It was fantastic to join students, staff and the Woolworths team for the official opening of Glenallen School’s very own Mini Woolies.
Glenallen is a wonderful specialist school supporting students of all abilities, and this new space gives students the opportunity to build practical, real-world skills in a safe and familiar environment.
The Mini Woolies looks and feels like a real supermarket, giving students hands-on experience with numeracy, literacy, communication and customer service, while helping build confidence and independence.
What started as an idea in 2018 has now grown to more than 110 locations across Australia and New Zealand, supporting more than 8,250 young people with disabilities.
A huge thank you to Woolworths for investing in this program and bringing Mini Woolies to Glenallen School, and to everyone who has helped make it happen.
A great addition to the school and, judging by the enthusiasm at the opening, I think it’s going to get plenty of use! 👏🛒 ... See MoreSee Less
Find me a genuine pothole on a Monash Council managed road (there are approx. 2,479 of them), send me the location and a photo, and I’ll guarantee we’ll have it fixed within 10 days.
There’s been plenty of discussion about potholes across Victoria lately, including new announcements from the State Government about road maintenance.
When I was on ABC Radio with Raf Epstein recently, I made a fairly bold claim: I don’t know of a single pothole on a road managed by Monash Council.
So I’m putting that claim to the test.
A quick disclaimer before everyone sends me photos of Warrigal Road, Princes Highway or other major arterial roads. Generally speaking, those major roads are managed by VicRoads, not Council.
To make it easy, I’ll put Monash Council’s road register in the comments. It lists every road in Monash and the **first column** tells you whether it’s a “State Arterial” or a Council managed “Public Road”.
As well as visiting our new temporary Children’s Library, I also dropped into the Glen Waverley Library Express at 173 Coleman Parade.
While we build the new $110 million Glen Waverley Library and Civic Centre, we’ve made sure library services remain available right in the heart of Glen Waverley.
The Library Express is home to our adult collection, with books available to browse and borrow, Wi-Fi, computers, printing and scanning, as well as easy collection and returns.
And I have to say, the yellow and blue colour scheme is awesome. Always a favourite colour combination of mine, although probably a little too ambitious to try at home! 💛💙
It’s conveniently located on Coleman Parade, just near Glen Waverley Station, so if you’re in the area, drop in and have a look.
Together with the Children’s Library at Black Flat Community Hall, these two temporary locations will keep Glen Waverley reading while we get on with building an incredible new library for our community. 📖 ... See MoreSee Less
💙 Mental health support needs to reach every part of our community.
It was great to join the Chinese Family Support Network for the launch of their Chinese Community Education Program.
For people from multicultural backgrounds, language, cultural differences and stigma can all make it harder to talk about mental health or know where to turn for support.
That’s why trusted community organisations are so important. They help create safe spaces for conversations, connect people with support and make sure nobody feels they have to deal with challenges alone.
A big thank you to the Chinese Family Support Network and all of the volunteers who give their time to support young people, women, seniors and families across our community. 💙 ... See MoreSee Less
☀️🌿 A sunny 16-degree Sunday sounds like a pretty good excuse to finally tackle the garden you’ve let run wild over winter!
And there’s some good news if you end up with more green waste than you know what to do with.
During this year’s Council Budget discussions, I raised and championed reducing the cost of dropping off green waste at the Monash Recycling and Waste Centre. That cheaper price is now in place, just in time for spring.
Monash residents and ratepayers can now drop off green waste for $50 per cubic metre, down from $80 (a cubic metre is roughly one and a half 6x4 trailer).
So if today’s the day for pruning, mowing, weeding or reclaiming the backyard from winter, getting rid of what’s left over is now considerably cheaper.
📍 Monash Recycling and Waste Centre, 380 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill.
Just bring proof that you’re a Monash resident or ratepayer to access the discounted price. 🌱 ... See MoreSee Less
🌭 A trip to Bunnings is always better when the sausage sizzle is going!
Popped in today and was pleasantly surprised to see the Lions Club of Wheelers Hill on the BBQ. It would have been rude not to support them, so a couple of snags later, everyone was a winner!
Well done to everyone who gave up their Saturday to help out. 🦁👏 ... See MoreSee Less
I had the pleasure of joining the Mazenod Panthers All Abilities Football Club for their presentation night, and it was genuinely one of those nights that leaves you smiling.
Every player received an award, and watching the excitement as each name was called was just brilliant. The smiles, the high-fives, the cheering for teammates and the sheer pride on their faces said everything about what this club means to its players.
The Panthers give people with an intellectual disability the opportunity to play footy, be part of a team, build friendships and confidence, and experience all the things that make community sport so special.
But what struck me most was how much the players celebrated each other. There was such genuine happiness when a teammate was recognised. It was infectious.
Congratulations to every Panthers player on another season, and to the coaches, volunteers, families and supporters who create such a welcoming and inclusive club.
A very special night with a very special group of people. 💙🏆 ... See MoreSee Less
This year’s theme, Colours of Courage, is a reminder that courage comes in many forms, including simply having the confidence to be yourself.
Every young person deserves to grow up feeling safe, supported and accepted for who they are.
Wear It Purple Day is about standing alongside LGBTIQA+ young people and making it clear that they are welcome, valued and belong in our schools, workplaces and communities.
A little bit of purple today sends a pretty important message. 💜🏳️🌈
🍕 Stopped by Lazio Pizzeria in Oakleigh East last night for some takeaway.
The pizza was great, but the carbonara was something else. Absolutely delicious.
And the chips… wow wee. 🤤
Definitely one I’ll be going back to! ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
🛒 Mini Woolies has arrived at Glenallen School!
It was fantastic to join students, staff and the Woolworths team for the official opening of Glenallen School’s very own Mini Woolies.
Glenallen is a wonderful specialist school supporting students of all abilities, and this new space gives students the opportunity to build practical, real-world skills in a safe and familiar environment.
The Mini Woolies looks and feels like a real supermarket, giving students hands-on experience with numeracy, literacy, communication and customer service, while helping build confidence and independence.
What started as an idea in 2018 has now grown to more than 110 locations across Australia and New Zealand, supporting more than 8,250 young people with disabilities.
A huge thank you to Woolworths for investing in this program and bringing Mini Woolies to Glenallen School, and to everyone who has helped make it happen.
A great addition to the school and, judging by the enthusiasm at the opening, I think it’s going to get plenty of use! 👏🛒 ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
🕳️ MONASH POTHOLE CHALLENGE
Find me a genuine pothole on a Monash Council managed road (there are approx. 2,479 of them), send me the location and a photo, and I’ll guarantee we’ll have it fixed within 10 days.
There’s been plenty of discussion about potholes across Victoria lately, including new announcements from the State Government about road maintenance.
When I was on ABC Radio with Raf Epstein recently, I made a fairly bold claim: I don’t know of a single pothole on a road managed by Monash Council.
So I’m putting that claim to the test.
A quick disclaimer before everyone sends me photos of Warrigal Road, Princes Highway or other major arterial roads. Generally speaking, those major roads are managed by VicRoads, not Council.
To make it easy, I’ll put Monash Council’s road register in the comments. It lists every road in Monash and the **first column** tells you whether it’s a “State Arterial” or a Council managed “Public Road”.
Surely someone can prove me wrong.
The Monash Pothole Challenge is on. 🕳️🔎 ... See MoreSee Less
159 CommentsComment on Facebook
📚 Glen Waverley Library Express is open!
As well as visiting our new temporary Children’s Library, I also dropped into the Glen Waverley Library Express at 173 Coleman Parade.
While we build the new $110 million Glen Waverley Library and Civic Centre, we’ve made sure library services remain available right in the heart of Glen Waverley.
The Library Express is home to our adult collection, with books available to browse and borrow, Wi-Fi, computers, printing and scanning, as well as easy collection and returns.
And I have to say, the yellow and blue colour scheme is awesome. Always a favourite colour combination of mine, although probably a little too ambitious to try at home! 💛💙
It’s conveniently located on Coleman Parade, just near Glen Waverley Station, so if you’re in the area, drop in and have a look.
Together with the Children’s Library at Black Flat Community Hall, these two temporary locations will keep Glen Waverley reading while we get on with building an incredible new library for our community. 📖 ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
💙 Mental health support needs to reach every part of our community.
It was great to join the Chinese Family Support Network for the launch of their Chinese Community Education Program.
For people from multicultural backgrounds, language, cultural differences and stigma can all make it harder to talk about mental health or know where to turn for support.
That’s why trusted community organisations are so important. They help create safe spaces for conversations, connect people with support and make sure nobody feels they have to deal with challenges alone.
A big thank you to the Chinese Family Support Network and all of the volunteers who give their time to support young people, women, seniors and families across our community. 💙 ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
☀️🌿 A sunny 16-degree Sunday sounds like a pretty good excuse to finally tackle the garden you’ve let run wild over winter!
And there’s some good news if you end up with more green waste than you know what to do with.
During this year’s Council Budget discussions, I raised and championed reducing the cost of dropping off green waste at the Monash Recycling and Waste Centre. That cheaper price is now in place, just in time for spring.
Monash residents and ratepayers can now drop off green waste for $50 per cubic metre, down from $80 (a cubic metre is roughly one and a half 6x4 trailer).
So if today’s the day for pruning, mowing, weeding or reclaiming the backyard from winter, getting rid of what’s left over is now considerably cheaper.
📍 Monash Recycling and Waste Centre, 380 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill.
Just bring proof that you’re a Monash resident or ratepayer to access the discounted price. 🌱 ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
🌭 A trip to Bunnings is always better when the sausage sizzle is going!
Popped in today and was pleasantly surprised to see the Lions Club of Wheelers Hill on the BBQ. It would have been rude not to support them, so a couple of snags later, everyone was a winner!
Well done to everyone who gave up their Saturday to help out. 🦁👏 ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
🏉💙 This is what community sport is all about.
I had the pleasure of joining the Mazenod Panthers All Abilities Football Club for their presentation night, and it was genuinely one of those nights that leaves you smiling.
Every player received an award, and watching the excitement as each name was called was just brilliant. The smiles, the high-fives, the cheering for teammates and the sheer pride on their faces said everything about what this club means to its players.
The Panthers give people with an intellectual disability the opportunity to play footy, be part of a team, build friendships and confidence, and experience all the things that make community sport so special.
But what struck me most was how much the players celebrated each other. There was such genuine happiness when a teammate was recognised. It was infectious.
Congratulations to every Panthers player on another season, and to the coaches, volunteers, families and supporters who create such a welcoming and inclusive club.
A very special night with a very special group of people. 💙🏆 ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
💜 Today is Wear It Purple Day. 🏳️🌈
This year’s theme, Colours of Courage, is a reminder that courage comes in many forms, including simply having the confidence to be yourself.
Every young person deserves to grow up feeling safe, supported and accepted for who they are.
Wear It Purple Day is about standing alongside LGBTIQA+ young people and making it clear that they are welcome, valued and belong in our schools, workplaces and communities.
A little bit of purple today sends a pretty important message. 💜🏳️🌈
#WearItPurple #ColoursOfCourage ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook