ISSUE 23 MARCH 2014

Mildura’s Burundian and Tongan communities will be among many local cultural groups performing at a special Harmony Day twilight event planned at the Mildura Arts Centre on March 21. Harmony Day is held during Cultural Diversity Week, a state-wide celebration that acknowledges our cultural, linguistic and religious diversity.

See page 4 to find out how you can join in local celebrations to mark the occasion.

community matters

Celebrating our diversity

facebook.com/milduracouncil twitter.com/milduracouncil

Prin

ted

on

100%

recy

cled

pap

er.

Caring for our treesTrees are planted for many different reasons – to provide shade and shelter, encourage native habitats, create wind breaks and to beautify our streetscapes and public areas.

But regardless of why they are planted, all trees require ongoing care and maintenance.

Council is responsible for literally thousands of trees that grow in local parks, streets, reserves and nature strips. There are more than 100,000 trees in Mildura alone and caring for them is a major job.

Most trees naturally drop leaf litter, gum nuts and occasional limbs. It’s Council’s job to make sure trees are given every opportunity to flourish and are planted in appropriate places for the long term. Selecting the most suitable tree species that will survive in local conditions is also an important part of Council’s work.

Every year Council receives more than 1,500 requests from the community relating specifically to trees.

Last year Council planted close to 7,000 new trees throughout our region – many of which were grown from seed at Council’s nursery.

Newly planted trees are watered by truck for the first two years of their life. By this point, depending on where they are planted, they are normally able to survive on their own. During particularly dry hot spells, watering is increased to help keep the trees fit and healthy.

Regular inspections ensure that any issues relating to unsafe, dead or diseased trees are addressed and Council works with qualified arborists to determine the best option when making decisions about removing or pruning trees.

As trees are very important to the community, Council also seeks input from the public about trees where possible.

Tree-related matters can be reported to Council by calling (03) 5018 8100.

If you would like to know more about the information in this document please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to telephone Mildura Rural City Council on (03) 5018 8100.

You can also request an interpreter when you visit Council Service Centres in person.

Council is open 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Αν θέλετε να μάθετε περισσότερα σχετικά με τις πληροφορίες που περιέχονται σ’ αυτό το έγγραφο, σας παρακαλούμε να καλέσετε την Υπηρεσία Μετάφρασης και Διερμηνείας (TIS National) στο 131 450 και ζητήστε τους να τηλεφωνήσουν τον Περιφερειακό Δήμο της Mildura στο (03) 5018 8100. Μπορείτε επίσης να ζητήσετε για διερμηνέα όταν επισκέπτεστε τα Κέντρα Εξυπηρέτησης του Δήμου αυτοπροσώπως.Τα γραφεία του Δήμου είναι ανοικτά από 8πμ έως 5μμ Δευτέρα έως Παρασκευή.

Per maggiori informazioni sul contenuto di questo documento chiamate il Servizio di traduzione e interpretariato (TIS National) al 131 450 e chiedete il collegamento con il comune di Mildura al numero (03) 5018 8100.Potete anche richiedere l’interprete quando vi recate di persona agli uffici del comune Gli uffici del comune sono aperti dalle ore 8 alle 17, dal lunedì al venerdì.

Ni waba wipfuza kumenya izindi nkuru ku bijanye n’uru rwandiko turagusavye uterefone Igisata kijejwe gusobanura (TIS National) kuri 131450 kandi uzobasabe guterefona Mildura Rural City Council kuri (03) 5018 8100 Urashobora kandi gusaba umusobanuzi mu gihe ugendeye Council Service Centres wewe nyene.Council yugurura 8am (isaha zibiri z’agatondo) gushika 5pm (isaha cumi n’imwe z’umuhingamo) Kuwambere gushika Kuwagatanu.

