In 2022, the city of Manningham donated to the Doncaster and Templestowe Historical Society a copy of a video of the publicly held Commemorative Council Meeting of the City of Doncaster & Templestowe held 30 November 1994.
In the early 1990’s, there were 65 cities in Victoria. In 1994, the Jeff Kennett Liberal party government restructured local government in Victoria. The reforms dissolved 210 councils and sacked around 1,600 elected councillors and 78 renamed new councils were made through amalgamations. In suburban Melbourne, 53 municipalities were reduced to 26. Included in this was the city of Doncaster and Templestowe which as a result ceased to exist.
Although the restructuring of the form local government was probably overdue, the restructure was not viewed well by all councillors and ratepayers, many who voiced strong objections to the manner and speed with which the restructure had been carried out with little or no consultation, or to seek residents’ and ratepayers’ views.
The new local government areas (LGAs) were headed by commissioners appointed by the State Government. Democratically elected councils returned in 1996 with the Doncaster and Templestowe area now falling under the newly formed City of Manningham.
The commemorative council meeting was held to pay tribute and respect to the ending of the council, and to past mayors, councillors, employees, community and sporting groups, residents etc that had associations with the council and the municipality over the preceding years. The video shows the Mayor and councillors providing a history of the Doncaster and Templestowe area, some thoughts on the restructuring process and of thanks to all those contributing to the council and the activities in the municipality over the years.
A full transcription of the meeting taken from the video has been created by Ian Scafter for the Doncaster and Templestowe Historical Society.
The Mayor (Lionel Allemand) - Councillors, former councillors, ladies and gentlemen. The prayer I'll call on the Reverend Bill McFarland of the Bulleen Baptist Church. Mr McFarland(?) please.
Reverend Bill McFarland(?):
Our father of this very significant commemorative occasion we vow to invoke your blessing upon the mayor and the councillors in the concluding business that it is their responsibility to discharge this evening direct and prosper their deliberations to the advancement of your glory and to the welfare of the people of this city and especially to the transfer of responsibility we ask this in the name of Jesus amen.
Lionel Allemand, Mayor:
Thank you you may be seated. As there are so many people here tonight I hope you can hear but I do warmly welcome you all tonight and I would like to call on former councillor and former mayor Mr Basil Elms who will come and assist me with the welcome to you people. Mr Elms please.
Mr Basil Elms:
Your worship, councillors, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. I feel a bit humbled being asked to do this little job tonight and very proud. It is strange here we are at the time when the city of Doncaster and Templestowe is about to be undergo some change is that a few years ago we became a city. I was a shire councillor and the shire president was Stan Shepherd and so for the balance of his term he was the mayor. We then elected our own mayor and in the vote in the councillors vote in fact the score was five five. I was one candidate and the other was my old friend and colleague councillor Les Cameron I'm sure he is here tonight I haven't seen him yet, oh yes he's here Councillor Les Cameron and because it was a tied vote there was a ballot and I was the lucky one and became the first elected mayor and I'm very proud of that an I'm also very conscious of the support I got from Les Cameron as the defeated candidate on that occasion.
It's my role tonight to welcome all the former mayors and councillors. The ones I have noticed so far are ex-councillors Davy, I think Roy Hale's here, councillor Neubergin, It's no good going through all the names but I've got a list of all that said they would come but I haven't seen some of them perhaps they're right at the back. I don't think it would be appropriate to ask you all to stand up do you wish them mayor - yes – would all the ex-councillors and mayors please rise (applause). Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. We also have with us Mr Kevin Andrews who is our Federal Member for Menzies – Mr Andrews would you like to show yourself- welcome (applause).
Another problem in welcoming the sporting groups is that Doncaster has always been a very sporting community, I don't know how many sporting groups I have tonight - the cricket elevens, the football teams, the soccer teams, all the different sports they play here is absolutely astounding. In fact, it might be worthwhile throwing in a little bit there that when I was elected to council, the voters roll was 9,600 and I can remember being laughed at that at the turn of the century it would be 100,000. I think today I think we have 103,000 - it's 108,000.
Once the other people who have helped have been a very important part of the Community are the rotary groups, both the I'm not sure what they've call the latest section of them but the rotary groups have formed a wonderful task in ?? and would like to welcome them here tonight as well. We also have Probus, we have the ladies' auxiliaries, the local churches, the moral strength of a community is reflected through its churches, we have the senior citizens, senior citizens are those who made Doncaster and Templestowe, the country women's association and the RSL. Because when I was first elected the country women's association, we used to get wonderful stalls to feed people who were working. We would like to welcome you all and thank you all for coming tonight and hope that as the council gets re-established that we all get together in the not-too-distant future (applause).
Lionel Allemand, Mayor:
Councillors are there any apologies.
Councillor Dedford??:
Apologies have been received from Mr ??? MP Federal member from Casey, the honourable George Coops MLC state Member for Nunawading, the honourable Bill Forward MLC and state member for Templestowe, Mr Phil Honeywood state member for Warrandyte, Mr David Perrin state member for Bulleen, Mr Victor Perdon state member for Doncaster, Mr Bruce Skeggs MLC state member for Templestowe, the honourable Rosemary Varty state member for Nunawading.
Former councillors have forwarded apologies - Mr Brian Gilmore, Mr Barry Jones, Mr D Marsh, Ms Leslie McNally, Mr R Pitts, Mr R Russell, Mr D Uppem, Mr T Willison.
Mr Mayor apologies have also been received from a number of Church organisations - the church of Emmanuel, Anglican church, Holy Trinity Anglican, St Davids Anglican Church, St Phillips Anglican Church, St Stephens Anglican Church and St Timothys Anglican Church, Templestowe catholic church, Our lady of the Pines catholic church, St Kevins catholic church, the Doncaster church of christ, St Heralambos ?? Greek church, the Salvation Army, Bulleen Uniting church, Deep Creek uniting church, Doncaster Uniting church, Templestowe Uniting church, Warrandyte Uniting church, Wesley uniting Church, Warrandyte Community church, the north eastern Jewish memorial centre, Chinese Lutheran church, the Donvale Presbyterian church and Faithland.
