President’s Message
National Reconciliation Week is upon us and there is a fantastic array of events and activities on offer in Melbourne and across Victoria. Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to reflect on our shared histories, and on the cultures and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Get along to one of these events and join the conversation about recognition. To learn how you can get involved and to find an event near you, visit Reconciliation Victoria’s Online Events Calendar. For those in or near the city today, Melbourne will host the National Launch of Reconciliation Week from 12– 2pm at Federation Square. The event will include a live broadcast by Indigenous radio station 3KND, live music, guest speakers and a special surprise that is guaranteed to get you dancing! And while we are in such good spirits, let’s all shout our sincere congratulations to Cr Jim Doukas and the team at Moyne Shire Council, as Port Fairy celebrated the town’s title of the World’s Most Liveable Town over the weekend! I look forward to seeing many of you out and about and please don’t hesitate to be in touch on 0407 364 509 if I can be of assistance.
Cr Samantha Dunn
President
Keeping you up to date
Welcome back Indigo
Indigo Shire Council has notified us of their vote to join the VLGA, and we warmly welcome them back as members. Indigo Shire will be known to many as a key destination to enjoy food and wine, extensive rail trails, the distinct seasons - their autumn is really something quite special - and of course their preserved history with Australia's most significant collection of historic towns including Beechworth, Rutherglen, Wahgunyah, Chiltern, Yackandandah, Kiewa-Tangambalanga, Stanley and Barnawartha. Indigo’s economy relies on its rural and tourism base and its regional association with Albury-Wodonga and Wangaratta. Specifically, the economy is based on farming (beef, sheep, dairy, fruit and viticulture), the processing of local primary produce and the provision of services to people, including health, social and tourism services. For more information on Indigo Shire, visit the Indigo Shire Council website.
Strengthening democracy: improving local government elections
The VLGA’s review of the 2012 local government elections is about to enter its next stage with the release of an issues paper and survey in June. Incorporating the insights shared by VLGA members and supporters at our April Leading Edge Forum, the paper will consider a range of key issues including diversity of candidates, candidate conduct, donations and candidate disclosures, voter participation, electoral structures and voting methods. Responses to the issues paper and survey will contribute to VLGA’s advocacy on improving local government elections. Please contact Toby Archer, Director Policy via email for more information.
Support growing for constitutional recognition
An Australian Financial Review-Neilsen poll has showed that 65 per cent of respondents said they would vote for Constitutional recognition of local government. An article in the Ipswich Advertiser last Monday claims that “while the vote would need a majority of people in a majority of state to succeed, it also appears a successful referendum has enough support to succeed at that level as well.” At this stage, 62 per cent of Victorians said they would support the reform.
VLGA submission on live odds
Last week, the VLGA made a submission to the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association in response to the measures to reduce and control the promotion of live odds during live sports broadcasts on subscription television. We are concerned about the promotion of live odds during sports games, as well as advertising and sponsorship. These promotions serve to normalise gambling, which is of particular concern with regard to the many children and young people who watch sports events on television. We support recommendations regarding prohibition of live odds during sports events and maintaining restrictions on online gambling, and recommend that stronger advertising laws (as per tobacco products and smoking) are applied to gambling advertising including during live broadcasts. We also welcome the online betting industry’s acknowledgment of the problem and apparent willingness to undertake reforms. The Conversation carried commentary from Nathan Grills and Gillian Porter (21 May) with their article Not just a bit of fun: why sports, gambling and kids are a bad mix discussing four key reasons why children should not be exposed to gambling advertising on television during sports matches.
Last week’s focus groups - representative local democracy
Last week the Cities of Whitehorse, Greater Geelong and the Shire of Indigo hosted focus groups for the ACELG and VLGA’s research project on representative local democracy in Australia. Councillors and officers provided rich information on their experiences and a large number of people responded to the questions in writing or in telephone interviews. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the project so far.
Australian aid to Timor-Leste under review
As part of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade’s Inquiry into Australia's relationship with Timor-Leste, Australian aid programs in Timor-Leste have been examined over two days of public hearings in Canberra last week. The committee heard evidence from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, AusAID and other Australian Government agencies and the not-for-profit sector. Timor-Leste is Australia's seventh largest recipient of Official Development Assistance, receiving $116.7 million in 2012-13. This comprises $84.3 million from AusAID, about $30 million provided through the Australian Federal Police, and the rest delivered by a number of Australian Government agencies. The VLGA made a submission to the Inquiry earlier this year.
