Melbourne Winter Masterpieces 2011

Ski season opens

Escape to the Victoria's snow resorts for the 2011 season. Find out about Victoria's seven alpine resorts, and the skiing and snowboarding, toboggan and cross-country trails, snow tubing and family fun on offer. You'll never want to come down. Visit www.skivic.com for the latest ski deals.

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Do Not Knock

Dealing with door-to-door salespeople can be stressful. People can feel pressured into entering into contracts without fully understanding the consequences. Older people and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities are particularly vulnerable.

Victoria Legal Aid has a range of resources on this topic. Visit www.legalaid.vic.gov.au to order the DVD, stickers or flyers.

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The Light in Winter

Directed by Robyn Archer, The Light in Winter is Federation Square's annual celebration of light and enlightenment. This free winter program brings together local and international artists, designers and multicultural communities with a series of light-based artworks, community events and forums and a mid-winter Solstice Celebration.

Last year the sun dominated. This year the symbolism of fire dances through the program. From the Indigenous campfire, Leempeeyt Weeyn' to artworks created in regional Victoria, we explore the complexities of fire as both indispensible friend, and formidable foe, the source of mythology, ritual and ceremony for myriad global cultures.

Dates: 2 June - 3 July 2011

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Taxi Industry Inquiry

On 28 March 2011, the Victorian State Government announced a major independent inquiry into the Victorian taxi and hire car industry.

The inquiry will undertake a comprehensive investigation into all aspects of the taxi and hire car industry and recommend a set of reforms to the government focused on achieving better outcomes for the travelling public.

The first official background paper for the inquiry Setting the Scene was made available for public interest and comment. Submissions close Friday 24 June 2011.

Visit www.taxiindustryinquiry.vic.gov.au for further information.

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Home is Where the Hall is

Home is Where the Hall is a grassroots, community arts initiative that celebrates the role of community halls across Victoria. During the month of November, halls from Mildura to Mallacoota will be present a huge range of activities, selected and designed by the local community. From bake–offs to dance competitions, photography exhibitions to film nights, Home is Where the Hall is will be a fantastic and fun way to celebrate these vital community hubs.

Expressions of interest for communities keen to participate in Home is Where the Hall is can be downloaded from the RAV website from Monday 16 May at www.rav.net.au. Registration closes on the 1 September 2011.

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2011 Australian Safer Communities Awards

Do you have a project that has made your community more resilient?

If so, the 2011 Australian Safer Communities Awards may be the perfect way to promote and recognise this project.

The Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner is calling for nominations for this years awards that recognise innovative practices and achievements across the nation that are making our communities safer, stronger, more disaster resilient and better prepared to manage any emergency situation.

The awards cover all aspects of community safety and resilience with an emergency management focus including risk assessment, research, education and training, information and knowledge management, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

There are seven categories based broadly on the type of organisation applying;

• State and Territory, including government-owned business enterprises
• Local Government, single and collective subcategories
• Volunteer and Community Groups (where membership is substantially voluntary)
• Private Sector
• Education and training, including vocational training and research
• Federal (projects which are cross-jurisdictional and/or projects of national significance)
• Projects developed and/or managed by youth (under 18)

While there is no specific award for individuals, they may submit entries in any appropriate category listed above.

Entries for the 2011 Australian Safer Communities Awards close Friday 1 July, 2011.

For further information on the awards, eligibility criteria and how to enter visit www.oesc.vic.gov.au or call 8684 7900.

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Random Hacks of Kindness

Melbourne: 4-5 June

Volunteers and experts around the world are collaborating to solve disaster risk management and climate change adaptation challenges through Random Hacks of Kindness (RHoK), a community of innovation focused on developing practical open-source solutions.

Google, Microsoft, Yahoo!, NASA, HP and the World Bank will bring together thousands of people in over 18 locations around the globe to create open solutions that can save lives and alleviate suffering.

The inaugural RHoK Melbourne will be held at Swinburne University of Technology's recently-opened Advanced Technologies Centre on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June, concluding with World Environment Day.

For more details see the RHoK website at www.rhok.org/event/melbourne and don't forget to follow tweets at #RHoKmelbourne

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Mouse bait warning for householders

The Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is warning householders to take care when using mouse bait to help prevent the poisoning of pets.

DPI Senior Chemical Standards Officer Steven Field said householders should carefully follow the instructions on the label of bait products to minimise the risk of poisoning non-target animals such as dog and birds.

"Most baits registered for use in and around houses are poisonous and contain anticoagulants, which affect the ability of blood to form clots," Mr Field said.

