aspendale gardens news

Aspendale Gardens News, Spring 2014 –

Local MP Lorraine Wreford and Coalition State Government have committed to building stage one of the Mordialloc Bypass (also known as the MPFE) starting in 2016, should they be re-‐elected.

This is very big news for Aspendale Gardens. Our unique geography means that Wells Rd is a bottleneck for massive volumes of peninsula-‐city traffic during peak hour.

AGRA community surveys have consistently shown traffic safety issues are a very real problem that our residents experience.

AGRA has campaigned for all major parties to commit to extending the Mornington Peninsula Freeway. The upcoming state election will determine whether or not the freeway extension goes ahead in the next term.

In this issue, we review what was achieved locally by our MPs this time around. We also ask the known election candidates (as of 30th October) questions on key issues from our resident surveys. Two candidates were game enough to respond. We’ve published their answers, unedited. Check it out. Ed.

What happens when council gets together with Melbourne Water, community and volunteer groups? Just add seedlings, sunny afternoons and a sausage sizzle, and watch Aspendale Gardens Southern Reserve start to transform into a River Red Gum forest.

In this issue, Tony Collins from City of Kingston tells us his secret to the task of transforming the reserve.

Mordialloc Bypass Construction Announced

Aspendale Gardens News Spring 2014

The Official Newsletter of AGRA, Aspendale Gardens Residents Association

Distributed quarterly to over 2300 homes in Aspendale Gardens www agrainc.org.au

5000 Trees Planted in Aspendale Gardens


Photo: Tony Firman (AGRA President) getting his hands dirty Welcome to the 2014 Spring edition of “Aspendale Gardens News”. After more than 20 years service as President of Aspendale Gardens Residents Association, Ken Carney has elected not to continue his role on AGRA in order to spend more time with his family.

I’m sure everyone in the community would join with me in thanking Ken for his many years of dedication to AGRA and the outstanding achievements that he and the AGRA Committee have been a part of over many years. The facilities we all take for granted in and around Aspendale Gardens might not have happened without determined people like him.

As incoming President I am pleased to be able to continue the great work and you will see a revitalised AGRA. A new look is only part of what you will notice as being different about AGRA. AGRA is your residents association. Please take the time to contact us when you have an issue. We will help wherever we can. If you’d like to be more directly involved we welcome any resident who would like to help out.

Kind regards, Tony Firman, AGRA President Facebook: www.facebook.com/agra3195 Email: [email protected] Web: www.agrainc.org.au

We sometimes get asked “who are AGRA?” and “what do we do for the community?”. Both are fair questions, so here’s a primer.

AGRA started as a residents association over 20 years ago when Aspendale Gardens was mostly empty paddocks and a scattering of houses. The residents came together to campaign for all the things that a growing suburb needs.

Today’s AGRA is a non-‐party-‐political, grassroots residents association. We work with our community, council and MPs on both sides to make Aspendale Gardens a great place to live. We strive to be practical. We campaign to solve local issues such as internet access, postal services, bike paths, sporting facilities and traffic. We hold a community festival. We plant trees. Our success or failure depends on how well we work with our councillors and MPs, and how well they compete for project funding on our behalf.

So now you know what makes us tick. If you have any photos from the early Aspendale Gardens days, we’d love to see them. Post them up on our Facebook page!

Cheers, Andy Bearsley, AGRA VP and Editor

President’s Report

Your AGRA Committee Tony Firman President, Chairperson

Advertising Andrew Bearsley Vice President, Editor John Zeccola Treasurer Mark Bruce Assistant Treasurer Helen Smithwick Minute Secretary Barbara Hasseloff Deputy Minute Secretary Serge Yan, Adam Bedikian, Henry Warren, Reny Frighetto, Cameron Davies

AGRA meets on the last Tuesday of the month except December. All welcome. 7:30pm at the

Aspendale Gardens Community Centre.

Editor’s Bit


Photo: Donna Bauer, Paul Peulich, Dennis Napthine, Lorraine Wreford

On 12 November 2014, Premier Dr Dennis Napthine committed the Coalition Government to building stage one of the Mordialloc Bypass starting in 2016, should they be re-‐elected.

“More than 50,000 vehicles a day cross the end of the Mornington Peninsula Freeway at Springvale Road, clogging suburban streets and contributing to traffic queues on Wells Road which can exceed 280 metres in peak times. Investigations carried out to date show that a Mordialloc Bypass is the best option to reduce congestion on surrounding roads and improve liveability for locals,” Dr Napthine said.

