It's our last podcast of this year 🎉 and what a year it has been! For many of us it is time to take some time off, relax and spend some quality time with those we love. In this Champion Chat Christmas edition, we discuss;

What Alison looks forward to at this time year
What's on in Banyule, including council initiatives to help spread joy in this festive season, such as;
⭐ Music & art events
⭐ Community events, festivals and celebrations
⭐ Youth & senior events
⭐ Christmas Carols 13th December from 5pm to 9:30pm at Greensborough War Memorial Park
⭐ Christmas Day Lunch at The Harmony Centre in Heidelberg West

To book a spot for the Christmas Day Lunch, please call 03 8582 9501 or book in person at The Harmony Centre, 48 The Mall, Heidelberg West 3081

The Champion Chat team would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe holiday! 🎄🎅

If you like to know more information about what's on in Banyule, including council festive season events, please visit Alison's website, https://alisonchampion.com.au/, or visit the following links:

5th Dec 2025 Twilight Christmas Market in Greensborough - https://visitgreensborough.com.au/whats-on/twlight-xmas-market-2025/  

13th Dec 2025 Banyule Carols By Candlelight - https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Events-activities/Major-events/Carols-by-Candlelight  

20th Dec 2025 Macleod Village Christmas Fair and Makers Market - https://www.facebook.com/events/macleod-village/macleod-village-christmas-fair-and-makers-market/1366674351001630/  

25th Dec 2025 Banyule Christmas Day Lunch - https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Events-activities/Whats-on/Council-events/Christmas-Day-lunch  

Banyule City Council Website - https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Events-activities/Whats-on?dlv_BCC%20CL%20Public%20Events%20Listing%20Full%20Width%20Grid=(pageindex=3)  

Use this Google Link “What’s on in Banyule”: https://www.google.com/search?q=whats+on+in+Banyule&rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBAU788AU788&oq=Wha&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCAgAEEUYJxg7MggIABBFGCcYOzIOCAEQRRgnGDsYgAQYigUyBggCEEUYPDIGCAMQRRg8MgYIBBBFGD0yBggFEEUYQTIGCAYQRRhBMgYIBxBFGEHSAQgxNjkyajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&ibp=htl;events&rciv=evn&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiyoNaAvOOCAxU3ZmwGHSxtDUgQ5rwDKAJ6BAhhEA0&sxsrf=AM9HkKl19koiYsR74hawI57prE96IlniYg:1701063674932

This month Carl and I discuss the process for maintenance of our city's roads, parks, footpaths and trails. Whilst roads and footpaths may not seem an exciting topic, it is probably the topic that is most at the top of residents thoughts along with rates and waste.

Some of the areas we look at today are:
- Which areas of council have responsibility for ongoing maintenance, both reactive and proactive, 
- Where does the funding come from (hint: it's not all out of the same bucket)?
- What happens when the council inspectors see the need for an emergency rectification.  

If you would like to know more about the Banyule's maintenance programs, you can follow the links in the copy below.

Banyule Website: https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Home   

This month Carl and I discuss the Victorian Government's recently introduced planning policies and the resultant High Density Housing.  We will also be talking about the Banyule City Special Charge Scheme Policy.  Some of the topics covered are:

- What are the problems associated with the State Government controlling planning and development?
- What have been some recent decisions by the State Government on this for Banyule.
- Is there a lack of transparency and will these decisions have adverse affects on the environment and infrastructure? 
- What is the Special Charge Scheme and how does it work? 
- How do we ensure that no-one is adversely affected financially?

If you would like to know more about the governments Housing Policy and the Special Charge Scheme Policy, you can follow the links in the copy below.  

SCS - https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/About-us/Councillors-and-Council-meetings/Council-meetings/Council-meeting-agendas-and-minutes  

Policy reform - https://www.manningham.vic.gov.au/about-council/strategies-and-action-plans/advocacy/state-government-planning-reforms    

Housing targets - https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/planforvictoria/housing-for-all-victorians/housing-targets 

Heidelberg Structure Plan -  https://engage.vic.gov.au/project/activity-centres-program/page/heidelberg 

Community sports clubs are truly the centre around which many of us revolve our social activities and spare time.  Whether as parents ferrying children to their weekend games, or participating in our own sports for exercise and the love of the game.  And then there are the unsung heroes, the Volunteers.

