GLOWING PRAISE FOR MAKE MOE GLOW

Eastern Victoria MP Peter Hall has urged local communities to take a lead from the efforts of a group of Moe people, which lead to a place in the national Keep Australia Beautiful awards.

Mr Hall made special mention in Parliament this week of the efforts of the Make Moe Glow group, which he said was a “great example of local people, businesses, community groups and government all working together for success.”

Mr Hall told Parliament that around three years ago Marilyn May and husband Simon May had come to see him in regard to lifting the image of Moe starting with what they believed was the need for a general tidy-up
around the town.

“As a result of that visit I contacted organisations like VicRoads, the City of Latrobe and later the Department of Transport and sought their assistance in improving certain amenities around Moe.

“I also suggested that Marilyn and Simon make contact with the Keep Australia Beautiful Council and seek advice on how towns like Moe could go about improving their physical appearance.”

Mr Hall said as a result, in 2005 a community-based organisation called Make Moe Glow was formed.

“The efforts of those people over a short period have been quite remarkable,” he said.

“In 2007 Make Moe Glow won for Moe a Tidy Towns award from the Keep Australia Beautiful Council, and following that award in 2007 Moe was overall 2007 city winner for the south-eastern region.

“It has also won a sustainable communities tidy town state award and this year qualified as a national finalist, and at the national finals in Hobart recently Moe won the national community action award.”

“It shows wonderful spirit and community pride, and I congratulate all associated with Make Moe Glow on their efforts and what they have achieved in the last few years,” he said.

Outside Parliament he said the Moe group’s efforts showed what could be achieved. “There are other groups who may want to consider demonstrating their pride in their town, just as the Make Moe Glow group has done.”