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ISSUE 66 FEBRUARY– MARCH 2021 Australia Day awards Winners revealed Sandy Library Now open Community groups Back in actionYoung Citizen of the Year, Sam Higgins shows off his Australia Day award. Inside this issue Australia Day Awards Community NurseryBrighton Historical Society Sandy Library reopens Bayside Gallery presents Sing v How to contact us o bayside.vic.gov.au (03) 9599 4444 76 Royal Ave, Sandringham enquiries@bayside.vic.gov.au facebook.com/BaysideCityCouncil twitter.com/BaysideCouncil Customer service commitment We are committed to being easy to deal with, empathetic, effective and trusted. Our website makes it easier to contact us, make an enquiry, request a service or provide feedback at a time that is convenient to you. Feedback and complaints Complaints should be put in writing and can be lodged via Council’s website. You can expect to receive a response within 10 working days. The information in this publication is correct as of time of print. Where possible we have provided links to the most up to date information. Given the ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, information in this publication is subject to change Under the guidelines set by the Chief Health Officer, masks can be removed for photography. 11 6 1214 8 Community centres return 5 • For the most up to date information on the COVID-19 pandemic visit: o dhhs.com/coronavirus. • For the most up to date information on Council news and services visit: o bayside.vic.gov.au Editor’s note Council is available to assist residents of all ages with accessing a wide range of support and services - no challenge is too big or small. This includes help for you, or the person you care for, to stay active and independent at home and connected to the community. We also want to hear from you if you are feeling lonely or isolated. We provide in-home services as well as social connection and referrals to other support services. This includes help to self-isolate due to COVID-19. Here to help Community Connector Call 9599 4444 to speak with Council’s Community Connector or one of our friendly team.TEST SITE SUCCESS Mayor Laurence Evans OAM, CEO Connect Health Amanda Murphy and Brighton Public Golf Course Manager Nick Tuddenham. Community overcomes cluster SERVICE The Bayside community came together towards the end of last year to quickly overcome an outbreak of COVID-19 in the municipality. Just as our community was preparing to see out 2020, Black Rock made the headlines with locally acquired cases of COVID-19 on 30 December. Council quickly mobilised to support the Department of Health and Human Services in setting up a number of testing sites as part of the swift response. Thank you to all frontline workers, including the wonderful staff at Connect Health and Community who worked long hours in leading the testing at some key sites and overcame hot weather to ensure a smooth and safe operation. Thank you to Brighton Public Golf Course for transforming the car park into one of the most successful pop up sites in Victoria with 4532 tests over 16 days. Thank you to Brighton Secondary College for kindly allowing golfers to park at the school. Well done to the Bayside businesses that provided exceptional check-in data making contract tracing efficient - a startling reminder of why the check-in process is so important. Please continue to check-in when visiting Bayside businesses. And finally a big thank you to the thousands of Bayside residents who got tested and isolated to help themselves, their loved ones and the wider community stay safe. Mayor Laurence Evans OAM said everyone in the community should be proud. “It is community connectedness that saw Baysiders band together to get tested, isolate and do what was necessary to wipe out cases of COVID-19 from our municipality,” Cr Evans said. “Now we must come together to support those businesses affected and continue to support our local traders.” Residents are reminded to remain vigilant, practise COVID safe behaviors and follow the current restrictions set by the Victorian Government so we can continue to keep each other safe. For more information on current COVID-19 restrictions and outbreaks, o dhhs.vic.gov.au Residents are reminded: remain vigilant, practise COVID safe behaviors and follow the current restrictions set by the Victorian Government. Let’s Talk Bayside 3Moving our way back in COMMUNITY Bayside’s Community Centres are returning to the bustling hives of activity they were before COVID-19 hit the pause button on gatherings. For 20 years, Cheryl East has fronted a group of over 50s taking part in a low impact aerobics class at Brighton Recreational Centre. She said the Fitness for Over Fifties class couldn’t wait to get back on the floor. “Our group is all about getting the heart pumping, finding balance and maintaining or improving flexibility,” Cheryl said. “But it is more than exercise. There is a huge social component to our class and some of our members have been coming for years and love a chat - we have really missed getting together.” The group has everything in place to resume this year – physical spacing markers, hand sanitiser, disinfectant and wipes. The class is open to men and women over 50 years who are keen to keep their body and mind ticking every Monday from 11.45am–12.45pm. “The thing we’ve noticed about this hiatus we’ve been in is some of our members have lost confidence in their ability because they’re not doing some of the actions they used to. We just want everyone to come back and new people to join and connect.” Brighton Recreational Centre offers many activities for all ages and abilities including sporting and artistic programs. A new Mini Maestros educational music class for children aged 6 months to 5 years of age also started this year. Council continues to support local community centres through our Community Grants and Contingency Grants with more than $400,000 combined funding allocated to these important community organisations. There are six community centres across Bayside offering a wide range of activities for all ages and abilities including Hampton, Highett, Sandybeach, Castlefield Community Centre and BAYCISS. For more information visit o bayside.vic.gov.au/bayside- community-centres We just want everyone to come back and new people to join and connect. FITNESS FANATICS Pamela and Helen are excited to have exercise back on the schedule at Brighton Recreational Centre . Bayside's community centres are back. 4 Let’s Talk BaysideNew farmers’ market EVENT A new farmers’ market is set to It is the customer engagement aspect reinvigorate Hampton Street, bringing the of farmers’ markets that attracted home community together with fresh quality bakery, Elwood Sourdough. produce every third Sunday morning.Husband and wife team Greg and Council is working with Sandringham Tracy started the business six years ago, Rotary Club, which has assisted in and each new product takes about delivering the successful Bayside three months to develop to perfection. Farmers’ Markets for the past 10 years.“We love selling direct,” Greg said. “We Club President Ian Wells said the see people’s appreciation for our product introduction of the Hampton Farmers’ and enjoy getting to know our customers.” Market would add value to the “Farmers’ markets are a safe community and to local traders.environment for the whole family to “Farmers’ markets are great for enjoy,” Tracy said. community spirit. They bring happiness Visit Elwood Sourdough and and connection to residents but also many more stalls at the first stall holders as they meet directly with Hampton Street Farmers’ Market their customers.” on Sunday 21 March. Farmers’ markets are great for community spirit. They bring happiness and connection to residents but also stall holders as they meet directly with their customers. It's all happening in Hampton With projects planned throughout the year, thorough preparation and planning has gone into managing traffic and parking in the area to ensure minimal impact on residents. Thomas Street Playground Construction underway Sandringham Athletics Track Construction underway Road improvements in Thomas Street between Hampton Street and Hudson Street Construction begins mid year The Block TV show Construction has begun VicTrack development near Hampton station Site office established and construction due to commence in April 2021 MARKET FRESH The Elwood Sourdough bakers will be baking up a storm for the Hampton Farmers Market. Let’s Talk Bayside 5Sandy library reopens MAJOR PROJECT Sandringham Living and Learning Centre is open after a $4.2M renovation of the existing library. The building’s exterior charm has been retained while the interior has transformed into a modern, spacious community facility. The 300 square metre floorspace increase has been achieved within the library’s existing footprint that includes quiet reading rooms, revitalised program facilities, upgraded technology and an expanded collection of books and other material. Sandringham Library has been a popular Bayside landmark since it opened in June 1958. It reached icon status in 2014 when it was named Australia’s Favourite Library. Mayor Laurence Evans OAM was excited to see the Sandringham Living and Learning Centre open, with its playful and interesting architecture and interior design. The building also incorporates the purpose-built Maternal and Child Health Centre. “This transformation will ensure our library services meet community needs into the future. It also makes visiting the library convenient for a new generation of Bayside residents attending for MCH visits.” The library is open from 10am – 6pm, Monday – Friday. Have your say COUNCIL The Local Government Act 2020 requires councils to adopt a principles- based Community Engagement Policy by 1 March 2021. Feedback on our Community and Stakeholder Engagement Policy told us that representation and access to information are priorities for our community. There are many ways to have your say: • visit bayside.vic.gov.au/HaveYourSay and subscribe to project updates • keep an eye on Council’s social media • subscribe to Council’s weekly email newsletter bayside.vic.gov.au/enews • call our customer service team on 9599 4444 for additional support. Be a part of the conversations that influence the decisions that make Bayside a better place to live, work and play. This transformation will ensure our library services meet community needs into the future. NEW CHAPTER The renewed Sandringham library is now open. Appointments underway at the new home for parents and bubs. 6 Let’s Talk Bayside Council received a record- breaking response to last year’s Local Laws survey with almost 7,000 community members having their say. The idea to ban burning solid fuel outdoors has been extinguished with a resounding 86 per cent of people surveyed opposing the idea. Find out more at o yoursay. bayside.vic.gov.au/locallaw No ‘BBQ ban’ for BaysideWild vocals reactivate GRANTS Bayside’s highly valued community choir can return to rehearsals in a COVID safe way thanks to Council’s Community Reactivation Grants. Vocally Wild Choir has been meeting for 20 years, with the 100-member strong group participating in annual community events like Anzac Day and Carols in the Park. The choir has been unable to meet at their usual spot, SandyBeach Centre in Sandringham, due to the risky nature of singing during the pandemic. Choir President Russel Barnes said the grant allowed the group to purchase sanitiser, perspex shields, screens for the music director and pianist, signage and physical distancing floor markers. “Without these necessities we couldn’t get back together – they’re