Woden Voice. Building on hold THANK YOU WODEN! Hot topics. Community News and Information

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Issue #6. December 2008 Woden Voice Community News and Information Published by Woden Community Service Inc. & Woden Valley Community Council Inc.

Woden Voice is designed to strengthen connections in the Woden Valley community and keep residents up to date with local issues.

1 Issue #6. December 2008 Woden Voice Community News and Information Published by Woden Community Service Inc. & Woden Valley Community Council Inc. with a distribution of 12,500 Welcome to the sixth edition of Woden Voice, a quarterly newsletter produced by Woden Community Service (WCS) and Woden Valley Community Council (WVCC). Woden Voice is designed to strengthen connections in the Woden Valley community and keep residents up to date with local issues. There is a lot of change happening in the Woden Valley and we hope this newsletter reflects much of what s going on in our community. We want to hear from you! If there are issues you are concerned about let us know. Our contact details are below and your local member s details are at the back. THANK YOU WODEN! Building on hold The chaos in the world s financial markets has had an impact on the Woden Valley, said Bill O Brien, Chair of the Woden Valley Community Council. The Belly Up Belly dancers, at the Woden Community Festival As the dust settles and we look forward to next year, Woden Community Service (WCS) and Woden Valley Community Council (WVCC) would like to thank the Woden community for your support of the inaugural Woden Valley Community Festival. The day saw approximately 1500 people enjoy the great Canberra weather and entertainment from some of Canberra s finest artists, including the Woden Valley Youth Choir, Belly Up Belly Dance, the Weston Winds, Bliss and the Andi and George Band. Those who stayed on for the afternoon sessions sampled some of Canberra s up and coming bands, including Afraid You ll Fall, Capital Underground and Escape Syndrome. Recent media reports said the project manager, Space Developments, had decided to put the proposed redevelopment of the former YMCA site next to the Phillip pool on hold due to a lack of prospective tenants. The project manager of the Burley Griffin Offices said the development won t go ahead until the world financial situation improves and a tenant can be secured. Hot topics - 12 storey building on hold p 1 - $5 million performing arts centre p 3 - How to contact your new MLA s p 7 - Community Notices p 8 Continued page 6 Woden Community Service Inc. PO Box 35 Woden ACT 2606 Ph: E: wodenvoice@wcs.org.au W: Deadline for submission of articles & ads for the next issue is 1st February

LETTERS TO WODEN VOICE Letters to Woden Voice Please send your brief letters to wodenvoice@wcs.org.au or Woden Community Service Inc. PO Box 35 Woden ACT 2606.

The best new name goes to three year old Joel from Chifley: The Wind Clapper We were driving past the sculpture and I asked my kids What s that? Only my 3 year old, Joel, knew what it was.

I stopped the car once and walked up to it, but found no plaque to tell who made it. I am glad that now I know.

2 LETTERS TO WODEN VOICE Letters to Woden Voice Please send your brief letters to or Woden Community Service Inc. PO Box 35 Woden ACT Deadline for next edition is 1st February Woden Voice received a number of responses to the article about Woden s new sculpture Dinornis maximus. The best new name goes to three year old Joel from Chifley: The Wind Clapper We were driving past the sculpture and I asked my kids What s that? Only my 3 year old, Joel, knew what it was. He shouted out It s a wind clapper! Grant, Chifley Dinornis Maximus Thank you for the article in Woden Voice (Issue #5). I love this statue and I was wondering of its identity. I stopped the car once and walked up to it, but found no plaque to tell who made it. I am glad that now I know. Moreover this is a the typical euphemism when one does not like an artwork but unable to construct a valid argument on aesthetic grounds and therefore posturing as a protector of public morality, protector of children, or as in this case, protector of public safety. George Gondor It is a great statue. Mobiles are still relatively rare, and this one very eye catching. Its wings apparently defy gravity and reaching up the sky. As if it was trying to take off, but remains flightless. It is also well located. The used to be quite barren and there is just enough breeze to keep it gently moving. Mike Reddy has a point that Canberra architecture certainly leaves room for improvement. This statue is, however, a step in the right direction. His concern that this work is a traffic hazard lacks any evidence. Order your Christmas Cards now on-line Corporate Design & Print Solutions Kwik Kopy Phillip 2/10 Townshend Street, Phillip, ACT 2606 Mention this Ad from the Woden Voice when you next place your order with Kwik Kopy Phillip and be in the draw for a $50 voucher from Westfield Woden! 2 t f e print@phillip.kwikkopy.com.au w

