By Mara Pattison-Sowden
UPPER Yarra Community Enterprise wants to know how it can support the community further.
UYCE is the community-owned company that operates the Yarra Junction and Warburton Bendigo Bank branches, with the aim to enhance the Upper Yarra community.
With more than $1.4 million going back into the community through sponsorship and grants since 2000, UYCE wants to find out the needs, concerns and aspirations of the Upper Yarra.
UYCE community development worker Suyin Chan said there were a number of ways people could have their say, including an e-forum, surveys and an open house event at the branches.
“We want to find out from our community what they think the issues are and how we can be involved,” she said.
“We want to know what the community is thinking and whether we’ve got a role in that.
“Are they big issues such as transport or employment? Do they have solutions? It’s quite possible people with answers feel that community enterprises could assist outside of funding.”
Ms Chan said some problems might be easily solvable while others may take a community effort to solve.
“I don’t know how long it’s been up here since people have been asked the question – what are your needs?”
“They (UYCE) created my role to work with community groups but is there more we can do for our community?”
UYCE will have a range of community activities including an online and paper-based survey, an e-forum where people can discuss issues and solutions to different concerns, and an open house with some of the directors on hand from 10am to 2pm on Tuesday 28 February at Warburton Community Bank and Wednesday 29 February at Yarra Junction Community Bank. A public forum will be held on Wednesday 7 March at the Warburton/Millgrove Sports Complex and some smaller-scale kitchen table events on Tuesday 13 March at Amanda’s Café in Yarra Junction in the morning and on Wednesday 14 March from 7pm at Wild Thyme in Warburton.
For more information call 5966 9028, pop into either branch or check out www.upperyarra.net.au.
