June 2009
Victorian Community History Awards
The winners of the Victorian Community History Awards 2009 were announced at Parliament House on Saturday, 16 May, 2009. This year 102 entries were received, with the Overall Winner being a book by Ken Oldis titled, The Chinawoman. You can view all the winners and commendations at www.vic.gov.au/historyawards.
The Victorian Community History Awards 2010 are now open.
The Awards aim to develop awareness of community history throughout Victoria. The Awards promote excellence in historical research and acknowledge that history can be presented in a variety of formats.
The Awards comprise a $5,000 first prize and six $1,000 prizes for the category finalists which include:
- Best Collaborative / Community Work
- Best Print / Publication
- Best Audio – Visual / Multimedia
- Best Exhibit / Display
- Best Walk / Tour
- Best Community Research, Registers and Records
For further information ring Information Victoria on 1300 366 356 (local call cost), TTY (03) 9603 8806, email infovic.marketing@diird.vic.gov.au or download an entry form from our website www.vic.gov.au/historyawards
Parliament of Victoria - Exceptions and Exemptions to the Equal Opportunity Act 1995
The Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee of the Victorian Parliament recently tabled its Options Paper for its Inquiry into Exceptions and Exemptions to the Equal Opportunity Act 1995.
The Inquiry was referred by the Governor in Council to the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee to inquire into, consider and report to the Parliament on whether any amendments should be made to the exceptions and exemptions provided for in the Equal Opportunity Act 1995. Exceptions and Exemptions in the Act include such things as:
- Single sex clubs (e.g. men's clubs, women-only gymnasiums)
- Religious institutions and organisations (e.g. schools, counselling services)
- Sporting competitions (e.g. age or gender-specific clubs or teams
The Committee invites written submissions from persons and organisations based on the terms of reference. The closing date for submissions is Friday 10th July 2009. Details on how to make a submission are contained within the Options Paper which is obtainable from the Information Victoria Bookshop or online at www.parliament.vic.gov.au/sarc.
How Green Is Your School?
$50,000 in prizes is up for grabs to assist schools with sustainability as part of the 2009 Victorian ResourceSmart School Awards. All Victorian primary and secondary schools – whether government or independent – are encouraged to enter the Awards which this year will for the first time incorporate the "nude food" Rubbish Free Lunch Challenge, for which students will be invited to bring lunches without any wrapping on 22 July 2009.
Prizes for the 2009 ResourceSmart School of the Year Awards will be awarded in the categories Energy Smart School; Water Smart School; Waste Smart School; and Biodiversity Smart School of the Year Award. Schools entering three or more of the ResourceSmart categories will automatically be considered for the ResourceSmart School of the Year Award.
Entries close on Monday, 24 August 2009. Find out more about the ResourceSmart School Awards.
2009 Australian Safer Communities Awards
The 2009 Australian Safer Communities Awards are the perfect way to promote and recognise best practice and innovation by organisations and individuals who help build safer communities across Australia.
The Awards cover all aspects of emergency management and entry is open to any organisation or individual. The Awards are hosted in Victoria by the Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner. For information visit www.oesc.vic.gov.au or contact the Australian Safer Communities Awards - Victorian Coordinator on (03) 8684 7938. Entries for the Awards close Friday, 3 July 2009.
Nominations open for Victorian Senior of the Year Awards 2009
The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards celebrates the talents, achievements and contributions senior Victorians make to their communities. Nominations must be based on the nominee's community service and achievements since turning 60.
Further information can be found in the Nomination Form which is available by contacting Seniors Information Victoria – phone 1300 135 090 (local call cost) or alternatively download the Nomination Form (PDF 969 kb) or (Word 107 kb). Nominations close Friday, 24 July 2009.
Energy Safety Victoria
As Victoria's independent electricity, gas and pipeline safety and technical regulator, Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) strives to ensure safe and efficient supply and use of electricity and gas, for the benefit of all Victorians.
ESV has a website that provides detailed information for everyone who uses these essential services. Whether you are a user, supplier or tradesperson the website provides information, contact details and links - from buying an appliance right through to what to do in an emergency. For more information visit www.esv.vic.gov.au.
