Just a brief message from me this week, in this post-Easter bulletin. We wish all Australia’s Young People a fantastic National Youth Week, Friday 13 to Sunday 22 April. Many local governments will be hosting or facilitating activities. To find out more see the Youth Central website. Last week in my message I referred to an article where you can download Capire’s community engagement toolkit – well, we accidentally missed it last week, so it’s in this edition! I trust you all had a safe and restful break with your loved ones. I am taking a short ‘time out’ for the school holidays and will be harder to catch for the next few days, and I look forward to seeing you about the place at various events in the next few weeks. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to give me a call on 0407 364 509, or drop me a line via email. Cheers.
Cr Samantha Dunn, President
Keeping you up to date
2012 Local Government Elections – resources from the VLGA
With the elections coming up in October, the VLGA has developed a special section of our website with a range of resources. In the months leading up to October, we will actively keep you informed with relevant and current information. Visit our one-stop-shop webpage including regular eBulletins, training session information and good governance grabs to keep abreast of key topics that inform the local government election process.
Campaign Training: Essential campaigning for local government elections
Saturday 21 OR Saturday 28 April, 9am-5pm
60L meeting rooms, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
This full-day training program has been specifically designed for anybody considering standing for election in October 2012. Everything you need to know about successful campaigning, including:
* Communications basics and beyond – strategies to assert your points of difference
* Media basics and beyond – what the media and voters want to know
* Preferences and voting
* Tips for 150-word candidate statements
* Street stalls and doorknocking
* What you need to do between now and Election Day
There will be two opportunities to attend this training program (please choose one) – either Saturday 21 April or Saturday 28 April at the VLGA. Note that the program is identical for both days. Please note that applications for free training places close on Wednesday 11 April.
Think Aboriginal women for local government 2012 and beyond
On 26 April, the Darebin City Council and the Darebin Women’s Advisory Committee, with support from the VLGA and the Think women for local government 2012 project, are running a forum for Aboriginal women who are interested in local government. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women from around the State are invited to attend. In support of the initiative, the VLGA has undertaken a campaign to raise $15,000 to make a professional film of the event. This resource aims to inspire and inform ATSI women and girls about the potential of their participation in local government in 2012 and beyond. We are delighted that several local governments have already responded with offers to contribute funds for the filming, despite the very short notice about this opportunity. Our thanks go to Darebin, Yarra Ranges, Boroondara, Wellington, South Gippsland, Shepparton, and Glenelg for their generous support. The Horsham Rural City Council has come up with an excellent idea and they are looking to sponsor women from their community to attend the forum at Darebin. Other local governments might be interested to do something similar. Please contact CEO Maree McPherson via email if you are interested in finding out more or wish to discuss a contribution.
More and more think women for local government 2012
On 28 March, Boroondara hosted a successful and well attended Think women for local government 2012 regional forum, ably facilitated by Liana Thompson and opened by Mayor Heinz Kreutz. This forum received positive feedback and some Facebook comment, including about the value of the information imparted by the panel – Mayors Rachel Powning (Port Phillip) and Stefanie Perri (Monash), and Cr Coral Ross (Boroondara). Maroondah City Council just completed a successful month of activities including an International Women's Day breakfast where Maroondah women councillors spoke about why we need more women to stand. Other highlights during the month were a spot on 98.1FM Eastern Radio, a booth at Eastern Women in Business Forum and Expo. Women were invited to attend a Council meeting followed by the women councillors sharing their experiences behind the scenes. The month was capped off with a cocktail function. Cr Nora Lamont said, “See, we really can make a difference.” VLGA thanks Boroondara and Maroondah City Councils for hosting these important events.
Community Works Program Grants – first round funding open
Minister for Planning, Matthew Guy has recently announced the first round funding of the Community Works Program. Grants up to $200,000 are available for physical infrastructure projects including streets, walkways, playground fences, bike paths, bridges, open space, plazas, squares, transportation hubs, gateways, parks, waterfronts and natural features. The Minister stated that the $6.9 million program for local councils would help stimulate investment through key infrastructure projects and the creation of jobs. Applications for round one close on 17 May 2012. For a copy of the guidelines, visit the DPCD website.
National Anti-Racism Strategy – Discussion Paper
The Australian Human Rights Commission has issued a Discussion Paper which seeks views on the development of a National Anti-Racism Strategy for Australia. Submissions are due by Friday 11 May 2012. You can also access an online survey. In addition the Commission will be holding a limited number of public consultations around the country.
