Yarranews Take a look at our draft Budget for 2021-2022 page 4-5 Gym classes for people of all abilities
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yarranews MAY 2021 Take a look at our draft Gym classes for Budget for 2021–2022 people of all abilities page 4–5 page 14 Meet some inspiring women of Yarra page 6–7
MESSAGE FROM YOUR
THE MAYOR COUNCILLORS
supporting residents to cut back LANGRIDGE WARD
on pollution. Abbotsford, Alphington (south of Heidelberg Road),
2020 also reminded us just how Clifton Hill (east of Wellington Street), Collingwood
(except for the area bounded by Johnston, Wellington
important it is to have green open
and Smith streets and Alexandra Parade), Fairfield
space right across our thriving city.
(south of Heidelberg Road), Fitzroy (south of Moor
Over the next year, we’ll create Street), and Richmond (in the area bounded by
new parks and improve existing Lennox, Highett and Hoddle streets).
open spaces.
Cr Stephen Jolly
As we bounce back from the 0437 856 713
economic impacts of COVID-19,
stephen.jolly@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Hello everyone we’ll work hard to help local
businesses get back on their feet. Cr Anab Mohamud
Welcome to the May edition of
I’m thrilled to share our vision for 0418 172 938
Yarra News, where I’m very proud
to bring you our draft Budget for a cleaner, fairer community. anab.mohamud@yarracity.vic.gov.au
2021–2022. Speaking of which, take a look at Cr Gabrielle de Vietri, Mayor
The past year has shown how one of our Yarra annual grant 0419 591 023
important our local communities recipients: on page 13 a gabrielle.devietri@yarracity.vic.gov.au
are, and how, throughout the community group helping diverse
pandemic we’ve worked together community members grow and MELBA WARD
to keep each other safe, cook food sustainably.
Burnley, Cremorne and Richmond (except the area
supported, and informed. Finally, did you know you could bounded by Lennox, Highett and Hoddle streets)
With rising inequality and the create roads from recycled tyres? Cr Edward Crossland
climate emergency continuing to Turns out, you can! A street in 0400 326 812
worsen, this draft Budget is our Yarra is set to be paved with this
edward.crossland@yarracity.vic.gov.au
chance to ensure Yarra is a remarkable technology that
liveable place for everyone. reduces pollution and helps water Cr Herschel Landes
trees! See page 12 for more. 0427 460 053
Yarra is leading the way in
meaningful action to tackle the I wish you all the best. herschel.landes@yarracity.vic.gov.au
climate emergency, by Cr Gabrielle de Vietri Cr Claudia Nguyen, Deputy Mayor
transitioning our community Mayor 0409 779 630
spaces to renewable energy and
claudia.nguyen@yarracity.vic.gov.au
COUNCIL MEETINGS NICHOLLS WARD
Council Meetings are all livestreamed at yarracity.vic.gov.au/webcast. North Carlton, Princes Hill, part of Clifton Hill (west
If you would like to attend in person, please make sure you are not of Wellington Street), Fitzroy North, Fitzroy (north of
displaying any COVID symptoms, and follow all COVID-safe guidelines. Moor Street) and part of Collingwood (the area
bounded by Johnston, Wellington and Smith streets
All meetings begin at 7pm at Richmond Town Hall and Alexandra Parade)
• Tuesday 4 May 2021 • Tuesday 18 May 2021 Cr Bridgid O’Brien
• Tuesday 1 June 2021 • Monday 7 June (Special Budget Meeting) 0439 302 590
bridgid.obrien@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Visit yarracity.vic.gov.au/yarrameetings for agendas, minutes and
more information about council meetings. Cr Amanda Stone
0429 358 170
WURUNDJERI ACKNOWLEDGEMENT amanda.stone@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Yarra City Council acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cr Sophie Wade
people as the Traditional Owners and true sovereigns of the land now 0400 570 763
known as Yarra. We also acknowledge the significant contributions
made by other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to life in
sophie.wade@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Yarra. We pay our respects to Elders from all nations and to their To contact your Councillors, call 9205 5055, send
Elders past, present and future. a letter to c/o PO Box 168, Richmond VIC 3121,
or you can reach them via their direct lines as above.
2 YARRA NEWS MAY 2021
SMART BENCHES TO PROVIDE FREE WIFI,
PHONE CHARGING TO COMMUNITY
People on the go will now be able The Smart Benches will further enhance Each of Yarra’s three wards will have a
to charge their device or connect Yarra’s public spaces, providing free smart bench installed. The Smart Bench
to free Wi-Fi at one of three new Wi-Fi and phone charging to anyone locations are:
smart benches. who connects.
• Nicholls Ward: Atherton Gardens oval,
By providing these benches, we are Napier Street, Fitzroy
These benches are offering all residents online access to
• Langridge Ward: Curtain Square park,
critical information, products and
the first of their kind services – particularly those who may
Carlton North
in inner-city Melbourne, not otherwise have access. • Melba Ward: Stewart Street,
Richmond, opposite Corner Hotel.
and are powered by Built-in environmental sensors collect
and share real-time data about The benches will be offered on a pilot
100% renewable temperature, humidity and air pressure. basis of around six months. After this,
solar energy. Users can see this information on a Yarra and ERE will look at usage data
dashboard on ERE’s website. and determine the next steps.
Eco Renewable Energy (ERE), our This information may be able to be used
partnering company, is providing and to inform important planning decisions, Find out more about Yarra’s smart
maintaining the benches at no cost particularly any that relate to action benches at yarracity.vic.gov.au/
to Yarra. against the climate emergency. smartbench
A STEP CLOSER TO OUR COMMUNITY VISION
A community panel is meeting The panel will be provided with an To respect the time and effort of the
this May to create our first-ever overview of what we heard from around panel, we have committed to receiving
Community Vision. 1300 participants during our broad this vision and adopting it as the panel
consultation between November 2020 provides it later this year.
The vision will guide decision making
and January 2021.
about Yarra’s services and projects for
the next 15 years. The panel strongly reflects our diverse
community, with people from all walks Read more about the community
of life who are set to share their life vision at yoursayyarra.com.au/
experiences and views with each other. future
They are meeting four times.
3
A COMMUNITY-FOCUSED, SUSTAINABLE,
CLIMATE-SAFE DRAFT BUDGET
DRAFT BUDGET $205.12 million $38.7 million
AT A GLANCE total operating expenditure in capital works projects
1.5% increase 1.5% increase
in general rate revenue in our additional rate rebate
(in line with the Victorian for pensioners
Government rate cap)
Yarra City Council has worked hard The draft Budget has a strong focus on
to develop a draft Budget that sustainability, both in terms of our fiscal SEE THE DRAFT
continues to invest in the local responsibilities and the types of
community and deliver key essential infrastructure we are delivering. It
BUDGET AND HAVE
services, while also responding to delivers on Yarra’s key strategic priorities YOUR SAY
the climate emergency. and ensures that Council has a stable
Take a look at the draft Budget,
financial position in the years ahead.
Yarra’s pools, gyms, and Council facilities and have your say, at yoursay
will transition away from gas and Yarra’s financial position had been yarra.com.au/budget2021
towards being powered entirely by impacted significantly by COVID-19
You can come along to one of our
renewable electricity. and that had been an important
draft Budget information sessions:
consideration in the delivery of this
The draft Budget 2021–2022 also
year’s draft Budget. Wednesday 5 May
provides funding to plant 1300 new
Bargoonga Nganjin North Fitzroy
trees, install new bike hoops and Like all councils, and all tiers of
Library meeting rooms 1 and 2
new bike lanes across Yarra, as well Government for that matter, the
5pm to 6.30pm
as planning for a food and organic development of this year’s draft Budget
bin collection. has presented many challenges due to Thursday 13 May
the financial losses experienced as a Richmond Town Hall meeting
Despite the significant financial impact
direct result of the pandemic. rooms 1 and 2
of the pandemic, Yarra Council has
5pm to 6.30pm
prepared a draft Budget that continues We invested heavily in the local
to build a fairer and more equal Yarra, community throughout the pandemic by You can also share your feedback
that creates opportunities and tackles providing a package of community and directly with councillors at the
the climate emergency. business support totalling more than special Council Meeting on
$7.5 million. Despite the deficit this Monday 7 June.
