Mayor Paige Kennett - Knox Chandler Ward Councillor

3,000 plants planted in under 1.5 hours!

That’s what happens when a bunch of 70 volunteers get together! Thanks to the First Friends of Dandenong Creek for organising Sunday’s event, and Knox Council officers and CFA for their support.

This year, World Environment Day is Friday 5 June, inspiring global awareness and action for our environment.

You can join another community tree planting event, at Koolunga Native Reserve, this Friday from 10am-12pm.

If you’re interested in what the First Friends groups do, check out their page - First Friends of Dandenong Creek

On Thursday, 512 meals were donated to those in need!

This week I visited Feed One Feed All (FOFA), an incredible local charity, driven by volunteers, supporting people in our community experiencing food insecurity.

FOFA rescues food that would otherwise go to waste and transforms it into nutritious meals for people doing it tough, including older residents, people experiencing homelessness, victim survivors of family violence, and others needing a helping hand.

I’m proud that Knox City Council supports FOFA through our Community Grants Program, helping them continue this important work.

If you’re interested to volunteer with FOFA, or you’d like to find out more, check out their website.

Feed One Feed All Robert Williams - Dinsdale Ward Councillor, Knox City Council

Worth sharing…

Knox has over 24,000 volunteers! For me, this represents a big bunch of people that are willing to give a little of themselves to make our city better, and that’s a bloody awesome thing!

For National Volunteer Week, we acknowledged some fab locals, which we should all be celebrating! Check them out in these photos (some were unable to make the event so they are missing from photos, but will still receive their certificates of thanks).

My personal and deep gratitude goes out to all our volunteers, and to those we celebrated for their outstanding contributions. We are so lucky to have you 💕

This years Volunteer theme is ‘Your Year to Volunteer’, so if it is your year, check out Volunteer for Knox who can match-make you with your perfect match 💕, and you can become a local legend too!!

Foothills Community Care - Community Meals
KES Knox Environment Society

Meet the Mayor - I’ve had three sessions in the past week, with another couple coming up.

Have you got a budget question, or something you’d like to share with me about our city?

I have another two sessions, no pre-booking required, just pop in to the Civic Centre:

Wednesday 27th May, 2-3pm
Thursday 28th May, 4-5pm

It’s National Volunteer Week 18 - 24 May - Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering.

In Knox, we have over 24,000 or 16% residents over 15, formally volunteering their time. Incredibly, over 600 of our volunteers are over 80 years old! Knox has one of the biggest volunteer numbers in Metro Melbourne, which speak volumes to the kindness of our locals.

Volunteering makes a tangible difference, both in our community and personally. Learn a new skill, make new friends, fill social gaps and support locals to make our city a better place.

This year’s theme is ‘Your Year to Volunteer’. Need some inspiration? Check out https://www.volunteerforknox.com.au

Volunteer for Knox a resource centre funded by Knox Council to help match volunteers with local organisations and keep volunteering strong in our city.

Volunteer for Knox

Volunteering in Knox - Volunteer for Knox Discover fulfilling volunteering opportunities in Knox. Make a difference, gain skills, and connect with your community through volunteering.

Feel like saving 3 lives today?

This is what happens with every donation. If you’ve ever thought about it, there’s no better time. I just completed my 46th donation today, on my way to my next milestone of 50!

Let me know in the comments if you donate ⬇️

Knox residents encouraged to join life-saving blood donation drive City of Knox residents are being encouraged to donate blood and plasma as part of Australian Red Cross Lifeblood’s annual Local Government blood drive. The blood drive, which runs from April 1 – June 30 will see local government staff and community members donate over three months, making a life...

Are you looking for a way to give to your local area? Wondering what local causes there are, what’s involved and what commitment would be required?
This is a great opportunity to meet local groups and see if there’s something you’d love! Not yet sure if you want to commit, that’s also ok! No pressure, just come down and check it out.

I’d love to see you there!

We are super excited for the Volunteering Expo tomorrow 💥

43 organisations have been busy planning and preparing their stalls and are ready for potential volunteers to stop by for a chat about all of their rewarding roles on offer!

We can't wait to welcome you all! Make sure you also say hello to Mandy and Adriana, Volunteer for Knox Coordinators!

Volunteer for Knox and Mayor Paige Kennett - Knox Chandler Ward Councillor will be officially opening the event at 1pm!

It's going to be such a vibrant community event! See you there 🤗

Do you want a forth bin just for glass?

Provide your thoughts via the anonymous survey link below which will help us continue to advocate for what you want.

Do you want to pay for a separate glass recycling bin? ♻️ The state government has directed all councils to roll this out by mid-2027.

For many households, this means an extra bin at home, bringing the total to four. More bins can mean less space, higher costs, and more waste trucks on our streets—at a time when many are already feeling the pressure of rising living expenses.

Expanding the Container Deposit Scheme is a better solution.

Victoria’s scheme already lets you return glass bottles and cans for a 10c refund at over 600 locations. It’s working well and widely used with Knox residents recycling 2.3 million containers per month. Expanding it to include wine and spirit bottles could deliver the same recycling benefits as a fourth bin, at a fraction of the cost.

The proposed glass-only bin would add cost and complexity on top of the bins you already have. That’s why Knox, along with 35 other councils are calling on the state government to reconsider. We agree glass recycling matters, but so does doing it right.

If you support a more affordable way to recycle glass, take this short anonymous survey and add your voice: https://bit.ly/glassbinknox

Have you got a question about the proposed budget that I can help answer? I’ll be available at the times below, make a cuppa in the foyer with me and have a chat. I look forward to seeing you.

Come and meet Mayor Paige Kennett with any questions about the draft 2026–27 Budget.

These informal sessions in the Civic Centre foyer are an opportunity to ask questions directly and chat about the issues that matter most to you and the Knox community. No booking needed.

📍 Knox Civic Centre foyer

Wednesday 13 May, 2pm–3pm
Tuesday 19 May, 12pm–1pm
Thursday 21 May, 1pm–2pm
Wednesday 27 May, 2pm–3pm
Thursday 28 May, 4pm–5pm