Newspaper Clipping from the "Mail", 06-08-1996. P13. SkillShare fights cutsRINGWOOD's Merit/-Skillshare office continued its campaign against Federal Government funding cuts by unveiling a huge banner recently. The office is one of 400 SkillShare projects across Australiawhich is smarting from Federal cutbacks of 20 per cent. About 5000 unemployed Victorians and 1000 SkillShare workers will be affected by the cuts.

Newspaper Clipping from the "Mail", 30-07-1996. Threat to child care, by Leonora Elliot-BruceMaroondah community based child-care centres could become obsolete if Federal Government susidies are cut, said Tracey Casey, spokeswoman for the North Ringwood Childcare Centre, who said Maroondah's four community based centres would be devastated if the cuts were implemented.```````````````````````````````````````````````

Newspaper Clipping from The Mail, 17-09-1996, P6 - 24 hour TradingThe State Government's shop trading reforms are all about freedom of choice, according to Liberal MLA for Mooroolbark, Lorraine Elliot. " Local communities will also have their right to choose whether Sunday trading should occur in their local area", Ms Elliot said.

Newspaper Clipping from The Mail, 18-6-1996, P3 - 24 hour TradingMaroondah Council has rejected a planning application for a licensed club complete with 50 poker machines and betting facilities, at the rear of North Ringwood Shopping Centre. The club was to have been developed by local real estate agent Alan Dickson, and located at the corner of Oban Road and Dockson Cres. A total of 96 objections were lodged with the council, and petitions with 2697 signatures were received.

Newspaper Clipping from The Mail, 9-7-96, P7 - Our top staff costs city lessA comparison of four outer east municipalities has shown the cost to Maroondah Council ratepayers of its senior management salary packages was less than most of its neighbours.

Newspaper Clipping from The Mail, 25-6-96, P4 - Approval expected by Jamie DuncanMaroondah Council was last night expected to approve its preferred electoral structure for use in future council elections. The electoral structure included - postal voting, simple preferential counting, triennial elections and seven councillors representing seven new wards

Newspaper Clipping from The Mail, 9-7-96, P5 . Council hit over kinder 'lock-out'.A North Ringwood kindergarten president has slammed the Maroondah Council for locking her out of the kindergarten without notice. Oban pre-school President, Liz Broadbentsaid she arrived at the kindergarten last Thursday to find the locks had been changed. A council spokeswoman has admitted the lock change was an oversight and the original locks have since been replaced.

Newspaper Clipping from The Mail, 19-3-96, P 5. Councils unite to improve our roads.Maroondah Councilwill push for road improvements in the north eastern suburbs through a strategy group backed by Vicroads and five other councils. The municipalities of Banyule, Nillumbik, Manningham, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges are also members of North East Metropolitan Regional Roads Strategy Group.

Newspaper Clipping from The Post, 3-7-96, P2. Home Care Funding PushMaroondah Council this week confirmed its ongoing commitment to push for State and Federal Government Home and Community Care (HACC) funding increases to bolster its home help program.

Newspaper clipping from "The Mail", 2-7-96, P 7Maroondah Council and Ringwood Rotary Club have combined to support a state-wide campaign to raise community awareness about litter. The campaign, initiated by Melbourne Water is called Drains to the Bay and aims to teach people that rubbish finds its way to Port Phillip Bay via drains and creeks.

Newspaper clipping from "The Mail", 4/6/96, P 8Maroondah Council commissioners are eager to hear the community's view on how future elections in the city should be conducted. But chief commissioner, Morton Browne is pleased with the vision his council has presented for public discussion. That vision includes postal voting, simple preferential counting, triennial elections and the introduction of seven, single-member wards.

Newspaper clipping from "The Mail", 15-8-95, P 13 Ratepayer $2.40 subsidy - by Leonora Elliot-BruceMaroondah City Council has admitted ratepayers will effectively subsidise 1002 properties within the municipality paying differential rates. But a Maroondah City Council spokesman said the amount was so small it was not worth worrying about . Corporate Services Manager, Paul Roche, said it would cost ratepayers $2.40 each to cushion the properties which are paying differential rates after being included in Maroondah during council amalgamations.

Newspaper clipping from "The Post", 16-8-95, P5 - Shortfall in roads fundingMaroondah Council has recorded an $80,000 Vicroads funding shortfall for the city's road and pavement maintenance, prompting concern for the future of the local road network.

Newspaper clipping from "The Mail" 15-8-95 P13 Maximum 12 to sit on councilsThe State Government has accepted the Local Government Board's recommendations for councils to have between five and 12 councillors. Maroondah City Council recommended a total of nine councillors.