3 WODEN VALLEY COMMUNITY COUNCIL UPDATE ACT Election and the Woden Valley The return of the Labor Government with Greens support will put the spotlight on Labor s plans for rejuvenating Woden. In the lead up to the election Labor committed to the need to draw more people to Woden Town Centre to live, work and relax plus: * a $5 million performing arts centre at Canberra College for wider use by the Woden community. Labor s Education policy said This facility will complement similar facilities at Lyneham High School and Calwell High School and will greatly add to the performing arts curriculum at the school. The facility will also provide the Woden community with a community theatre for their use. * further significant expansion of the Canberra hospital which will have an impact on traffic flows, parking and an increase in the number of patients using the hospital. The WVCC will be monitoring the implementation of the new Labor Government s commitments and will keep you posted. Phillip Oval Upgrading and improving Phillip Oval has been completed and the revamped oval is a considerable step forward for retaining and improving the range of leisure and sporting facilities in Woden. WVCC co-hosts 2008 Woden Community Festival It was again a privilege for WVCC to co-host a Woden Community Festival. The 2008 Festival, held 25 October in the beautiful Eddison Park, was the first of what is planned to be ongoing annual Woden Community Festivals. WVCC believes that local Festivals help develop and maintain a sense of community in the locality where people live and/or work and that government and community organisations need to lead, support and encourage the fostering of a sense of belonging, contributing and being valued by their community. Our ACT government has developed three plans that make up the Canberra Plan the Spatial, Economic and Social plans; and the government s support for this Festival gives expression to their commitment to the Social Plan. Woden Community Service s very strong support also gave tangible expression to their commitment to ongoing Festivals. WVCC thanks all those associated with the successful running of the Festival and honours the roles played by our Patron, Pam Yonge (nee Eddison) and our 2008 Lady of the Lake, Viola Kalokerinos. Please read more about the Festival in other parts of Woden Voice. Garran Shops upgrade and New Medical centre, on the way,but no Playground! Development Applications for the Garran shops upgrade and Medical Centre (on the old service Station site) have been recently submitted to ACTPLA, with work to start soon. Landscaping, street light replacement and improvements to footpaths are earmarked. The inclusion of a playground was not considered according to a spokeswoman from Parks, Conservation and Land. The budget allocated to the shopping centre upgrade is $1.1million. While a children s playground may now be desirable for some, it is not feasible within the scope of the available funding. Garran has one of the lowest amount of playgrounds and playground activities compared to other suburbs in the ACT. Recent upgrades at Isaacs and Chifley show that playgrounds are an essential component of any shopping centre upgrade. AGM Elections At the Annual General Meeting of the WVCC on 5 November the following were elected to the committee. Bill O Brien - Chair/Secretary Jenny Stewart - Deputy Chair Gina Pinkas - Planning Officer Martin Miller - Treasurer Mike Reddy - Committee David Menzel - Committee Chris Erett - Committee The WVCC meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm in the Hellenic Club and all Woden residents are welcome. The Council is always seeking input into its activities and Woden Valley residents willing to assist are always welcome to join the committee. Bill O Brien Chair/Secretary WVCC meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm at the Hellenic Club. Please come along. or wvcc@bigpond.net.au, PO Box 280 Woden 2606 or (02)

a positive experience for their clients.

