Wendouree West: Program in new phase

Eight years after the Wendouree West Community Renewal program started, residents are looking to the next chapter.

Some of the achievements of the project so far include the construction of the Wendouree West community Learning Hub, the redevelopment of Weeramar Park and the Violet Grove shopping strip, 800 housing upgrades, a new train station and the creation of hundreds of jobs.

Yesterday Housing Minister Richard Wynne said the government would continue to invest in the town, which he said had become internationally renowned for its achievements.

"Communities like this have been really passed by by governments in the past," he said. "It's really easy for governments to say they will build a building, but what we're really investing in here is the physical infrastructure and the people.

"Social inclusion is about ensuring everyone gets a go in the community, it's about making sure no one in Wendouree West gets left behind."

City of Ballarat mayor Cr Judy Verlin said what was now critical was how to take the project on and "imbed it in the community".

Through a Neighbourhood Alliance Agreement signed yesterday, the community will develop an action plan for the next five years.

It will focus on addressing mental health issues, employability, streetscape improvements, environmentally-sustainable upgrades to homes and an emphasis on reducing domestic violence and promoting family harmony.

"Today marks the beginning of the next chapter that will mean even greater improvements to local services and community infrastructure to benefit local residents," Mr Wynne said.

Loving farewell for Mick's mum

The mother of Collingwood Football Club coach Mick Malthouse died earlier this week at the Gandarra Palliative Care Unit.

A service was held yesterday at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Wendouree and was packed with old friends, relatives, and supporters of the Collingwood Football Club including players and president Eddie McGuire.

Speaking about his mother at the funeral, Mick Malthouse recalled her unconditional love for her family.

"If she taught us two things, it was patience and tolerance," he said.

"I never remember my mother being angry.

"She'd get disappointed, and that was enough."

He also spoke about the things she wasn't too fond of.

"She hated ginger cats, lillies - they reminded her of death - and Sheedy when Essendon beat us," Malthouse said, laughing.

"And she was a shocking cook, which unfortunately she passed on to her children."

Mick Malthouse's daughter and television sports reporter, Christi, read a poem she had written for her grandma, which she read valiantly before choking up during the final lines.

Mrs Malthouse was married to Raymond for 55 years before he died two years ago.

They had two children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

"She just loved everyone and anyone she touched loved her," Mick Malthouse said.

"One enduring thing she's left us is the ability to love our kids.

"I just can't believe how much she loved us."

Construction of Ballarat Solar Park begins

CONSTRUCTION of the Ballarat Solar Park has begun.

The first sod of soil for the 300kW park was turned at the Ballarat Airport this morning.

The park, a showcase feature of the $42 million Central Victoria Solar City project, will generate enough power to meet the needs of 150 households.

It is expected the park and its 1760 photovoltaic panels will produce more than 450 megawatt hours of power annually.

When the park starts producing power, households will be able to buy the renewable energy generated by the solar panels.

Ballarat MHR Catherine King waved a flag to mark the beginning of construction while an excavator turned the first sod of soil at the one hectare site this morning.

Origin Energy will build the park, one of two in the Central Victorian Solar City.

The other is located in Bendigo.

Residents invited to be part of station

THE community is being invited to have its say on a public art project at the Wendouree Train Station.

The State Government has engaged Ballarat company Ratartat and Yuille Park Community College to develop and design a mural to front the station, which is set to open in the coming months.

"We are asking the community to submit ideas of what they want to see on their mural," Ballarat West MLA Karen Overington said.

"Perhaps an iconic personality, a local attraction or even a picture of their family pet."

Ratartat and the college's students will incorporate the submissions into the mural's final design, which will have an overall public transport theme.

Ratartat's Geoff Bonney said the mural would be a genuine community-developed piece.

"We're here to guide the students in the design and production of this piece of art," Mr Bonney said.

"The end result will ultimately be their ideas, including how they decide to weave in submissions from the community into the design."

College principal Clete Paige said the mural was a "fantastic" project for the school to be involved with.

"It gives them (the students) a sense of pride, local ownership and community spirit," Mr Paige said.

Submission forms are available from the Ballarat Train Station, the Ballarat Town Hall and the Department of Transport's regional office. Submissions close on Friday. 25^th April 2009

Fireworks display means cracking fun on Australia Day

BALLARAT's popular Australia Day fireworks will go ahead at Lake Wendouree despite a lack of water.

But there will be a new launch site due to the growth of fairy grass on the lake's northern side.

Traditionally, the fireworks, run by 3BA, have been launched from Durham Point.