Apologies have also been received from various sporting organisations - Bulleen Cricket Club, Bulleen Templestowe basketball club, Doncaster Heights little athletics club, Yarraleen cricket club, Bulleen and Templestowe district junior football club, Doncaster and Templestowe motor sports, Fitzroy football club limited, Doncaster and Templestowe recreational association, Doncaster tennis club, the Warrandyte environmental league, Probus club Donvale, Royal Women's Hospital Warrandyte, Templestowe ladies Probus club, and Doncaster hockey club. I move that those apologies be received carried.
Lionel Allemand, Mayor:
It's now time to do some reflection upon this great city. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure as mayor of this great city to pay to the events and many people who contributed to making the city of Doncaster and Templestowe what it is today.
The city of Doncaster and Templestowe as we know it comprises Bulleen, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Donvale, Park Orchards, Ringwood north, Templestowe, Lower Templestowe, Warrandyte and Warrandyte south. In 1994, it covers an area of 8,942 hectares, has a population of 108,100 people and some 34,000 residences with over 1,240 hectares of open space the city is renowned for its mix of rural and urban land and the leisure and recreational opportunities provided to its residents. The Council both its councillors and staff have played an important role in the development of the city. The Council has provided infant welfare centres, kindergartens, health services, family support care, library services, sporting facilities, pavilions, parks and gardens. The council also funds many houses, neighbourhood houses, community houses and such bodies.
Reviews of local government have shown that the city of Doncaster and Templestowe have one of the most efficient staff to population ratios in Victoria. While the number of staff has grown from 2 to over 600, the commitment to providing quality services to the residents has remained constant. In 1993, Roger Hallam the Minister for local government directed the local government board to review and report on the most appropriate structure for local councils in Victoria. This year the local Government Board reviewed the middle and outer metropolitan Melbourne area which include the city of Doncaster and Templestowe. Council's including ourselves made submissions which assessed the demographic, social and economic demands within their regions.
Tonight, at this special commemorative council meeting I would like to talk this opportunity to recount a little of the city's history and the contribution made by council and the residents of the city. The history of Doncaster and Templestowe dates back to the 1830's. In 1837 Robert Hoddle sent out his surveyors to map an area that is known as Doncaster and Templestowe. They mapped an area bounded by the Yarra river, Deep Creek, Koornung Creek and called it the Parish of Bulleen.
In 1838 two brothers, the brothers Wood were the first people to settle in the Bulleen area. Later in 1839 James Anderson brought his cattle to an area near Warrandyte and a stream that was to be known as Andersons Creek. Also in 1839 Charles Newman settled on land near the present Newmans road. By 1844 much of land between Bulleen and Templestowe had been developed and the Unwins Special survey between Koornung Creek and Templestowe was either largely sold or leased or under cultivation. The first crops included root vegetables, berries and grapes and a few fruits. Another major product at that time was timber which was plentiful in supply. Both firewood and building materials found a ready market in Melbourne. In July 1851 the discovery of gold in Warrandyte by Louie Michael and William Hannalin(??) gave a boost to this district. By mid-August 1851, more than 200 diggers known as gold diggers had been attracted to the area between Jumping Creek and Harris Gully. As many of you know the city was a prosperous orchard region and in the 1880's. By 1882 three Doncaster orchardists Tom Perry, Alfred Thiele and Richard Serpell were the first Australian growers to export pears to the United Kingdom. The region reached its peak in fruit production in the 1920's when approximately 20,000 acres of land was under cultivation.
Local government in Doncaster Templestowe dates from the first election to the Roads Board on 8 December 1856. There are no figures to show the net annual valuation until the year 1866. At this time the Boards area covered some 22 square miles. At that time there were 217 rate-payers. So, it's interesting to note that most of the cities revenue came from the 7 hotels in the area, each Hotel paying a license fee of $50 per year to the Board. A toll gate stood at the front of Rags Hill near Koornung Creek on Doncaster Road was also proved to be an excellent source of income for the Board. By 1874, the Boards net annual valuation had reached the stage where under the local Government Act they were eligible to apply for the full status of a Shire or a Council, for a Shire Council. This was acquired on the 7 May 1875. The Templestowe Roads Board then officially became the Shire of Bulleen and its functions broadened to include such services as public works and health. The first council elections took place on 1 July 1875. The following year council gave Warrandyte full representation and the Bulleen shire was divided into 3 Ridings - Doncaster, Templestowe and Warrandyte.
In 1890, Doncaster separated from the other Ridings forming the Shire of Doncaster which held its meetings in the old shire hall in Council Street. The Templestowe and Warrandyte Ridings were renamed the Shire of Templestowe. Both the Shire of Doncaster and the Shire of Templestowe were served by 6 councillors. In 1915 the Shires were reunited and the whole area was known as the Shire of Doncaster until 1926 but it was renamed as the Shire of Doncaster and Templestowe. At that stage there were 6 councillors for the whole municipality. In the same year a third Riding was created known as the Shire of Warrandyte was created and the number of councillors was increased to 9. A fourth Riding was created in 1966 when the Doncaster Riding was divided into the Doncaster East and Doncaster West Ridings. The Shires of Doncaster and Templestowe was declared a city in 28 February 1967. The City of Doncaster and Templestowe has now 4 wards - Doncaster, Doncaster west, Templestowe and Warrandyte. Currently the municipality is served by 12 councillors - 3 from each of the 4 wards. As the population of the city increased the need to change the ward boundaries became evident and general subdivision of the municipality occurred in 1980.
So in 1994 we are holding this special commemorative meeting to pay tribute to the city of Doncaster and Templestowe, the ex-councillors and Mayors, the present councillors and the freemen of the city and you people of the city., We trust the new city will go forward in strength and pride. I thank you. (Applause).
Council business or motions.
Councillor Gurnan (?):
Mr Mayor, I would like to move the following motion be submitted for consideration. The council note that after 27 years of service after being proclaimed a city, the city of Doncaster and Templestowe is proposed to adjust its boundaries to include Wonga Park to form the newly created council. Seconded.
Mr Mayor, tonight we celebrate over a quarter of a century as the city of Doncaster and Templestowe. Tonight, we reflect on the past we will enjoy the present and we look forward to the future. The past which is 27 years ago there has been many changes. We could have walked leisurely through the fields of the city Doncaster and Templestowe peacefully wandering between fruit trees. Today we are a bustling metropolis, a city planned with vision and care. we are a mature city, as I said a busy bustling city with business minded people living in it. We are known and admired for our prestigious living, for our achievements with and schools, for our leisure and sports achievements and for the community spirit. We still retain generous pockets of open space and we have a charm about us a peace and tranquillity with lots of parks and gardens. It is the people not the houses that make our City.