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4 SELLING YOUR HOME? Marcia and Noel specialise in providing the finest, supportive real estate services - to achieve optimum results; and to ensure selling is a positive experience for their clients. To enjoy their services, please phone - Marcia or Noel Marcia Delander Licensed Agent marcia.delander@luton.com.au Noel Lane Licensed Agent noel.lane@luton.com.au Simon Corbell MLA Your local member in the Woden Valley Labor Member for Molonglo Attorney General Minister for Police and Emergency Services Phone: Fax: corbell@act.gov.au GPO Box 1020 Canberra ACT 2601 For a fairer, safer Canberra LIC D AGENT CANBERRA WIDE PTY LTD T/A RICHARD LUTON PROPERTIES 12 BOUGAINVILLE STREET, MANUKA ACT 2603 Authorised by Simon Corbell MLA ~ ACT Legislative Assembly, London Circuit, ACT,

WHAT S ON AT WODEN COMMUNITY SERVICE WCS will be closed from 24 December and reopening on Monday 5 January 2009.

5 WHAT S ON AT WODEN COMMUNITY SERVICE WCS will be closed from 24 December and reopening on Monday 5 January I would like to wish Woden Valley residents and all who are actively engaged in the life of the Woden Valley a safe and happy holiday and a prosperous new year. Chris Redmond, Director If you require assistance over this period, please ring Lifeline on WODEN COMMUNITY SERVICE NEEDS VOLUNTEERS TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY Just 2-3 hours of your time each fortnight can make a big difference to the life of someone in your community who needs a little support. For some people that difference is being able to continue to live independently in their own home. Woden Community Service is a not for profit organisation which provides a wide range of services to meet the various needs of people in the Woden area. the programs, working in partnership with staff to support people in the local community. It is through their involvement that Woden Community Service is able to run a true community service. New volunteers are always welcome and there is a wide variety of activities in which you could be involved. If you would like to join the Volunteer Program or find out more, please contact the Volunteer Co-ordinator: Phone: Mobile: volunteering@wcs.org.au GIVE A LITTLE AND GET A GREAT DEAL IN RETURN New WCS Board! Woden Community Service is managed by a community board of management. WCS held their AGM on Tuesday 14 October. WCS Board for are: Helen Scully - President Louise Evans - General Member Louise Clarke - General Member Martin Devine - General Member David Menzel - General Member Peter Mitchell - Treasurer Janet Thompson - Secretary/ Public Officer Jamie Crosby - General Member A big thank you to the outgoing board members and we look forward to a great year ahead! If you would like a copy of the annual report, that outlines all WCS activities in the last financial year, please contact WCS on Christmas Dinner for Tenants Woden Community Service, in partnership with Rotary Club of Woden Daybreak will be holding a Christmas Dinner for public and community housing tenants. This is a great way to come together, share a meal and celebrate the season together. Christmas Dinner will be held at Woden Community Service (26 Corinna St Woden) on Monday 22 December from 6pm. Please RSVP by December 17, as numbers are limited. Woden Community Service volunteers play a vital role in the provision of these services. They are involved in many of Chris Healy - Staff Officer Ros Jackson - General Member For more information or to RSVP, please contact Emma on or emma.walter@wcs.org.au 5

day was enjoyed by all. Market and food stalls also provided much interest throughout the day as did the rides for children.

A number of great community minded groups, businesses and individuals were recognised in the Unsung Heroes awards, for their quiet but valuable contribution to the life of the Woden Valley.