Bu belgenin içeriğiyle ilgili daha fazla bilgi edinmek isterseniz lütfen Çeviri ve Tercümanlık Hizmetini (Translating and Interpreting Service – TIS ) 131 450 nolu telefondan arayarak Mildura Kırsal Şehir Belediyesini (03) 5018 8100’dan aramalarını isteyiniz.Belediye Hizmet Merkezlerine şahsen gittiğiniz taktirde de bir tercüman talep edebilirsiniz. Belediyemiz hafta arası sabah 8 ile akşam 5 arası açıktır.

چنانچه می خواهید درباره معلومات این سند بیشتر بدانید، لطفا با سرویس ترجمه و ترجمه شفاهی ملی (TIS National) به شماره

تلفون 131 450 در تماس شوید و از آنها بخواهید از طریق شماره Mildura) (03) 5018 8100 با شورای شهر روستایی میلدورا

Rural City Council) تماس بگیرند.شما همچنان می توانید زمانی که شخصا از مراکز خدماتی شورا

(Council Service Centres) بازدید می کنید، درخواست مترجم شفاهی نمایید.

شورا در روزهای دوشنبه الی جمعه از ساعت 8 صبح الی 5 بعد از ظهر باز است.

ABOVE: Nursery officer Rhonda Watts with some of the trees growing at Council’s plant nursery.

communitymatters2

Annual survey. Your chance to rate Council performanceFrom recycling and property valuations to child care and sporting facilities, Council provides dozens of different services to our community.

Our annual community satisfaction survey is your chance to provide feedback on each of these services and let us know where we can make improvements.

The survey, which will open on Monday 17 March, asks you to rate 73 different areas of Council in terms of their importance to you and their performance.

Everyone is encouraged to have their say.

You can access the survey online via our website or by visiting a Council Service Centre where hard copies will be available to complete.

Celebrating our successes on Australia DayHundreds of locals converged on Mildura’s Nowingi Place to join Council’s official Australia Day celebrations this year. A range of delicious breakfast options, free entertainment and children’s activities ensured the event was a hit with the young and the young at heart.

Formalities for the day included an address by Colignan citrus grower and 2012 Rural Victorian Woman of the Year Tania Chapman along with an Australian Citizenship ceremony for 35 local people.

Mayor Glenn Milne also presented the 2014 Australia Day Awards, which honour individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to our community.

Congratulations to our award recipients!

Citizens of the Year Jane Zhang and George Yang

Joint winners Jane and George were honoured for their work in helping establish and foster our region’s cultural, education and economic links with Mildura’s sister

city, Dali, China. Thanks in much part to Jane and George, three local schools – Irymple, Merbein and Red Cliffs Secondary Colleges – now have formal school exchange programs in place, which more than 160 local students have participated in.

Young Citizen of the Year Amanda Doolan

Only three years ago Amanda Doolan didn’t even play cricket, and she is now a member of the Victorian All-Abilities Vikings cricket team. While this is a great achievement on its own, Amanda is also the first female to ever be selected in this team.

Community Event of the Year Mildura Field Days

Led by a committee of dedicated volunteers, the Mildura Field Days looks for the good in our region and proudly puts it on display for everyone to see. 2013 saw the Mildura Field Days re-invented as an event for the whole community, and attendance numbers grew by 5,000 people.

Thousands of locals enjoyed Australia Day celebrations at the Nowingi Place this year.

3communitymatters

With more than 75 different languages spoken and more than 60 cultures and nationalities represented across our region, Cultural Diversity Week is the perfect time to acknowledge and celebrate our rich and vibrant diversity.

Celebrated across the state, Cultural Diversity Week runs from Friday 14 March to Friday 21 March. The week-long event is an opportunity to learn more about the many cultures, religious groups and nationalities that are part of our community.

Friday 21 March is Harmony Day, and the Mildura Arts Centre precinct

will come alive with a celebration of the colour, culture and contributions that people from all backgrounds make to our community.

This special Harmony Day twilight event will start at 6pm, and feature music, dancing and other performances by representatives from local Aboriginal, Burundian, Filipnio, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian and Italian groups.

