It was at a moving unveiling of a memorial to the bushfires that so devastated parts of our community, that Heartland Pastor Mike Baimbridge was invited to speak recently. Mike was asked to speak on behalf of our Mayor Cr Fiona McAllister and as a member of the community. Other speakers included deputy Mayor Maria McCarthy, Wurundjeri Elder Joy Wandin-Murphy, artist Ernst Fries (pictured below) and Dale Ahern, who suffered the loss of his own parents in the Black Saturday tragedy. Mike spoke of the personal nature of recovery and healing, and that today’s unveiling doesn’t in any way end that journey, but rather does provide a place, a space to come, to sit, to reflect, to consider the enormity of what the 2009 fires meant for each of us, and to contemplate, as this art work depicts, how we continue to move from the wounds and scars that event left us, to that place of new growth, clear skies and fresh horizons.

Heartland church and Heartland’s own [Glen] Youth Group were able to partner with Yarra Ranges Council, Youth Services and Just Skate Boarding to implement the street art project at the Yarra Glen Skate Park. Street artist Jordy Bridge was able to integrate suggestions and designs from local young people into a project that took a patchwork of grey concrete and turn it into a bright and colourful place to hang out with friends while showing your skills on skateboard, BMX and scooter. The project has given young people in our town real ownership of the park, and adds to the other activities available in McKenzie Reserve.

What a great night we had in McKenzie reserve for the 2013 Carols in the Park! Heartland Church has been involved in planning and coordinating of our community carols for a number of years. The Empower Christian Church from Ringwood once again provided quality music and singers, and local artists completed the program with many of our Christmas favourites.  The weather was perfect! If the estimated crowd in excess of 600 smiling faces, singing voices and waving glow sticks was anything to go by, a great time was had by all.