 was raised with support from local schools, businesses and the community towards the Rotary End Polio Now campaign. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation added another $24,000 to that effort.
Another International project Bev and David help is Umoja Tanzania (https://www.umojatanzania.org/), a youth development education group helping some of the world’s most impoverished children. This began after an African trip in 2014. By 2024, through ongoing community fundraising, Umoja has moved from its dilapidated rented school to its own premises. Bev and David have also subsidised three students each year to achieve their educational goals through sales of their Umoja sourdough fruit loaf.
During the Covid epidemic Bread Street, helped by local residents cooking in their own homes, developed a Meals on Wheels program. Ten thousand meals were delivered by volunteers twice a week at no cost to the elderly, disabled and foreign students in Whitehorse and Boroondara.
The business has always aided local schools, clubs and non-profit groups with bakery product for fundraisers and events. It has had a special interest in helping people living with a disability.
A close relationship was established with the disability organisation Alkira Box Hill and with Ashwood Special School. East Burwood Special Development School sent senior children to the bakery as part of their curriculum each term. Many disabled people have been employed by the bakery and looked after by its compassionate and caring staff, all locals and ably led by Brad, the bakery manager for 18 years.
David is a Charter Member of Rotary’s club MASH and has held many official roles including twice as President. The members express their gratitude for the enormous contributions of David and Bev and wish them a wonderful retirement. They are also so thankful the new Bread Street owners will allow them to continue their monthly sausage sizzle in front of the shop and generously supply bread to them.
David is currently working on plans for fundraising via Rotary High Teas. David and Bev’s parting words: ‘It has been a privilege to have been your local baker. Please welcome the new owners of Bread Street, Fabrice and Sandrine, when next in Hamilton Street and continue purchasing your bread and pastries there’.
Tackling veteran homelessness in Victoria
Senator Raff Ciccone, Federal Labor Senator for Victoria and others
The Albanese Government is addressing veteran homelessness in Victoria, with local not-for-profit organisation Vasey RSL Care receiving over $5.86 million through the Veterans’ Acute Housing Program.
The funding includes $4,675,669 to establish new crisis and transitional housing for veterans and families through the construction of 10 dwellings in Geelong as part of the V Satellite Centre; and $1,193,646 to expand case management activities across Victoria, connecting veterans and their families to a range of support services that address the risk or experience of homelessness.
Vasey RSL Care is one of 10 ex-service organisations and veteran-aware community housing providers from around the country who will share in $30 million to support both capital works and specialist wraparound services through the Program.
$24 million will go towards increasing the supply and ongoing availability of crisis and transitional housing specifically for veterans and families.
An additional $6 million will help fund delivery of specialist wraparound support services to veterans and families to address the risk factors of homelessness and get them back on their feet.
Any veteran who is homeless or at risk of homelessness is encouraged to reach out to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs on 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) or Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling on 1800 011 046 to be connected to appropriate supports.
Federal Labor Senator for Victoria, Raff Ciccone noted that this funding ‘…will allow Vasey RSL Care to continue providing home care and residential aged care, affordable housing and veteran support’.
He said, ‘Our community cares deeply about not only commemorating veterans for their service, but also supporting them when they’re in need. We have an obligation to look after these local heroes who have given so much to our country.’
Is Minority Government all that bad?
Joy Mettam
In a recent article in the Australian Financial Review[1], Georgina Downer expressed the view that, ‘… Australia needs a strong two-party system to overcome the serious economic and security issues facing it. Minor parties and independents might wear bright colours and be great campaigners, but when it comes to the serious policy issues facing Australia, they lack the experience and ability to govern’.
Others have however disputed this view, pointing out that minority governments or so-called hung parliaments can be stable, productive and capable of resolving complex policy issues.
A more positive view?
It has been argued that minority governments are more accurately regarded as a form of power sharing, an approach that should be seen to include coalition governments such as that consistently undertaken by the Liberals and the Nationals at both the State and Federal levels[2].
Prime Minister Gillard’s Labor Government was the first Federal minority government to rely on the support of independents to govern since that of Menzies in 1940, and subsequently Curtin in 1941. As Kate Crowley has commented[3], ‘… the experience of the Gillard Labor government shows, minority government can break intractable policy logjams’.
In his recent Quarterly Essay[4] George Megalogenis expresses some trepidation over the prospect of a minority government in 2025. ‘A parliament that looks more like the people it serves carries the promise of new ideas to test an economic model that has outlived its usefulness and a social model that still falls short of our egalitarian ideal. But it also risks forming into a new gridlock if the major parties and crossbench are in direct competition for seats – namely, Labor versus Green, and Liberal versus teal.’
Blogger Tim Dunlop[5] responds: ‘For anyone who has watched [the rise of independents within the Australian political system] grow, who has spoken with those who have made it happen, what shines through … in the seats won by the community independents isn’t just that they were voting against a party system and party candidates they felt had abandoned them; it is that they were voting in favour of a different way of doing politics through candidates they genuinely admire.’
A different way of doing politics
In an earlier essay, Tim Dunlop calls for a different way to do politics[6]. ‘We have to get over the idea that good governance can only come from a major party in control of both houses, a notion that informs many of the assumptions of our political class. We have to normalise the idea that parliament is a place for actual policy debate and that we would be better served by more smaller parties and independents than we are by the faux control of the majors.’
The contribution of independents
The 2022 Federal election saw an unprecedented move away from the traditional 2 party arrangements towards independents and minor parties. At present, there are 13 Independents in the House of Representatives and 4 in the Senate.
Cathy McGowan, the former Independent MP for Indi and ‘godmother’ of the Independent movement, demonstrated with persistence and grace the vital role that Independents can play[7]. By reaching out to her community through kitchen table conversations, community meetings, market stalls and being present, she showed the power of genuine listening to counter disillusionment and create hope and a sense of belonging. She and other Independents over many years have created a strong legacy that we can build on in these challenging times.
[1] https://www.afr.com/politics/victoria-s-byelection-shows-we-need-two-party-system-more-than-ever-20250210-p5latd
[2] The Australia Institute How Parliaments share power
[3] Kate Crowley. https://theconversation.com/no-mr-morrison-minority-government-need-not-create-chaos-it-might-finally-drag-australia-to-a-responsible-climate-policy-181706
[4] George Megalogenis. Minority Report: The New Shape of Australian Politics,
[5] Tim Dunlop. The Future of Everything
[6] Tim Dunlop. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-14/dunlop-its-the-end-of-politics-as-we-know-it,-and-i-feel-fine/6694488
[7] Cathy McGowan. https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topic/2025/01/11/how-community-independent-campaigns-actually-work#mtr
Youth-Led Campaign to Introduce New Bill in Parliament to Prioritise and Protect Future Generations
Foundations for Tomorrow
On 10 February 2025, Independent MP Dr. Sophie Scamps introduced the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill to Parliament, mandating that government decisions consider the long-term interests of current and future Australians. Driven by youth-led non-for-profit, Foundations for Tomorrow volunteer team, who have united voices nationwide through the For Our Future Campaign. The Bill is also backed by the Intergenerational Fairness Coalition, reflecting broad support for future-focused governance.
Seconded by Mrs Bridget Archer MP, the Bill proposes four key measures:
1) Introduce a Federal Legislative Framework for the wellbeing of future generations;
2) Establishing a Positive Duty to Consider the Interests of Future Generations;
3) Establishing an independent statutory Commissioner for Future Generations to advocate for and represent Australians’ long-term interests and sustainable practice; and
4) Launching a National Conversation on Future Generations to engage Australians in a public consultation to shape the nation’s vision for the future.
The proposed independent Commissioner would oversee and advocate for policies aligned with long-term prosperity, while the National Conversation would engage diverse communities to ensure their future needs shape policymaking. Developed through the Australian Parliamentary Group for Future Generations—co-chaired by Dr. Sophie Scamps, Zaneta Mascarenhas MP, and Mrs. Bridget Archer MP, and convened by Foundations for Tomorrow—the Bill reflects strong cross-sector collaboration, backed by years of advocacy and the Intergenerational Fairness Coalition.
The Bill builds on the growing demand for long-term decision-making in government decisions. Research by Griffith University’s policy expert coalition, EveryGen, indicates that 97% of Australians back policies that consider future generations, with 81% believing politicians focus excessively on short-term issues and 78% backing a Future Generations Commissioner. Short-term thinking comes at a cost, with future generations set to bear the financial burden of rising pressures, including an aging population – life expectancy is projected to increase from 81 to 87 for men and 85 to 90 for women, by 2060 (Productivity Commission 2023) – requiring sustainable funding solutions to prevent further economic strain on younger Australians.
Reflecting global best practice, the Bill draws inspiration from the internationally acclaimed Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and represents another step in Australia’s journey toward prioritising long-term wellbeing in government decision-making.
Sign the petition and help build a better future for all Australians: www.forourfuturecampaign.org and join the conversation and support long-term policy making by visiting www.foundationsfortomorrow.org.
Foundations for Tomorrow (FFT) is a youth-driven non-profit committed to renewing our approaches to leadership, decision-making and governance.
Social cohesion: report reveals nation under strain, but absorbing the pain
Greg Thom, journalist, Institute of Community Directors Australia
An increasingly fractious global environment combined with domestic cost-of-living pressures has significantly strained Australia’s social cohesion according to a new report.
However, the latest Scanlon Foundation Research Institute 2024 Mapping Social Cohesion Report found that that while global and local challenges have put Australia’s social cohesion under strain, it has not cracked.
Report author Dr James O’Donnell, from the Australian National University said that in a world grappling with conflict and division, our social cohesion is holding steady.