This year, they will be launched at the finish of the rowing course, next to the Olympic Rings on the south-west corner of the lake.

3BA general manager John Fitzgibbon said organisers were sensitive to the state of Lake Wendouree.

A series of meetings between 3BA, the City of Ballarat, Country Fire Authority and Department of Sustainability and Environment had been held and a contingency plan created to allow the event to proceed, he said.

"Our goal is to not only provide a visually stunning show for the people of Ballarat, but to do so without any effect on Lake Wendouree and its surrounds," Mr Fitzgibbon said.

"Safety is absolutely paramount and with the assistance of the City of Ballarat, CFA and DSE we are pleased we can once again provide the finale to Australia Day celebrations."

Thousands of people flock to the shores of the lake for the spectacular fireworks display _ a feature of Ballarat's Australia Day celebrations for almost 30 years.

Mr Fitzgibbon said plans for this year's Skyworks were progressing well.

A number of new fireworks from Japan would be incorporated into the show, which would be set to music broadcast on 3BA, he said.

"With less than three weeks to make final preparations we will move forward at full speed," he said.

Mr Fitzgibbon said he was pleased with the new launch site and encouraged people who plan on attending the show to avoid walking on the lake.

"The new launch satisfies all our requirements in particular providing a natural exclusion zone," he said.

"Again we urge everybody to respect Lake Wendouree and to avoid walking on the dry lake bed on Australia Day."

Lake could be brimming two years early

WATER from Ballarat Goldfields could help see Lake Wendouree full by 2010, two years ahead of schedule.

The initial project announced earlier this year to send wastewater from Ballarat Goldfields to the city has been enhanced after further discussions between the City of Ballarat, Lihir Gold and the State Government.

Council now wants to use some of the water in Ballarat's CBD on some Sturt St garden areas and other recreation reserves.

City of Ballarat sustainability director Ian Rossiter said council and Lihir, the owner of Ballarat Goldfields, had been discussing potential funding for the scheme.

"The initial plan was to see how the water, available from Ballarat Goldfields, might be transported to Lake Wendouree in a pipeline," he said.

"Now we're looking to see if there is sufficient water for the Sturt St gardens to ensure the longevity of the boulevard-style trees and supporting some grass areas."

The project would consist of a 5.2km pipeline of 150mm in diameter between Ballarat Goldfields and the lake.

Mr Rossiter said it was anticipated between 500 and 650 megalitres of wastewater would be available, per annum.

"This would fast-track the refilling to 2010," he said.

Council has budgeted $150,000 towards the project as part of its 2008/09 budget and is seeking State Government funding towards the project's current $1.26 million cost.


Additional funding for development of Educational Precinct in Wendouree West
A significant feature of the Wendouree West Community Renewal Project has involved plans for the development of a community HUB and Educational Precinct in Wendouree West.

Additional funding of $1,061,358.00 for the development of stage 2 of the Wendouree West Educational Precinct from the Community Facilities Fund was announced to the Wendouree West Community by Karen Overington MLA Member for Ballarat West on Friday, 7th October, 2005.

This grant will support the completion of a Multipurpose Facility, Information Technology Centre, Visual Arts/Music Centre and Playgrounds on the Grevillea Park Primary School site and will be available for all members of the community, including the local schools.

Stage 1 of the project was supported with a grant of approximately $1,000,000.00 from the Community Support Fund and included the redevelopment of the shopfront in Wendouree West as an integral part of the Community Hub.  Some of the funding from this initial grant will also be used towards development of stage 2 of the project.

This is an exciting project which will provide significant support for the community in Wendouree West. This project has been the direct outcome of extensive community consultation, including a community education forum and the Community Education Precinct is based on the principle of meeting the life long learning needs of the Wendouree West community.

Prior & Cheney Architects have been engaged to design and implement the project which when completed next year will provide joint use facilities for school and community purposes.
Created: 13th October, 2005


Wendouree West History Display
The Wendouree West Community Renewal received an invitation, late last year, from Roger Trudgeon, Manager of the Ballarat Gold Museum. The invitation was for members of the Wendouree West Community to research the History of Wendouree West and then to display the history in the Ballarat Gold Museum.

A group of 8 residents from Wendouree West  formed the 'Wendouree West History Group' and took up the challenge. Members of the group were: Fiona Beaumont (convenor), Lynette Metz, Margaret Fry, Beryl Gladman, Frances Bilston, Sherrin Caird, Rebecca Beaumont (student) and Ian Miller.

