Councillor Column – Cr Daria Kellander

Cr Daria Kellander with her dog. (Supplied)

Cr Daria Kellander

It was a pleasure to attend the International Women’s Day event on Tuesday 8 March. The event recognised 20 women who were nominated by their community and peers through the Hobsons Bay Inter-Agency Network, for their exceptional work during the COVID pandemic. Their incredible work is featured in a photography exhibition titled ‘COVID-19 women at the frontline – A spotlight on frontline and essential staff’ and is available to view in the foyer of the Civic Centre in Altona. If you get the chance, I encourage you to drop by the Civic Centre and read their inspirational stories.

Another event I look forward to is the rescheduled Out & About Festival in Altona North on Friday 25 March and in Brooklyn on Saturday 26 March. It will be a great event with live music, food and activities for the family, all part of Council’s Better Places Brooklyn and Altona North project. At the end of last year, we asked the local community what they love, what ideas they had and what they would like to change about these two suburbs. The feedback was really great and from that we have formed a draft vision for Altona North and Brooklyn. This vision identifies three key themes: improving the liveability and amenity of the area; a place that is easier and safer to move around; and bringing the community closer together. These themes will help us to identify and prioritise projects into the future to make Brooklyn and Altona North an even ‘better place’. You can comment on the draft vision at participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/betterplaces-brooklyn-and-altona-north or at the Out and About Festival. For details, visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/outandabout

Finally, over at GJ Hosken Reserve work is progressing on the new adventure playground, fitness equipment, footpath networks and park furniture. The upgrade will also include a multi-use court with a basketball hoop, a barbecue and two new shelters. The western part of the reserve will be fenced to create a dog off-lead precinct. For more information, visit participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/hoskenreserve