"Animals suspected of ingesting baits should immediately be taken to a vet, where a treatment can be administered."

Mr Field said professional pest controllers could assist in controlling a mouse infestation, but householders who wanted to bait mice themselves could do so with minimal risk by reading and following the label instructions.

Common instructions placed on mouse bait labels include:

• DO NOT place baits in the open.
• DO NOT allow bait to contaminate foodstuffs or feed intended for human or animal consumption.
• DO NOT place baits in locations where they are accessible to children, domestic animals, livestock and birds.

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New Publications

General Publications

Complete Book of Australian Weather
by Whitaker, Richard @ $39.95

How to Apply For Probate in Victoria (April 2011 Edition)
by Legal Kits of Victoria @ $99.00

Job Guide 2011
by Hobson's P/L @ $27.95

MacRobertsonland
by Robertson, Jill @ $20.00

Sunshine Harvester Works H V McKay: An Agricultural Icon
by Arnold, Ken @ $26.95

Holidaying with Dogs
by Bedford, Willie & Dennis, Sandy @ $24.95

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Local Histories

The Story of Cobram
by Rogers, Kenn @ $15.00

They Fished in Wooden Boats
by Everitt, Neil @ $30.00

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Mapping Products

Cairns: Atherton, Tablelands & the Daintree Regional Touring Map - 29th Edition
by UBD @ $7.95

Darwin and Central Australia Street Directory - 3rd Edition
by UBD @ $17.95

Western Australia: Cities and Towns Street and Travel Directory - 14th Edition
by UBD @ $34.95

Murray River Access: Neds Corner - Lindsay Island - Chowilla - Renmark – Paringa
produced by Spatial Vision @ $7.95

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Government Reports

Managing Student Safety
by the Victorian Auditor-General @ $20.00

Revitalising Central Dandenong
by the Victorian Auditor-General @ $20.00

Melbourne: Global Smart City
produced by ENT-COM @ $49.95

Early Childhood Development Services: Access and Quality
by the Victorian Auditor-General @ $20.00

Tertiary Education and Other Entities: Results of the 2010 Audits
by the Victorian Auditor-General @ $20.00

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New Legislation

New Acts

A10.11	Country Fire Authority Amendment (Volunteer Charter) Act 2011	$3.80
A11.11	Education and Training Reform Amendment (School Safety) Act 2011	$5.70
A12.11	Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2011	$5.70
A13.11	Liquor Control Reform Amendment Act 2011	$3.80
A14.11	Multicultural Victoria Act 2011	$5.70

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New Statutory Rules

S19.11	Local Government (General) Amendment Regulations 2011	$3.80
S20.11	Building Amendment Regulations 2011* - refer to Building Regulations 2006 Update Bulletin - Issue May 2011
S21.11	Plumbing Further Amendment Regulations 2011	$3.80
S22.11	Building Amendment (Private Bushfire Shelter Construction) Regulations 2011* - refer to Building Regulations 2006 Update Bulletin - Issue May 2011
S23.11	Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Amendment Regulations 2011	$5.70
S24.11	Transport (Infringements) Amendment (Port Safety Infringements) Regulations 2011	$3.80
S25.11	First Home Owner Grant Regulations 2011	$3.80
S26.11	Supreme Court (Chapter 1 Amendment No 26) Rules 2011	$3.80
S27.11	Subordinate Legislation (City of Melbourne (Elections) Regulations 2001) Extension Regulations 2011	$3.80
S28.11	Evidence (Examination of Witnesses Outside the State) Regulations 2011	$3.80
S29.11	Transport Accident (Administration of Charges) Regulations 2011	$3.80
S30.11	Petroleum Regulations 2011	$7.80
S31.11	Victorian Energy Efficiency Target Amendment (Scheme Target) Regulations 2011	$3.80

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Reprinted Acts

A8305	Attorney-General and Solicitor-General Act 1972 Reprint 3	$5.70
A10165	Chinatown Historic Precinct Act 1984 Reprint 2	$7.80
A6265	Goods Act 1958 Reprint 11	$15.75
A25.87	Health Services (Conciliation and Review) Act 1987 Reprint 5	$12.20
A51.99	Health Practitioners (Special Events Exemption) Act 1999 Reprint 1	$5.70
A6653	Valuation of Land Act 1960 Reprint 13	$12.20

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Reprinted Statutory Rules

No Reprinted Statutory Rules this month

Visit the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website for a list of all Victorian acts and statutory rules.

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