Revitalising Broadmeadows

The daughter of a nurse and trade unionist, Kathleen is a hardworking advocate for social justice and strong supporter of inclusion and diversity. Kathleen has worked in retail, hospitality and finance and volunteered with many sports clubs, schools, kinders and local organisations.

Prior to entering Parliament, Kathleen studied public health and has advised on issues relating to disability, ageing, carers and volunteers.

A lifetime Glenroy local, Kathleen served her community on Council from 2004-2012, and as a key driver of many projects, she knows how to work with people and governments to get results.

Sheena Frost is the Chief Executive Officer of Hume City Council having commenced on the 26 July 2021. In 2019 Sheena was as one of the Institute of Public Administration Australia’s Top 50 Public Sector Women.

Sheena has experience across both service delivery and corporate services functions, and a background in leading change programs to uplift capabilities within an organisation to deliver improved service outcomes to the community.

Sheena is passionate about the local government sector and the ability it has to impact the lives of the community directly and positively.

Sally Curtain is the Chief Executive Officer at Kangan Institute. Sally is an experienced executive, board member, leader and strategist. An expert in strategy development and implementation, Sally brings a positive, continuous improvement mindset and practice that puts customers at the heart.

Sally has a unique depth of expertise in implementing innovations and major reforms whilst leading change through uncertainty.

Greg has a long history in academic research and leadership, previously serving as Pro Vice-Chancellor from 2008 to 2013 at Victoria University in various divisions including Academic and Students and Learning and Teaching. Much of his work focussed on building and improving learning, teaching and professional teaching capability. He has a PhD and Bachelor of Science (Hons), Physics from the University of Melbourne and is one of Victoria University's strongest researchers, with successive ARC grants across 12 years.

Greg has been the chair of the Hume May Jobs and Skills Task Force since May 2012.

Jeroam Whittington is the Centre Manager of one of the key retail and employment centres in Broadmeadows.  Mr Whittington has a strong understanding of the diversity of the communities of Broadmeadows and is committed to working in partnership with all Board members.

The Vicinity Group is a significant land holder and employer in Broadmeadows.  The group owns and operate the Broadmeadow Central Shopping Complex - a single level Regional Shopping Centre with an adjacent Homemaker Centre. It is anchored by Big W, Kmart, ALDI, Coles, Woolworths and HOYTS Cinema and includes more than 125 specialty stores.

Gina Dougall is the Chief Executive Officer of Banksia Gardens Community Services.

Gina has community, health and leadership experience. Gina’s background has been in recreation management, community health and juvenile justice.

Prior to commencing at Banksia Gardens in 2001, Gina spent seven years living in Alice Springs where she was employed as Manager for Education and Training for Family Planning Northern Territory. Her role included much remote area work with Indigenous Australians.

Her goal is to grow Banksia Gardens Community Services into the most innovative community services organisation in Victoria. In 2017, Gina graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Gina is also a member of the Northern Metropolitan Partnership.

Don Tidbury is the Chief Executive Officer of DPV Health. Don is a successful hospital, primary care, home care, disability and aged care executive with proven experience in leading excellence in health care, engaging stakeholders, transforming culture, enhancing financial results, facilitating mergers and driving major improvements in organisational performance.

Terry is an experienced leader and practitioner in local government and community development sectors who was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2021 for these services. He has held a wide range of roles in both the development of the community and the commercial outcomes in Australia and overseas in Papua New Guinea. Terry was also awarded the Public Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 1995 for Outstanding Public Service to Local Government.

Robert is the Director of RGH Consultants, Hannaford Constructions and Disability Accommodation Australia and is a Specialist Support Coordinator Accommodation.

Currently Robert holds the role as CEO of Brite Services, a social enterprise that offers a range of manufacturing, wholesale nursery, food, and general packaging services to commercial clients. Brite has been operating for over 40 years, providing ongoing employment and training to people with disability.

Robert is exceptionally skilled in the brokerage of partnerships between the private, NGO and government sectors and has worked with several organisations including St. John of God, Metricon Homes, Life Without Barriers and Youngcare, among others, to assist individuals and families who require SDA Housing.

Robert is a Licensed Builder and holds qualifications in Retail Management and a Diploma of Business.

In collaboration with local cross-sectoral partners, this project will enable Hume-based providers to take practical, strategy-aligned actions for the ‘system-change’ needed to support sustainable, longer-term livelihoods for Refugee/CALD migrants in Broadmeadows.

The program will also promote ‘culturally-safe’ workplaces through a Jobs & Skills Summit during Refugee Week (2023), which will bring together all three levels of government (federal, state and local) with other leaders across business, community and academia.

The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $130,000 in funding for the project, which is anticipated to be completed in late 2023. The project is being delivered in partnership with Spectrum.

A free, after-dark festival for all ages incorporating art projections and installations, live music, food and beverages, multicultural performances and fireworks.

The Hume Winter Lights Festival 2023 is a continuation of the event funded through the 2021-2022 Suburban Revitalisation Board funding.

The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $150,000 in funding for the project, which is due to take place on Saturday, 17 June 2023 and is delivered in partnership with Hume City Council.

Find out more about the Hume Winter Lights Festival 2023.

A community development project is connecting residents of the Banksia gardens estate to local services, training and development opportunities, practical supports and other civic services.

The project is also supporting resident advisory and action groups to connect residents with local decision-making opportunities including the Broadmeadows Revitalisation program and the Banksia Gardens Estate master planning process.

The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $100,000 in funding for the project, which will run until June 2023. The project is being delivered in partnership with Banksia Gardens Community Services.