Are you a local government or contractor collecting hard waste? Here’s how to do it safely…
WorkSafe has produced a handbook for workplaces on the safe collection of hard waste. The handbook provides employers, contractors and councils working in the waste collection industry with information on how to safely collect domestic hard waste and bundled green waste.
Capire’s Inclusive Community Engagement Toolkit
The Inclusive Community Engagement Toolkit puts Capire's 100 ideas to engage hard to reach people into practice. It has been designed to prompt people to think about the barriers that prevent or deter people participating in engagement activities and ways to breakdown or overcome these barriers. In every engagement program there will be people who will find it difficult to participate due to individual circumstances. An inclusive community engagement approach is about recognising these circumstances and designing an approach to help address barriers to participation. The toolkit has been developed based on Capire's recent experiences and learnings.
Calling all schools – invitation to youth forums to discuss responsible gambling
Your school is invited to participate in a number of important youth forums as part of a state-wide student well-being initiative during Responsible Gambling Awareness Week (RGAW). As a means of prevention and early intervention, young people are a particular focus of RGAW in 2012. The forums aim to give a voice to young people, which will inform future communication and community education strategies on gambling. Forums will be held in Melbourne (15 May), Geelong (17 May) and Bendigo (18 May). The VLGA encourages members and stakeholders to circulate the details of the forums to your networks and contacts. For further information contact Judy Somes, Events Manager at the Department of Justice via email.
Make public transport accessible for everybody
The All Aboard Action Network is a collaborative initiative between accessibility advocates, community sector organisations and local government to raise concerns about the level of access provided by Victoria’s public transport system. The campaign launch is on Tuesday, 17 April. For more information contact Llewellyn at VCOSS via email or call (03) 9654 5050.
Australian Rural Roads Group calls for complete reform of road funding
The Australian Rural Roads Group has taken a delegation to Canberra as part of its national campaign for complete reform of road funding and management, which has formal support of the independent infrastructure advisory group, Infrastructure Australia. The group’s Chair John Coulton, Mayor of Gwydir in NSW, said the group’s latest report was about “taking the money issue off the table” and focussing on “the terrible system of road management and reporting across the country”. The latest ARRG report is titled Australia’s Road Infrastructure Is In Crisis (But For Once, The Answer Isn’t More Money) and you can download a copy from the ARRG’s website.
Release of approved strategic management plan for Mullum Mullum Park
Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith has released the Mullum Mullum Park Strategic Management Plan which can be accessed via the Parks Victoria website. Mullum Mullum Park is an important wildlife corridor in Melbourne’s east. This is a great park for cyclists and walkers, with the 1.6km Eastlink Trail running through the park and linking to Melbourne’s wider trail network.
Connect For: improving outcomes for vulnerable young people – EOIs now open
Expressions of Interest are now open for Connect For: improving outcomes for vulnerable young people conference to be held on 25 and 26 June 2012 at the Melbourne Park Function Centre, Batman Avenue, Melbourne. The conference is a response to children and young people experiencing barriers to accessing opportunities to learning and development. It is designed for those working in education, youth support, health, housing, justice services, and police.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events Campaign Training: Essential campaigning for local government elections
Saturday 21 OR Saturday 28 April, 9am-5pm
60L meeting rooms, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
This full-day training program has been specifically designed for anybody considering standing for election in October 2012. Everything you need to know about successful campaigning, including:
* Communications basics and beyond – strategies to assert your points of difference
* Media basics and beyond – what the media and voters want to know
* Preferences and voting
* Tips for 150-word candidate statements
* Street stalls and doorknocking
* What you need to do between now and Election Day
There will be two opportunities to attend this training program (please choose one) – either Saturday 21 April or Saturday 28 April at the VLGA. Note that the program is identical for both days.
Pokies Assessments: a ‘how to’ short course
Monday 30 April OR Thursday 3 May
60L meeting rooms, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
Everything you ever wanted to know about assessing the social and other impacts of pokies, and the context and history of pokies. This is the most comprehensive training program ever put together in Victoria and includes:
* Practical case studies, tools and guides
* Local Government Initiatives Marketplace – talk to people who’ve achieved results
* Gaming and planning processes
* Understanding community wellbeing
Designed for statutory and strategic planners, social and community planners, social researchers, health professionals and consultants, as well as councillors, this short course includes a comprehensive 120-page ‘step by step’ Training Manual. There will be two opportunities to attend this full-day training program (please choose one) – either Monday 30 April or Thursday 3 May at the VLGA. Cost is $245 VLGA Members and project contributors, $275 for non-members. Download the flyer, program and registration form from the VLGA website.