What about our people in the city, we are a very multicultural city bringing many cultures in under our umbrella. We have a great youth population, second in Melbourne. We also have a great elderly population, a population which we respect as they are our elders. The council of Doncaster and Templestowe has serviced this city for 27 years, and it just hasn't been rates, rubbish and roads. We have serviced many important needs of our city; we have looked at what the people want. We have looked at parks, sports and many facilities including libraries and looking at the care of people in our city and I hope that we have looked at that very particularly, looking at meals on wheels, Doncare, many of the services we have provided for people and as you your worship has mentioned and in the side by side review of councils within the municipality of Melbourne we have been used as a benchmark and we have been used to measure other cities against and I think we pride ourselves in what we have delivered because with amalgamations we have looked at what cities are about and what they are worth and tomorrow we are looking at new boundaries in our area.
We welcome Wonga Park into our city, into our new municipality. We have much to learn about each other and we look forward to the addition that they will make to this city. We say goodbye to a small amount of our population going towards another city. We will have a big area, we won't have may more population but it will be a new city, there will be new boundaries, there will be new residents coming into our city and there will be new rules, we are looking at competitive tendering, we are looking at different changes in our planning and as I have said previously we have a very high Chinese population in our city and to use one of their symbols which we call “Fhisis ???” that they call opportunity and I think that is what we should be looking at now, looking at what the opportunity is for the future. And we will guard and jealousy defend the reputation of this city and this city will remain strong and solid servicing people and planning for tomorrow, planning for a future which is vital to our nation. And may I leave you Mr Mayor with the words from John F Kennedy who says “we will neglect our cities to our peril for neglecting them we will neglect the nation”.
Motion - all in favour - Carried
Councillor Dedford (??)
I move the council recognise and acknowledge with appreciation the service of the men and women who have offered themselves as elected representative and who with diligence and commitment perform the office of councillor. Seconded.
Mr Mayor, councillors, it is with immense pleasure and pride I move this motion to council to record with admiration and respect to those persons who have served the city and its predecessor shires in the city of Doncaster and Templestowe in the role of a councillor. Mr Mayor, it is probably not well known that upon the colonisation of NSW the first form of government was established modelled on the Parish councils of that time. Local government was indeed the first form of government of the people by the people in Australia and it set the foundation for elected representatives being sworn into office. Without those people offering themselves right back in those early times and in the succeeding years we would not be where we are in local government if Australia today and certainly not in the city of Doncaster and Templestowe. Certainly local Government in Victoria followed the same pattern and the formation of the Templestowe Roads Board and the Shire of Bulleen from 1875 commenced the process of having elected representatives in this area.
It is of note that since 1875 right through to the present time there have been a total of 212 persons elected as councillors - that's from the early Shire through the succeeding Shires and up to this existing city and it is also noting that 59 people who have served the city of Doncaster and Templestowe with 28 of those having also served as a mayor. For many of the 212 people it would have not been possible to carry out the responsibilities and the duties of a councillor without immense sacrifice to their work, leisure, family time and family life. Indeed, the families of all councillors to be given credit and applauded for the sacrifices that they have endured while their family members have been serving this council in so many ways. The duties and responsibilities of councillors are many fold, too many too elucidate on this evening, however we would not be able to enjoy the city we live in today without recognising the work of the elected representatives. Work has been taken too with vigour and enthusiasm. We have I believe a city second to none in respect of the heritage and physical and social infrastructure around us.
We can be proud of the many facilities and services that have been developed through the comprehensive work of the councillors together with many other volunteers throughout the community. Mr Mayor, community development is something that cannot be achieved without time and effort of the elected representatives working also with people from the community itself and raising the team spirit I think that councillor Goode mentioned as building the city as we know it today. We are very proud of the work that has gone on by former councillors and through to this day probably what has changed really is been the probably the bigger time commitment than councillors do have to put into the work now and also the changing technologies especially in communication where we are constantly at the call of the members of the community whether it's through fax machines, telephones and answering machines and even our portable machines now. So the work has probably changed over the years but has not gone without some noting as I said with the enthusiasm and vigour of all councillors and I believe Mr Mayor that I have no problem in moving the motion as put. - Carried
Councillor Bridge
Thank you Mr Mayor that I move the council request that the council seal, mayoral chains, mayoral robes, mayoral board and other important historical assets and memorabilia remain under the custody of and be preserved by the new municipality. - Seconded
Mr Mayor I think it is notable that in times of crisis the first thing that people do is look to their memorabilia in times of bushfire, flood or earthquake people usually take what reminds them of what they had, they take the family album, their heirloom clock, the pieces of jewellery that mean things to them so i think in this time of great change for the council it is not surprising that we wish to make sure to ensure that items such as the chain around your neck is taken care of and recognised by the succeeding municipality. From yourself and from others around the table we've heard a great deal already tonight about the distinguished history of this municipality and much of that is reflected in the chain and seal, sorry coat of arms that appears on the chain around your neck and there are 7 councillors around this table, yourself, 8, and many others in the audience here who have worn that chain with pride and with dignity.
Other councils that I have been to in the past have displayed with pride the pieces that mean a great deal to them from their past to remind them that you just don't appear a municipality just does not emerge that there are things that went on before and items worth preserving and I hope Mr Mayor the new municipality will do that with the items we are passing on to them, that they will recognise by the acceptance of them and the care of them that this is just not a city that has just been formed by an Act of parliament or changes to the system but it has emerged and being built on by strong and democratic foundations of those people that have gone before. There are many such items, the robe might have changed colour over time, it used to be red, but it is still important that goes forward, the chain around your neck, the flags behind you, and even I might have to say the original council table which sits downstairs and to also be included in this memorabilia that is taken forth to this new council so as I said before so that when the new council is returned and one hopes that this will not take a long time and this city is once more is democratically represented at the local level that those councillors who sit around the table will look at those items and see them of thew items of great pride and realise the strong and democratic tradition from which they have come. Mr Mayor, I commend it to you. - Carried.
Councillor Rich
Mr Mayor it gives me great pleasure to move the following motion. That council recognise and acknowledge with appreciation those members of staff past and present who provided the council with loyal efficient and professional support. Seconded.
