By Tanya Steele
An inspired group has taken the word ‘community’ to heart and recently formed a township group for the Ferntree Gully Village area.
Ferntree Gully has always represented a special launching point into the Dandenongs and some locals have come together to build a township group for the Ferntree Gully Village area.
On Wednesday 11 September, the Village Township Group – Ferntree Gully Inc. was formally adopted and President Seamus Smith said they formed to create a community group that brings everyone together to form some common points for advocacy.
“It’s to promote a more economically sustainable and safe environment around Ferntree Gully Village and to encourage investment in the area by people,” he said.
“If people see that there’s good opportunities for businesses and good living conditions for families then more people will move in and use the available facilities.”
The group hopes to bring community connection back to the area and Mr Smith said that there were calls for them to form.
“There were calls from different parts of the community to bring that connection back,” he said.
Mr Smith along with some other like-minded people decided to form the group and he has since been voted in as president.
“This is about trying to get everyone together in a collective, on the same page,” he said.
“We’re advocating for one-direction development – than we can have a focus on what the village will look like.”
“We will start working to engage and communicate with different groups and organizations, build some membership and build investment in the local area.”
Ferntree Gully Village’s unique location is tucked off the main road with a local transport hub within it and Mr Smith said it is one of few village townships with this kind of set-up.
“It’s off the main road and there are services and local housing around the train station,” he said.
The area has gone through some cosmetic changes recently with a tree light installation by the Community Bank going live, local signage being improved and a free food pantry installed and opening at the Hills op-shop.
Mr Smith has lived and volunteered in the area for over 20 years and has had his family grow up in the area.
“We’ve worked, volunteered and our kids have gone to school here,” he said.
The group plans to have a number of events in the next few weeks, including a ’ Meet the candidates’ gathering for Dobson Ward hopefuls for the Knox City Council.
On Saturday 5 October at the Ferntree Gully CFA Hall, The Avenue in Ferntree Gully from 2pm residents can meet the four Dobson candidates, Meagan Baker, Emily Cox, Joe Stroud and Tony Holland.
In late October the group will also host a meet and greet for the township group itself for people wanting to know more about them or who want to join.
“Members of the community can come in, they can find out about the group, tell us what their concerns are and ask us about becoming a member,” said Mr Smith.
For any information feel free to direct message the new group on their Facebook group page “Village Township Group – Ferntree Gully Inc” or email them at villagetownshipgroup.ftg@gmail.com