Leading Edge Forum – Adapting to new environments: opportunities to improve food security, agriculture and jobs growth in a region
Thursday 3 May, 6-9pm Nambur Wariga Meeting Room, Latrobe City Council Headquarters, 141 Commercial Road, Morwell
We invite you to join us in the City of Latrobe to learn how the Gippsland region is generating employment in the food industry, feeding the nation, and forecasting for the future. Hear from speakers including Dr Robert Faggian, Future Farming Research Division, DPI on the Gippsland Region Climate Change Adaptation Project; and Derek Robertson, Traralgon Factory Manager, Brancourts P/L on relocating food production. RSVP online by Monday 30 April or phone (03) 9349 7999.
Other Events
ALGWA Conference & AGM
19-20 April
Manningham Function Centre, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster
ALGWA's Annual State Conference will commence with a reception and dinner, followed by a jam-packed agenda, concluding with the AGM. For further details download the conference brochure and registration form.
VIRWC Women’s Leadership Course
19 April-21 June
Darebin Intercultural Centre, 59a Roseberry Ave, Preston
Last opportunity – don’t miss this. Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition (VIRWC) is offering free leadership training for women of CALD communities in Hume, Darebin and Moreland. There are still a few vacancies for women from Darebin and Moreland. See flyer for application details. VIRWC has many years of experience in this work and their courses are highly valued by women who have experienced them. For more information and application form, please contact Jeanette Hourani on 0412 160 418 or Nazia Wasif on 0413 550 335 or visit the VIRWC website.
CEDA Transport Series: The role of rail in Australia's transport future
Friday 20 April
Park Hyatt, 1 Parliament Square, Melbourne
The first of CEDA's 2012 Transport series will address rail as a key component of the transport sector and address why it will substantially contribute to Australia's long-term productivity and economic performance. More information is available on the CEDA website, and you can register online.
‘Making Culture Count’ Conference
2-4 May 2012
Melbourne The Cultural Development Network hosts the Making Culture Count: Rethinking Measures of Cultural Vitality, Well-being and Citizenship Conference, at the Woodward Conference Centre, University of Melbourne. The conference will feature 62 presenters from six Australian states and territories and eight other countries across Europe, Asia- Pacific and the Americas. Speakers will represent universities, government departments from four different countries, local governments, foundations, arts and community organisations as well as several independent artists and researchers. There is also a Pre-Conference Local Government Workshop: Measuring Cultural Vitality, and a Pre-Conference Postgraduate Masterclass.
Nonprofit Masterclass in Advanced Strategy, Risk and Governance – in the South-West
Monday 14 May
Lady Bay Resort, 2 Pertobe Rd, Warrnambool
Leading-edge strategies and tactics for non-profit executives and Board members. Do you have new Board members who would benefit from the latest in strategic thinking and governance practices? Would your Board benefit from renewal of energy to facilitate them to be even more strategic? Would you like the latest and most powerful strategies to get your Board truly engaged and making the decisions that create the future for the community you serve? Steven Bowman, a leading international adviser in corporate and non-profit conscious leadership, is presenting an intensive one-day Master class that will shake long-held beliefs about strategy, risk and governance. CEOs, senior executives, Chairs and Board members should not miss this event. Registrants will receive a free copy of the non-profit e-book, The Conscious Chief Executive. Enquiries to Allan Bassett or Richard Zerbe at Community Southwest on (03) 5559 1032 or via email.
Alternative Futures Conference
21-24 May
Newcastle, NSW
Convened over three days in Newcastle City Precinct, NSW, the conference will deliver an exciting multidisciplinary event addressing climate and risk, land use planning, biodiversity conservation, liveable communities and urban design, and feature some of the leading thinkers and innovators from across Australia and overseas addressing many of the challenges facing regional Australia’s future planning and development. For more information contact Steve Wilson via email.
4th Annual Victorian Transport Infrastructure Conference
28-29 May
Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre
Victoria is experiencing an infrastructure backlog to meet growing economic and community needs. The State Government has begun planning and investment to address the backlog and realise Victoria's potential. This conference will discuss the prioritisation, planning and delivery of critical transport infrastructure in Victoria.
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