a must-have for our health and safety and you have to do this properly,” Russel said. “Our grant gave us a huge financial boost and was the difference to us being able to come back together after many months of seeing each other only on Zoom.” The one-off Community Reactivation Grants are still available for not for profit organisations, clubs and groups experiencing hardship as a result of COVID closures and new health and safety requirements. Mayor Laurence Evans OAM said Council allocated $100,000 to the grants program, which was broken into small grants for recipients of up to $2,000. “Our community clubs and groups play a big role in what makes our municipality a special place,” Cr Evans said. “This grants program will help community groups return bigger and better than before.” Successful applicants can use the funds to reconnect with members, create new or enhance existing programs, purchase consumables to create a COVID safe environment, or for minor equipment and furniture like outdoor seating, protective screens, wall partitions and IT equipment. Funds are available until the allocation is exhausted. Find out more, and apply, at o bayside.vic.gov.au/contingency- grants LOOKING SHARP No more singing solo for the Vocally Wild choir who can now rehearse together in person. Our community clubs and groups play a big role in what makes our municipality a special place. Let’s Talk Bayside 7Awarding our extraordinary residents COMMUNITY Council proudly presented its annual Australia Day Awards at Sandringham Yacht Club on Tuesday 26 January to people living in our community who are truly making Bayside a better place to live. For Citizen of the Year, Deb Brook, volunteering and helping others is something that comes naturally. So, when bushfires struck Victoria in the summer of 2019/20, Deb stepped in and started the Bayside Community Emergency Relief Inc, activating 6,300 residents who donated to fire ravaged communities and animal shelters. Just as that emergency subsided, another one started. The COVID-19 pandemic tipped Deb into community mode once more, this time starting an incorporated charity – Bayside Community Emergency Relief Inc. “There’s certainly been a lot of work this past year, but it is surreal to get this recognition as it is not over yet,” Deb said. “I haven’t really had time to dwell on it, but its humbling and I did well up a little when my name was called out. “I’ve been volunteering since I was a child when I would help mum with her meals-on-wheels round and over the past 14 years I’ve run support groups anonymously – I do prefer to be behind the scenes.” Bayside Community Emergency Relief Inc was awarded the Community Event of the Year for providing COVID Comfort Packs to 538 residents in non-profit aged care centres and 200 comfort packs for children displaced by family violence. The charity will focus their relief efforts on these two vulnerable community groups in 2021. Bayside Mayor Laurence Evans OAM said Deb’s award was a great recognition of her ongoing commitment to helping others. “Deb has done an extraordinary job co-ordinating others to volunteer or donate items that will help people in need,” Cr Evans said. Find out more about the Bayside Australia Day Awards at o bayside. vic.gov.au/australia-day-awards There’s certainly been a lot of work this past year, but it is surreal to get this recognition as it is not over yet. RELIEF EFFORTS Deb co-ordinates others to donate time or items to help people in need. 8 Let’s Talk BaysidePASSIONATE PATROLLER Derek Jones is on the lookout for more volunteers to combat littering in Bayside. BAYSIDE'S ATTENBOROUGH John Eichler's magnificent photos capture Bayside's flora, fungi and fauna. YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Brighton East resident Sam Higgins is a sport loving 14-year-old who just wants to do more for others. Sam, who is living life to the fullest with cerebral palsy, was awarded the Young Citizen of the Year for leadership after his Take Over Melbourne story was shared on the ABC. “I thought it was important to me for people to hear my story,” Sam said. “People need to know that living with a disability can be really exciting and we can do anything that ‘normal’ people can do.” Sam is looking forward to lunch with the Mayor who will even hand over his robes to the Young Citizen of the Year for a day. SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Senior Citizen of the Year Derek Jones initiated the Friends of Bayside Roads in 2017 and has mobilised around 45 volunteers to pick up roadside litter particularly around golf courses, parks and gardens, sporting venues and schools. A meticulous person by nature, Derek likes things to be tidy and neat. “To be honest, litter hurts me. It is a complete abomination on our environment!” Nominated by two of the group’s volunteers, Derek said he was honoured by the award. “It was a thrill to be nominated,” he said. “If this award raises awareness about our Friends group and attracts more volunteers – because we need them – then that’s great.” ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD This year’s individual Environment Award went to John Eichler. The award recognises John’s extraordinary contribution to documenting Bayside’s local flora, fungi and fauna using his skills as a scientific photographer. Readers of Council’s quarterly Banksia Bulletin magazine will recognise John Eichler’s name as being a regular contributor to many of the extraordinary photos that are published each edition. “All the individuals and organisations recognised through these awards are making a wonderful contribution to our Bayside community and should be extremely proud of their achievements,” Cr Evans said. COOL RIDER Young Citizen of the Year, Sam Higgins with his trike donated by The Dylan Alcott Foundation. Let’s Talk Bayside 9Next >