It remains committed to delivering key
created in 2020–21, we’re pleased to be Find out how to register to speak
essential services to our community,
continuing our commitment to the at yarracity.vic.gov.au/meetings
optimising service delivery and customer
community, through a budget that
experience and maximising use of The draft Budget 2021–2022 will
supports our most vulnerable residents,
existing assets. be out for community feedback
boosts our local businesses and
This year’s draft Budget was developed addresses climate change. until Friday 21 May.
following broad community consultation You can read a hard copy of our
This draft Budget responds to the
held between November 2020 and draft Budget at one of our
extraordinary circumstances of last year,
January 2021. During this time, we customer service centres.
highlights the resilience we have all
heard from more than 1300 people
shown and acknowledges and If you need an interpreter service
about their aspirations and priorities for
strengthens community aspirations and or other support to read the
the future. These insights will help
strategic priorities for Yarra. draft Budget, please contact us
inform Yarra’s 15-year Community Vision
and the draft Budget 2021–22. See an The draft Budget includes a rate increase on 9205 5555.
update on our Community Vision on of 1.5%, which is in line with the
page 3. 2021–22 rate cap outlined under the
Fair Go Rating System and will be
accompanied by a 1.5% increase in our
additional rate rebate for pensioners.
4 YARRA NEWS MAY 2021
DRAFT New and improved parks The first step towards a
including two park new Community Hub at
BUDGET extensions in Cremorne the Collingwood Town Hall
HIGHLIGHTS Precinct, delivering
essential services including
Find out more at a maternal and child
yarracity.vic.gov.au/ Continuing to support health service
budget2021 businesses and vulnerable
communities in the
climate emergency
New bike hoops and bike
lanes as part of a new 1300 new trees across
Transport Action Plan the city
Fitness equipment and
Capacity to continue upgraded outdoor table
delivering on important tennis in Atherton Reserve
Council actions, such as
integrated water
management, urban
agriculture strategy, nature
Transitioning our swimming pools off gas to 100% renewable
strategy and our heritage
electricity and improving the energy efficiency of our
aspects of Yarra, including
leisure centres
Indigenous heritage
New toilets at Edinburgh
Gardens
New pedestrian
Planning for a food and
infrastructure across Yarra
organics (FOGO) kerbside
making getting to school
collection service
safer and more accessible
5
CELEBRATING THE
WOMEN OF YARRA
EXCEPTIONAL WOMEN FROM THE CITY OF YARRA
HONOURING CULTURE,
AND HELPING
COMMUNITIES HEAL:
SUE-ANNE HUNTER
“I’m a proud Wurundjeri woman,
mum and advocate for the
community. I hold a space for people
to facilitate their own [cultural]
healing.
Originally, during COVID-19, everyone
was ok. When lockdown started to
get longer, people reached out
because they were struggling. My
daughter Jedda and I created
Connecting to Country meditations
to help. We put them online with
some strategies around keeping
connected to mind, body and spirit.
WELCOMING ALL
I sort-of fell into this work and I love
PEOPLE INTO OUR
what I do. It’s about serving the
community and making things better NEIGHBOURHOOD
for the next generation, honouring HOUSES: SUE KENT
culture in every way possible.”
“I work alongside, and with, local
residents [as manager of the
Belgium Avenue Neighbourhood
House at the North Richmond
FOOTBALL AT AN ELITE Housing Estate, and Collingwood
LEVEL: ELLIE MCKENZIE Neighbourhood House at the
Collingwood Housing Estate].
“I was about five when I started
It’s such a diverse, generous
footy. I played with the boys’ team
community, so creative in its
when I was about 8 to 13 ... the only
approaches to solving problems.
girl in the competition. Early on the
boys would be a bit hesitant whether Over the years, art has really
to tackle me or not. worked for this neighbourhood
house and our culturally diverse
When I got drafted [to Richmond FC]
community. It doesn’t rely on
my first reaction was relief, just to
language. It has its own language.
know that I’d made it, and also
excitement and a bit overwhelmed. COVID-19 was like a roller coaster
... We found a way, through
Kicking my first goal in AFL was
offering food security and food
amazing. Something I’ve been
relief, to meet the needs of a
dreaming of. All of my teammates
very frightened, vulnerable
got around me too. It’s definitely
community and keep them
something I won’t forget, ever.”
socially connected.”