Lorraine Wreford MP welcomed the announcement. “I have lobbied my colleagues to commit to this project on behalf of my community, and I’m delighted with this announcement. I know that residents and businesses in the Mordialloc area have

been waiting for this project for a long time. It will take enormous pressure off Wells Road and get trucks off local and suburban streets – and that’s a great outcome for families,” Ms Wreford said.

The $200 million first stage of the Mordialloc Bypass will include: • Approx. 4.5 kilometres of new six-‐lane roadway

(three lanes each way) from Springvale Road in Aspendale Gardens to Lower Dandenong Road in Braeside;

• upgrade of at-‐grade signalised intersection at Springvale Road;

• two new traffic signalised intersections at Governor Road and Lower Dandenong Road;

• access at Park Way Braeside; • grade separated road crossing over Mordialloc

Creek and Bowen Parkway; and • at-‐grade walking and cycling path.

In the 2014-‐15 State Budget, $10.6 million was allocated towards the planning and preconstruction of the Mordialloc Bypass, for special consideration of the wetland areas. Subject to planning and environmental approvals, early works on the Mordialloc Bypass will commence in 2016.

AGRA comments: We desperately need this bypass to be built. The position of major parties is starkly different.

The Greens did not respond to the AGRA questionnaire, however at the last election in 2010 their response stated: “The Greens do not support these road projects”. Labor has currently not committed to the project. The Liberal party is the only party to commit to the bypass.

Progress on Mordialloc Bypass


“Our political institutions work remarkably well. They are designed to

clang against each other. The noise is democracy at work”

~Michael Novak

The Victorian state election is coming up on Saturday 29 November 2014.

The redrawing of state electorate boundaries in 2014 moves us from Carrum, represented by Donna Bauer MP, into the seat of Mordialloc, represented by Lorraine Wreford MP. Both seats are recently Liberal and narrowly held.

AGRA would like to thank both Donna Bauer MP and Lorraine Wreford MP for their service to our community in the past term. Putting politics aside, both MPs have proven to be accessible and tenacious when it comes to listening and helping us deal with organisations like Telstra, Australia Post and VicRoads.

In AGRA, we’re keenly interested in local projects that affect real life in our community. We look back at what our MPs have achieved with local projects in the past four years.

(Ed. I’m sure we’ve missed some, but the following list provides a reasonable idea of what was achieved locally).

ADSL Upgrade in Aspendale Gardens 50 additional ADSL ports. It sounds small but it makes a world of difference for families with school age children who were stuck without decent internet A great example of working with council, AGRA and Telstra.

Parkdale Secondary College facilities The new school gymnasium and theatre is amazing. At 4pm every school day, the community centre takes over the facility for basketball and theatre. It’s become a real community hub and hive of activity, and is open until 10pm each night.

Funding for Aspendale Gardens PS classrooms $1.2M budgeted for classroom upgrades.

Mordialloc Bypass (MPFE): 1. Retain reservations Retained. 2. VicRoads Feasibility of Mordialloc Bypass, Completed. The Mordialloc Bypass was found by VicRoads to be feasible. Summary of study can be downloaded from the VicRoads website. 3. Mordialloc Bypass back on Vic Transport Plan Traffic is the number one issue in this community. The Mordialloc Bypass will alleviate traffic on Wells Rd, White Street and Nepean Highway. VicRoads have concluded a feasibility study into transport needs in and surrounding the Mordialloc Bypass area, including Aspendale Gardens. They report the building of the Bypass is feasible. The summary of the study outcomes can be found on the VicRoads website.

On this topic, Lorraine says: “I’ve fought hard for this. Addressing traffic issues is what the community has asked me to do. I’m representing them, that’s my job.”

Commence construction of the Dingley Bypass Construction has started for the Kingston leg of the Dingley Bypass, and a prerequisite for the Mordialloc Bypass. We’re expecting this will be complete in 2016. Red light and speed camera on Wells Rd Done. We’re all driving more carefully along Wells Road now, as are the late night racers.

Mordialloc creek dredging 10,000 cubic metres of silt was removed. It helps the recreational boaters to use the creek safely and improves the flow and local environment.

Local things that got done

How did our State MPs perform?


