February 2012
2012 Victorian State Schools Spectacular - Auditions
Dazzling Performers Wanted!
Auditions are being held for dancers, singers, musicians and performers to be part of this year's State Schools Spectacular to be held at Hisense Arena in early September 2012. The performance extravaganza will feature more than 2,500 students from metropolitan and regional primary and secondary schools across Australia. Students chosen to take part will receive intensive training with industry professionals and gain valuable on-stage experience.
The Spectacular is an initiative of the Victorian Government to engage students in the arts, develop their skills, discipline and confidence and promote a healthy and active lifestyle. Students from Prep to Year 12 perform onstage as musicians, singers, dancers, acrobats, puppeteers, and backstage in lighting and production.
Further information and audition appointments can be made by contacting the Department of Early Education and Childhood Development Performaing Arts Unit on (03) 9415 1700 or by emailing performing.arts@edumail.vic.gov.au.
2012 National Year of Reading
The National Year of Reading 2012 is a collaborative project supported by public libraries, government and community groups, with a year-long program of inspirational activities and events encouraging all Australians to discover and rediscover the joy of reading.
The State Library of Victoria is proud to be involved and will host an official launch (Tuesday 14 February) by the Premier of Victoria, the Hon. Ted Baillieu, MP. Then the party will get started with a special literary tea party (Sunday, 19 February) hosted by the Mad Hatter. These events are free and bookings can be made online.
Keep an eye on SLV's Facebook page and Twitter feed for more events, as well as the chance to win tea-party tickets for the whole family.
Zoo Twilights - A summer of music at Melbourne Zoo
The Twilights Concert Series is back again - bigger and better than ever! Twilights 2012 will kick off a series of events a part of Melbourne Zoo's 150th Anniversary Celebrations. The superb line-up of some of Australia's favourite artists amid the magical setting of the Zoo under the stars, should not be missed! Whatever your musical tastes, there's something for everyone at Zoo Twilights this summer.
Popular Baby Names
Victorians continue to favour old-fashioned classics for their newborns with Mia and Jack the most popular names for 2011. The most popular girls' names during the past year were Mia, Ruby, Olivia, Chloe and Charlotte. The boys' names of the year were Jack, William, Oliver, Ethan and Noah.
BDM's popular names search can be found on www.bdm.vic.gov.au.
Victorian Poisons Information Centre
The Poisons Information Centre provides the people of Victoria with a timely, safe information service in poisonings and suspected poisonings. For members of the public this includes telephone assessment, advice on first aid, with or without referral to a doctor or hospital. This website provides links to information on types of poisoning that may occur and to further sources of information.
In an emergency, ring 13 11 26 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Austalia wide).
It is very stressful when a poisoning occurs and it is hard to think clearly about what to do. Many poisoning incidents do not need medical treatment. You may be able to avoid a stressful trip and wait at the hospital or clinic. Staff at the VPIC will tell you what first aid is required, whether it is necessary to call an ambulance, to go to the doctor or whether nothing needs to be done.
VPIC staff advise thousands of callers each year about poisoning incidents. Advice from people who are not experts in poisoning may be inappropriate or unsafe.
Emergency Volunteering
Victorians willing and able to assist during an emergency are being encouraged to submit their details to a new Emergency Volunteer Register. Information from the register would be supplied to local councils or emergency organisations in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. The register will invite volunteers to list specific interests and skills that would help local councils co-ordinate the use of volunteers by matching skills, interests and capacity to local tasks at hand.
To register as an emergency volunteer or to check out the range of other volunteering opportunities across the state, visit Victoria's Volunteering Portal www.volunteer.vic.gov.au
Safer Internet Day 2012 - 7 February
The theme for Safer Internet Day for 2012 is 'Connecting generations and educating each other.'
Key messages for schools, libraries and families this Safer Internet Day are:
- Talk about online safety - with all members of your family and school community
- Protect your privacy - check your privacy settings and update your software
- Educate yourself about the online world - check out the Cybersmart resources.
Eating Tips for Primary-School Children
School age is the perfect time for children to learn about healthy food, bodies and activity. This is the time they start a busy social life, have pocket money and begin to help choose their own lifestyle. Children of this age learn quickly and are also influenced by their friends and popular trends.
Children need a wide variety of foods for a well-balanced diet. The amount of physical activity they have in a day will be an important part of how much they need to eat. When children are busy and active, snacking is important to keep energy levels high. A healthy morning snack at recess and one after school are usually needed each day.
V/Line - New Upgrades to Mobile Web
Following suggestions from visitors to V/Line's mobile site, upgrades are now available to the mobile web.
- Timetables - the full timetables for each line are now on the mobile site.