6 YARRA NEWS MAY 2021
SUPPORTING THE HOMELESS, ESSENTIAL WORKERS,
AND THEIR PETS: SANDHYA JADU
Sandhya Jadu is a social worker at Melbourne City Mission, and helps people
experiencing homelessness find safe and secure housing. In her spare time,
she pet-sits.
“During the stage 4 lockdown, I realised people needed support to exercise their
pets while balancing work, home schooling and navigating lockdown.
I started offering help to people in the community, walking their dogs and
checking in with them. During [this time] I did this every day.
Freyja (pictured) belongs to an essential worker who works in the disability sector.
Looking after Freyja was an opportunity to help her owner.”
INSPIRING GIRLS TO GET INTO SPORT:
KATE MORTON AND CECELIA WARD
Kate and Cecelia run the Richmond Skippers netball club, which helps primary
school girls in Yarra get involved in netball.
Kate: “It was Cecelia’s idea to start up a club for girls, that gets girls into sport.
Cecelia: We realised that there were heaps of girls in our community who weren’t
getting the opportunity to play netball. It’s a bit about fitness but mainly about
learning teamwork and making friends.
Kate: They’ve got a very positive attitude, they don’t care whether they win or
lose too much.
Cecelia: With our first team, we were just thinking about them playing sport.
Then we had an end of year get-together and some of the parents were quite
teary. They said to us: ‘you’ve changed our daughter’s life – her schoolwork has
improved and she’s connected at school. She’s got so much confidence.”
MAKING SURE NO-ONE FALLS THROUGH THE
CRACKS: RACHEL POWNING
Rachel is General Manager of the Neighbourhood Justice Centre.
“We were really concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on people living in Yarra.
We recognised the Neighbourhood Justice Centre could help to bring the agencies
together across Yarra to try to minimise any negative impacts of COVID-19 for
[public housing] communities.
It was a lot of logistical, emergency response management. Just making sure
everyone knew what others were doing so no one fell through the cracks.
The biggest challenge was making sure our clients were okay, constantly thinking
‘what can we be doing to make this easier for the community?’.
I just want to keep doing work that changes people’s lives for the better. That
changes society.”
Read more of these women’s stories at yarracity.vic.gov.au/women2021
7
WASTE AND FAST FACTS
RECYCLING Since launching the new glass bin in November 2020:
IN YARRA:
HOW ARE WE Almost 923 tonnes of glass
35.48 tonnes less waste
from rubbish bins has gone
TRACKING? collected for recycling (about the
same weight as 150 elephants!)
to landfill, compared with
this time last year
To help improve the way we recycle,
we rolled out a new waste and
recycling system across Yarra in
November 2020.
This included introducing a new
purple-lidded glass-only recycling bin, The average yellow-lidded Only 1 in 50 rubbish bins
and changing what can go in the recycling bin is around ¾ full and 1 in 10 recycle bins
yellow-lidded recycling bin. when it’s collected are overflowing
Your yellow-lidded bin is now being
collected fortnightly. This brings Yarra in
line with 72 out of the 79 councils in
Victoria that also collect recycling
fortnightly. Recycling starts at home,
and we all have an important role to Since its launch on 26 February
play in addressing the recycling crisis. 2021 our cardboard recycling Most recycle bins that were
Overall our community has been doing drop off point in Burnley has overflowing were the smaller
a great job. already collected 150 cubic size (it’s free to upgrade to the
metres of cardboard to recycle larger size – see more below)
Take a look at how we’re tracking.
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR RECYCLING BIN
• Flatten all cardboard boxes
Unflattened cardboard is the most
common cause of overflowing bins in
Yarra, so make sure you remove the
tape and flatten your boxes before
putting them in your recycling bin.
• Drop off any excess recycling
This could include large one-off items
such as the cardboard packaging for
new home appliances. Find out more
about our recycling drop off centres
at yarracity.vic.gov.au/dropoff
• Get a bigger recycling bin
If you need more room for your Both recycle bins pictured show the same amount of waste including the boxes piled next to
recycling, we can swap it over to a the one on the left. Unflattened boxes are the main cause of overflows.
larger bin free of charge. Visit our
website to request a bin upgrade: • Scrunch your aluminium foil into • Minimise the packaging that
yarracity.vic.gov.au/binupgrade a ball you buy
This will also help the people sorting A great way to do this is to switch to
it to separate it from other items. reusable, refillable products.