Edithvale Recreation Reserve (Edithvale Rd) Grant promised for recycled water on the grounds. Commence Mordialloc Life Saving Club Upgrade Funding and planning is done, construction is about to start. The life saving club needs a new home, and State Government and Kingston Council teamed up to provide them with new digs. PSOs on Aspendale and Mordialloc stations The train stations are now a safer place at night. We take it for granted, however four years ago people were worried about using trains at night, especially on the Frankston line. PSOs keep passengers safe, and the police are freed up to focus on policing. Improve Train punctuality Punctuality improved by 29%, now consistently over 90%. Station and line rail upgrade at Aspendale and Mordialloc stations Increased lighting, repainting, refurbishment, new seating, new markings. Still to come: extra shelters. A lot of what was spent you can’t see – it’s in the signaling. The best thing is now you don’t need a timetable – you go down and the train comes every 10 minutes. More Postal Services in Aspendale Gardens Petition done. Australia Post Point started. Edithvale Childrens Hub State gov partnered with Kingston Council on this initiative. The hub will open around Feb 2015. It’s modern, convenient and will have maternal and child services, kindergarten and daycare all in one place.

There is of course always more to do… the Mordialloc Bypass needs to happen.

To keep up with the latest news in

Aspendale Gardens go to www.facebook.com/agra3195


Aside from the Mordialloc Bypass, there are a number of issues that need doing on AGRA’s list. There are some issues outstanding at the council level which require support from a state level (eg. with Melbourne Water) to keep the pressure on. For example: • Traffic signals at Boundary Rd and Governor Rd

intersection. This is recognised as an issue with VicRoads that needs to be addressed, and is now on the VicRoads required works list. This does not mean that it is funded or timed, though.

• Duplication of Governor Rd • Traffic lights between Burdekin Parade and

Braeside Park. Council is in negotiation with the developer to undertake the work on their behalf. The developer is to fund these works.

• Advancing Chain of Parks concept in South East. This still needs attention. We believe that funding needs to be provided to buy and remediate land as it becomes available when the current licenses for the rubbish tips expire.

• Screening of Mordialloc Creek Industrial Development between Waterways and Wells Road Bridge. This needs renewed focus and coordination with council and Melbourne Water.

Our local traders in the Aspendale Gardens Shopping Centre are the heart of our community. Nathan Arrowsmith from Ray White Mordialloc finds out what they love and what makes them tick.

Meet Sam and Aurora Bassaly, owners of My Chemist at AG Shopping Centre. Sam met his sweetheart Aurora at a Pharmacy in Clayton over 20 years ago while looking for work. Aurora was the Manager, Sam got the job and the rest is history. Sam and Aurora have four children, three currently work in the business.

What do you love about Aspendale Gardens? Sam: It’s just a lovely community and a country-‐town feel.

We live in Waterways and Aurora’s mum still lives in Aspendale Gardens. Why this business? Sam: They called me Dr Sam at school and I always wanted to be a doctor, however missed out by a few marks. Maybe it was meant to be. I have worked in My Chemist outlets in Aspendale Gardens, Keysborough, Mt Waverley and Glen Waverley.

How long is your week? I work 50-‐80 hours a week. Crazy! I take off every Sunday, it’s family day.

Why should people support local business? Sam: Because the quality of personal service will disappear. Like anything in life, you don’t miss it until it’s gone.

What is your favorite place to holiday? Sam: Anywhere away from the norm. Queensland, Broadbeach tends to be our favorite. I love to be on the beach, near water, Mountain bike riding and spending time with friends.

Sam’s tip: “Always know when your body gets run down or exhausted… prevention is the best medicine.”

Things that still need doing

Get to Know Your Neighbours


Before every election, AGRA tries to identify key issues from our resident surveys and prepare a questionnaire for all known candidates. Each candidate is given an equal opportunity to consider those needs and respond. Our objective is to inform all candidates of the issues, and share responses with the community.

AGRA distributed the questionnaire to all known candidates on 30th October which included Liberal, Labor, Greens and Independent. The Liberal and Labor candidates responded by the deadline of 6th November. AGRA does not edit responses – what each candidate said is what you see. The AGRA editorial team keeps all answers to themselves and does not pass any information onto anyone before distribution.

We note that the Liberal announcement for the Mordialloc Bypass came out on 12th November, so Lorraine was unable to reference details in her response at the time.

Question 1: The traffic along Wells Road and surrounding streets is a constant cause of concern to our residents. The construction of the Mornington Freeway Extension and/or the construction of the Boundary & Governor Road roundabout are seen as possible solutions to this problem. What will your Party do to alleviate traffic congestion on Wells Road?

Lorraine Wreford MP, Liberal: Only the Napthine Government is committed to the Mordialloc Bypass (Mornington Peninsula Freeway extension).