The History Group has had numerous visits, over the past nine months, to the Australiana Reference Room at the Central Highlands Regional Library, the Public Records Office, local schools, pre schools, workplaces etc. as well as interviewing many former residents, current long-time residents and other individuals that have had an association with Wendouree West.

The 'History of Wendouree West' display was launched on Thursday, 1st September, 2005 by Karen Overington, MA, Member for Ballarat, and will be available for viewing until 20th November, 2005.

Although the display has been launched, the History Group will still be following leads and further researching the history of Wendouree West.

If you can help the History Group with their research, please leave your contact details either at the Wendouree West Community Renewal Office at 1223 Grevillea Road, Wendouree
or email: fionabeaumont71@hotmail.com so the History Group can contact you in due course.
Created: 1st September, 2005
 

Malthouse returns to old stomping grounds
Malthouse, who grew up in Wendouree West, was happy to be home mixing with more than 1000 Ballarat students as part of the Education Foundation's fourth annual Back To School Day.

He visited BSC Wendouree Campus and Our Lady Help of Christians, on Tuesday, 17th May, where he spoke to pupils from Grevillea Park, Yuille and St Augustine's Creswick primary schools.

As part of the visit, Malthouse was reunited with his junior football coach, Clarrie Schulz and wife Betty, who showed him old photographs taken during his playing days in Ballarat.

Malthouse started his football journey with Wendouree West Junior Football Club, which was started by Mr Schulz in the early 1960s.

Malthouse also had a serious message to send to the students from his old town. He urged them to make a decision with life and to chase their dreams.

                                  
Mick Malthouse speaks to students from OLHC, Grevillea Park,               
Yuille, and St Augustine's Primary Schools.

                                          


Renewal program boost
BALLARAT'S thriving Wendouree West Neighbourhood Renewal program will be expanded as part of an $84.6 million initiative.

Aboriginal Affairs and Aged Care Minister Gavin Jennings, in Ballarat last week, announced the extension of the program to another four areas on top of the existing 15, as part of the State Government's four-year $788 million

A Fairer Victoria package, part of tomorrow's State Budget.

"Wendouree West has been a fantastic success in terms of communities who take control of their own destiny," Mr Jennings said.

"We are going to expand that program, to actually develop more aspects of Neighbourhood Renewal in Wendouree West.

"Our government recognises it's a model for neighbourhood renewal right throughout Victoria.

"We're talking about the way the community comes together in Wendouree West."

Mayor David Vendy said he was delighted by the Wendouree West Renewal Project.

"It really is a great project and it has helped in the revitalisation of that area of Ballarat," Cr Vendy said.

Ballarat East MLA Geoff Howard said the money would help reduce disadvantage and improve opportunities for residents and families in the region. We want to make Victoria the best place, and the fairest state, to bring up a family."

The A Fairer Victoria package, which focuses on disadvantaged groups and communities, also details a range of initiatives for the Ballarat and Grampians areas.

It includes an Aboriginal land and economic development program to involve more indigenous people in land and resource management, sustainable tourism and business opportunities.

It also outlines new supported playgroups in Ballarat, the extension of the community-based Family Support Initiative Program.

The package will also work with Indigenous families through a Ballarat-based Aboriginal Family Support Initiative program.

Mr Jennings said another highlight would be the linking of the Ballarat Aboriginal museum to a new 250km tourism trail.

He said the Kirrit Barreet Museum would form part of the Bunjil trail and would begin at the Bunjil's Shelter in the Gariwerd/Grampians National Park and finish at Lady Julia Percy Island.

Across Victoria the social policy package will deliver $101.8 million for children, $180.3 million to support Victorians with mental illness and $119.5 million for Victorians with disabilities.


Jaycees Park receives new name and $320,000 facelift
On Wednesday, 2nd February, 2005, The former Jaycees Park, at the corner of Norman and Gillies streets in Wendouree, was re-opened and renamed Weeramar Park, which means `play' in the language of the Dja Dja Wurung/Wathaurong people.

Premier Steve Bracks, whose father was one of the inaugural members of Jaycees, reopened the revamped park which has undergone a $320,000 facelift.

The park received its former name after the Wendouree Jaycees group which helped develop the park and planted hundreds of trees.