The public is encouraged to bring along a picnic to share on the lawns while enjoying the entertainment and to make use of the Mildura Arts Centre Café which will be open and serving refreshments

Many cultures, one community Celebrating our diversity

Committed to stopping racism

Council has signed on to the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Racism. It Stops With Me supporter agreement and is urging locals to follow suit.

The Racism. It Stops With Me campaign is a part of a national strategy that aims to educate the community about the harmful affects of racism and help people understand that racism is never acceptable.

With such a multicultural community, Council is keen to lead by example in encouraging everyone in our community to put a stop to racism.

Local businesses, organisations and community groups are invited to join the cause and sign up as official campaign supporters too.

For more information about how to get involved visit itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au Did you

know?

Approximately 10% of people living in our region were born overseas

About 9% of our population speaks a language other than English at home.

Council and the Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council have a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to support migrants and refugees throughout our region.

communitymatters4

Many cultures, one community Celebrating our diversity

Animal Shelter works on the wayPeople considering adopting a pet from the Mildura Animal Shelter will soon be able to meet and greet their potential furry friend in a special introductory space.

Council has partnered up with the Sunraysia Animal Rehousing Group (SARG) and SuniTAFE to set up the new facility, which is hoped to be ready for use by Spring.

Thanks to a $50,000 grant which was awarded to SARG from the state government, a building constructed by SuniTAFE apprentices will be relocated to the Mildura Animal Shelter site on the Calder Highway. The bungalow-style structure will then be fitted out to provide a comfortable area for Council staff and volunteers to introduce animals to their prospective new owners.

As well as an area for people to interact with animals up for adoption, the new facility will provide space for SARG and Council to deliver animal education and responsible pet ownership training. SuniTAFE is also expected to use the facility for parts of its animal training programs.

Last year Council worked with SARG and other animal rescue groups across Australia to find new homes for more than 1,000 cats and dogs. And with the establishment of the new introduction and education space at the Shelter these figures are expected to improve even more in the future.

Find out more about adopting a pet from the Mildura Animal Shelter by calling the Shelter on (03) 5024 7867.

throughout the evening.Guided tours of the galleries and Rio

Vista Historic House will also be available, and interpreters will be on hand to translate these experiences for people who speak a language other than English.

Other local activities planned during Cultural Diversity Week include a display of traditional costumes from different nationalities and ethnic groups at the Mildura Visitor Information and Booking Centre and international-themed children’s story time activities at our local libraries.

For more information about getting involved in Cultural Diversity Week call Council on (03) 5018 8100.

Did you know?

Approximately 10% of people living in our region were born overseas

About 9% of our population speaks a language other than English at home.

Council and the Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council have a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to support migrants and refugees throughout our region.

Mildura’s Burundian choir will perform at the Harmony Day event on 21 March.

SARG’s Carolyn Dufty and Animal Shelter Supervior Gary Pretty are looking forward to works starting at the Shelter.

5communitymatters

Rio Vista set for restorationsMildura’s most historically significant building – Rio Vista House – is being restored to its former glory, with much needed repair works starting soon.

With $54,000 of funding from the State Government through the Putting Locals First program and another $40,000 from Council, the heritage-listed c.1890 home of W.B. Chaffey will reclaim its former granduer.

These restoration works will include conservation and repairing the ceilings of the upper hall on the first floor and the entry hall on the ground floor. Following this, the next stage will focus on the restoration and return of five of the building’s bedrooms to their original state.

Built in Queen Anne style, Rio Vista features original furniture and fittings such as Italian marble fire places and Victorian leadlight and stained glass windows. It forms part of the iconic Mildura Arts Centre precinct, with around 20,000 people visiting the beautiful building each year alone.

Works to restore Rio Vista back to its original, authentic condition have been progressing over the years. The comprehensive and painstaking restoration program has so far included replacing ornate timberwork on verandahs, reinstating original doorways and staircases and returning the drawing room to its original décor and colour scheme.