Last election we promised a feasibility study, which we completed. Following that, we included $10.6m in the 2014/15 budget to plan and prepare for the bypass. Preparations are underway.

I’m lobbying hard, extremely hard, for our election commitments to include the construction of this vital link.

It’s a stark comparison to Labor. In 1999, Labor promised to complete the extension within ten years. In eleven years, they never committed funds to it. They still aren’t committed to it.

Further, I’ve also had discussions with VicRoads and the Minister about duplicating Governor Road and replacing the Governor Road -‐ Boundary Road

roundabout with signals. I won’t stop lobbying until I have a solution. Mordialloc Bypass is the preference.

The Napthine Government has plans to improve the south-‐east’s transport. We’re making road and rail travel faster and safer.

Tim Richardson, Labor: Traffic congestion is an ongoing issue for our community. Population in the City of Kingston is expected to grow by over 10% in the coming fifteen years. As a result we need to invest more in our road, rail and bus infrastructure.

The extension of the Mornington Peninsula Freeway has been road reserved for several decades. A recent community consultation and feasibility assessment was undertaken by VicRoads, which was supposed to be released in November 2013. It's very disappointing that the current Liberal government has refused to release the full feasibility study to better inform the community on this matter.

Labor is committed to improving our local roads and easing congestion. As part of our Project 10,000 Plan, Labor will invest $1 billion for suburban roads. If I were fortunate to represent our community after the election, I would work with our community to address these traffic challenges.

Victorian State Election Candidate Q&A

Gifts, Toys & Stationery

Now with Stamps

Parcel Post & Express Post Satchels & Envelopes

Aspendale

Gardens

News & Lotto


Question 2: Local natural entities like Port Phillip Bay, Edithvale Wetlands, Yammerbook Reserve and the Green Wedge are important local environmental resources. What is your Party’s policy to protect and maintain these environmental resources?

Lorraine Wreford MP, Liberal: Edithvale Wetlands, Yammerbook Reserve, Green Wedge, Bay and Braeside Park are big reasons Kingston’s a fantastic place to live.

Premier Napthine recently announced a $65m Better Bay Plan, including Bay trail extensions, more bins, extending Mordialloc Pier, buying-‐back commercial fishing licenses, and more. A significant program.

Labor haven’t matched, but their Bay West shipping promise requires extensive Bay blasting so bigger ships can reach port. It’ll forever change tides, erode beaches and destroy marine life.

I’ve helped attain many grants for local park groups, and offered other support. Recently, Minister Walsh and I announced another $20,000 for Yammerbook Reserve and creek plantings. I passionately support our local environment.

I’m a Friends of Edithvale Seaford Wetlands, and Kingston Conservation & Environment Coalition member.

The Green Wedge should be healthier with a chain of parks and trails for the community. We should encourage Council to end policies inspiring rubbish dumps to proliferate.

Tim Richardson, Labor: Kingston boasts many environmental wonders from our amazing beaches, to our green wedges and open spaces, to our RAMSAR listed wetlands in Edithvale. It's important we preserve these environmental assets for the future. Labor will always promote the health and wellbeing of our local environment and I am keen to work with our local community to protect these treasures.

Labor has announced that we will lock down the boundaries of Melbourne's green wedges, ending incursions into our open landscapes. Green wedge boundaries will be preserved for the life of a Labor Government, providing certainty to the community and preventing inappropriate development from deteriorating the areas. I'm also eager to see the establishment of Kingston's "Chain of Parks" to promote more open space.

I would also like to acknowledge the work that Aspendale Gardens residents undertake to protect and promote the Yammerbook Reserve, which continues to flourish and improve each year.

Question 3: AGRA has over a period of time requested that Australia Post issue a licence to open a Post Office to a retailer in the shopping centre. It is seen as an essential service for our area, (Parcel Post, paying bills over the counter, passports…etc) especially as Australia Post seem to be closing down nearby post offices like Braeside. Even though it is a Federal issue, what will your Party do to assist in obtaining this post office licence for our local shopping Centre?

Lorraine Wreford MP, Liberal As readers know, I fully support a Post Office in Aspendale Gardens. I’ve been working hard with Australia Post and AGRA, with some success to bring


it to fruition.

The 2400 name petition AGRA and I put together helped.

Whilst others say there is no chance we’ll get any postal services or it’s a Federal issue, I’ve proven them wrong by getting a commitment to an increase in services.