This municipality would not be as great as it is today without the hard work and loyalty and dedication of the council officers and their staff. The executive work long hours often without much thanks, they serve this municipality tirelessly at public meetings Mr mayor. They attend to the fine detail, councillors set the policy but it is the council staff both indoor and outdoor and the executive that implement the policy and without the loyalty and dedication of these people the decisions and the motions that we as a council move will never be implemented into the municipality. Behind every council Mr mayor is a group of officers and those officers support the councillor but behind the officers are the loyal spouses. The spouses support those officers at the many late meetings we go to, at the many public meetings they are asked to attend out of hours. they support the council staff when they attend public meetings Mr Mayor and so we must also recognise that our staff have spouses that have supported them as our spouses have supported us.
Mr Mayor the officers have represented this municipality and worked for this municipality with dignity and professionalism under much public attack at times as a controversial motion comes before council. the officers take the flack with dignity, with dignity Mr Mayor they uphold their position and it's not easy Mr Mayor and I believe the officers here certainly have a great staff working for them both now and in the past because this municipality as Councillor Guernin ?? and other councillors have already alluded to is great today because of the hard work of the past officers, past councillors and their spouses so we are what we are today through the hard work of a lot of people. Budget time raises very many late nights Mr Mayor and quite often we see the Finance group and the other groups preparing the budget. They work back and they work weekends and we see the cars in the carpark and so I would certainly like to acknowledge the hard work and like it to go on record that this group of officers that we currently have as the past group of officers and council staff both indoor and outdoor have really assisted and given this municipality all of their worth. I'm sure Mr Mayor fellow councillors in joining me in requesting the city manager Mr Mike Marasco ?? and the executive to take back to their staff our thanks and appreciation and indeed the thanks and appreciation of all the residents for the work they have put in to make this great municipality what it is. In times of trouble such as garbage strikes and the like the officers give enormously of themselves and they do it tirelessly and they are unsung, they're unspoken and tonight we acknowledge that with our thanks. Motion carried.
Councillor McKenzie
Mr Mayor with a slight change of wording I'd like to move that council recognise and acknowledge with appreciation those public authorities and private institutions which have contributed to the overall benefit and development of the city of Doncaster and Templestowe. - Seconded.
Mr Mayor and councillors, this occasion is not an exercise of self-indulgence but an opportunity to recognise all of those organisations which have contributed to the welfare of the citizens of this city over many years.
One only has to look around the table and we can identify various public organisations which particular councils have chosen to associate themselves with most directly as a result of the policy which is developed in this council that councils can pursue particular areas of activity and interest. I look at as I move around the table open space and the Metropolitan planning scheme, the Melbourne water, I look at weights and measures, I look at community services, I look planning and development, I look at Melbourne water representation with all of its implications, I see regional library and state library interest, I see association of interest and councils and many other organisations that we've been associated with. The government departments, the authorities and the private institutions which we have interacted with over the year are used to be recognised in fact very long time by way the second function each year the civic dinner. It's a tradition which I regret has disappeared in recent years and has been absorbed within the Mayoral dinner and the annual Mayoral occasion and we have amalgamated all those functions together but I do think that it was a worthy occasion the traditional civic dinner where we paid tribute to all of those organisations. I can particularly relate in my own experience it's giving me a great deal the satisfaction on two occasions and in two instances I should say to interact with the local government electricity supply association which is been a big part of my council life and that has passed from being perhaps a public authority more into a private institution and we wish United Energy the new electricity authority that has replaced our 75-77 year old electricity supply authority and we wish it well in its new endeavours as it proceeds towards privatisation. One shouldn't single out councillors I can't help but note a prior president of LGSA former councillor Bill Davey who served this city with distinction on that particular body. The other main area of my own interests was this and this is self-indulgence I know is the joint mayoral an organisation I am led to believe was set up by the late councillor Ted Adjay ?? to proceed pursue the interest of extending the Eastern Freeway through to Ringwood and I can't help but notice former councillor Bill Larkin who has been one of many who have been involved in that process in pursuing successfully the Government decision to extend.
I would like to comment on the future of our councils involvement our new council's involvement with regional authorities and government departments, I would like to refer to the submission that we made to the local Government board on the recent restructuring exercise and to point to the fact that we made a very strong case I believe for assuming ultimate responsibility for planning of open space and waterways development covering the whole of the catchment area surrounding the Yarra River all the way from Burke Road to Watsons Creek which is the defined for the middle Yarra. We wanted it to be more than just a bigger local government operating more efficiently we wanted to change the face of local government by moving through a transition of power on what has traditionally been Melbourne Parks and Waterways and Melbourne Water city through to our own future city whatever name it might at the end of the day. We were most importantly pursuing that regional influence. I believe this is a crucial factor in the way a local government will develop in the future. We might well ask the question Mr Mayor what happens at the end of the municipal restructuring process in Victoria. I hope it goes to the next level of government and we look at government restructuring and a total rethink of the way in which we can resolve the duplicity of services which exist at state and local levels. There is a built-in redundancy, we recognise this many times where we have offices representing our roads area for example, offices representing the state's roads interest or it might be a drainage problem where we've got a total duplication of effort. I believe the way forward Mr Mayor as this council has endeavoured to embody this principle in its recent submissions is that government itself throughout Victoria should be restructured in every facet right through all of government departments in the authorities and rationalise the way in which services and facilities are delivered to our communities and to the greater good I commend the recommendation to the council. - Carried
Councillor Joy
Mr Mayor and councillors, I move that council recognises and acknowledge with appreciation those volunteer members of organisations and committees who provided assistance to the council in the delivery valuable services to community. - Seconded.
Mr Mayor and councillors, in support of this motion I would like to quote from “Reflections at this time of change” by Roz Loader the executive officer of Doncare which is based on the volunteer model and I acknowledge in the gallery former councillor Viv Rush who is a volunteer at Doncare and his wife Dorothy who started the meals on wheels in Warrandyte as it an excellent example of volunteerism. Former councillor Keith Remington I notice is there who also had an active part in the formation of Doncare exactly 25 years ago Roz Loader writes - there are many valuable aspects to this community which have evolved and developed over the years but which are fragile and easily alienable. Community or culture is not just affected by what we do but how we do it, but the how we do it is much harder to quantify.
One of the hows is volunteerism, it involves much goodwill and a balance between giving and receiving. It mixes with difficulty with fee-paying and commercialism, it sustains neighbourliness and it gets many valuable things done. It is cost beneficial but it is cumbersome organisationally. It certainly gets services and activities happening. It develops skills in the volunteer, it can be therapeutic, it engenders belonging and breaks down an isolation. So many volunteers, thousands in this community have been involved with advisory committees to council and involvement with community groups. As councillors we are also volunteers. In the future it is important that the volunteer contributions of individuals in the service of the city, in the service of community groups and in the service of people in-need be maintained, not replacing and that is important not replacing but complementing the work of paid staff which the special quality which only volunteers can give - Carried
Councillor Bynon ?
Mr Mayor, I move that council, sorry, that a certificate of service signed by the mayor and the city manager be issued to all current, full time and part time employees of the City of Doncaster. - Seconded
Mr Mayor and councillors it would be remiss of of us not to acknowledge all of the staff in this organisation and I think it is important to note that to many people nobody understands what a massive organisation this is. There are many full-time people and there are many part-time people which go to make an organisation of the size which if most people knew that the the range of activities are undertaken by this council by it staff, I think most people would be quite staggered and what the amazing thing is that it all works. I mean the officers make it work, we see the officers on the front table every night when at council and I might add that many of us inform accounts would agree that they have the patience of jobe to sit through some of the debates that exude from this hallowed hall. But two years ago Mr Mayor you well recall we gave the offices of this city the challenge. The city was not immune from the ravages of the recession, unlike private enterprise we didn't have a profit motive but we did agree that there was change that had to be undertaken.
We first of all undertook an elaborate exercise on award restructure where all officers throughout the whole organisation had their positions evaluated and changes were made according to the requirements of this restructure. We introduced not long after that the concept of CCT and for those who don't understand the competitive tendering process we had ratepayers ringing us saying ah-ha at last we are going to be efficient, but then we had to sit down as to Mr Mayor and the officers had to write the the brief for all of the services that we set out to tender and we had to find out but the officers that we have out mowing the lawns in the parks didn't just mow the lawns they also clean the toilets and cleaned up the barbecues and swept up the leaves and things that we never thought of before. And these are members of staff that people just took for granted, people that are often aren't known by many the ratepayers in the city. During this time, we also had issued to challenge to the officers of council and council resolution was that we would maintain rates at the level they were in 92-93. I think it's commendable that the office was able to bring in a budget in the past 2 years involving a zero-rate increase. Whilst at the same time maintaining major capital projects which has led to much of the capital projects not being deferred or delayed and our capital expenditure program being maintained at the original budgeted levels some years earlier. This is only done by the staff making sure that every effort is made to spend this money as wisely as they can and also maintain the only form of income that we have which is our rate revenue at the levels it was at in 1992/93, that's a first-class effort for all staff.
During the restructure process there was a shift in emphasis to a far more customer-focused organisation. I've had many people say to me Mr Mayor, that in the past the council office wasn't easy to approach, we now know that it is, it may not be as good be but we are working towards that. We then undertook this year the amalgamation process. Many people would say well that this was the process that was foisted upon us by the state Government. However, the officers diligently worked through the process with the uncertainty of now knowing how big it would be, where we would be, who would be with, and in fact who would be here. But I would just like to close in saying that in 1926, Sydney Myer was asked, wasn't 1926, sorry his business started in about 1926 but in 1932 ????? his competitors had a meeting in I think was the Atheneum Club in the city, it was well reported at the time where there was a buying cartel for imported products and two or three of his competitors said to him how is it Sydney that you can get things and get better margins for them, sell a wider range, and your growth in sales is greater than any other retailer in Melbourne. And Sydney Myer said it's easy, I've got the best people. And I think this city has the best people Mr Mayor and I commend this to all councillors. - Carried
Councillor Wareing ???
Thank you, Mr Mayor, that it's appropriate that I move the motion with a slight change and that is that the Council recognise and acknowledge with appreciation those councillors who were elected to the high office of Mayor of the city and who provided leadership, inspiration and loyalty particularly during the times of growth and community stress. - Seconded
Thank you Mr Mayor. I think it was entirely relevant that we were reminded earlier tonight the first mayor of this city was ultimately elected as a result of a tied vote and I think a lot of in my travels around the local government circles, most councils or a lot of councils have the election of mayor as a rotational procedure and in my view that means that you were as a councillor you're not necessarily elected to the position of their on your ability but you get it in turn if you wait long enough it'll come your way and I think I'm fairly proud to say Mr Mayor that mayors of Doncaster and Templestowe generally are elected as a result of an election and sometimes there's been quite a number of candidates and the person who ultimately wins that election becomes the mayor.
And they I guess their abilities are respected in in the vote ultimately, so they take on that position and I recall myself being in having achieved that position of mayor of this city I guess my heart rose up in my chest and I thought what the devil is going to happen this year, what am I going to have to handle, will there be garbage dispute, will there be a strike at the depot, will the libraries all close as a result of industrial action, the number of things, the unknown things that come across a mayor's desk in the time that he's there for the year are really enormous, we don't really know and I think that's a measure of the commitment and when these things do crop up and every mayor has them one thing or another, I guess that's when he needs to in a lot of circumstances learn the real skills of leadership and direction and learn how to manage in a position such as that and I guess being as an honorary position it does take an enormous amount of time and the people who suffer most I guess are our families and the time that they give up as a result of the mayor of the day attending something like on average about 25 meetings or functions per week I think it's still about the same as that in meetings, breakfasts, lunches and meetings with other councils etc so the family suffers enormously and that's also a measure of the commitment that past mayors of the city have made.
I should also say Mr Mayor being an honorary position that with the changes that are about to take place and we're not really certain of how future mayors will be elected in this city and other cities throughout the state but I would certainly hope that the honorary capacity of the mayor doesn't completely disappear.
There is talk about mayors being elected by the by the whole population of the community as distinct from the councillors and it being a paid position and in in some areas I would support that view but I I think the reason mayors of this city and others are held in such high esteem is because of the honorary capacity of that position. The fact that we are just members of the community and were elected to council along with all the other councillors and we ultimately for one reason or another become the mayor of the city and I think that's where the real high esteem of the position comes from and once that honorary capacity is removed if what I'm hearing is is correct then I I believe that the esteem with which the position is held made mat deteriorate. Mr Mayor I'd urge the motion, I'm not going into details any further about the commitments that mayors, past mayors have made to this city and the people of this city I think they're there very self-evident with the people mostly who are the gallery would have been fairly familiar with how council operates and they would understand the commitments that have been made by mayors over the years and so I won't go into the detail of what they are except to say in closing thank you to all of those mayors for the time they have given, the leadership, direction, I think that's about it Mr Mayor, its all-encompassing it covers everything and I thank each and every one of them. - Motion Carried.