This month Alison and Carl chat with Michael Malone the President of Lower Plenty Football Netball Club and Narelle Wilson from the Heidelberg Golf Club Womens Competitions.  Some of the topics covered are:

- What are the roles they carry out?
- Stories of some special Volunteers, the life-blood of all community sports clubs.
- Education and support for ensuring respect for all participants and officials.
- Facilities and improvements.
- Community support, collaborations and sponsorship.
- Government and council support.
- Upcoming finals and events.

If you would like to know more about these clubs, you can check them out on their websites https://www.heidelberggc.com.au/ and https://www.lowerplentyfnc.com.au/ or on their Facebook pages https://www.facebook.com/HeidelbergGolfClub/ and https://www.facebook.com/lowerfc. 

And for the ladies who are interested in taking up golf check out Heidelberg's "Let's Golf Girls" program at https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ZafPoHLdX/?mibextid=wwXIfr 

Welcome to this month's Champion Chat podcast. Last year the podcast looked at what goes into a council budget. This year, Cr Alison Champion and Cr. Rick Garotti will provide insights into the 2025 budget and how it has been constructed, 

We will have a look at what services are provided by the budget such as:

- The different revenue channels
- Roads and drainage and how much they make up of the budget
- New infrastructure and capital works that have been put forward and approved under the new council
- Balancing the budget and why its important, where possible, to avoid debt

If you would like to know more, you can visit https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/About-us/Policies-plans-strategies/Council-Plan-and-Budget, to get the latest information or simply visit https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Home.  You can also get information from your Banyule Banner.

If you are a business needing support you can visit https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/For-business/Getting-into-business or contact customer service on 9490 4222 and ask to be transferred to Business Concierge.

Or you can reach out and contact Alison, via:
Telephone: 0466486593
Email: [email protected]

or Rick, via
Telephone: 0490014965
Email: [email protected]

Welcome to this month's Champion Chat podcast. It's now been 7 months since the council elections, and today we are going to review how the first 6 months of the new council have been going.  How have the new faces settled in, and what has been the impact of fresh ideas and insights?  Joining Alison in this episode is newly elected Councillor Mary O'Kane from the Olympia Ward covering the Heidelberg Heights, Heidelberg West and Bellfield areas.

Today, Mary will share how councillors are inducted, what have been the biggest challenges and the biggest surprises so far, and most importantly, what does Mary feel are some of the areas that she feels will need to be focussed on over the next term.  Mary and Alison will also talk about how these focus areas can get traction and move forward, including community engagement, consultation and planning with the council officers.

We will also review how the major projects are progressing and do we see any pivot or changes to current council major policies moving forward.  

And if you would like to know more about who is who on the council and how to get in touch with your local councillor, check out https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/About-us/Councillors-and-Council-meetings/Councillors.  

#CommunitySpirit #BanyuleCouncil #CityofBanyule #BanyuleWatermarc #BuildingBetterCommunities #MakeADifference

🎧 New Podcast Episode Out Now! 🎧

Ever wondered exactly what’s in your council rates notice and why you’re charged for things like the Fire Services Property Levy? Or how those property valuations are calculated?

In this episode of Champion Chat, we sat down with Councillor Alison Champion to unpack the details behind your rates notice in Victoria. We cover:

✅ What’s included in your rates notice
✅ Why councils collect some state government levies
✅ How property valuations work (and why they don’t always match the real estate market!)
✅ Tips to understand and review your rates notice more clearly

It’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to get a handle on what you’re paying for—and why!

💬 Drop a comment or message us if you have questions—we’d love to hear your thoughts!

#ChampionChat #BanyuleCouncil #CouncilRates #PropertyValuations #LocalGovernment #CommunityEngagement #RatesExplained #PodcastEpisode

Welcome to our ANZAC Day Champion Chat podcast. Today we will be talking about the significance of ANZAC Day, what it means in the community, support and recognition for veterans, and finally what are some of the upcoming events around ANZAC Day that people can attend, areas of discussion are;

What does ANZAC Day mean to you and your first memories?
Has the collaboration with community support helped to raise the profile of ANZAC Day?  Is this a good thing?
What activities are happening in and around Banyule for ANZAC Day?

Below is a list of planned ANZAC Day events in Banyule:

This Anzac Day we have a number of activities being organised by our local Banyule RSL’s.  And let’s take the time now to let our viewers know what is taking place.  First off, we’ll start with what is happening at Greensborough:
Greensborough RSL
•        Dawn Service 6am, Greensborough War Memorial Park, 203 Henry St, Greensborough.  And you can see a picture of War Memorial Park here.  
•        BBQ breakfast at Greensborough RSL 6:30am, 111 Main St, Greensborough
•        ANZAC Day March 8:30am assemble opposite Greensborough RSL, march to War Memorial Park.
•        ANZAC Day Memorial Service 9:15am, War Memorial Park
•        ANZAC Day festivities 12noon at Greensborough RSL, 111 Main St, Greensborough

Next on the list is the Heidelberg RSL, also known as RSL on Bell:
Heidelberg RSL
•        Dawn Service 7am, Heidelberg War Memorial, Cnr. Burgundy St. & Studley Rd, Heidelberg. We have a picture of the War Memorial Park here which is just outside the Mercy Hospital for Women.  
•        After the service march down to Heidelberg FC, where refreshments will be available 
•        ANZAC Day Memorial Service 11am, Heidelberg RSL, 180 Bell St, Heidelberg Heights
•        ANZAC Day festivities 12noon – 3pm at Heidelberg RSL, 180 Bell St, Heidelberg Heights

We then move over to the Montmorency/Eltham RSL, which I understand is your local RSL Alison.  Would you like to tell us what is happening there?
Montmorency/Eltham RSL
•        Dawn Service 6am Eltham Cenotaph.  For those looking for the cenotaph, you can see a picture of it here at 905 Main Rd, Eltham not at the Montmorency/Eltham RSL
•        ANZAC Day March 10am, Were Street, Montmorency
•        ANZAC Day Family Service 10:30am, Montmorency Eltham RSL, 16 Mountain View Rd, Montmorency

And finally, we have the activities for the Watsonia RSL:
Watsonia RSL
•        Dawn Service 6am, Watsonia RSL Cenotaph. The cenotaph you see here is actually located at the Watsonia RSL at 6 Morwell Avenue, Watsonia.
•        Gunfire breakfast at Watsonia RSL 6:30am, $5/head
•        ANZAC Day March 9:30am assemble Cnr. High St & Morwell Ave.
•        ANZAC Day Memorial Service 10am, Watsonia RSL
•        ANZAC Day festivities 12noon – 3pm at Watsonia RSL, 6 Morwell Avenue, Watsonia
Watsonia will also be offering a courtesy bus from 5:30am – 10pm, call 9435 4233 to arrange pickup.

#ANZACDAY, #RSL, #DAWNSERVICE

Welcome to this month's Champion Chat podcast. Today we are starting a new segment on “Health and Wellness in Banyule” and our first episode is on the new Immersion Therapy Program at Banyule's WaterMarc.  Joining Alison in this episode are Wes Hurrey, Adrian Dobraszkiewicz and Tim Buckley who are involved in the program as venue manager, therapist and patient.

Today we are going to find out how the program is run, how it works, and the benefits to the patients.  We will also have video interspersed in the podcast showing current patients actually using the therapy, and hearing from Tim how this therapy has transformed his life. It is truly inspiring.  

It's a eye-opening podcast to the positive impacts that these programs can have on your physical and mental health.  If you know anyone who may benefit from this program and wish to know more, you can contact the council offices or visit https://www.watermarcbanyule.com.au/allied-health/immersion-therapy/ where you can also express an interest in registering for the program. 
Open Days are Monday 31st March and Wednesday 30th April.
#CommunitySpirit #GoodHealth #ImmersionTherapy #BanyuleWatermarc #BuildingBetterCommunities #MakeADifference

In this chat episode we talk about,

- What is the “Inclusive Employment Program” and what does it cover?
- Cr. Rick Garotti shares an inspiring story about how the "Inclusive Employment Program" transformed a young person's life.
- Overview of council’s vision for the program and how the model could be replicated across other LGAs.
- Successful social enterprise projects that are currently facilitated by Banyule Council.

In the second part of the podcast we are going to take a look at Budget submissions covering:
- What the current budget submissions are
- What the process for submitting a budget request is and what you need to do to give your submission the best chance
- What the timelines are to be aware of

If you would like to know more, you can contact your local councillor, contact details can be found at https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/About-us/Councillors-and-Council-meetings/Councillors.