Whilst it is not easy, Aspendale Gardens will soon have an official Post Point as a first step. Parcel collection lockers are coming too. From there we will see other services come on board.

By this time next year, Australia Post will have enough data to accurately assess the viability of a Post Office, so use these services.

Whilst Australia Post is facing very challenging times, and are generally not expanding services, we’ve managed to buck the trend.

Tim Richardson, Labor The Aspendale Gardens Residents Association is correct that the provision of a Post Office for any region is a federal matter and a decision of Australia Post. We have seen in the last year that Australia Post continues to reduce its postal services with the recent decision to close the Braeside Post Office.

The provision of a post office in Aspendale Gardens goes back to the early 2000s and commenced with a community campaign, which involved the former member for Isaacs, Ann Corcoran. This campaign has continued with Mark Dreyfus making several representations and meeting with Australia Post to put forward the need for a post office in Aspendale Gardens.

Despite the current challenges and the reduction in Australia Post business across Victoria, I would strongly advocate on behalf of Aspendale Gardens residents for the provision of a stand-‐alone post office. Question 4: As our elected state member, what is the one thing you will improve in Aspendale Gardens? Lorraine Wreford MP, Liberal Aspendale Gardens is a great place to live!

I’ll continue working hard to keep it that way, and together we can make it even better.

It’s hard to choose one thing, because I’m working on several things for the community already.

We’re upgrading Aspendale Gardens Primary ($1.2m), we’ve provided the kinder funds recently, I’ve helped secure more ADSL services, I’m fighting for the Mordialloc Bypass, reviewing youth facilities, and improving postal services.

However, the one thing to most improve life in Aspendale Gardens is the Mordialloc Bypass. It will make travelling to and from Aspendale Gardens quicker, decongest local roads, and make them safer.

The Napthine Government’s good management means we’ve made record investments in health, education, infrastructure and Kingston. Only the Napthine Government can actually deliver the Mordialloc Bypass. Despite what Labor says, they cannot be trusted to manage the economy and deliver the projects and services you need.

Tim Richardson, Labor There are several things that I would strive to improve in Aspendale Gardens and the Kingston community, including schools and TAFE funding, better funding for hospitals and our paramedics and addressing our jobs crisis, which sees 46 people lose their jobs each day in Victoria.

However, a major issue raised by Aspendale Gardens residents is public transport. A recent major concern has been the Liberals decision to remove Richmond and Flinders Street train station from the Frankston train line. Labor will oppose this decision and ensure the Frankston train line runs services to these stations.


Labor will also remove 50 dangerous railway level crossings, including Edithvale Road and build the Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel, which will double the size of the city loop. Finally, I want to improve bus services through Aspendale Gardens and streamline timetabling to ensure buses link better with connecting train services. AGRA thanks both Lorraine Wreford and Tim Richardson for responding to the survey.

AGRA held our Annual General Meeting on 27 August 2014. Our thanks go to visiting dignitaries including MPs Lorraine Wreford and Inga Peulich, Mayor Paul Peulich, Cr Tamsin Bearsley and Labor candidate Tim Richardson.

We covered the nature of the work that AGRA have achieved over the past 12 months, and elected the new committee for 2014-‐2015. Former President Ken Carney chose not to re-‐stand and he was thanked for his outstanding contribution over the past 22 years. Incoming president Tony Firman was nominated and elected unopposed. More details on AGRA website.

Annual General Meeting

Photo: Paul Peulich (Mayor), Ken Carney (departing AGRA president), Lorraine Wreford (Liberal MP), Tony Firman (AGRA President), Tim Richardson (Labor candidate)

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where the community benefits!


The Aspendale Gardens Primary School Carnival on Sunday 16 November was once again a big hit! The day started out with a very wet overnight soaking (the wettest November day in 5 years), but by midday it cleared up and was all blue skies, sunshine, excited kids and relieved volunteers! It was a great chance for the community to get together and celebrate our community spirit. To everyone who put in the hard yards to bring the event together: well done!

Aspendale Gardens Primary School Carnival


City of Kingston have commenced the final stages of the Aspendale Gardens Sportsground surrounds. • The Kerr Crescent Reserve has been planted and

mulched. • 30 new trees added to replace poor existing ones • Existing trees trimmed and shaped • New rubbish bin installed • Water fountain installed • New BBQ shelter with two tables and chairs

• Two outdoor bench seats • Increased mowing surrounding the sportsground

The sportsground is now in full use for the summer cricket season. To sports teams and community groups, if you’d like to book the grounds out, the CoK team would love to hear from you. Contact them on 1300 653 356.