• Squash your plastic bottles and
aluminium cans
8 YARRA NEWS MAY 2021
WHICH BIN DOES THIS GO IN?
Is it your yellow-lidded recycling bin, purple-lidded glass bin or your general
rubbish bin? Test your recycling knowledge and see if you know which bin
these items go in.
MILK OR JUICE PLASTIC BAG BATTERIES
CARTONS Answer: Rubbish bin Answer: None of your
Answer: Rubbish bin household bins
Soft, scrunchable plastics
These are not accepted by can’t be placed in your The Victorian Government has banned
Yarra’s recycling processor because they recycling bin. electronic waste from going into landfill,
have a plastic lining to keep the liquid in. so batteries cannot be placed in any of
If they’re clean and dry, you can recycle
This plastic cannot be easily separated your household bins.
them by taking them to a REDcycle bin
from the cardboard, as so cannot be at participating supermarkets. Find out You must take electronic waste including
recycled by our processor. more at redcycle.net.au batteries to a drop off point, such as at
Instead, look for milk or other liquids in our Customer Service Centres or Clifton
It is also important that you do not
plastic or glass bottles which are Hill Depot. You can find an electronic
wrap your other items in plastic bags
accepted in Yarra’s recycling bins. waste drop off near you on our zero
when putting them in your recycling
waste map: yarracity.vic.gov.au/
bins. Items in plastic bags can’t be
zerowaste
separated and so your recycling will end
up in landfill.
BROKEN WINE METAL JAR LIDS
GLASS Answer: Recycling bin BERRY PUNNETS
Answer: Rubbish bin While your glass bottles and Answer: Rubbish
Only glass jars and bottles jars go in your purple-lidded Unfortunately this plastic
go in your purple-lidded glass bin. Other bin, metal lids need to be punnet is not labelled 5.
types of glass such as drinking glasses separated into your yellow-lidded Most punnets are labelled 1,
or vases have different melting points, recycling bin. but as it is not a bottle, our recycling
and so cannot be included with your Plastic lids, however, go in your processor will not accept it.
glass recycling. rubbish bin. Punnets are made from a variety of
different plastics, and the processor is
not able to tell quickly which type it is.
Also this type of “flimsy” plastic does
Find out more about recycling in
not make for a high quality product.
Yarra at yarracity.vic.gov.au/
recycle
9
SMALL BUSINESS AMBASSADORS WORKING
ONE-ON-ONE WITH LOCAL TRADERS
Five new Small Business
Ambassadors are working closely
with traders to provide practical,
on-the-ground support and help
meet the ongoing challenges local
business face as a result of
COVID-19.
Yarra’s Small Business Ambassadors,
funded by the Victorian Government,
are working one-on-one with local
business to connect them with much-
needed peer support, mentoring and
training, as well as provide the latest
information and advice on COVID-19
guidelines and restrictions, grants and
government support.
This builds on the
significant support Yarra Mayor Cr Gabrielle de Vietri visits local businesses with our small business ambassadors
Yarra has provided local
This program is being delivered in
businesses over the past partnership with the Victorian Find out more about how we’re
12 months including Government, under the Working for supporting businesses at
Victoria initiative. It is also providing yarracity.vic.gov.au/business
direct grants, permit fee important employment opportunities for
waivers and refunds. local people who have lost their jobs,
many as a result of COVID-19.
TAKE PART IN A LATE-NIGHT LIBRARY PILOT
Library members will soon be able
to visit Bargoonga Nganjin North
Fitzroy Library and Richmond Library
outside of regular opening hours,
through our new Open Library
pilot program.
Open Library will entrust community
members to access the library earlier
in the morning and later at night.
We’re looking for community members
to test it out, so let us know if you’re
interested!
Register your interest at yarracity.
vic.gov.au/open-library
10 YARRA NEWS MAY 2021Na Nguyen volunteers for Cultivating Community, which received an Investing in Community Grant. She’s tended for this magnificent garden
for many years.
GIVING BACK TO COMMUNITY:
$1.8 MILLION IN COMMUNITY GRANTS
Yarra Council has awarded over Successful projects funded through this
$1.8 million in community grants to year’s Annual Grants and Investing in PRECINCT RECOVERY
more than 150 incredible applicants Community Grants 2021–23 include:
through the latest round of its
GRANTS SUPPORTING
• Disability Day Radio from the BUSINESSES
Annual Grants and Investing in
Community Radio Federation: 12
Community Grants 2021–23.
hours of dynamic radio featuring the To help revitalise Yarra, more than
This funding supports initiatives in the voices, ideas and creative talents of $160,000 in grant funding has
arts, culture, events, community people with disabilities in Yarra. been awarded to support 10
development, climate action, community exciting projects, including:
• Youth Behind the Wheel from the
housing, family support, youth services,
Young Assets Foundation – driver • Victoria Street Online
sports and recreation.
safety education to culturally and Marketplace
Yarra’s Annual Grants and Investing in linguistically diverse young people.
• Smith Street Vintage Trail
Community Grants programs are
• Let’s Keep Cooking from Cultivating
awarded to not-for-profit organisations • Burnley Street beautification,
Community – find out more on
and community members throughout including plant and art boxes
page 13.
the City of Yarra to support innovative • “Your Hood with the Goods”
ideas and projects. North Fitzroy Village campaign
Under Yarra’s Annual Grants 2021, This is the second round of our
we’re providing more than $900,000 to For more information on Yarra’s Precinct Recovery Grants, with a
143 applicants. A further 11 applicants grants program, including a full list total of 19 projects supported with
will share in more than $900,000 over of successful projects visit $320,000 in Precinct Recovery
three years through the Investing in yarracity.vic.gov.au/grants Grant funding to date.
Community Grants.
11MAPPING
COMMUNITY
SAFETY
ACROSS
VICTORIA
The parking bay in McIlwraith Street, Princes Hill, will be paved with recycled tyres
YARRA AWARDED GRANT FOR
ROAD MADE FROM RECYCLED
TYRES, THAT WATER TREES AND
We want to make sure people
REDUCES POLLUTION
of all genders feel safe in Yarra.
A street in Yarra is set to be paved
To help give us some insight, we’re with recycled tyres, with a new
working with Monash University’s technology that reduces waste,
gender, design and space encourages tree growth, and
specialists, XYX Lab, and award- prevents pollution.
winning digital consultancy,
CrowdSpot, to gather perceptions This high infiltration permeable
of safety in public space and make pavement – which will be used to
real change in our local area. construct a centre median in McIlwraith
Street, Princes Hill – retains moisture,
preventing pollutants from entering our
The project, called drainage network and reducing
Over the next two years, Yarra Council
YourGround, looks stormwater runoff.
and the University of Melbourne will
at women’s and The water it retains can
monitor how the permeable pavers
perform mechanically, and how
gender diverse then be used by the surrounding tree health is affected.
people’s perceived surrounding trees and We’re one of 18 Victorian councils and
recreational safety plants, encouraging
alpine resort management boards to be
supported to use recycled materials in
at different locations more growth to prevent infrastructure projects, through this
across Victoria, the heat island effect.
Victorian Government initiative.
including Yarra. Collectively, the projects will use
approximately 2,000 tonnes of recycled
The pavement is made from around
materials including glass, plastic and
For the next few months, 70% recycled tyres, sourced from a
rubber to create roads, footpaths,
YourGround‘s online interactive Victorian facility – diverting this waste
outdoor park furniture, drainage and
map will be open for community from landfill – as well as recycled glass
pavements.
submissions. and rock particles to give it the strength
needed to sustain the weight of cars and The Sustainable Infrastructure Fund
Everyone is encouraged to
other vehicles. is part of the Victorian Government’s
contribute. We’re interested to
ground-breaking $380 million Recycling
know how locations make you Yarra has been awarded a $90,000
Victoria: A new economy plan that is
feel, and how different factors grant from the Victorian Government
transforming Victoria’s waste and
make you feel more or less safe. through Sustainability Victoria’s
recycling sector and building its
Contribute at yourground.org Sustainable Infrastructure Fund to
circular economy.
support this project. Yarra Council is
contributing an additional $75,000, and
is partnering with the University of
Melbourne to deliver this innovative
water sensitive urban design project.