Councillor Taylor
I would like to move that council request a commemorative plaque recognising this historic occasion be affixed on an external wall near one of the entrances of the city of Doncaster and Templestowe municipal offices. - Seconded
Well I think we're entering a really unknown time; we don't know where we going we don't know what's going to happen, we do know what's happened in the past. I hear and it's probably true that this is the last independent councillors' group of councillors you will see. From now on there will be a big change in these things. As the oldest in years and the oldest in residency amongst the elected councillors, I'd like to go back not just to the Templestowe District roads Board, I like to go back before the Templestowe & District roads Board to 1852 when Queen Victoria set up an Act for the making of roads which eventually ended up in 1856 to the Templestowe & District Roads Board where in my notes we've got a few pictures about it here and it's good to see that we've made a fairly strong inroads into the history go this city, we're not quite up with some other cities but we have made some inroads. I would like to go back to when to we moved to Bulleen, we moved here I think in 1856, we bought here (laugh) 1956. We purchased land here in 1952. Now at the time we purchased a block overlooking what was then a pristine Yarra Valley, a green belt.
The only people who lived in our street were five Latvian families who actually lived in garages waiting to build their houses, two of those families still live in that street. They had each year what they call a name day, in other words their given Christian name was celebrated by having a name day which went on for some considerable time. One of their favourite foods and they would drink all night but they would also eat all night. One of their favourite foods was to go down to the Yarra and get eels and then they smoked the eels, well I don't like smoked eels but they did exactly what the traditional owners of all of this land did at least 100 years before. At the time we also went down and we could swim at the Yarra, we could swim by what is now the Banksia Street bridge, there were large rock outcrops there, now gone. There were sandbanks there, we swam there each Summer, it got very hot. Each year we had grass fires, probably now that we know the brickworks was behind them hedges probably that came from the brickworks but each year we had terrifying grassfires. I remember we went out to Warrandyte one day which was just a little place for the few huts in it, there very few houses there and each year to my memory there were wildfires there, they raced through the area but they weren't probably just as frightening for them but not as frightening for us as the frequent grass fires every year.
At the time we bought land there, there was no roads, no electricity, no water, no gas, there was in fact nothing. But Ron and I bought that block on the basis that what we had was a perfect block sitting on the top of the hill but not too steep, drains in every direction, for some reason we knew about it even then. And room for a 50-foot setback for a house. A house would suit us with provision for children that didn't come but for a large garden and a large backyard. I think you all realise what's going to happened there. Now by the time we actually built our house, we had some of those services because our Latvian neighbours lobbied, or I don't know what they did in those days but in many cases, they put a waterman up and some way or another we had electricity, they even had the gas put up our street so the time we actually finished building our house and moved in they provided those things. We also had installed when we moved in something which this city was one of the first people to allow, a septic tank. We didn't like backyard juke boxes so we had a septic tank. The council offices were then in council street, they had two staff members, I believe it was an engineer and a town clerk. As I said my husband was born across the river at Eaglemont, I think it's 64-65 years ago. He knew the river like the back of his hand but contrary to what a lot of people think, this area wasn't called anything, it was the other side of the river to water. To all people in Eaglemont, and they had more population it was just called the other side of the river. But in 1952 I noticed the Herald Sun ran a competition on this area and place names and someone read in those days a 1,000 pounds which was a considerable amount of money then and they won it because the person that investigated knew the name of the area Bulleen and he won 1,000 pounds which would have bought you probably a house almost, not a house but half a house anyway.
At the time we arrived there, we put in a fishpond and put headlights over it. And the first thing that happened was we had Ibis and they ate all the fish We had kookaburras; they were everywhere. Contrary to what's been said that area was never ever orchards, it was dairying land. It was very fertile dairying land. There were very few trees there except for some very highly significant large river red gums some of which some of which had been used by Hoddle in his time to chop out marks to survey the area.
Now I could also remember going down to the corner, it was quite a sight to see, to sit down at the corner, I think we might have had a business utility at the time, the park down the corner of Bulleen and Manningham Road and see the whole area under flood, not to the north because that was the highest spot but where Manningham Road has now been put through which was the original site of Banksia Street. The whole area was under flood, there were houses there that are now factories warehouses, one was Crouch's woodyard which was all underwater, half the house was underwater. As you went along everything was just a sea of muddy water, it was probably not frightening. As you all know we ran a business in Bullen Road, we run a business in Bulleen Road I think for about 28 years, part of that business was by appointment visiting 5-6 houses per day within this city and surrounding areas. It gave us a good knowledge of the area.
Doncaster road at the time that we came out here it was mainly used by speculative builders to build display homes, it was always pretty busy on a Sunday afternoon, there were always cars all over the place. particularly up here. In that time, Templestowe changed little as far as we I can see. Bulleen road was mainly for dairying farm and gigantic rich billabongs. We didn't use Bulleen Road much, because in most cases you had cows on the road and I think it would be possibly only 10 years since the cows stopped using Bulleen Road, the ones on White's farms. But we come to this and the reason I mention this is I read this week that we are an ageing area and we full of empty nests. I'd like to point out that of five houses, three of whom are Latvians who have now died in past on, even their own son has relocated into the area, all have been reoccupied. I'd like to point out if nests are not pull down and tore down, they usually get reoccupied buy another bird. This city will be reoccupied again, it will never be the same ever because we won't have the same type of elections here, we won't have the same type of candidate that we've had the past, there won't be any room for Independents or the type of person might be and probably won't matter to me because I'll be too old but as probably as now but we need a plaque out the front to commemorate this last independent council because that is what my belief it will be, there will not be any more independent councils - In favour - Carried
Councillor Pick(?)