To everyone from City of Kingston who made this possible, including Tim Ford and the City of Kingston Parks and Gardens team: we are truly appreciative that you have crafted the vision into a reality.

From all of AGRA: our thanks on a great job.

Aspendale Gardens Sportsground


Tony Collins from City of Kingston came to an AGRA meeting and gave us an update on the tree plantings in Aspendale Gardens Southern Reserve (also known less romantically as the secondary drain).

It’s a huge task, however the City of Kingston prides themselves on working closely with community and school groups, which is what they did for these plantings. Community involvement is their secret sauce that makes the project scalable.

The site of these plantings is part of the Long Beach Trail corridor, an important link between Yammerbook Reserve and the RAMSAR-‐recognised Edithvale Wetlands.

The site is a heavily used pedestrian and cycling corridor. It features as a part of the ‘Living Links’ project in Melbourne’s south-‐east involving Councils, Government agencies and community groups working together. It aims to improve the connections between the many parks, reserves, open spaces, coasts, beaches, pathways, rivers, creeks and wetlands in Melbourne’s south-‐eastern suburbs and to make this area a world-‐class urban ecosystem.

Melbourne Water provided the trees, and City of Kingston made the events happen. Approximately 5000 trees were planted with 300 people involved. St Louis De Montfort and Aspendale Gardens Primary Schools had school planting days. Volunteers came from all around Melbourne.

Overheard from a local: “This is one of those things that helps restore my faith in humanity!”

Aspendale Gardens New Forest


Ever wanted to learn how to sail, without getting wet?

Maybe you’re a seasoned sailor who would like to brush up on racing skills and tactics… or perhaps you’re a first timer, with a sense of fun!

Why not try remote control sailing? It has organised events held locally at Waterways, Sandhurst and the Patterson Lakes National Water Sports Center. The Patterson Lakes Radio Model Yacht Club has a very active club which conducts sailing on Tuesday afternoons and Sundays, with special events such as State and National Titles held throughout the year.

New members and sailors of all levels are always welcome to join in, with plenty of helpful hints and tips provided along the way. Boats sailed at the club range from self made yachts (approx $500) to the latest and greatest designs (approx $5000) with the main classes being Micro Magics, RG/Dragonforce, Laser and International One Meter yachts.

Social racing is generally held on Sundays at Waterways next to the Nest Cafe from the jetty, generally from 1 pm -‐ 4 pm.

The aim is to have a minimum of 10 races per day, with a 1 minute start count down. Finish placing are scored and recorded for for each series held which consist of up to 6 race days. Both scratch racing and handicap series events are completed to give everyone a fair chance of winning a series. Prizes for club members are award at the end of year presentation night.

So if you’re interested in giving it a go ... next time you’re walking past the group of sailors on Sunday afternoon at Waterways jetty, say hello and they can arrange the club boat for you to try out.

A club Micro Magic is available for new comers to try their hand at sailing, however it can be trickier than it looks to keep the boat sailing fast and in the right direction!

Also worthwhile checking out is the web site www.plrmyc.com for up to date information on local events, contact information, race results and sailing calendar race days.

Remote Control Sailing in Waterways


If you’re a local in Aspendale Gardens, you might have seen a lot of purple recently. You also might have been wondering about those ‘I heart Aspendale Gardens’ stickers that mysteriously appeared throughout the suburb two or three years ago.

The local real estate agency in the Aspendale Gardens Shopping Centre has launched their own brand: ‘iSell’, complete with purple cars, purple balloons, purple flags and purple pointer boards. It’s all a bit hard to miss.

Michael Choi, Co-‐Founder, explains: “We’ve been working on the brand for three years. We wanted to be different, and completely stand out from the crowd. We’re big on innovation.

That said, we’re a small local business, and we’ve been a part of the Aspendale Gardens community for 11 years. We try to do as much as we can. If you see us around, come and say hi – we’re human!”

Michael is especially proud of his team’s auctioneering skills, having represented Australia in a number of competitions.

If you attend local events in Aspendale Gardens, such as the Primary School Carnival, Tree Planting days, Community Film Night or Glow Disco, it’s likely that Michael Choi and team will be a part of it.

One thing’s for sure – they’re no shrinking violets.

Real estate agent goes purple

… and solves local mystery

aspendale gardens news - spring 2014

Documents

aspendale gardens www

revitalised agra

agra committee

agra community surveys

agra president facebook

tony firman agra president

official newsletter