Music feeds commmunity soul

By MELISSA MEEHAN

A MUSIC festival as well as landscaping roundabouts in Monbulk are just some ideas that have grown from Monbulk Township Community meetings held over the past few months.
Organised under the auspice of MADCOW, the meetings were arranged in partnership with the Yarra Ranges Council to form a plan for the future of the town.
Monbulk Business Network president John Coleman said there had already been three meetings held, all receiving strong community support.
“We’ve had all different groups involved, including the historical society, primary school students, the Monbulk Aquatic Centre and other community minded residents,” Mr Coleman said.
“We’ve also put together a vision statement and presented that to council.”
Mr Coleman said that ideas flowed at every meeting, as those present spoke about what they would like to see happen in the town, including beautifying the town’s two roundabouts as well as the idea of a music festival.
“It (round about landscaping) would all be approved by the council, and we’ve ensured it has an element of history about it,” he said.
“The azalea we plan to use is from the cuttings of the first plant that was planted 100 years ago in town – so we are excited about that.”
He said the meetings were a wonderful way to get people from all different walks of life together and that was important after six new businesses had moved into town over the last 12 months.
“Meetings like this will ensure that the vitality of Monbulk stays alive,” he said.