- Basic journey planning - you can alter the 'Next 5 Services' setting to any point in the future. The default is based upon the time now, but you can set a future time, effectively using it as a basic journey planned.
New Publications
General Publications
Aborigines of Victoria Vol 2: With Notes Relating to the Habits of the Natives of Other Parts of Australia and Tasmania Compiled from Various Sources
by Brough-Smith, Robert @ $46.95
A History of the Colony of Victoria Vol 1: A.D. 1797-1854
by Turner, Henry Giles @ $40.95
A History of the Colony of Victoria Vol 2: A.D. 1854-1900
by Turner, Henry Giles @ $40.95
Power to the Rails: A History of Victoria's Diesel and Electric Locomotives
by Scott, John @ $65.00
Hard to go Bung: World War 2 Soldier Settlement in Victoria 1945-1962
by Smallwood, Rosalind @ $39.95
To Market To Market Victoria 2012
by Fat Piggy Books @ $15.95
VCE and VCAL Administrative Handbook 2012
by VCAA @ $29.95
Port Phillip: Follow the Coastline
by MacInnes, Ross @ $30.00
All About Tomatoes: and Potatoes, Peppers and Other Relatives
by Blazey, Clive @ $24.95
Local Histories
Gum Trees, Lagoons and Flat Plains
by Fleming, Margaret @ $42.00
Mapping Products
Melbourne City and Suburbs Map 318 - 5th Edition
by UBD @ $7.95
Government Reports
Victorian Government Contacts & Services Directory 2011/12
by Information Victoria, Department of Business and Innovation @ $45.00
Free Publications
Victorian Manufacturing - Meeting the Challenges Final Report
by Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission
Victorian Manufacturing - Meeting the Challenges Summary Report
by Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission
New Legislation
New Acts
New Statutory Rules
| S157.11 | Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Regulations 2011 | $3.90 |
| S158.11 | Livestock Management Regulations 2011 | $3.90 |
| S159.11 | Sentencing Regulations 2011 | $12.60 |
| S160.11 | Infringements (General) Amendment (Further Lodgeable Infringement Offences) Regulations 2011 | $3.90 |
| S161.11 | Education and Care Services National Law (Excluded Services and Other Transitional Matters) Regulations 2011 | $3.90 |
| S162.11 | Children's Services Amendment Regulations 2011 | $12.60 |
| S163.11 | Estate Agents (Contracts) Amendment Regulations 2011 | $5.85 |
| S164.11 | Residential Tenancies Amendment (Infringements) Regulations 2011 | $5.85 |
| S165.11 | Education and Training Reform (School Safety) Regulations 2011 | $3.90 |
| S166.11 | Chattel Securities (Continued Register) Regulations 2011 | $3.90 |
Reprinted Acts
| A9.06 | Rail Safety Act 2006 Reprint 2 | $22.20 |
| A6.10 | Transport Integration Act 2010 Reprint 2 | $31.00 |
| A11.89 | Local Government Act 1989 Reprint 11 | $35.40 |
| A51.89 | Magistrates' Court Act 1989 Reprint 16 | $23.60 |
Reprinted Statutory Rules
| S130.04 | Local Government (General) Regulations 2004 Reprint 1 | $8.00 |
Visit the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website for a list of all Victorian acts and statutory rules.
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Victorian Government Contacts & Services Directory 2011/12
The Directory is your comprehensive guide to the Victorian Government. It includes information on all the Departments, statutory bodies and other agencies, including telephone numbers, email and web addresses. It also contains an A to Z list of government services.
First-Aid Tips
If you see a medical emergency, any help that you can provide is a great assistance. No matter what the emergency, your approach should be the same - a simple acronym known as DRABCD.
Health Warning: Poisonous Mushrooms. Extreme caution is advised when picking and consuming wild mushrooms following the recent deaths of two people who consumed Death Cap mushrooms (Amanita Phalloides). In an Emergency, ring 131126 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The marine faunal emblem for the State of Victoria is the Weedy Seadragon.
Ouyen
Ouyen is predominantly dry-land agriculture, including growing wheat and barley as well as and Prime Mallee Lamb production, located 100 km south of Mildura in the far north-west of Victoria. This busy town is in the heart of the Victorian Mallee, and surrounded by a beautiful array of national parks including Wyperfeld, Hattah-Kulkyne and Murray Sunset National Parks.
The northern area of Wyperfeld is 60 kilometres to the south-west, Hattah Lakes and the Murray River are 40 kilometres north and the Pink Lakes in the Murray Sunset National Park are only 70 kilometres to the west. Explore the parks to see an abundance of drought-resistant wildflowers (as many as 100 varieties), unique wildlife and breathtaking landscapes.
If you would like to see your town mentioned in the Region Focus - send us an email.
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