12 YARRA NEWS MAY 2021Mary Thomas (left) and Tung Nguyen (right) both volunteer with Cultivating Community
FROM PLOUGH TO PLATE: CULTIVATING
COMMUNITY HELPS PEOPLE GROW, COOK
AND EAT SUSTAINABLY
For more than 20 years, Cultivating “You may see a session producing a
Community has been challenging tuna nicoise salad, or perhaps injera or HELPING THE
Yarra residents to take a closer look sourdough crumpets, [or] chocolate
at their food. muffins, romesco, fajitas and coconut
COMMUNITY HELP
macaroons,” said Rob Rees, Cultivating THE ENVIRONMENT
As our population grows, so too will the
Community CEO.
demand for more food. Cultivating Yarra is supporting sustainable
Community works side by side with Cultivating Community plans to bring all community-led programs through
public housing and diverse communities, its cooking-based programs together, our Investing in Community
and educates people on sustainable and under a new, larger, broader program Grants, which prioritise programs
culturally appropriate food practices. called Let’s Keep Cooking. Yarra is that help the community respond
supporting Let’s Keep Cooking with an to the climate emergency.
Investing in Community Grant.
“We love food and we This is also the first year we had a
“If you are part of Let’s Keep Cooking Climate Action stream as part of
love people. We use activities you will see our experts our Annual Grants.
food – the growing, encouraging people to get involved
Read more about our grants on
with tasting, touching, preparation
preparation and eating and of course, the enjoyment of
page 11.
of it – to connect people eating together”
and bring joy.” “This funding will allow us to think more
long-term about how we run more
Through a range of hands-on cooking clubs and develop food-based
workshops, participants learn about opportunities for all throughout the
where our food comes from, how to City of Yarra.”
grow it, and how to make delicious, Cultivating Community has community
diverse and sustainable meals at home. gardens at each of Yarra’s three public
Cultivating Community also focuses on housing high rises, as well as a
supporting those at risk of food community baking group in Fitzroy and Find out more about Cultivating
insecurity, offering these people food other healthy food initiatives that Community’s programs, and find
pantry program and a safe, dignified support people in and around Yarra who out how to get involved:
environment to bond over culturally need it. cultivatingcommunity.org.au
diverse dishes.
13Dee with one of her Yarra Leisure trainers, Andrew
EXERCISE FOR ALL ABILITIES
Dee has been attending the Cerebral “I do it because it gets me moving, it The Cerebral Palsy
Palsy Program at Richmond really helps with my mobility and
Recreation Centre for 10 years. Every strength” she says. Program isn’t just an
Wednesday, she makes the journey
Yarra Leisure’s Cerebral Palsy Program opportunity to work
from her home in Craigieburn to
Richmond where she works out with
is the only one like it in Melbourne. It’s
run by passionate and knowledgeable
out, it’s a place where
gym instructors Xavier and Andrew.
gym instructors who support and people can connect and
When she first started the program, Dee
found it a little daunting, but being part
guide a small group of participants
and their carers through strength
meet others with shared
of it has empowered her and has building exercises. lived experiences.
encouraged her to prioritise her fitness.
Get Into Group Fitness Access All Abilities classes
Afternoons Monday to Thursday, Cerebral Palsy Program
Collingwood Estate Gym
1.15pm weekdays, Richmond
The Collingwood Estate Gym now Recreation Centre
offers a timetable of classes with youth
A strength training session for
and women’s-only programs, HIIT,
people with cerebral palsy. This
strength, and open gym sessions.
program is suitable for people who
Entry is just $2, or free for members
can use gym equipment with the
and anyone aged 14–17 attending a
support of a carer, including upper
FIND YOUR youth class.
and/or lower limbs movement.
Living Longer Living Stronger
CLASS AT Most weekdays, Collingwood Leisure
Striving for Maximum Strength
1.15pm Tuesday and Thursday,
YARRA LEISURE Centre and Richmond Recreation
Centre
Collingwood Leisure Centre
Our leisure centres offer a range of 11am weekdays, Richmond
This is a group class for people aged
programs to support people of all Recreation Centre
50+. After an initial consultation, a
abilities to use our gym, programs gym instructor will guide you through Small classes with an instructor
and services. strength exercises that meet your for people living with chronic health
Find out more about these programs, personal health goals. conditions. Using different pieces of
and other classes, at yarracity.vic. gym equipment, you’ll do a variety
gov.au/leisure of exercises that focus on your
personal goals.