Melbourne MP’s Volunteer Awards – nominations open
If you know an outstanding volunteer who is doing great work in their community, you can nominate them for the MP’s Volunteer Awards in Melbourne. Volunteers can be nominated for an Award in a range of categories, including: junior, youth and senior; business, education, emergency management, environment, innovation and long-term commitment. These awards are an opportunity to celebrate the huge contribution made by outstanding volunteers. Nominations close 15 June 2013. For more information visit the website or call Georgia Webster on 03 9642 0922.
Funding opportunities
Deadline draws near for Local Government Energy Efficiency Program
Councils around Australia have until the end of May to apply for funding from the $24 million Local Government Energy Efficiency Program (LGEEP). The program provides assistance to local governments to install solar and heat pump hot water systems to drive more effective energy use in their buildings and community facilities, particularly where councils are situated in low socio-economic areas. LGEEP is a one-off, non-competitive grant program and all councils are eligible to apply for a maximum grant amount according to their size, based on the Australian Classification of Local Governments 2007-08, and their socio-economic status according to the SEIFA 2006 – Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. The initiative is one of five programs established under the Australian Government’s Low Carbon Communities initiative. For more information and to apply visit the website.
Victorian Multicultural Commission - Small Capital Infrastructure Grants
Not-for-profits representing culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Victoria can apply for grants for minor works to existing community-owned infrastructure. Grants range from $20,000 to $100,000, with a minimum dollar-for-dollar matched funding requirement.
Information about eligibility, guidelines and applying for Cultural Precincts and Community Infrastructure Fund - applications close Friday 28 June at 4pm.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
Reconciliation Week Leading Edge Forum
‘Cultural awareness and local governments – promoting creative strategies’
Thursday 6 June, 6-9pm
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
This year we will again partner with Reconciliation Victoria for our special Reconciliation Week Leading Edge Forum focusing on cultural awareness strategies that achieve new outcomes. Our guest speakers include Glenn Shea, a Wathaurong/Ngarrindjeri man and an actor and playwright. Other speakers will feature case studies of how cultural awareness programs have impacted local government outcomes. Register your attendance here.
Other Events
YACVic roundtable luncheon – ‘National definition of youth work’
Tuesday 28 May, 12 noon to 1.30pm (lunch provided)
YACVic boardroom (Level 2, 180 Flinders St)
The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) is developing a national definition of youth work. AYAC is currently seeking feedback on the key concepts that will underpin this definition through the discussion paper Defining Youth Work in Australia: It’s what you do. YACVic is keen to ensure that the national definition is consistent with the values that underpin youth work practice in Victoria, as outlined in the YACVic Code of Ethical Practice. YACVic is holding a roundtable luncheon to discuss this, and to provide you with the opportunity to give any other feedback. The discussion will be facilitated by Tim Corney (co-author of The Code) and Linda Randall (Manager, Participation and Sector Development at YACVic) and will be based on the questions in the discussion paper. RSVP online.
The Castan Centre Annual Human Rights Conference 2013
Friday 26 July
The Edge, Federation Square, CBD
Cost - $120 to $240
Registrations are now open for this conference. Speakers include The Hon. Mark Dreyfus QC, Commonwealth Attorney-General, Jonathan Holmes, Host of Media Watch, ABC1, Megan Mitchell, National Children's Commissioner (Australian Human Rights Commission), Eva Cox, Professorial Fellow, Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning, UTS , and many more. Visit the conference webpage for the full program and speaker list and register online.
VLGA Membership
As a VLGA member you become part of a unique organisation that specialises in democratic governanceAs a VLGA member you become part of a unique organisation that specialises in democratic governance. Our Our membership includes local governments, organisations and individual community members. Membership brings many benefits such as regular updates on important and relevant issues, participation in the organisation's decision-making and discounts to VLGA events and training. To join the VLGA, visit our website or contact Member Relations Officer Chelsea Ayling on 03 9349 7999 or via email.
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