``Newspaper clipping from "The Post" 16-8-95 P 6 Greenwood depot site retainedThe former council depot site in Greenwood Ave, Ringwood is tio be utilised by a variety of local community groups and as a dump for street sweepings, Maroondah council decided this week. `

``Newspaper clipping from "The Mail" 1-6-94 P 7 Uproar as councillors go out of control again. By Christine McTigheCouncillors hurled abuse at each otheras a packed gallery demanded answers at a fiery Ringwood Council meeting last week.The Mayor, Margaret Cheevers, lost control of the floor. The acrimony was generated by accusations of fast-tracking developments, which have been decided on behind closed doors. City Manager, Mr John Paech denied that there had been any "undue haste"`

``Newspaper clipping from "The Post" 29-6-94 P 3 Mini buses comingNew mini buses will make their debut on Ringwood streets in August after Ringwood Council approved a proposal from the National Bus Company (NBC) last week. From August new 26 seaterMercedes Benz mini buses will run on most present NBC routes with new services from Ringwood to Box Hill, Warrandyte to Ringwood and Ringwood to Doncaster Shoppingtown.`

``Newspaper clipping from "The Post" 4-5-94 P 3 Council buys Norwood siteRingwood Council has bought the Norwood Primary School for $1.1 million dollars. The school, on the corner of Loughnan and Warrandyte Roads in Ringwood was closed by the government at the end of last year. A number of councillors are believed to be bitterly opposed to the deal. Cr Nick Kirmos said spending $1.1 million is "financially irresponsible" as "the actual valuation of the site is $860,000"`

``Newspaper clipping from "The Mail" 1-6-94 OUR people Map your dayThe Ringwood Council's recent launch of an exciting and innovative promotional map means that residents have recreational information at their fingertips. The "Recreation in Ringwood"poster details recreational pograms, services, clubs and facilities throughout the city`

``Newspaper clipping from "The Post" 1-6-94 P7 Ringwood Mayor's Column. Cr Margaret Cheevers.Cr Cheevers mentions the retirement of Ringwood's Chief Environmental Health Officer, Mr Don Potts. She also mentions the launch of the "Recreaion in Ringwood" poster. Several olther things were taken part in by Cr Cheevers.`

``Newspaper clipping from "The Post" 6-7-94 P9 Ringwood Mayor's Column. Cr Margaret Cheevers.Cr Cheevers welcomed John Binnion to the Ringwood library. He gave an excellent report on the progress of the new library.The Mayor also mentioned that Ringwood was in the government's next review of local government boundaries. A new Public Relations Consultant, Kate Shea, was welcomed to Ringwood Council`

``Newspaper clipping from "The Post" 18-5-94 P9 Ringwood Mayor's Column. Cr Margaret Cheevers.Cr. Cheevers hosted a "thank you" function for many volunteers . The Ringwood Blues football team, a team of intellectually disabled people had a member, Damien Kilner, represent Victoria in a state match in Adelaide. A member of the Ringwood Professional Athletic Club, Rodney Lewis, won the 1994 Stawell Gift. Cr Cheevers also thanked many more Ringwood volunteers in all different areas.`

``Newspaper clipping from "The Post" 25-5-94 P2 Ringwood-Croydon merger preferredEarly counting of resident responses to Ringwood Council's survey on amalgamation scenarios suggest a majority of people would prefer a Ringwood and Croydon merger under local government reforms.`

``Newspaper clipping from "The Mail" 18-5-94. Angry traders seek inquiry into project by CHRISTINE McTIGHEAngry Ringwood traders will this week demand a State Government public inquiry into Ringwood Council's handling of it's $9.9 million Lot 2 development. Civic Place traders claim they have suffered massive losses because of the council's actions.`

``Newspaper clipping from "The Post" 4 -5 - 94 P7 Ringwood Mayor's Column by Cr Margaret CheeversThe Mayor was happy about the allocation of $20 million for the Ringwood Bypass. Council was successful in is bid to purchase Norwood Primary School land, and various other achievements, including sports.`

``Newspaper clipping from "The Post" 4 -5 - 94 NO COUNCIL ELECTIONSThe annual Ringwood Council elections due in August have been deferred until at least March next year because Ringwood is about to be reviewed by the Local Government Board (LGB). The nine Ringwood councillors could be out out of office and replaced by a State Government appointed commissioner as early aas mid September if changes to Ringwood are proposed.`

``Newspaper clipping from "The Mail" 8 -6- 94 P1 - Council fear's it's fighting a losing battle by Christine McTigheCroydon Council fears it is one step closer to a merger with Ringwood following the release of the Local Government Board's final report on the boundaries of 21 inner metropolitan councils. Croydon Mayor Cr Les Wilmott favors taking over the urban areas of Lilydale, namely Kilsyth, Mooroolbark and Wonga Park. The council fears that the Board has made up its mind to a merger between Croydon and Ringwood, which the councils don't want.`

``Newspaper clipping from "The Post" 15 -6- 94 P13 - Ringwood Mayor's Column. Cr. Margaret CheeversThe council was concerned about local government amalgamation.At its last meeting, Ringwood Council resolved to invite representatives from Croydon, Nunawading Knox, and Doncaster and Templestowe to a forum to discuss amalgamations.`

``Newspaper clipping from "The Mail" 19-04-94 P11 - NEWS Watch - Merger Expected.While Ringwood Council is still officially keeping silent on the amalgamation issue, seven of the nine councillors contacted by the Ringwood-Croydon Mail spoke out. They had mixed views on the priciple and the timing of the issues involved.`

``Newspaper clipping from "The Mail" 13-07-94 P3 - NEWS Watch - Regional pressure for merger by Christine McTigheMerger of Ringwood and Croydon is becoming increasingly likely following talks late last week between the region's councils.And Croydon, which has doggedly turned its back on Ringwood, softened its approach at Friday's meeting in a bid to get self managed on a regionally agreed basis, chief executive Terry Maher said on Monday.`