The Champion Chat

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. 

In this episode we are talking with Jo Brazil, a local artist who not creates her own art, but volunteers within the Banyule Arts community to help other artists within the area on initiatives such as Banyule Open Studios and the Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub (ILCH). 

In this episode we look at how arts and culture thrive here in Banyule, and what makes Banyule a creative hub for residents and visitors alike.

We also discuss;

⏺️ Initiatives, such as support for local artists, art trails, and community engagement projects. 
⏺️ Platforms like Creative Banyule and the Banyule Arts and Culture programs.
⏺️ How community groups and local businesses contribute to this vibrant arts culture.
⏺️ The current challenges for artists.
⏺️ What is on in the calendar of events, i.e. exhibitions, festivals, or workshops.
⏺️ How people can get involved.
 
If you are interested finding out more information about Jo Brazil and her art and amazing scarves you can check her out or get in contact via
instagram@jobrazildesign or email [email protected].  Jo's new scarf business website is under construction and will be released soon under the name ‘Jojo’s Artscarf’, and I have a post on my official Facebook with images of Jo's latest designs.

If you would like to know more of what is happening in the Banyule Arts scene, you can visit the following links:
https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Events-activities/Major-events/Chillin-in-Banyule
https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Exhibitions
https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/WhatsOn
https://www.pinpointartists.com.au
https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/PublicArt
https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Arts
https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/ILCH
Facebook.com/BanyuleArts

Or you can email [email protected].

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 holiday edition, we discuss;

Alison’s highlights of this 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
⭐ XMAS Carols 14th December from 5pm to 9:30pm at Greensborough War Memorial Park
⭐ XMAS Day Lunch at Bellfield Community Hub

To book a spot for the XMAS Day Lunch, please contact Shop 48 on 8582 9501 or book in person at The Harmony Centre, 48 The Mall, Heidelberg West 3081

And for all those who contributed to the Champion Chat whether by watching, commenting and sharing Champion Chat episodes, we thank you for all your support. Your opinion matters to us, so feel free to let us know what you think of the topics we discuss and what would you like to see more of next year.  We would especially like to thank those community members and councillors who so generously gave of their time to participate throughout the year on the podcast.

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:

Banyule City Website: https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Events-activities/Whats-on 

Are you passionate about creating thriving communities and fostering a strong sense of belonging? Would it surprise you to know that it doesn't always need the big idea or gesture? Sometimes it's the little things that make a huge difference, and that starts with you.  Welcome to this month's Champion Chat podcast on "Building Better Communities." 🏡🤝

Joining Alison in this episode are Glen Crawford and Fred Harrington, areas of discussion are:

What is diversity? 
What makes good communities? 
How do you get poeple to commit or put "skin in the game"?
How can you become involved or find support from City of Banyule?

In this episode, we dive into:

✨ How have our guests mobilised volunteers to create lasting impact.
✨ Inspiring stories of neighbours coming together to uplift each other and their community.
✨ Expert tips on improving community spirit and making your neighbourhood a better place for everyone.

Whether you're a community leader, a volunteer, or just someone who cares about making a difference, this podcast is for YOU! 🎧

💡 Listen now and be the change your community needs! 💡

#CommunitySpirit #Volunteering #GoodNeighbours #Podcast #BuildingBetterCommunities #MakeADifference

Welcome to this month's Champion Chat podcast. Residents sometimes wonder what goes into a council budget and there is the simplistic view that councils should just focus on rates, roads and rubbish..  But do you know what services are actually provided by your Banyule Council? The list is long and many residents would struggle without services such as:

- Waste Management
- Roads and drainage
- Parks, gardens and sporting ground maintenance and upgrades
- Community service provision for aged care, youth, and special needs.
-  Arts and Culture.
- Economic planning and business support
- Customer service, Community group support, and
- Major projects.

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

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]

Welcome to this month's Champion Chat podcast. Today we continue our look at diversity within Banyule City.  Joining Alison in this episode are Phillip Howe and Nos Hosseini, areas of discussion are:

What is diversity?
As Australia works hard to be a multi-cultural society, do we have a vision of what a uniquely Australian culture will be that encompasses us all?
How do we overcome bias, both perceived and real?
Multi-culturalism and multi-tribalism, a really big-picture question.
How can you become involved or find support from City of Banyule?

If you like to know more about Diversity, please visit the links below.   

Banyule Council webpages:
https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Community-services/Cultural-and-identity-diversity

Victorian Multicultural Commission:
https://www.multiculturalcommission.vic.gov.au/

Iranian Women's Association:
https://www.facebook.com/iranianwomensassociation/
https://www.instagram.com/nos.hosseini/

NAIDOC WEEK - 7 July - 14 July ‘Keep Fire Burning’

Social Group/Event Tags:

Banyule Open Studios:
https://banyuleopenstudios.com.au

Banyule Open Studios Weekend - Sat 12 & Sun 13 October 2024

Barrbunin Beek
Address - Fred Howe Annex, Catalina Street, Heidelberg West, Victoria
https://bchs.org.au/services/first-nations-health/barrbunin-beek/ 


#LGBTIQA+ #DIVERSITY #IDAHOBIT #NATIONALSORRYDAY

Welcome to this month's Champion Chat podcast. Today we continue our series on Social Change and Local Government Support by having a deeper look at the LGBTIQA+ Community within the Banyule City. Joining Alison in this episode are Fleassy Malay and Emerson Zandegu, areas of discussion are: 

What does LGBTIQA+ stand for and what is the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity? 
What is daily life like for someone from the LGBTIQA+? 
What barriers still exist for the LGBTIQA+ community? 
How do I address people from the LGBTIQA+ community without offending them? 
What upcoming events will be happening in the area? 

If you like to know more about LGBTIQA+, please visit the links below. 

Banyule Council webpages: Find the Rainbow in Melbourne’s North - https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Community-services/Cultural-and-identity-diversity/LGBTIQA-communities/Rainbow-in-Melbourne 
LGBTIQA+ communities - https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Community-services/Cultural-and-identity-diversity/LGBTIQA-communities 
LGBTIQA+ Population Committee - https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/About-us/Community-advisory-committees/LGBTIQA-Population-Committee 

Minus18 is an organisation established to support and equip young LGBTQI+ people and their friends and family. 
Their website is - https://www.minus18.org.au/articles 

IDAHOBIT Day is acknowledged on 17th May every year
National Reconciliation Week is held from 27th May to 3rd June each year

#LGBTIQA+, #DIVERSITY, #IDAHOBIT

Welcome to this month's Champion Chat podcast.  This month we are doing an overview/update of the Banyule City major projects to understand how they came about, the aim or benefits each project hopes to achieve, and where are we on the journey so far.  Alison will provide insights into these projects and changes that they will mean for Banyule in the future.

We'll have a look at:
- The North East Link State project, and what and why are Council advocating for additional works.
- The Bellfield Community Hub and Residential Development.
- The Cartmell Street carpark development.
- The Rosanna Library development

We'll also get an insight into how strategic thinking and an ability to pivot enables Banyule City to maximise the investments and development opportunities. 

Below is a list of planned ANZAC Day events in Banyule:
 
Sunday 21st - 10.30-11.05am Watsonia RSL service @ Cherry Street Memorial, Macleod

Wednesday 24th:
•        10.15am Macleod College service and morning tea @ NETS Stadium, 2 Somers St, Macleod
•        10.30am Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital service @ Remembrance Garden, 300 Waterdale Rd, Heidelberg

Thursday 25th:
•        6am Watsonia RSL dawn service @ Morwell Avenue Memorial, Watsonia
•        6am Greensborough RSL dawn service @ Greensborough War Memorial, 203 Henry St, Greensborough
•        6am Montmorency-Eltham RSL dawn service @ Eltham Cenotaph, 903 Main Rd, Eltham
•        7am RSL on Bell service and refreshments @ Heidelberg Football Club, corner Burgundy and Studley rds
•        8.30am Greensborough Anzac Day march from Greensborough RSL to Greensborough War Memorial
•        10.20am Watsonia RSL traditional service @ Morwell Avenue Memorial, Watsonia
•        10.30am Montmorency-Eltham family service @ Petrie Park, Mountain View Rd, Montmorency (March commences at 10am in Were St)
•        11am Heidelberg RSL service and refreshments @ Heidelberg West RSL, 180 Bell St, Heidelberg

#ANZACDAY, #RSL, #DAWNSERVICE

Welcome to this month's Champion Chat. In this episode we are going to revisit local Traders Associations.  Many people in the community would rather support their local businesses due to their drive to give back, supporting the local community groups, things that really mean something to people nowadays and are a real driving force behind people's purchasing decisions.

Joining Alison and Carl on today's chat is Maryanne Coffey from the Eaglemont Village Traders Association.

Topics that we will be covering today include;
⭐ The importance of local businesses and how Traders Associations help them
⭐ Some of the challenges that businesses have had to overcome
⭐ Some of the major events and projects planned for the Eaglemont Villlage precinct

We'll also be talking about how local businesses work hand in glove with other local government, sporting clubs and local schools to create positive outcomes.

If you like to know more about what's happening in the Eaglemont Village Shopping Precinct, including events such as the Easter Egg Hunt on Friday March 22nd, you can visit their website, https://eaglemontvillage.com.au/, or their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/EaglemontVillage/.    

P.S. The Eaglemont Cellars have now re-opened, a very popular local watering hole with great live music, where every hour is happy and the Beer Garden is a great place to wind down.
 

Welcome to this month's Champion Chat podcast. The hot topic lately has been about Local Government and are some of them getting too involved in issues which could be seen as having nothing to do with local city management.  Today Alison will provide insights into what actually goes on behind the scenes at Banyule City Council, from the meetings and decision making, to the execution and provision of services.

Other areas covered include:

- What is the Banyule City guidelines around inclusivity?
- Banyule operations as a single councillor per ward LGA.
- How does the council continually balance the budget with delivery of required services?
- How does a council meeting run.
- How can residents have their say or raise an agenda topic for council meetings.

If you would like to know more, you can visit https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/About-us/Councillors-and-Council-meetings/Council-meetings/Council-meeting-agendas-and-minutes to get the latest information on council meetings or https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/About-us/Councillors-and-Council-meetings/Council-meetings/How-Council-meetings-work on how council meetings work.

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