Voices for Monash is a group of active community members who live in the Federal Electorate of Monash, who believe grass roots participation is the key to sustaining a healthy democracy.

With a new committee at the helm, the group’s focus is to encourage and facilitate local residents to use their voices to inform how our community is represented in the Parliament.

V4M is actively seeking to hear community views on all issues and policies that matter to Monash residents.

“We aim to provide an active and independent forum through which voters in our electorate can share what is important to them, in a way that we can communicate this to our Federal member on an ongoing basis, so he or she can best represent us in the Parliament”, said Fiona McKenzie, President of Voices for Monash.

“It’s no good us sitting back and wishing things were different”, she said.

“We need to get involved. We need to be the change we want to see in the world, and Voices for Monash want to provide a forum for people to do this.

“It’s a great feeling being part of a group that will benefit both our community and the greater good.”

A healthy democracy relies on the participation of its citizens and Voices for Monash wants this to occur more regularly than once every three years at the ballot box.

“There are lots of ways people can be part of this process, through our general community surveys, quick polls on topical issues, community forums, and group activities,” said Ms McKenzie.

This method of active participation in our democracy has a proven track record as shown by the work of Cathy McGowan and her community in the northern Victorian Seat of Indi.

Twice elected in a previously safe seat, Cathy and the Community Independents Project now works to support the establishment and success of other Voices groups around Australia to similarly activate and engage their communities in this process.

Anyone interested in contributing to this process is encouraged to complete V4M’s latest survey via the website, and to sign up to the group to receive updates on the outcome of this survey and other activities.

The group will also be hosting its first community forum in relation to the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament in Wonthaggi on June 15.

The Voices for Monash committee meet monthly and would be keen to hear from people who share their vision and are keen to get involved.

“Membership of V4M is free and anyone who is interested in playing a greater role in how we are governed is encouraged to come on board,” added Ms McKenzie.

More information can be found at www.voicesformonash.org.