New Bus Safety Act
The Bus Safety Act 2009, recently passed by Parliament, will strengthen regulation to better deal with rapid expansion of bus services and unprecedented growth in bus patronage.
A modern 'best practice' regulatory framework will assist the bus industry, which has a good safety record in Victoria, to adapt to the changing safety requirements of busier and more complex bus services.
The new laws will come into force on 31 December 2010. In the meantime, the Department of Transport and/or Public Transport Safety Victoria will develop a raft of programs to assist in the transition. For more information visit www.transport.vic.gov.au.
Reading Rooms Temporary Closures
As part of a program of building works being conducted by Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) to improve its facilities there will be some disruption to all PROV services from 1 June 2009.
As a result of the building works the Victorian Archives Centre in North Melbourne, including the Reading Room, will be closed on Mondays and Saturdays from 1 June 2009 to February 2010.
Please note that on Tuesdays to Fridays PROV will conduct business as usual, including the reading rooms. For more information please refer to the PROV website, www.prov.vic.gov.au or email buildingworks@prov.vic.gov.au.
New Publications
General Publications
Job Guide 2009
produced by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations @ $26.95
Local Histories
No new publications this month.
Mapping Products
Grampians National Park Road and Touring Map (2009 Edition)
by Parks Victoria @ $5.95
Government Reports
Management of School Funds
by the Victorian Auditor-General @ $20.00
The New Royal Children's Hospital - A Public Private Partnership
by the Victorian Auditor-General @ $20.00
Results of Audits for Entities With Other Than 30 June 2008 Balance Dates
by the Victorian Auditor-General @ $20.00
The Channel Deepening Project
by the Victorian Auditor-General @ $20.00
New Legislation
New Acts
| A16.09 | Human Services (Complex Needs) Act 2009 | $5.70 |
| A17.09 | Transport Legislation Miscellaneous Amendments Act 2009 | $12.20 |
New Statutory Rules
Reprinted Acts
| A6231 | Crimes Act 1958 Rp 21 | $50.55 |
| A8056 | Environment Protection Act 1970 Rp 17 | $40.10 |
| A121.86 | Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 Rp 4 | $15.75 |
| A62.04 | Major Crime (Special Investigations Monitor) Act 2004 Rp 1 | $5.70 |
| A46.88 | Telecommunications (Interception) (State Provisions) Act 1988 Rp 2 | $7.80 |
| A7.03 | Terrorism (Community Protection) Act 2003 Rp 2 | $18.65 |
| A98.04 | Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority Act 2004 Rp 1 | $7.80 |
| A10168 | Trustee Companies Act 1984 Rp 5 | $12.20 |
| A99.04 | Legal Profession Act 2004 Rp 3 | $50.55 |
Visit the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website for a list of all Victorian acts and statutory rules.
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Melbourne - A History of Now
The Melbourne Book - A History of Now is a modern chronicle of a unique city. Visual, passionate and informative, it tells the story of a city and its style, its people and its vivid past.
Save energy - In the winter months there is less call for cold beer, so if you have a dedicated beer fridge in the garage, do the environment a favour and switch it off. Doing so can save you up to $200 a year. Fridges run constantly, using the most energy of all your appliances so only crank up a beer fridge when you know you've got the local footy team - and all their mates - coming to visit. Check out the resourceSmart website for more information.
If you are conducting historical research, don’t forget the Public Record Office Victoria has a number of resources that may be of assistance. Visit http://www.prov.vic.gov.au for more information.
Wangaratta
Known as Ovens Crossing for its first few years, Wangaratta (an aboriginal word meaning either resting place of cormorants or meeting of its waters was named by surveyor Thomas Wedge in 1848. Wangaratta's St Patrick's church was designed by William Wardell, who also designed St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne. Wangaratta is also the birthplace of Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop’.
Details taken from Heritage Walk, Wangaratta, the winner of the Best Walk / Tour Category in the 2009 Victorian Community History Awards.
We would love to hear your comments about this newsletter. Send us an email to victoria.online@diird.vic.gov.au
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