November 2011
VicEvents - free mobile app
Information Victoria has launched VicEvents - a free Android, iPhone and iPad application than can help you find all types of events within Victoria.
Users can search, find, browse and locate thousands of events including community events, food and wine festivals, and sport throughout Victoria.
The app also has the ability for users to share events via email, twitter and facebook with friends and family as well as integrate with a phone's map and GPS system.
Users looking for inspiration can simply shake their smartphone and VicEvents will suggest a random event.
For more information, visit www.vic.gov.au/VicEvents
Act Wild
Act Wild is Zoos Victoria's new action packed website and mobile app that helps people do little things that can make a big difference for wildlife.
Many of our zoo visitors and others in the community want to do something to help wildlife but are unsure where to start. By visiting www.actwild.org.au you can learn more about some of our iconic animals such as gorillas, tigers, platypus and frogs and the simple actions we can all do to help these species in the wild.
You can also keep up with the latest news about our animals directly from our keepers and conservationists working in the field. Act Wild features exclusive images, videos, fun facts, a Zoo keeper blog, student forum and an events calendar to enable you to get grubby by joining local conservation events.
VICSWIM's back in time for Summer
The Department of Planning and Community Development is encouraging even more kids to learn how to swim this summer through the new $1.6 million VICSWIM Summer Kidz Program.
The program will make swimming more affordable, offering learn-to-swim lessons for less than half the regular price at 11 metropolitan, 60 regional and seven open water venues around Victoria. For more information visit www.aquaticsandrecreation.org.au
Australian Modern Masterpieces from the Art Gallery of New South Wales
5 Oct 2011 -27 November 2011
This exhibition brings to Ballarat 40 of the most important 20th century Australian paintings from collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. It provides a unique insight into the history of Australian modern art from the 1920s to the 1970s, recognising the extraordinary ability of Australian artists and the pivotal role they played in capturing the lives and moments of Australians in recent times.
It includes prominent pieces by Margaret Olley, Margaret Preston, Arthur Boyd, John Brack, Grace Cossington Smith, William Dobell, Donald Friend and Sidney Nolan, John Olsen and Brett Whiteley among others.
Communities for Nature Grants
The first round of the Communities for Nature Grants is now open!
The Communities for Nature Grants is a new $20 million dollar program over 4 years, funded by the Victorian State Government. The program, managed by Department of Sustainability and Environment aims to achieve the following outcomes:
- Support practical community action in the environment
- Create visible and lasting improvement
- Foster greater enjoyment of the natural environment
- Strengthen partnerships and participation by equipping communities with the ability, skills and knowledge to take action safely and with the capacity to optimise resources
Applications close on the 19 December 2011.
Fire Action Week
13-20 November 2011
A state-wide campaign to ensure all Victorians understand the importance of bushfire preparation and planning will be launched in November ahead of the summer fire season.
Fire Action Week events give people practical tips and advice on fire preparation and includes many family-friendly events including CFA and MFB family days, fire planning days and other important education programs that will help people get on the front foot and understand fire risk.
Kidsafe Driveway Safety Campaign
On average, One Child a Month across Australia Dies in a Home Driveway Runover.
The Kidsafe Driveway Safety Campaign aims to increase community awareness with a car window sticker and poster which will be distributed through Victorian Maternal and Child Health centres and early childhood services.
Kidsafe Victoria's Driveway Safety Campaign has attracted support from Victoria's Transport Accident Commission, Holden, the Royal Children's Hospital, the Child Safety Commissioner, Monash University Accident Research Centre, the Municipal Association of Victoria, VicRoads, the Coroner's Prevention Unit, Victoria Police and the RACV - as well as the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and the Department of Health.
Kidsafe Victoria is part of the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia, a not-for-profit charitable foundation.
Its aim is to support the prevention of unintentional death and injury to children.
What house is that? re-released
Get your free copy of the popular booklet What house is that?
The 32 page free booklet describes Victoria's main housing styles and their key features. It provides an understanding of the development of our built heritage, as well as providing sections on paint schemes, how to make your home more energy efficient and how to avoid mistakes when renovating.
First published in conjunction with the Building Commission during the Year of the Built Environment in 2004, it was revised in 2007 by the Heritage Council of Victoria and, due to popular demand, has been reissued in 2011.
For your free copy, call 8644 8800 or email heritage.victoria@dpcd.vic.gov.au
Also check out our interactive online version for additional information on interiors and interviews with owners and architects.
Education Excellence Awards Open
Applications for the 2012 Victorian Education Excellence Awards are now open.
The awards showcase the outstanding achievements and practice of early childhood professionals and teachers, leaders andeducation support officers in government schools.
Applications close Friday 16 December 2011 and winners will be announced at the Victorian Education Excellence Awards gala dinner during Education Week in May 2012.
For more information or to apply, see: Victorian Education Excellence Awards
Electric Vehicle Trial
Applications for the The Victorian Government's Electric Vehicle Trial will run until mid-2014 and will help Victoria to better understand the process, time lines and barriers for transitioning to electric vehicle technologies.