Where possible, Rio Vista will remain open during the rejuvenation work and everyone is encouraged to come along and watch the transformation.

Mallee Up in Lights to make Ouyen shineCouncil and the Ouyen community are working together on a creative project to transform the town and put the ‘Mallee Up in Lights’.

Thanks to a $350,000 grant from Regional Arts Victoria’s Small Town Transformations program, Ouyen will be reinvigorated through art.

The town’s iconic Roxy Theatre will take centre stage. The theatre’s underutilised front courtyard will become a wonder of lights, sound, public art, and community creativity. This includes construction of a major light installation artwork and structure and landscaping to create a functional outdoor room and community meeting space.

Council has been working closely with members of the Ouyen community on the final design for the Roxy’s courtyard, as well as other artistic initiatives which will give all locals the opportunity to contribute in some way to the finished product.

For more information about the Mallee Up in Lights project contact Mildura Arts Centre on (03) 5018 8330.

Red Cliffs’ historic railway gates restoredCouncil and volunteers from the Sunraysia Men’s Shed have worked together to save a small piece of Red Cliffs’ past. The old passenger railway gates at the Old Red Cliffs Courthouse have been restored and returned to their former glory.

The gates were originally part of the Red Cliffs Railway Station and were relocated by the Red Cliffs District and Historical Society to the Old Courthouse. Unfortunately time had taken its toll on the gates and they had fallen into a state of serious disrepair.

But rather than give up on this slice of history, the Red Cliffs and District Historical Society put out a call for help, and Council and the Sunraysia Men’s Shed came to the rescue.

With materials donated by Council, Men’s Shed volunteers supplied the expertise and labour and have restored the beautiful gates to their original condition.

Well done to all involved in this project for the Red Cliffs community.

Brian Jory and Alan Waugh from the Sunraysia Men’s Shed, Helen Petschel from the Red Cliffs and District Historical Society and Council’s Andrew Godfrey show off the restored railway gates.

Rio Vista’s ceilings will soon be repaired.

communitymatters6

Jamie’s Ministry of Food Mobile Kitchen coming to MilduraMildura is set to be the next stop for Jamie’s Ministry of Food Mobile Kitchen, as it continues its 2.5 year route visiting 11 Healthy Together communities around Victoria.

Jamie’s Ministry of Food Mobile Kitchen will roll in to town on Monday 26 May and set up next to the Bike Hub on the corner of Pine Avenue and Tenth Street. From here it will deliver two rounds of a five week cooking course for residents of Mildura and surrounding areas.

As part of the Healthy Together Mildura initiative, residents will have the opportunity to access and participate in this innovative, community-based cooking program which was built on Jamie’s belief about cooking and the associated impact on healthy living.

The Mobile program offers a five week cooking course, composing of one 90 minute cooking class per week, with up to 12 participants in each class. The Mobile Kitchen will be open 7 days a week, with the hands-on classes led by a team of dedicated Jamie’s Ministry of Food Trainers.

Classes cost just $10 per session and $5 per session for concession holders. Bookings are open now and can be made at www.jamiesministryoffood.com

Healthy Together Mildura is a partnership between Mildura Rural City Council and Sunraysia Community Health Services. It is jointly funded by the State Government of Victoria and the Australian Government.

Smoke-free children’s recreational areasFrom 1 April 2014, smoking will be banned at areas commonly used by children and young people for recreational and sporting activities.

This new law, which has been introduced by the state government, aims to provide children and young people with a healthy, smoke-free environment to play.

Under the Tobacco Act 1987 smoking will be prohibited within 10 metres of outdoor public children’s playground equipment, skate parks, and sporting venues during organised underage sporting events, as well as in outdoor areas of public swimming pool complexes.

Council is working with the state government, local sporting clubs and recreational facilities to help ensure everyone is aware of the new laws.

