Mr BARRESI (11:46 AM) —One of the great joys of representing Deakin is witnessing first hand the vitality of the community in building partnerships and putting in place initiatives that lift the social morale. It is true to say that local government comes in for its share of criticism, often justified. In Deakin we have two municipalities which are progressive, innovative and contribute to the wellbeing of the ratepayers.

The eastern end of Deakin lies in the city of Maroondah, which is in good hands under its current mayor, Maureen Naylor, and an extremely energetic and capable CEO, Mike Marasco. For five years now the city has run a program entitled Leadership Maroondah, with the objective `to identify, develop and support leadership qualities and initiatives in the Maroondah community'. The program involves a nine-month community leadership development program to encourage better citizenship and build the commitment to society through working together.

Up to 15 people are chosen each year to share experiences with other community leaders who have set an example with their contribution to the community. People of all ages, cultures, backgrounds and professions are eligible and there is an attempt to have a blend of different resources in each year's intake. The program incorporates a mix of skills building and attention to issues affecting Maroondah. Central to the program are the community projects undertaken by the participants with the help of council staff, previous graduates and others. In fact, the graduates of the program have formed their own independent group, with the moniker LeMar Grads. It continues to support Leadership Maroondah and aims to make it a self-sustaining, self-empowering community resource. As LeMar Grads gains more of a critical mass, its input into the program will be greater.

Each year brings a group of committed graduates with diverse experiences and interests who in turn pass on their knowledge and assistance to others. One of the great advantages to this program is that it is self-perpetuating—so much so that one may view it as a local movement that is taking place. With nearly 70 graduates, Leadership Maroondah involves ongoing give and take between sponsors, participants and graduates, with the community being the ultimate winner. This year Maroondah won a National Innovation Award for this program. Maroondah developed, with the National Bank, a leadership program manual to enable any other municipality the opportunity to develop their own program. I commend all members to familiarise themselves with the program manual. Perhaps it will have some relevance to their own area.

Leadership Maroondah has been involved in quite a number of success stories and I will mention but a few of these: a mentor program in Eastwood Primary School; Equipment Recycling Network Inc., which won a National Community Link Award in 1997, and last year its founder and Leadership Maroondah graduate Sue McKoy won a Tattersall's Award for Enterprise and Achievement, as well as a Deakin Australia Day award which I had the pleasure of giving her this year; a twilight festival at Ringwood Lake for thousands of local people; publishing a comprehensive parks and recreation guide; conducting community forums on Australia Day; and conducting an auction to raise money for charity. Some of these projects will continue and become Maroondah traditions. It is exceedingly gratifying to have in Deakin such a keen interest in helping others. With community groups, service organisations and neighbourhood enterprises flourishing, Deakin is proving again to all why it is the heart and soul of Melbourne.

I laud the city of Maroondah and the sponsors, graduates and participants in the Leadership Maroondah program. I know the program will produce community activists and community leaders. I understand that this year's program may be under threat. I trust that this is not the case and urge all councillors in the offices of Maroondah to recommit themselves to what can only be described as a great local success story. They have created a treasure in Melbourne's east; a treasure for the people of Deakin, one they can learn from and participate in. I look forward to the Maroondah leadership program going on to bigger and better things. I look forward to working closely, as I have done in the last four years, in partnership with not only the graduates but also the rest of the community for the benefit of the people of Deakin.