Dear All,

Tomorrow, Wednesday 11 October we will be holding our Annual General Meeting to elect the committee for the coming year. We are looking for engaged, enthusiastic people of all ages, experience and backgrounds to form part of our leadership team. By joining the committee you will have the opportunity to:

• Be involved in the movement of people led-politics

• Help run events engaging the community in issues that are important to the people of Monash

• Participate in the candidate selection process to find the best independent candidate to represent our community and values at the next Federal Election

• Meet other engaged like minded people

There are still several positions available for people to join our committee. No experience is necessary, just a passion to help improve our community and how we are represented.

The AGM Will be held via Zoom, commencing at 7pm. Agenda and Zoom link will only be sent to those who have RSVP'd to attend by 5pm today. Only members living in Monash are able to vote at the AGM and in the Candidate Selection process.

Can you get involved in this movement to do democracy differently?  

If you are unable to attend but would like to be nominated for a position or submit a proxy vote, please email voicesformonash@gmail.com

Voice to Parliament Community Information Evening

Over 80 engaged members of the Monash community turned up last Wednesday evening for our Voice to Parliament Community Information Session MC'd by Deb Leonard.

Audience members asked insightful, well thought-out and respectful questions, which our panel members answered in clear easy to understand terms.

Rueben Berg, Co-Chair of the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria explained clearly how the Voice would work, how it’s members would be elected and what it’s role would be. He also gave examples of how the First Peoples' Assembly operates as a Voice to State government and what it has achieved.

Professor Melissa Castan of the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law gave us all an engaging lesson in Constitutional law and explained the interaction between the constitution and legislation.

Professor Andrew Gunstone, Co-Chair of Reconciliation Victoria set out how the Voice would lead to improved outcomes for Indigenous communities and how by including Indigenous people in the making of policies, it not only improves outcomes for indigenous people, but also the entire Australian community.

If you missed it, please take some time to watch the live stream of the event on our page below! (Unfortunately due to some internet glitches it has posted in 3 separate videos)

Part 1 (Introduction): https://fb.watch/nAgsBjl4l0/

Part 2: https://fb.watch/nAgvwLH5d7/

Part 3: https://fb.watch/nAgy6pVIjk/

Unfortunately Aunty Cheryl Drayton had to cancel at the last minute due to rising flood waters near her home, she has very kindly taken the time to record her response to some of the questions asked and give her view of the issue. Please find her response at this link: https://share.icloud.com/photos/01e8bdKqMsELiJ_Bq4iChHnSQ

Huge thank you to Carve Media for donating their time and equipment and live streaming the event!

Many thanks again to all our panel members for their generous time and input, and to all our attendees for their engagement and thoughtful, respectful questions!

Recent Issues in Politics -

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

We note there are several new public Electric Vehicle Chargers indicated to be "coming soon" in the Monash electorate, including in Warragul, Mirboo North, Foster, Korumburra, Fish Creek & Grantville!

While EV's provide clean, cheap transport, the current EV models remain out of reach for many households. The Labor Government has indicated it intends to introduce New Fuel Efficiency Standards later this year, which is expected to result in a wider range of cheaper, cleaner vehicles on the market.

You can check out the current and anticipated EV Chargers in Monash via the Plug Share website.

TRANSFORM EXPO - This weekend!

While not quite in the Monash electorate, many of you may be interested in the TRANSFORM Expo happening in Traralgon this Friday 13th and Saturday 14th October.

The event will inspire and empower attendees to participate in employment opportunities in the Gippsland renewable energy transition. Victorian Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio is keynote speaker at the official opening on Friday the 13th October at Gippsland Performing Arts Centre.

The event covers key issues in renewable energy, farming, healthcare, job training, and community leadership, showcasing Gippsland's renewable energy proposals and providing information on employment, training, and business opportunities.

This event is accessible to all, including young people, offering insights into economic and educational prospects in renewable energy through interactive presentations and workshops.

Find out more here.

If someone has forwarded you this email, you can sign-up to receive one directly to your inbox here.

If you'd like to get more involved, email us at voices4monash@gmail.com and let us know how you’d like to be part of this growing movement for citizen democracy.

Voices for Monash acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands on which we meet and work, including the lands of the Boonwurrung, Bunurong and Gunai Kurnai people,  and other Aboriginal lands and nations within this country. We pay our respects to the elders of these lands, past and present, and acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded.