Up and running

First up, the Parkville Gardens Residents’ Association pays tribute to our former state member Tim Read and wishes him well in his battle with cancer.

Tim has been a great advocate for our community. We’re especially grateful for his successful campaign for a more frequent bus service. Great job, Tim, you’ve earned our heartfelt thanks. Go well.

We’re off to a busy start in 2026. Our first event of the year is a two-session event in support of women’s safety.

Session One will start on the Galada Ave Reserve at 6.30pm on Thursday, March 5. All local women welcome. Children will be looked after during the hour-long session. There’ll be safety briefings from a female police officer and, we hope, from a City of Melbourne staffer. There’s be time to download safety apps and an opportunity to raise questions, meet others and enjoy light refreshments.

Session Two will include a guided twilight walk in a nearby section of Royal Park, an address from local resident and Upper House member Sheena Watt, and time to talk, meet and enjoy refreshments. We plan to meet at 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 25 at the car park on Oak St next to the Ross Straw playing field (note the different time, day of the week, and place).

All this information will be displayed on posters around the neighbourhood and on a flyer in everyone’s letterbox. We hope there’ll be a great turnout of local women.

Next up will be our annual children’s Easter egg hunt on the morning of Sunday, March 29, followed by a social event in June. More on that as plans take shape. We’re also working on an exciting surprise event for November. That will be dependent on the success of our latest City of Melbourne grant application, so details for that will have to wait.

The council has its own plans for a Healthy Ageing initiative in the neighbourhood. That’s also still in the planning stages, but we hope it can be launched in the next month or so.

Social housing provider Housing First has informed us that Muka Marcovich has been engaged as their community engagement coordinator. We look forward to fruitful collaboration with Muka.

Two wildly different transport items to finish with. The Parkville Gardens Bike Bus to Flemington Primary is back in business. Details on our two noticeboards. The state government has announced plans for the removal of eight level crossings on the Upfield Line by 2030. For more information go to levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/brunswick •