EV Strengthening Communities

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EV Strengthening Communities EV Strengthening Communities is empowering Victorian communities through active engagement.

Wow! What an amazing evening at REALM Ringwood last week! We had a fantastic turnout at the Maroondah Community Wellbein...
19/10/2026

Wow! What an amazing evening at REALM Ringwood last week!

We had a fantastic turnout at the Maroondah Community Wellbeing Network event, delivered in partnership with Maroondah City Council
The evening brought people together to share ideas, make new connections and learn more about community wellbeing.

A huge thank you to our guest speaker, Tracey O'Neill Consulting who shared valuable insights into the importance of community wellbeing and the role it plays in strengthening our communities. As Tracey reminded us, "It's human nature for us to want to help each other" and working on community wellbeing is one of the many ways we can come together to make our community a better place for everyone.

One message in particular stood out: "Showing up matters". Whether it's sharing your skills, supporting others or simply giving your time, every contribution can make a difference.

Throughout the evening, attendees also had the opportunity to learn more about Networking Central, Learning Central and the Volunteer Navigation Hub as part of the official launch of Volunteering Central.

We also enjoyed an engaging wellbeing workshop. It was fantastic to see everyone getting involved, working collaboratively and building meaningful relationships throughout the evening, with plenty of great conversations and new connections happening across the room.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, shared their perspectives and helped make the evening such a success!

If you attended, we would love to hear your favourite part, or a key takeaway you got from the session.

Strong communities begin with strong foundations.As we celebrate 50 years of EV Strengthening Communities, we're reflect...
16/10/2026

Strong communities begin with strong foundations.
As we celebrate 50 years of EV Strengthening Communities, we're reflecting on the important role children, young people and families play in shaping the future of our communities.
For five decades, EV has worked to help people participate, belong and thrive. Today, that commitment continues through EV Early Years Management (EYM), supporting local kindergarten services and helping ensure children have access to quality early learning experiences during some of the most important years of their development.
Behind every thriving kindergarten is a strong support network. Through EV EYM, we provide professional leadership, governance and management support that helps early learning services remain sustainable and focused on what matters most: children and families.
Over the years, EV has also supported young people through volunteering opportunities, helping them develop skills, confidence and community connections while contributing to causes that matter to them.
While our work has evolved over the past 50 years, our purpose remains the same: building stronger communities by supporting people at every stage of life.

Tomorrow night!There's still time to register for the Maroondah Community Wellbeing Network and join a growing number of...
13/10/2026

Tomorrow night!
There's still time to register for the Maroondah Community Wellbeing Network and join a growing number of local organisations, community groups and community leaders coming together to connect, collaborate and share ideas.

We're excited to welcome guest speaker Tracey O'Neill, who will be sharing her innovative Campfire Model for Community Engagement. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in community development and engagement, Tracey will explore how we can strengthen participation, foster belonging and build more connected, resilient communities.

Whether you're looking to expand your network, explore new opportunities for collaboration, gain fresh ideas for your organisation, or simply connect with others who are passionate about community wellbeing, this is an event not to be missed.

Tomorrow
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Realm, Ringwood
Free to attend

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with others who are making a difference across Maroondah.

Register now: https://networkingcentral.org.au/events/11499

So pleased to join the children and families of our new Croydon Hills Kindergarten to celebrate our 50th year. Thanks to...
08/10/2026

So pleased to join the children and families of our new Croydon Hills Kindergarten to celebrate our 50th year. Thanks to Lauren, Chantelle and Hannah for a great children’s party in the first week you are in your new facility. What a way to celebrate 50 years of EV by looking to our collective futures. CEO Viv

One week to go!Don't miss your chance to join local organisations, community groups and community leaders from across Ma...
08/10/2026

One week to go!

Don't miss your chance to join local organisations, community groups and community leaders from across Maroondah for an evening of networking, learning and collaboration at the Maroondah Community Wellbeing Network next Thursday night.
We're excited to welcome guest speaker Tracey O'Neill Consulting, a respected leader in community development and engagement with more than 25 years' experience helping organisations strengthen participation, foster belonging and build stronger communities. Tracey will share insights from her innovative Campfire Model for Community Engagement, offering fresh perspectives on creating connected, resilient and thriving communities.