“While there has been decline in key areas like trust and sense of safety, and financial stress remains a top concern, the continued strength of our communities may be protecting our sense of wellbeing and harmony,” said Dr O’Donnell.
Scanlon Institute 2024 Mapping Social Cohesion Report
The Scanlon Mapping Social Cohesion Research series has tracked Australians’ views on key social cohesion issues, including trust, immigration, democracy, and globalisation since 2007.
The newly launched 2024 report surveyed more than 8,000 people on more than 100 questions exploring the challenges and strengths that shape the nation’s social fabric.
The report found that while social cohesion has remained stable over the past 12 months, areas of concern include the economy, housing, immigration, and safety.
This is an extract of an article first published on the Institute of Community Directors Australia website on 19 Nov 2024. To read the full article, click here.
3147 Love Our Street
Moira Tobin
3147 Love Our Street, aims to bring likeminded people together as a community to look after our environment, to keep our streets beautifully clean and stop litter reaching Gardiners Creek and the ocean.
At 10am on the first Sunday of each month, a passionate and dedicated team of volunteers meet for one hour to collect litter in postcode 3147 (Ashburton/Ashwood). Data is uploaded to the LitterStopper App which is then shared with interested parties to influence policy makers. Go to www.litterstopper.com to find out more about LitterStopper and how to download their free LitterStopper app.
The 3147 Love Our Street group is part of the Beach Patrol movement. BeachPatrol and Love Our Street are litter collection volunteer groups in Victoria, operating in 40+ postcodes. To meet people who are passionate about preserving our environment, wildlife, marine life and ecosystems, visit www.beachpatrol.com.au. If you live in areas covered by the postcodes 3145 (Malvern East) and 3146 (Glen Iris), you can find contact details for these groups here: https://www.beachpatrol.com.au/los
We always meet for coffee afterwards to debrief. To find out how you can become involved in 3147 Love Our Street, go to their Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/LoveOurStreet3147/?_rdr, their Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/loveourstreet3147/ or email them at 3147@loveourstreet.com.au
Please come and join us at our monthly community clean-ups
Locations for our monthly gatherings change (and are subject to weather) but we publicise details prior to each event on our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/959258989006781/959258999006780/?active_tab=about&rdid=5Lo17kMnYC6hlwDF. All areas are in postcode 3147 Ashburton and Ashwood.
Please BYO gardening gloves. Collection bags, sunblock, insect repellent, hand sanitiser are supplied. We also have litter ‘grabbers’. Always wear appropriate clothing – boots / closed shoes, long pants, a hat, and a bring bottle of water.
Join us for the hour or for any amount of time you have. Many hands make lighter work. Children under the age of 15 must be supervised by an adult at all times.
Moira Tobin is Street leader for 3147 Love Our Street
Community Bank Inner East signs $400k two-year partnership with Eastern Health.
Inner East Community Finance Limited
Inner East Community Finance Ltd who operate Community Bank Inner East has signed a partnership agreement with Eastern Health, officially launching a two-year partnership worth $200K per year for Eastern Health Box Hill.
In the first year of partnership, funds will support the Eastern Health Research Forum and at least five Eastern Health Research and Innovation Grants. Funding will also be used for training of nursing, medical and allied health staff and urgent equipment support for the Box Hill Emergency Department and Maternity Ward.
Eastern Health Chief Executive Adj Prof David Plunkett said, ‘We are pleased to partner with Inner East Community Finance, whose generous commitment will enhance our ability to deliver high quality care to the community we serve. This partnership is a testament to the shared vision of improving patient outcomes and fostering innovation in healthcare.’
Adj Clin A/Prof Paul Buntine, the Executive Sponsor of the partnership commented on its significance. ‘Partnerships like these help us empower our staff. By investing in research, innovation, and staff training, we are equipping our teams with the tools they need to make meaningful improvements in consumer care. We thank Inner East Community Finance for this exciting partnership.’
Bob Stensholt, Chair of Inner East Community Finance, reflected on the reasons for entering the agreement. ‘Our partnership with Eastern Health was motivated by a strong desire to increase our business’s impact in the health sector and to ensure that high-quality public health services remain accessible to all residents of Inner East Community Finance Limited Melbourne’s Inner East, both now and in the future’.
‘The funds we have contributed will lead to immediate, tangible improvements, including the acquisition of new equipment. Additionally, our investment in Research and Innovation Grants and staff training will equip Eastern Health employees to deliver the best possible outcomes for patients.’
Nick Coker, CEO of Community Bank Inner East, explained, ‘Along with our support for equipment, training, and research grants, our branches and staff are here to offer personalised financial services to all Eastern Health employees. We provide a full range of banking and financial products at competitive rates, with tailored services to meet the unique needs of Eastern Health staff.’
Inner East Community Finance is the operator of Community Bank Inner East, a franchisee of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd, with branches located in Ashburton, Balwyn, Canterbury & Surrey Hills. As a Community Bank, sixty percent of profit is directed back to the local community through sponsorships and grants.