Postcode power

By Dion Teasdale
COMMUNITY groups and organisations of postcode 3777 are being called upon to play a part in the formation of a new township group.
The group, which will be known as Community 3777, will be made up of representatives from community groups and organisations from Healesville, Badger Creek, Chum Creek and Toolangi.
Chair of Community 3777’s interim steering committee, Karen Kisala, has issued a ‘call to arms’ for all interested parties to attend the group’s first community forum next week.
“We are inviting representatives of community groups of postcode 3777, who would like to have a voice and be supported by other groups, to come along and find out about this new township group,” she said.
“Community 3777 is all about working together to create a healthier and more vibrant community and we want as many groups to come along and see if they’d like to join.”
Ms Kisala said all registered or incorporated sporting clubs, art groups, social groups, service clubs, schools and learning institutions, and health, welfare and business organisations were welcome to attend.
She said an interim steering committee had worked for the past 15 months to produce an inclusive model for the structure of the new group.
“The group will involve the formation of 10 strategic portfolio groups which will represent different interest groups in the community,” she said.
“There will be an early years group, a group for youth, and a group for older citizens. There will also be a sport and recreation group, a health and well-being group, and a group for community safety.”
There will be other groups relating to the environment, economic development and tourism, arts and culture and life-long learning.
Ms Kisala said the formation of Community 3777 was timely, particularly coming hot on the tail of the Yarra Glen community electing its new township group late last month.
“The community of 3777 is a large one now, full of groups and organisations and we want to build a foundation for all our groups to come together and work together,” she said.
She said groups and organisations would be entitled to have representatives on one or more of the portfolio groups.
“Each portfolio group will then put forward a convener who will go onto the Community 3777 executive,” she said.
“Each portfolio group will look at issues important to the people of 3777, issues put forward by individuals or groups, and then discuss them and action them.
“We believe this is a model that can work for everybody. The aim is to support our community, and increase cooperation and information sharing.”
Shire of Yarra Ranges Ryrie Ward councillor, Jeanette McRae, said she was delighted to see Community 3777 continue its evolution.
Cr McRae, who stood down from the role as chair of the group’s interim steering committee after being elected to council last November, said the group was about networking and promoting cohesiveness in the community.
“Community 3777 will be a group of people passionate about their community looking for ways to support the wider community and I encourage all groups to get involved,” she said.
“The group is now at the stage where people need to come together so the whole thing can progress as a networking group, where ideas and information are shared and actions are taken.”
Aside from her personal connection to the group, Cr McRae said the shire was also very supportive of Community 3777. “The shire is supportive of communities that indicate they want to have more active participation and decision making,” she said.
“Community 3777 will be a powerful tool to be used by community groups to advocate and lobby for the things they want in their towns.”
Cr McRae said the redevelopment of Healesville’s Memorial Hall, and improvements to the street scape of townships in the 3777 postcode area were two projects she expected the group to address.
Community 3777’s first community forum will be held at Swinburne TAFE in Healesville on Monday, 15 May from 7pm to 9pm. An AGM and the election of a new committee will be held on June 3.