The Storm Pasifika Outreach Program will draw upon the popularity and influence of Melbourne Storm in Broadmeadows to deliver opportunities for youth to develop social skills in addition to the fundamental playing elements. Participants are empowered to acknowledge, appreciate and celebrate the diversity among their peers and the wider community.

The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $200,000 in funding for the project, which is anticipated to be completed in mid 2023. The project is being delivered in partnership with Melbourne Storm.

Brite Wholesale Nursery’s facilities will be expanded, increasing operational capacity and employing 14 additional people with a disability and people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Horticulture trainees will also enjoy increased job placements.

The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $935,000 in funding for the project, which is anticipated to be completed in late 2023. The project is being delivered in partnership with Brite Services.

The project will involve the preparation of the first phase of a master plan for the Banksia Gardens Housing Estate in Broadmeadows.

The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $50,000 in funding for the project, which is anticipated to be completed in late 2023. The project is being delivered in partnership with Homes Victoria.

The project is based within the broader Seabrook Reserve Precinct and provides a passive recreation area as well as an area for children to play and exercise in Seabrook Reserve. This project has delivered an amenities block, water tank, basketball half court and a concrete path and linkage to the broader precinct.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $550,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Hume City Council.

The Common Bean Café will be re-established in a new stand-alone portable building, adjacent to its previous site. The cafe was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic as it was previously located within the DPV Health GP Superclinic.

The café will provide employment and on-the-job training for young people.

The Suburban Revitalisation program contributed a total of $195,000 through two tranches of funding for the new café, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Banksia Gardens Community Services & Dianella & Plenty Valley (DPV) Health.

Landscaping will be undertaken, aligning with the redevelopment of the Seabrook Reserve being delivered for the State Rugby League and Community Centre. A large number of trees will be planted, new seating will be installed and new pathways will be built, connecting the Reserve with the Meadowlink trail.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $200,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Hume City Council.

The Banksia Gardens Public Estate will be revitalised with new vegetation, infrastructure, and communal edible gardens that residents can establish and maintain thanks to the project. The successful Street Art Project will also be expanded with this stage of the program, creating more murals for locals to enjoy.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $140,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Banksia Gardens Community Services.

This project has established an outdoor community activities space on the Banksia Gardens Housing Estate.  The activities space has provided space and equipment for community gardening, bike repair and maintenance, coffee cart and playground enhancements.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $182,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Banksia Gardens Community Services.

The project has enhanced the existing infrastructure in the Broadmeadows Civic Plaza and improved the amenity and attractiveness of the plaza for everyday use as a casual gathering, socialising and outdoor dining destination.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $450,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Hume City Council.

The project involved the commission of an updated market assessment that identifies the development potential of key sites in Hume Central and Activity Centre and assesses the impact of recent investment on market viability - identifying what, if any, investment is needed to unlock development.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $250,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Hume City Council.

The Start and Grow Program saw subject-matter experts deliver two months of masterclasses and mentoring for local businesses. Ten participating businesses were offered free coworking space for up to five months. Topics addressed as part of the program included:

• Recovery and growing your business
• Marketing and getting your business online
• Finance
• Networking, pivoting and growing your customer base

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $100,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Hume City Council.

The project has enhanced the western gateway entry of Meadowlink.  The project responds to increased use of the linear shared path and demand for access to quality open spaces and places to meet for respite.  Council has experienced a substantial increase in the use of its walking and cycling network during the coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions and has sought to maintain and build on the increased levels of utilisation.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $200,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Hume City Council.

The Industry-Based Job Pathways Program supported Hume residents to connect to industry resources and employers and to improve their readiness for the Australian workplace. The Program provided information, connections (digital and face-to-face), industry peer groups, networking and professional development opportunities. It facilitated introductions to local industry groups.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $200,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Spectrum.

Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre led a research project with Hume City Council and five local service providers  to map the challenges and gaps that migrant and refugee communities face when they are trying to access training and employment services in the Broadmeadows area.  The project utilised this research to find areas of potential collaboration and co-design between partner agencies to deliver more impactful and efficient training and employment programs.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $67,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre.

Hume City Council seeks to promote activation and increase legibility by undertaking a series of wayfinding improvements along the footpath between Broadmeadows Train Station and Youth Central. It is expected these upgrades will draw foot traffic towards Youth Central and other key destinations located within the Broadmeadows Town Centre. This will complement planned enhancements to Youth Central which includes branding updates and courtyard upgrades.

Youth Central is a Council owned youth service offering a range of programs to young people that live or have links to the Hume Local Government Area.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $25,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Hume City Council.

The project has built on Banksia Estate Connections (BEC), a place-based community development project by the local not-for-profit Banksia Gardens Community Services organisation. The BEC aims to improve health and wellbeing and to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour on the Estate.

This mural project utilised a community development framework to carry out visible community infrastructure upgrades, using street art as a vehicle, in order to improve public amenity and public safety and improve internal and external perceptions of the local community. This has contributed to a sense of community pride and belonging, supporting local young people find opportunities for creative self-expression and pro-social recreation opportunities and develop and demonstrate a more sustainable way of managing illegal graffiti and tagging on the Banksia Gardens public housing estate.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $50,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.

Upgrades have been made to seating, repainting and re-tiling the floor of the waiting room, and maintenance activities to improve the amenity of the station entryway from Pascoe Vale Road (known as "bubble gum alley").

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $300,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with the Department of Transport.

StartNorth Innovation Festival supports local migrant and refugee entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses. The LaunchVic Funded Accelerator Program was promoted as part of the Festival.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $40,000 in funding for the festival, which was held 26 May 2021. The project was delivered in partnership with Hume City Council.

Preparation of a business case to develop an advanced manufacturing hub/incubator with a focus on assistive technology.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $40,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Hume City Council.