14 YARRA NEWS MAY 2021WHAT’S ON
GLEADELL STREET
MARKET
Every Saturday
7am to 1pm
Gleadell Street, Richmond
Support local at Yarra’s bustling fresh
food market, overflowing with seasonal
fruits and vegetables, fresh bread, herbs
and other gourmet delights.
RENOVATING WALKING RICHMOND
yarracity.vic.gov.au/gleadell SUSTAINABLY Saturday 5 June 2021
Wednesday 19 May 2021 10am to 1pm
ENGLISH 7pm to 8.15pm Richmond Town Hall
CONVERSATIONS Online Take a walk through the former
Sustainable heritage expert and “Dockers Hill” and the leafy Vaucluse
Monday 3, 17 and 31 May 2021
conservation architect Ruth Redden will area and learn how in the 1880s
2pm to 3pm
show sustainability, solar and heritage Richmond had terraces and villas,
Online
can go hand in hand. You’ll also hear but became working class after the
Join our library staff for a chat! These how we’re making it easier to install 1890s depression.
sessions give adult non-English speakers solar for the two thirds of Yarra residents yarracity.vic.gov.au/walkaround
a chance to practice their conversation in heritage overlays, and how you can
skills in a welcoming and safe get solar through the Yarra Solar
environment. A fun opportunity to Program. JOB INTERVIEW SKILLS
discuss interesting topics, practice your
English or just meet some new people. yarracity.vic.gov.au/gosolar Tuesday 15 June 2021
2.30pm to 4.30pm
yarracity.vic.gov.au/english Online
WURUNDJERI
Learn how you can nail your next
VIETNAMESE MUSIC: SEASONS TALK interview with this crash course. Learn
DISCUSSION AND Tuesday 1 June 2021 what to do before, during and after
6.30pm to 7.30pm a first-round interview. You’ll also
PERFORMANCE have a chance to workshop questions
Fitzroy Library
Sunday 16 May 2021 and answers.
Learn about the 13-month lunar cycle
2pm to 5pm yarracity.vic.gov.au/interview
that make up the Wurundjeri seasons
Richmond Theatrette
from Uncle Bill Nicholson. Hear how
A musical afternoon with song writers each season relates to both previous
Vien-Trinh, Le-Phu, musician Duc-Dinh weather patterns and the activities Stay connected with what’s
and some popular singers in the associated with each season. happening in your neighbourhood
Vietnamese Community. As part of and around Yarra with our
yarracity.vic.gov.au/seasons fortnightly e-news, Yarra Life.
Vietnamese Reading Month, the forum
will discuss what makes a good singer yarracity.vic.gov.au/yarralife
between live singing performances.
yarracity.vic.gov.au/music
VISIT THE NEIGHBOURS
Check out what’s happening in your area at one of our Neighbourhood Houses
and Learning Centres. They provide a variety of programs and activities
specifically for their local communities. They offer services including children and
For more information about local youth programs, art, music, cooking and computer classes, English and other
events, visit yarracity.vic.gov.au/ language lessons and community lunches, all at little or no cost.
yarraevents yarracity.vic.gov.au/neighbourhood
15What you can put in your recycling bins has changed
Glass Plastic Collection
Separate glass jars and bottles Only plastic bottles labelled 1 We are still doing weekly
from other recycling. and 2 (lids off), and plastic food recycling collections,
packaging labelled 5, can go in your alternating between glass
Clean and empty glass jars and
yellow-lidded recycling bin. and other recyclables.
bottles without their lids go in
your purple-lidded glass bin. Check the collection calendar
that was sent with your purple
glass bin, or sign up for our bin
collection SMS reminders.
Visit yarracity.vic.gov.au/recyclerev
to find out more.
Not sure where to put something?
Visit yarracity.vic.gov.au/atozguide
Weekly announcements from
Yarra News will be broadcast in
some languages on local radio
3CR 855AM and 3ZZZ 92.3FM
YARRA CITY COUNCIL ON THE COVER: Na Nguyen is a volunteer with Cultivating Community
PO Box 168, Richmond VIC 3121 and had been tending for this magnificent garden for many years.
T 9205 5555 If you have any comments or queries about Yarra News, please contact
E info@yarracity.vic.gov.au us at yarranews@yarracity.vic.gov.au or call 9205 5555. Large print,
W yarracity.vic.gov.au audio and online versions are also available.You can also read
