I also want to mention our ongoing advocacy work, as the next meeting of the Planning and Environment Act Review Working Group is this coming Monday 25 October. Of course, if you have any views you would like to pass on, feel free to contact me.
Food for All – Policy and Planning
This week’s mini movie is about why it’s important to address food security in local government policies. View the two-minute mini movie and learn from the VicHealth Food for All approach. Including food security in your policy and planning is critical to ensuring it is on the agenda, and results in it being dealt with proactively over the long term, rather than reactively over the short term. Inclusion in your policy makes it relevant for all areas including business development, infrastructure, land use planning, environmental sustainability, and human services. For more information about the VLGA Food for All Project, please contact Leah Galvin at leah@vlga.org.au.
Studies in Applied Human Rights
RMIT has developed a postgraduate program (Graduate Diploma – one year full time or two years part-time; and Graduate Certificate – six months full time or one year part time) informed by the strong partnerships the Australian Centre for Human Rights Education has developed with key government and non-government agencies. The courses are designed for professional development, academic interest and entry into the rapidly expanding human rights field. For more information contact Dr Liz Branigan, Academic Programs Coordinator on (03) 9925 3153 or liz.branigan@rmit.edu.au.
Easy English guide to voting in the 2010 Victorian State Election
The Victorian Electoral Commission has produced an information guide to help people better understand the voting process for the Victorian State Election, to be held on Saturday 27 November. Access the guide here.
Local Government Human Rights Survey
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission would appreciate the participation of all 79 local governments in its Local Government Human Rights Survey by no later than 28 October. Take the online survey here.
Watch this space
Commonwealth must urgently fund Victorian kindergarten facilities
The MAV has renewed its call for the Federal Government to urgently commit $600 million for Victorian kindergarten facilities or risk failure of its national commitment to provide all children with ‘universal access’ to preschool in their year before school. The MAV’s media release states that by 2013 Victoria will require around 50 per cent more facilities and 400 extra trained staff to increase the program to the nationally agreed policy of 15 hours per week for 4 year old kinder. The VLGA Board has endorsed the MAV’s universal access policy position, including the emphasis that Victorian local governments will not pay all of the substantial costs of these reforms.
VLGA events for your diary
Timor-Leste Friendship Forum
Tuesday 26 October, 5.30-8pm including light dinner and drinks
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
The VLGA Timor-Leste Advisory Group invites members of Friendship Groups, representatives of NGOs with programs in Timor-Leste, local government councillors and officers, and community representatives who are interested in Timor-Leste, to our ‘Friendship Forum’. For more information go here. Please RSVP by 18 October to Gary Jungwirth on (03) 9349 7999 or email gary@vlga.org.au.
VLGA Special General Meeting & Annual General Meeting
Thursday 4 November, from 7pm
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
The VLGA Board has endorsed the revised draft Constitution so that it can now be put to members for ratification. This will occur at a Special General Meeting which will take place at 7pm on 4 November 2010, to be followed by the AGM. The revised draft Constitution can be accessed here. If you would like a hard copy sent to you, please call the VLGA on (03) 9349 7999. Members are encouraged to contact Ron Exiner, Director Governance on 0417 392 078 if you have any queries. We invite you to join us for finger-food and refreshments before the Special General Meeting from 6pm. Please register your attendance here or RSVP to vlga@vlga.org.au.
Special Forum: Local Government Smoke-Free Policies in Outdoor Areas
Thursday 18 November, 5.30-7pm, followed by nibbles and refreshments from 7pm
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, CarltonThursday 18 November, 5.30-7pm, followed by nibbles and refreshments from 7pm
Learn more about this topical issue, ask questions and discuss ideas about the merits and challenges of smoke-free policies in outdoor settings. Hear about the various ways that you might consider approaching this. A panel of speakers will share their experiences and knowledge including Heart Foundation CEO Kathy Bell, Quit Victoria Executive Director Fiona Sharkie, Monash City Council Mayor Cr Charlotte Baines, Surf Coast Shire Council Mayor Cr Libby Coker and Frankston City Council Mayor Cr Christine Richards. For more information or to register your attendance by no later than 8 November, go here.
Other events
Australia-Timor-Leste Education and Training Network workshop
Saturday 23 October, 1-4pm
Northcote Library Meeting Room, 32-38 Separation St, Northcote
At this Supporting Youth and Adult Learning through Community Centres and Libraries forum you’ll hear from speakers Patti Manolis from Library Books for Timor-Leste, Richard Brown from Friends of Aileu, Chris Perkins from Friends of Bacau, and Pat Jessen from Friends of Suai. Please RSVP before 16 October to janhayes@bigpond.net.au or call 0419 114 950.
Barwon Safe Parties Symposium
Thursday 4 & Friday 5 November
Geelong Football Club – Fred Flanagan Room, Skilled Stadium, Geelong
The City of Greater Geelong is hosting a Barwon Safe Parties Symposium on – Young People, Alcohol and Parties. The one and a half day forum is targeted at health workers, community organisations, police, teachers, local governments and parenting support groups and will showcase local government based programs that have focussed on reducing risky drinking among young people and how best to apply current research findings in your program development. For more information and to register, go here.
Cr Heinz Kreutz
President
0438 006 656 or heinz@vlga.org.au
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