The previous month marked a number of events that I would like to share with my colleagues and the gallery this evening.

On the 4th of September I had the pleasure of opening Brush Strokes, an art exhibition featuring works created by members of the Croydon Stroke Support Group and I would also like to thank Cr. Taylor for her attendance that morning. The exhibition, which is on show at the foyer of Maroondah Federation Estate, celebrates the support offered to members of the Croydon Stroke Suppport Group with the aim of restoring confidence and skills.

The Brush Strokes exhibition was a recipient of Maroondah’s Cultural Grants and it was great to be able to see the project, which looked good on paper, at its completion. I must offer my thanks to the organisers of the exhibition and the based council team at Federation Estate.

While art may come naturally to some people, many of the artists featured in the exhibition have had to re-learn their artistic skills and the fact that these artists have been able to re-develop their talents is a testament to the supporting nature of the Croydon Stroke Support Group.

In addition, there was also a number of collaborative pieces which allowed all members of the group to contribute, using a number of unique instruments, such as chopsticks, cups and eye droppers. These collaborative pieces served to represent the experiences of the members and the support and friendship gained from others.

After the opening, I spoke to a number of the artists who had their works on display and each of them discussed how the project helped them rebuild their confidence and assist in re-engaging with the community.

Brush Strokes will be on display in the foyer of the Maroondah Art Gallery at Federation Estate until the 30th of September. I would strongly recommend that people visit the exhibition so that they can see first hand the professionalism and diversity of the artworks in display.

On the 6th of September I, along with Cr Taylor, attended the Annual General Meeting of the Eastern Volunteers Resource Centre. The EVRC is a not for profit organisation, which provides volunteer assistance and community transport for people living in the Cities of Maroondah and Whitehorse and the Shire of Yarra Ranges. We are fortunate to have the main offices of the EVRC located in Maroondah and to have an organisation that actively promotes and encourages volunteerism. I would like to congratulate the office bearers for the upcoming year and for the new model rules that the organisation has adopted. These new rules which provide additional governance for the EVRC and separate its elected committee of management from its operational staff, will provide a focus for the organisation into the future.

I would like to table the Annual Report of the Eastern Volunteers Resource Centre and trust the organisation will continue to further its successes in coming years.