Mr Mayor, fellow councillors, ladies and gentlemen, I move the following motion at the council, sorry the minutes of this meeting be published and commemorate the city of Doncaster and Templestowe's historic council meeting. - Seconded
Mr Mayor, I believe it is important to publish the minutes of this meeting, it will show for all future generations of the city the end of an era was blown out tonight. However, I believe it not the beginning of the end, but the end of the beginning. We must work hard and ensure that at the end of the commissioners' period, the sooner the better that local government will resurface in the name of democracy who without this tier of government we have no control in the name the people. Having travelled abroad extensively I always come back to Australia realising the most important asset we have over most countries and that is the person can be hard no matter how rich or how poor on an equal basis for justice in this country pleads no favourites. There's an old saying of Abraham Lincoln that states that you can fool some of the people some the time and most people most of the time but you can't fool all the people all the time. Therefore, I caution the commissioners who are to be to listen wisely and put me to the feelings of this community for we councillors will have no other avenue than then to convey the people's wishes. I cannot say there's been all smooth sailing during my time as a councillor or whatever else is said there was a bondage that united altogether. In democracy such as was the case of arguments, there is a winner and a loser after the debates and sometimes nobody wins or losses but I do know one thing isn't sure as night or day that if we do not bring back local government the only loser will be democracy. Finally, I think that a special mention should be made for the unsung heroes, the wives and husbands of the councillors, they have had to endure many lonely nights so we could pursue our beliefs and dreams. There has been the mental sacrifice in order for all of us to try and obtain these beliefs - In favour - carried
Councillor Thompson
Mr Mayor, events have overtaken the council and so I will move an alternative motion at this stage and it reads as follows - that the council of the city of Doncaster and Templestowe on behalf of its ratepayers and residents request the Victorian government provide for the continuation of the processes of democratic local government in this municipality or its successor and if this council is replaced by commissioners appointed by the Victorian Government, the term of such appointment be minimised so that democratic local government in this area can be restored as soon as possible. Seconded
There has been many attempts over the years to restructure local government indeed there has been a tendency for the state government to refer to it as reform of local government and I reject that term of words, but this time because there has been a particular electoral result of the state level and state government has been able to achieve substantial changes in local government and that process is taking place around us. The conventional view is the bigger local we are better off with bigger local governments. I'm not sure that that's the case and particularly when we look around the world at the moment and see that in fact there's a general disillusionment with large units of government and that in Europe and North America and other places governments are being fragmented as local people try to assume local control and local identity. And the Paradox is also further emphasised by the success of small businesses and small units in our in our society and here we are at the very time when we are recognising the advantages of small is beautiful to applying a State-wide policy of a larger government units. Now whether that or work or not we don't know and that will all the merge in the fullness of time as to how successful it is or not. But the one thing that has occurred is during this process of change notwithstanding the the efforts of this council, is it is demonstrated there is massive public disinterest in the process of local government for change, notwithstanding what we have tried to do and perhaps we should look at the processes that we have with setup. But we've tried to encourage people to recognise that local government has an important role in doing a couple of helping its local community to identify things like what degree of efficiency they want in in local government compared with what degree of participation they want democratic processes as I think it's been suggested a pretty untidy processes and we have to trade off efficiency for the degree to which we can participate in those decisions. We have to ask our citizens local government has to give some sort of lead in helping citizens define the sort of quality-of-life they want, the sorts of degrees of social justice they require, not we require, that the amount of economic growth that they're willing to sustain and the identities and the development of local Communities in the area. And I don't know that we've been we've been fairly self-indulgent tonight but I I think the I'm not too sure how successful we have been because if the response of our community to the change in this structure and the changes that the been proposed in local government in this area is any indication local government is not terribly important to those people out there that we are representing. But perhaps that will change when by the 1st of January this year, there won't be one elected person representing any citizen in local government at the local government level in the state of Victoria. There won't be an elected representative of local government and that's when people will begin to realise what they what they might be missing and I hope they do because I hope people realised that that there are in vantages in participating at the local level in determining their own future, in establishing their own communities and taking control of their own lives. So I think it's important that we send a message tonight to the Victorian Government that there should be a continuation of the democratic processes at local level as has been said by number of speakers and that if the Victorian government does choose do send in unelected commissioners in the term of those unelected commissioners should be as short as possible. Motion carried.
Councillor Keith Remington
I did speak to the mayor earlier tonight and I expressed to him the very deep concern that counsellor Thompson has very articulately expressed to us that it is vitally important that this meeting of councillors, former councillors and concerned citizens do in fact advise the Minister of Local government that it is our very sincere desire that the name of city of Doncaster and Templestowe be retained. An it be retained because there is within the all of us a great feeling and a desire to belong and everybody here tonight and to the citizens and the ratepayers and residents out there, are in their own very way personally proud to be part of the city of Doncaster and Templestowe. Not some obscure roadway but of a very dynamic city of the city of Doncaster and Templestowe. And Viv Rush said don't forget to mention the word dynamic because we used it in 1969-70. But it is a dynamic city and as a dynamic city it will change, it will grow, it will expand, it won't remain static but at the very heart of it must be its identity, who am I, who are you, we know who we are, as a city we know who we are the city of Doncaster and Templestowe. It gives us a great feeling of pride; it gives us a great feeling of security. 1926 to 1994, and I'm just a little older of that myself, 41 years of that as a Shire and 27 years of that as a city.
Now I guess on a very quick head of counts tonight Mr Mayor there must be almost 200 people here tonight. I would I certainly strongly support this resolution, I urge its adoption unanimously, and of course we must tell the Minister we don't want the commissioners entrenched in the city. There is indeed little for them to do. The changes to our boundaries are very minimal, but there is a danger by the fact that they are appointment. They earn about 90 odd thousand a year plus a little and they have will naturally want to stay as long as the government lets them stay. In my view, I think the ratepayers of this city of Doncaster and Templestowe as it was as it is and certainly as it should be should have elected councillors back in some 6 months. There is not dramatic changes, the changes are minimal and we ought to be saying to the minister yes indeed Mr Minister, certainly put your commissioners in but give them a 6 months tenure.
In closing Mr Mayor, I want to thank you for inviting all of us people from yesterday to be with you tonight, I must also congratulate your councillors. You presided over a meeting in total and absolute harmony, honestly it just reminds me of the day with Basil and Roy and I were such good buddies together in the years 1956 to 1972 and I put my hand over my heart when I say that. As a total agnostic I say God bless you all but may the name of the city Doncaster & Templestowe live on until infinity. Thank you very much. Applause.
Mr Mayor - Ladies and gentlemen, may I acknowledge the work done by the team, the councillors is perfect and I think that it is appropriate that a small presentation take effect and to recognise as has it been said, the outstanding contribution made to this council to this city by these councillors. And Mr Remington you are right it is the first meeting I think I've chaired and probably all the mayors that are here had such a serene and delicate meeting. But it's not always like that I can assure you, so it is a pleasure to be all I want for ? tonight. And it is with a great deal of proudness that I do present on behalf on the city and I mean everyone in this city to recognise in some way, some small way this evening and the councillors over the many, some many like Vernon Dedford(?) 10 years, Doug McKenzie 9 years of dedicated service to the community as councillors of it.
Lionel Allemand, Mayor: (presenting councillors)
- Councillor Marice Taylor
- Councillor Irene Gurnan(?) - Irene was a mayor 1993/94 and was elected to council in 1989.
- Councillor Trevor Wareing(?) - former mayor 1989/90, elected 1987 to present day.
- Councillor Vernon Dedford(?) - mayor 1986/87, elected 1984, 10 years.
- Councillor John Thompson - mayor 1992/93, first elected 1989.
- Councillor ED (Doug) McKenzie - mayor 1987/88, first elected 1985.
- Councillor John Bridge - mayor 1990/91, first elected 1987.
- Councillor Bob(?) Holly - mayor 1991/92, first elected 1989.
- Councillor Louise Joy - elected 1990.
- Councillor Bob Bynon(?) - elected 1991.
- Councillor Clive Pick(?) - first elected 1992.
Councillor (presenting the Mayor Lionel Allemand)) - And last but by no means least, our current Mayor congratulations Lionel, elected 1990 to today and thank you very much for your leadership in a very difficult year.
Lionel Allemand, Mayor:
Ladies and gentlemen, could I just now call on the Federal member for Menzies Mr Kevin Andrews for a closing address.
Mr Andrews
Mr Mayor, the only thing I've been kicking is a football with my son. Mr Mayor, councillors of the city of Doncaster and Templestowe, present day and councillors of the past and residents, citizens of this municipality, ladies and gentlemen all. I'm honoured to accept on this invitation from you Mr mayor on this occasion to make a short address of the closing of this council meeting. Because this indeed is an historic moment for this municipality, this area and the people who live in Doncaster and Templestowe.
I think it is important on an occasion like this that we take the opportunity to take the opportunity to take stock, not simply after more than a quarter of century of municipal government under Doncaster and Templestowe, but an opportunity for us to look back on the considerable changes which have occurred in this area and the way in which people have related to each other and sought to have a system of government here since the 1830s. And as we listen tonight to your brief historical overview of changes which has occurred Mr Mayor, I was reminded of that remark of the great British Prime Minister Benjamin Disralie who said that change is inevitable in a progressive nation, change is constant. It is what we've seen over that period of more than a century is a whole series of changes and transitions, from when people first came together when sheep and stock were grazed on open paddocks to the structure of roads Boards and subsequently Shires and most recently this municipality.
But whilst there has been a period of change, we can also see that in more respects the more things change, the more they remain the same and I would like to reflect on this tonight. This night is important, not simply because words have been used about deeds that have been done and services that have been rendered but because in a community like ours time to pause for ritual is also important. It would be easy for this council if it wastes to come to a conclusion to simply wind up its business one evening, had a few drinks out in the room next door, close the doors, go home and leave it to whoever else comes back the next day or week to start up some new structure.
I think it is important that we do gather here as a community tonight in a ritualistic way to say that the service that has been given and the aspirations that were fought for and the quarrels which have occurred around this room and before it in the building down the road and other parts of this municipality or shires before that were important. And they were important for some very fundamental reasons. It is when I listen to the motions that were moved tonight and listened to the speeches of each of the councillors around this table in support of those motions but struck me that what they were essentially about were the values and the virtues that we hold as evident and important in our society.
Council has spoken about work and hard work, about commitment to a cause of the people of this area. They spoke of times about courage and always about perseverance and about loyalty to those aspirations which they hold dear. And so as we look forward from this night, we can look forward to the rededication of ourselves to these values, these virtues. Much has been spoken about democracy and freedom, about the need for checks and balances, about the need to apply in a very real way that principal of subsidiarity, that is where decisions can be taken on the lowest level than they ought to be so taken. I'm reminded that Churchill said of democracy that it was the worst system of government except for all others.
So whatever differences have been expressed over the last quarter century in this council, whatever arguments have been had, whatever great matters of principle or lesser matters have brought differences and debate, and letters to the editor and the front-page stories in newspapers and so forth. What we need to remember tonight is that those values, those virtues like great ideas are not lost because they attract enemies, they will only be lost if they lose friends. So the sense of responsibility and loyalty and commitment is something which all of us can take forward into whatever new structure is put in place for this area and the people who live here. But we can exercise our responsibility, and are in fact exercising our responsibility as we join together tonight as a community.
And finally, may I say that the value of friendship and care and concern about people is the essential value which to me comes through all of the motions tonight and all the work that council does and all the work that is supported in Community groups and by individuals throughout this area. And as we go to our homes tonight from this meeting as we have gone to our homes on other occasions in the past and will in the future, then I am confident that democracy in this city and in this nation will not disappear whilst we have men and women like those who sit around this table and those who sit as guests tonight some of whom have served in this municipality whilst we have men and women of that calibre committed to the values which are evident tonight and are prepared to have the courage and perseverance and the loyalty and the dedication for hard work to exercise those values, then democracy will not disappear from this area of Doncaster and Templestowe. And so as we go to our homes tonight Mr Mayor, I recall those few lines of Hellair Belloch (??) who said about friendship - “from quiet homes and first beginnings out to undiscovered ends, nothings worth the wear of winning but laughter and the love of friends”.
Mr Mayor on behalf of the community who's here tonight, may I say a very sincere thank you to you and to the councillors of the city of Doncaster and Templestowe both those who are in office today and those who have served in years and decades past and say that we look forward in this community to the exercise of that same sense of value and commitment, that sense of responsibility and that concern for our fellow men and women that has been evident tonight. Applause.
Lionel Allemand, Mayor:
Thank you Mr Andrews, now ladies and gentlemen just before I do close this meeting, I invite you at the closure to join with us in the supper room for something to eat and drink and I hope to get around as will my fellow councillors I'm sure to meet as many of you as we possibly can. So, it's with a great deal of proudness that I declare the meeting closed. Thank you. Applause
End of recording.
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