$1 Million Ministerial HUB Announcement
On July 13, 2004, The Wendouree West Community welcomed  Victorian Communities Minister John Thwaites and Housing Minister Candy Broad together with Ballarat West MLA Karen Overington, Catherine King, UnitingCare's chief executive officer Cliff Barclay and other distinguished guests. Wendouree West Neighborhood Renewal Project manager Gerardine Christou, Convenor of the Residents Group, Kevin Waugh and many friends, lead the Ministers on a tour of Wendouree West, the Ministers announced that Wendouree West had received funding of $1M to help build the first stage of the Community Hub, adjacent to the Grevillea Park Primary School., The hub will house learning, health-care, childcare, employment and recreation facilities for the area, which will link into the primary school. An enjoyable day was had by all.

Jaycees Park. Works have been underway on the park for some months and are now nearing completion. A Community working bee was held on Saturday May 22nd. The weather was lovely for what turned out to be very productive day. Around 70 people turned up to help with the construction of the playground, planting trees and spreading mulch. The park has been transformed into a beautiful area where families can spend time together enjoying a barbeque, relaxing and playing. Other features of the park include around 80 new trees, a shelter, tables and benches.

The Ballarat City Council played a major role in the redesign and construction of the area. The Wendouree West community would like to acknowledge and thank the Council for their dedication and hard work on this project. There are many other organisations that contributed to the working bee and again the community is grateful to these organisations.

Thanks also to the wonderful residents who turned up and helped out. You showed much enthusiasm and worked hard, it was greatly appreciated.

BMX Track update
The youth in the area have something to smile and celebrate about…the BMX track is open and ready for use. The youth have had plenty of input into the design of the new track and have created something very exciting. The track has been moved from the back of the oval to the front of the oval. This provides the site with much more security and natural surveillance.
People can be seen at all hours of the day enjoying the facility and there is a smaller track for the younger children in the area.
There will be a grand opening in the coming months, but the track is open for use now.

Created: 20th July, 2004

BMX Track... The community consultation has finally taken place and the works are due to begin after Easter. There has been some wonderful input into the design by the young people of the area and they have worked really hard to ensure a track that is safe and suitable for all to use. The old BMX Track will stay in place will stay in place until the new one is opened. For security reasons, the track will be relocated the front of the reserve. It is hoped the track will be operational by the end of May. 

Community Gym... The community are in the process of setting up a gym in one of the Violet Gve shops. The Gym will be available for everyone to use...


Created: 23rd March, 2004

Wendouree West Community Gateway
www.wendoureewest.com is Launched...
Wednesday December 10, 2003, saw Wendouree West take a step forward in the technology age with the launch of the Wendouree West Community Gateway. The Honourable Minister for ICT (Information, Communication and Technology) Marsha Thompson officially launched the website at Central Highlands Regional Library Corporation.

The launch was a result of many months of hard work for all who help put together and manage the Gateway and all should be congratulated on quality of the website.

The website is now online and can be accessed at www.wendoureewest.com.

Created: 16th December, 2003

Wendouree West Community Gateway
A First for Victoria & A First For Wendouree West... 
Wendouree West  has a new voice - an informative interactive website that not only shows the world what is happening in Wendouree West, but also enables the residents to access up-to-date information, and share in community information and events.

The Wendouree West Community Gateway will provide access for residents on a wide range of topics. It is a valuable tool for residents enabling the Wendouree West community to showcase the community renewal process and provide relevant and timely information online.

The Bee logo has been chosen to relate the botanical theme (streets being named after flowers) and will represent the Community of Wendouree West becoming connected through the Community Renewal and our Gateway.

Our team of volunteers (all residents of Wendouree West) have been working with the Gateway Coordinator and spent the recent months researching and gathering content from the Internet and designing and developing the many pages that will be a part of the completed Wendouree West Community Gateway.

Created: 27th November, 2003

Community Renewal
Renewal Committees Restructure... 
As the Renewal entered a new phase in its process, so too did the structure and formation of committees and working parties. For us to have long term, sustainable programs we needed to focus on involving more residents.

After much discussion and planning, we decided the only way forward is by involving more residents. We gave every member of the community the opportunity to become involved. It’s important we all have a say in determining our future and that of the community.                               
As of the 21st July, 2003 all Resident positions within the Renewal were vacated. Residents nominated for as many committees or groups they liked.  Prospective recruits were given information on this process, along with a booklet outlining possible areas of involvement. All residents were successful in obtaining positions within the Renewal. 

Residents expressing an interest, or willingness to be involved were invited to attend a meeting on Monday 25th August at Grevillea Park Primary School.  At the meeting we talked through the restructure, explained roles of resident representatives and called for nominations for these positions in each committee. Voting was done by a secret ballot. Newly formed committees met in early September. 

Created: 27th November, 2003

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