Whether you're looking to:
-Meet local organisations and community leaders
-Share your organisation's initiatives
-Discover new opportunities to collaborate across Maroondah
-Gain practical ideas and insights to take back to your organisation

This event is for you.

Who should attend?
Community groups, neighbourhood houses, sports clubs, service providers, cultural groups and anyone passionate about strengthening community wellbeing and connection across Maroondah.

RSVP Here: https://networkingcentral.org.au/networks/events/11499

06/10/2026

Listening to an expert panel on what really matters to Victorians- discussion on evidence that people are fed up with corporations, the cost of living and its relationship to climate change eg increased insurance and energy bills, they are worrying about the future on multiple levels, inequality growing has enabled this. Rural communities now under multi level stress and preparing g for fire season. Prof Stephane Shepard discussing media’s role in fanning people’s fears and the impact on you g people who are painted as criminals which further disengage them. He talks about the need to recognise the harm caused by youth crime but what are chain of events which has led to this. Media need to take responsibility to tell the real stories and focus on solutions. People’s stress is fanning the need to look for strong leaders to assist them to navigate the increasing complexity people are facing. Very interesting discussion had at VCoSS summit. Victorian Council of Social Service

06/10/2026

Listening to Ellen Sandell of the Greens who stated that Greens are committed to VCOSS policy position- essentials for everyone to live a dignified life and support for a viable community sector to deliver services. They acknowledge all governments have policy choices and it is this that determines the money available to fund the services communities need. Ellen discusses platform of tax to ensure large corporations pay more tax. She acknowledges Housing security is at heart of community stability. Ellen has stated that Greens will double public housing and keep it in public hands. They would introduce rent caps to address issues in rental market. In health- they would focus on health promotion and early intervention as 5% of health budget. They support free dental care and recognise investment to expand dental services to provide this. Want to invest in community safety and fully funded schools based on need. Climate change was recognised as a policy issue. Their platform is clean renewable energy. Decent work is at heart of a fairer Victoria is discussed. Victorian Council of Social ServiceBen Carroll MPJess Wilson MPEllen Sandell MPAustralian Association of Social WorkersAustralian Community Transport Association - ACTAVolunteering VictoriaGabrielle Williams MPNick McGowan MP

06/10/2026

All parties were invited to speak at VCOSS Summit today. ALP, LNP, Greens, animal justice party and legalise cannabis party responded and spoke to the community sector across Victoria. One party and other independents were obviously missing which is a pity we cannot hear their agenda for services to our communities in the next 4 years. Victorian Council of Social Service

06/10/2026

Listening to Deputy leader of opposition LNP David Southwick . He did recognise that volunteering is a part of our community sector but no firm commitment to addressing the collapse of volunteering support infrastructure in this state. He has recognised it needs investment though so we look forward to more details on this. Homelessness is a focus as is mental health services. Review of Support for kinship carers. Public housing-review demolishing of housing towers and look at management of vacancies now. Understand 2in5 homeless people are under 25yrs. Looking at tackling this earlier. They have acknowledged the uncertainty of funding for our services but no commitment to extending contracts beyond 12 month to 12 month. Committed to $100million in justice system as investment in early years. Unfortunately no commitment to funding the award increases coming in 2027 which will have critical impact on community services. Mobility disadvantage not acknowledged. If people cannot get out of the house how can they access services, schools , health services. No recognition of the Community Transport infrastructure that exists but remains invisible to VIC Govts. Victorian Council of Social ServiceAustralian Community Transport Association - ACTAAustralian Association of Social WorkersVolunteering VictoriaNick McGowan MPDavid Hodgett MPBen Carroll MPGabrielle Williams MPJess Wilson MPDavid Southwick MP Bridget Vallence MP

05/10/2026

Listening to Premier Ben Carroll who said he does recognise that support for the care economy is critical to support the rest of the economy. Yes we are critical and Labor have committed to more secure funding of organisations in the community sector. However the collapse of our infrastructure to support volunteering in communities and the need to strengthen and support volunteer workforces who deliver services was not addressed. The lack of recognition and funding for Community Transport for children and families who cannot access schools and services still exists. The infrastructure exists but no state govt. Recognition or support. Victorian Council of Social Service Australian Community Transport Association - ACTA Volunteering Victoria Australian Association of Social WorkersBen Carroll MPGabrielle Williams MP

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1/36-40 New Street
Melbourne, VIC
3134

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