6 Continued from page 1. With activities by the YMCA, belly dance and drumming workshops, displays by the Woden SES and AFP, a 1901 Steam powered Locomobile on display and a petting zoo for the young (and not so young), the day was enjoyed by all. Market and food stalls also provided much interest throughout the day as did the rides for children. For some fantastic photos and stories from the 2008 festival please visit www. wcs.org.au/festival. A number of great community minded groups, businesses and individuals were recognised in the Unsung Heroes awards, for their quiet but valuable contribution to the life of the Woden Valley. The Canberra Model Railway Society for their annual model railway fair at Malkara School, Pearce resident Frank Millburn for his unstinting volunteering to young and old, Mawson barber Joe Sorrentino and Farrer café Shots of Happy just to name a few. Local Area Coordination provides information, support and assistance to people with a disability, living within the Woden Valley and Gungahlin. LAC has a special focus on children and young people, and those adults who are not already receiving services. The program promotes self management, personal advocacy and developing connections with the local community. LAC responds with flexibility depending on individual needs. Some examples of what LAC has done are: LAC has advocated for a child with a disability to attend a school holiday program. LAC has assisted a young person with a disability to fulfil a childhood dream of learning how to ride a bicycle. Festival Patron, Pam Yonge, spoke about what life in the valley was like before Woden, as it is known today, was established. The Festival s Lady of The Lake, Viola Kalokerinos, spoke passionately about her love for the community that has been a part of her life for the almost 40 years. LAC has coordinated agencies to enable a person with a disability to successfully relocate to a live-in facility. LAC has arranged for a volunteer to accompany an isolated person with a disability on social occasions. WCS, WVCC and the Rotary Club of Woden Daybreak are committed to seeing the Woden Valley Community Festival become an integral part of life in the Woden Valley. LAC provides internet access for people with a disability. Local Area Coordination can be contacted at: For more on how you can get involved in the 2009 Woden Festival, please wodenfestival@wcs.org.au or call Dundas Court (East) Phillip Telephone: bcs@bcsact.com.au Call us for... IN-HOME CARE WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH In-home nursing Convalescent & palliative care Respite care & personal care Companion services Housekeeping & shopping Short or long term Personally interviewed & professionally screened Reliable & experienced Angels available 7 days All areas Australia s Leading Agency in Home & Family Care since 1967 SIMPLY CALL Festival Patron, Pam Yonge (nee Eddison) centre with Chris Redmond WCS right, and David Menzel WVCC left 6

7 MLA S contact list : Postal address for all MLAs: Legislative Assembly, GPO Box 1020, Canberra, ACT Labor: Jon Stanhope, MLA. Member for Ginninderra Chief Minister; Minister for Transport; Business & Economic Development; Indigenous Affairs; Arts; Territory & Muncipal Services. stanhope@act.gov.au Tel: (02) , Fax: (02) Katy Gallagher, MLA. Member for Molonglo Deputy Chief Minister; Treasurer; Minister for Health; Disability & Community Services; Women. gallagher@act.gov.au Tel: (02) , Fax: (02) Andrew Barr MLA. Member for Molonglo Minister for Planning; Education & Training; Tourism, Sport & Recreation; Industrial Relations; Children & Young People. barr@act.gov.au Tel: (02) , Fax: (02) Simon Corbell, MLA. Member for Molonglo Attorney General; Environment & Climate Change; Energy; Minister for Police; Emergency Services. corbell@act.gov.au Tel: (02) , Fax: (02) John Hargreaves, MLA. Member for Brindabella Minister for Industrial Relations; Corrections; Housing; Disability; Multicultural Affairs; Ageing. hargreaves@act.gov.au Tel: (02) , Fax: (02) Joy Burch, MLA, Member for Brindabella joy@joyburch.com or burch@act.gov.au Mobile: Mary Porter, MLA. Member for Ginninderra porter@act.gov.au Tel: (02) , Fax: (02) ACT Greens: Meredith Hunter, MLA, Member for Ginninderra Assembly Convenor. Spokesperson on Treasury and Education hunter@parliament.act.gov.au Tel: Fax: Shane Rattenbury, MLA. Member for Molonglo Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Spokesperson for Environment; Police; Emergency Services. rattenbury@parliament.act.gov.au Tel: fax: Amanda Bresnan, MLA, Member for Brindabella Spokesperson for Health, Transport and Housing bresnan@parliament.act.gov.au. Tel: fax: Caroline le Couteur, MLA, member for Molonglo Spokesperson for Planning and Territory and Municipal Services. lecouteur@parliament.act.gov.au Tel: Fax: Liberal: Zed Seselja, MLA. Member for Molonglo Liberal Leader; Environment & Climate Change; Planning; Housing Affordability; Human Rights; Ageing. seselja@act.gov.au Tel: (02) , Fax: (02) Brendan Smyth, MLA. Member for Brindabella Deputy Leader; Shadow Treasurer; Shadow Minister for Business & Economic Development; Territory Owned Corporations; Gaming & Racing; Tourism; Emergency Services. smyth@act.gov.au Tel: , Fax: (02) Vicki Dunne. Member for Ginninderra Shadow Attorney General; Nature Conservation & Water; Family & Community Services; Women; Industrial Relations; Arts. dunne@act.gov.au Tel: , Fax: (02) Alistair Coe, MLA, Member for Ginninderra Sahdow Minister for Urban Services; Transport; Housing; Heritage; Youth. coe@parliament.act.gov.au Tel: fax: Jeremy Hanson, MLA, member for Molonglo Shadow Minister for Health; Mental Health; Police; Corrections; Indigenous Affairs. hanson@parliament.act.gov.au Tel: Fax: Steve Doszpot, MLA, Member for Brindabella Shadow Minister for Education & Training; Disability Services; Multicultural Affairs; Sport & Recreation. Doszpot@parliament.act.gov.au Tel: Fax:

8 Community Notices NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH WODEN The holiday period is upon us so it is important to ensure that household security is assured especially if you are going away. If so make sure that all deliveries, mail, paper, milk, wine etc are cancelled and that a trusted neighbour knows you will be away. When leaving your house check that it is fully secured with no valuable or desirable items able to be seen from outside. There are some important numbers that can be used throughout Australia. For life threatening emergency dial 000 If police attendance is required dial If it s not an emergency, the simplest way to report something is to call Crime Stoppers on or on the internet at au and tell them what you have seen or heard. You can remain anonymous you don t have to give your name. Emergencies and crises can occur at any time. SupportLink predominantly works alongside of Emergency Services to deliver early intervention support for vulnerable families and individuals who have been affected by an emergency or crisis. SupportLink can be contacted on or au If you require any further information contact your local Neighbourhood Watch Area Coordinator or Brian at brianschiller@netspeed.com.au Brian Schiller Woden District Officer Carols on the Block Each year for the past twelve years, on a Saturday evening in early December, a community carols event has been held on the vacant block opposite the Curtin shops. Known since its inception as Carols on the Block, this is an evening of community carol singing led by local musicians and singers. The event is organised by the Catholic and Uniting Churches of Curtin but it has also been strongly supported by the traders of Curtin, the Southern Cross Club and other members of the community. Carols on the Block is above all an occasion where every one can sing their favourite Christmas carols songbooks are provided and to remember the Christmas story and message. The evening is especially popular with young families but people of all ages attend and enjoy themselves. This year Carols on the Block is on Saturday 13 December. Carols start at 7pm but from 6-30 free BBQ sausages, Christmas cake and drinks will be available. The evening will end before dusk. Bring a picnic, fold-up chairs or rug and your singing voice. Program for After School Studies (PASS) helps students achieve their goals PASS assists students from non-english backgrounds with assignments and homework. It does this through matching students with tutors who have knowledge in subjects that the student is studying. PASS project officer Andrew Kazar said tutors were sensitive to the academic and linguistic needs of students and deeply interested in the culture of newly arrivals in Australia. Many tutors can also speak a second language, Andrew said. PASS has about 100 tutors on its books with knowledge in subjects ranging from music and chemistry to English and mathematics. There are about 70 students ranging from 12 to 25 registered with PASS. Many students from the Australian National University have registered their names with the PASS project. There is strong demand for tutors among students, and there is a need for tutors with experience in mathematics, physics and chemistry. Students and tutors interested in registering for the PASS project should contact Andrew Kazar on or pass@mrccanberra.org.au Advertising in Woden Voice If you wish to advertise in the February 2009 edition of Woden Voice, please contact Emma Walter at Woden Community Service...Ph: E: wodenvoice@wcs.org.au 8

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