For more information visit www.health.vic.gov.au/tobaccoreforms

Right on bin nightLocal residents are pretty good at recycling. In fact last year we collectively recycled 13,371 tonnes, which equates to 60% of the total amount of waste we produce.

Although many of us are already doing the right thing and looking in all rooms at home for things that can be recycled, plastic bags in recycling bins are still a problem – especially when it comes time to sorting the items that are collected and processing them to become useful new products.

Recyclable materials that are in plastic bags cannot be sorted and are likely to end up in landfill with general rubbish, where they take many years to break down.

So whether you’re evicting a used shampoo bottle from the bathroom after a spring clean or ridding the kitchen bench of empty tomato tins, make sure you don’t put recyclable items in plastic bags when you place them in your recycling bin.

For a full list of household items that can be recycled in your kerbside bin and at our local landfills and transfer stations visit Council’s website or www.getitrightbinnight.vic.gov.au 

r

DON’T PUT RECYCLING IN

PLASTIC BAGS

GIROBN Council Newsletter Ad 106x88_FA.indd 1 19/08/13 12:12 PM

7communitymatters

There’s always plenty happening in our region, this is just a handful of what’s planned for Autumn. To find out what other great local events are coming up visit www.mildura.vic.gov.au

upcomingeventsRed Cliffs LunarfestSaturday 29 March

The Lunarfest has been held in Red Cliffs for over 30 years and is a celebration of the end of the annual fruit harvest. The festival runs a street parade with market stalls, food stalls, static displays and a musical concert in Barclay Square. 

More information: Phone 0418 558 351

Mildura Multicultural FestivalSaturday 12 April

This half-day event at Nowingi Place will celebrate Sunraysia’s cultural diversity through song, dance, music, food stalls, costumes, art, craft, interactive activities and static displays.

More information: mevents@smecc.org.au

Mildura Easter Tennis OpenFriday 18 – Monday 21 April

The Mildura Easter Open Tournament is played on some of the best natural grass courts in Australia. This is your chance to participate in some great social tennis right here in Mildura.

More information: www.tennismildura.com.au

Easter Powersports WeekendFriday 18 – Sunday 20 April

Engines will be racing and adrenalins pumping at Mildura’s annual Easter Powersports Weekend. The Sunset Strip, Timmis Speedway, Olympic Park and the mighty Murray River will play host to a range of heart-stopping races.

More information: www.milduraspeedway.com www.milduramotorcycleclub.org.au www.sunsetstrip.org.au www.milduraskiclub.org

Mildura Wentworth Easter Rowing RegattaSaturday 19 – Sunday 20 April

Rowers from across the nation will be here to compete in the 91st annual regatta which Mildura Rowing Club is hosting in conjunction with Wentworth Rowing Club.

More information: www.mildurarowingclub.org.au

SARG Paws Along the MurraySunday 4 May

Bring your furry friend to Mildura’s riverfront and join the Sunraysia Animal Rehousing Group (SARG) in a recreational walk along the Murray, raising funds and awareness about responsible pet ownership in our community.

More information: www.sarg.net.au

Have you registered your pet?Pets must be registered by Thursday 10 April 2014.

All animals over the age of three months must be registered with Council and must also be microchipped. If your pet was registered with Council last year you should have received a renewal notice in the mail.

If you haven’t received this notice or you have a new pet that needs to be registered please contact Council as soon as possible.

Madden Avenue Service Centre108 Madden Avenue, Mildura Phone: (03) 5018 8100

Deakin Avenue Service Centre76 Deakin Avenue, Mildura Phone: (03) 5018 8100

Ouyen Service Centre79 Oke Street, Ouyen Phone: (03) 5018 8600

General enquiries: Phone (03) 5018 8100mrcc@mildura.vic.gov.auwww.mildura.vic.gov.au

DISCLAIMEREvery effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of event information published in Community Matters. Information published is based on details supplied by local event organisers and was correct at the time of printing.