December 2011
Human Rights Oration 2011
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Human rights - the big picture
Best known for his media commentary on the business implications of demographic and social change, Bernard Salt blends substance and humour to paint the big picture:
How will demographic change shape our community, and what have human rights got to do with it?
The Human Rights Oration is an annual lecture series that provides a platform for the discussion of human rights as it applies to the everyday citizens.
The Oration is a free public event as part of our community conversation about human rights.
Festive Shopping - Victorian Government Bookshop
We invite you to visit the Victorian Government Bookshop - your one-stop shop for all Victorian publications, books, maps and legislation.
View our collection at Level 20, 80 Collins Street, order by telephone - 1300 366 356 (local call cost), or online via the bookshop website.
Books on special:
The Australian House - normally $39.95 now $20.00
New Directions in Australian Architecture- normally $70.00 now $35.00
Building Your Own Home - normally $42.00 now $35.95
Limited quantities - offer available until stocks run out.
The countdown to Melbourne's 2011 New Year's Eve celebrations has begun!
Melbourne will come alive with live music and performances, a massive lighting and projections program and, of course, fireworks. To herald the new year, the City of Melbourne is presenting two dazzling fireworks displays.
A full program of events, locations and some big surprises will be announced soon, so stay tuned.
Victorian Women's Honour Roll
The nominations for the 2012 Victorian Women's Honour Roll are now open.
Each year, the Honour Roll recognises and celebrates truly remarkable women across Victoria who through their vision, leadership, commitment and hard work, have made an exceptional contribution to their communities or areas of expertise.
Since its launch in 2001, 478 women have been included on the Honour Roll. The new inductees will be announced as part of International Women's Day celebrations in March 2012.
Women can be nominated for their contributions in a diverse range of fields including health, science, law, social justice, arts, media and education, as well as their involvement in ethnic and Indigenous communities.
"If you know an outstanding woman who has been instrumental in making a difference and shaping your community, this is a great opportunity to ensure she is recognised," Ms Wooldridge said.
Please help us to recognise the achievements of outstanding Victorian women by nominating someone you know. We also encourage you to email this page to a friend.
Nominations are open until 21 December 2011.
EPA's Beach Report
At all times of the year EPA recommends against swimming near stormwater drain, rivers, streams and other outlets into Port Phillip Bay during and 24 hours after rain. EPA's Beach Report water quality forecasting and monitoring for the 2011-2012 summer will commence on Monday 28th November 2011. For beach users and event organisers wanting to assess bacterial beach water quality prior to the commencement date please go to the Event Organiser link above.
Beach Safety this Summer
Millions of people visit at least one of Australia's beautiful beaches every year. Although Australian beaches may look amazing, they do hide some dangers that every visitor should know about. Beachsafe provides some very helpful advice on beach safety to ensure you enjoy your visit to the beach and stay safe.
Play the Beach Safety Game to learn some useful tips to stay safe this summer.
Remember to protect yourself from the sun's harmful rays. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the invisible killer that you can't see or feel. UV radiation can be high even on cool and overcast days. This means you can't rely on clear skies or high temperatures to determine when you need to protect yourself from the sun.Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the invisible killer that you can't see or feel. UV radiation can be high even on cool and overcast days. This means you can't rely on clear skies or high temperatures to determine when you need to protect yourself from the sun.
Games for kids on long car journeys
So, you’re about to undertake a long car trip with the family - you've planned everything down to the last detail; leaving time, arrival time and places to stop and eat. However, it is always far too easy to forget the kids.
Whether you are heading to the airport, catching a train or are planning a long car journey a little bit of forward planning as to how you can occupy the kids will definitely help whatever form your journey is going to take. In fact it is not just while you are on your way somewhere that tempers can be tested, it is also when you arrive somewhere and you have to wait...and wait ... and wait.
Kids are not usually known for their patience and a long journey can turn into a parental nightmare. Here are a few games to keep the kids occupied and stop you from tearing your hair out.
Grassfires - Understanding the Risk
Grassfires spread rapidly and can quickly threaten lives and property. If you live in a grassland area you need to have a Bushfire Survival Plan. Due to favourable growing conditions across Victoria in 2011 there is an above-average risk for grassfires for the 2011/2012 fire season.
Surrounding grassland and paddocks can pose a risk for:
- farms in rural Victoria
- suburban blocks in Melbourne
- small towns.
Grassland includes pasture grass, crops and areas of undisturbed natural grasslands.
Areas to cover, include:
- Understanding grassfire risk
- Protecting yourself from grassfires
- Protecting your home and property
- Machinery can start grassfires
The full article can be found at www.cfa.vic.gov.au
Strengthening local government in Timor-Leste
Eight local government officers from Timor-Leste are currently visiting Victoria as part of a program to build the capacity of their country’s public service. Eight East Timorese local government officers are visiting Melbourne as part of a Victorian Government program implemented by the Department of Planning and Community Development to build the capacity of the Timor-Leste public service by developing the skills of staff.
The P Drivers Project - join now and help save your mates
VicRoads is looking for newly-licensed young drivers to join the P Drivers Project. The project, known as MyLiveTribe to participants, is where new P platers connect and voice their opinions and experiences through surveys and many will also attend locally-run group discussions and a session with a driving coach.
The project commenced in October and is one of the largest and most complex scientific research studies undertaken in the area of driver education designed to improve the safety of new P plate drivers.
The program will involve 26,400 Victorian P-plate drivers, which means we need more than 1 in every 2 newly licensed drivers. So if you're aged 18-22 and a newly-licensed driver from greater Melbourne, Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong or surrounding areas.
Visit mylivetribe.com.au to join or phone 1800 454 133.
For more information, visit pdriversproject.com.au
New Publications
General Publications
William John Wills: Pioneer of the Australian Outback
by Van Der Kiste, John @ $24.95
Australian Grasses
by Romanowski, Nick @ $29.95
Grow Something To Eat Every Day
by Whittingham, Jo @ $39.95
Aground in the Rip: The Wreck of the SS Time at Port Phillip Heads
by Wane, Greg @ $25.00
Warm House Cool House
by Hollo, Nick @ $44.95
Enginemen of the Victorian Railways
by Anchen, Nick @ $49.95
The Golf Course Guide 2012
by Golf Publishing @ $34.95
Bishop of Magnetic Power: James Moorhouse in Melbourne, 1876–1886
by Sturrock, Morna @ $39.95
Perils Of The Studio Inside the Artistic Affairs of Bohemian Melbourne
by Taylor, Alex @ $39.95
The Law Handbook 2012: Your Practical Guide to the Law in Victoria
by Fitzroy Legal Service @ $95.00
The Dandenong Ranges
by Freeman, Kornelia & Pukk, Ulo @ $29.95
Melbourne's Bars and Pubs 2012
by Dowell, Georgie @ $19.90
Local Histories
Manangatang
by McNicol, Adam @ $30.00
Mapping Products
Lerderderg and Werribee Gorges Map Guide - 4th Edition
by Meridian Maps @ $9.95
Spatial Vision’s Vicmap Book – North East Region (3rd Edition)
by Spatial Vision @ $90.00
Government Reports
Public Hospitals: Results of the 2010–11 Audits
by the Auditor General Victoria @ $20.00
Auditor-General's Report on the Annual Financial Report of the State of Victoria 2010-11
by the Auditor General Victoria @ $20.00
Water Entities: Results of the 2010–11 Audits
by the Auditor General Victoria @ $20.00
VCAA Calendar for Secondary Schools and VCE and VCAL Providers 2012
produced by VCAA @ $3.00
VCAA Calendar for Primary Schools 2012
produced by VCAA @ $3.00
Free Publications
Annual Report: Inquiries into the Deaths of Children known to Child Protection 2011
Victorian Child Death Review Committee
Victoria's Technology Plan for the Future
Department of Business and Innovation
Annual Report: Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission 2010-2011
Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission
Annual Report: Adult Parole Board of Victoria 2010 – 2011
Department of Justice
Securing Victoria's Future Prosperity: A Reform Agenda - Draft Report November 2011
Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission
Crossing the Line: Report of an investigation into the conduct of a
member of Victoria Police undertaking secondary employment as
a Ministerial Adviser and his relationship with a Deputy Commissioner
of Victoria Police
Office of Police Integrity
Community Grants Program: 2012 Guidelines and Application Form
Department of Premier and Cabinet
New Legislation
New Acts
New Statutory Rules
Reprinted Acts
| A126.93 | Building Act 1993 Reprint 9 | $30.10 |
| A59.03 | Urban Renewal Authority Victoria Authority Act 2003 Reprint 2 | $15.75 |
| A89.97 | Alpine Resorts (Management) Act 1997 Reprint 3 | $12.20 |
| A87.98 | Appeal Costs Act 1998 Reprint 2 | $12.20 |
| A25.98 | Electricity Safety Act 1998 Reprint 6 | $18.65 |
| A9859 | Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Victoria) Reprint 7 | $15.75 |
Reprinted Statutory Rules
| S68.06 | Building Regulations 2006 Reprint 2 | $22.90 |
Visit the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website for a list of all Victorian acts and statutory rules.
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The Dandenong Ranges
Tourists come from all over the world to enjoy the prized gardens of Victoria's Dandenong Ranges. This beautifully produced book showcases the splendour of the public and private gardens of the Dandenongs as well as its unique villages and native animals and birds.
Driving safely in all Conditions
It pays to check how up to date you are with road rules or techniques for dealing with different on-road situations. Test you your road safety knowledge by answering these questions.
Find a VicRoads office - Can't get to a VicRoads office? Save time with a choice of online services.
Our extensive guide to Victorian Government Contacts & Services is now mobile. Available for free on iPhone, iPad and Android.
Mornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula is only an hour's drive from Melbourne but seems a world away. It is reminiscent of the Mediterranean with its seaside villages, vineyards, olive groves and historic country houses.
The townships of Dromana, Rye Mornington and Hastings/Tyabb are commemorating 150 years of gazetted history as townships. Each of the townships has a proud heritage and will be acknowledging this milestone with a range of events throughout the year.
Dromana is a bayside centre and situated at the foot of the towering peak of Arthur's Seat. The calm, sandy beaches provide safe swimmiing and boating opportunities. The coastal town of Rye is a popular holiday destination with a jetty, boat ramps and attractive foreshore facilities and walking tracks.
Tyabb's Post Office opened on 9 March 1891 shortly after the arrival of the railway in 1889 and today the township is renowned for its antique wares.
One of the major attractions of Hastings is the Western Port Marina. Hastings is the administrative centre of the Western Port Bay area and services its heavy industries.
If you would like to see your town mentioned in the Region Focus - send us an email.
We would love to hear your comments about this newsletter. Send us an email to infovic@dbi.vic.gov.au
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