To keep up to date with the latest developments subscribe to the monthly newsletter or visit how you can be part of the Electric Vehicle Trial for more information.
Bushfire Buy-back Scheme - Landowner Information and Consultation Sessions
On Monday 24 October, the Minister for Bushfire Response, Peter Ryan, announced the landowner information and consultation sessions on the Bushfire Buy-back Scheme.
The sessions will be held in Bendigo, Chum Creek, Churchill, Flowerdale, Kinglake, Marysville, St Andrews, Strathewen, Wandong, Whittlesea, Yarra Glen, and Melbourne CBD, between 10 November and 9 December 2011.
The government is implementing a buy-back scheme as part of its commitment to implement all of the recommendations of the Bushfire Royal Commission.
Mr Ryan also announced Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Chairman, Pat McNamara, would chair the Bushfire Land Acquisition Panel; the Panel that will oversee the operation of the Scheme and recommend the future use of the land.
Information on the Scheme and how to register for a session is available on the Department of Justice website: www.justice.vic.gov.au/buyback.
New Publications
General Publications
The Australian Guide to Home Staging
by Maes, Katrina @ $29.95
Smart Borrower's Handbook
by Wemyss, Stuart @ $29.95
Henrietta Augusta Dugdale: An Activist 1827-1918
by Priestley, Susan @ $29.95
The Best of Racing Trivia
by Fiddian, Marc @ $19.95
DIY Conveyancing Kit - Purchaser and Vendor (Combined)
by Australian Property Law Kits @ $100.00
DIY Conveyancing Kit – Purchaser
by Australian Property Law Kits @ $65.00
DIY Conveyancing Kit – Vendor
by Australian Property Law Kits @ $65.00
Gold Tailings: Forgotten Histories of Family and Community on the Central Victorian Goldfields
by Fahey, Charles & Mayne, Alan @ $44.00
Regulatory Failure? The Case of Crown Casino
by Hancock, Linda @ $44.00
Once a Country Practice: A History of the Law Firm of Macpherson and Kelley
by Walker, Nick @ $49.95
Local Histories
Greenvale: Links With the Past
by Ferguson, Annette @ $35.00
Sandbelters: Memoirs of Middle Australia
by Murray, Robert @ $34.95
Mapping Products
Lower Glenelg and Discovery Bay Map
by Meridian Maps @ $12.95
Government Reports
Maternity Services: Capacity
by the Auditor General Victoria @ $20.00
Supporting Changes in Farming Practices: Sustainable Irrigation
by the Auditor General Victoria @ $20.00
TAFE Governance
by the Auditor General Victoria @ $20.00
Procurement Practices in the Health Sector
by the Auditor General Victoria @ $20.00
New Legislation
New Acts
New Statutory Rules
| S103.11 | Local Government (Finance and Reporting) Amendment Regulations 2011 | $5.70 |
| S104.11 | Rail Safety Amendment Regulations 2011 | $3.80 |
| S105.11 | Transport (Conduct) and (Infringements) Amendment Regulations 2011 | $3.80 |
| S106.11 | Transport (Taxi-Cabs) Amendment Regulations 2011 | $3.80 |
| S107.11 | County Court (Chapter 1 Amendment No. 4) Rules 2011 | $3.80 |
| S108.11 | Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Amendment (Midwife Insurance Exemption) Regulation 2011 | $3.80 |
| S109.11 | Education and Training Reform Amendment Regulations 2011 | $3.80 |
| S110.11 | Electricity Safety Amendment (Bushfire Mitigation) Regulations 2011 | $5.70 |
| S111.11 | Subdivision (Registrar's Requirements) Regulations 2011 | $7.80 |
| S112.11 | Subdivision (Procedures) Regulations 2011 | $12.20 |
| S113.11 | Rail Safety Further Amendment Regulations 2011 | $3.80 |
| S114.11 | Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) (Ticketing) Amendment Regulations 2011 | $12.20 |
Reprinted Acts
| A46.92 | Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992 Reprint 5 | $15.75 |
| A8750 | Constitution Act 1975 Reprint 20 | $12.50 |
| A88.05 | Land Tax Act 2005 Reprint 4 | $18.65 |
| A38.96 | Shop Trading Reform Act 1996 Reprint 4 | $5.70 |
| A40.97 | Taxation Administration Act 1997 Reprint 5 | $15.75 |
| A65.06 | Victims Charter Act 2006 Reprint 1 | $5.70 |
Reprinted Statutory Rules
| No reprinted statutory rules published this month. |
New Federal Legislation Product
| Fair Work Act and Regulations CD ROM | $39.60 |
Visit the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website for a list of all Victorian acts and statutory rules.
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DIY Conveyancing Kit - Purchaser and Vendor (Combined)
The DIY Conveyancing Kit for Vendor and Purchaser provides all you need to know on how to buy or sell your property without a solicitor.
Gas BBQ safety
Keep your gas BBQ working efficiently and safely with these simple tips.
Tours of Victoria's magnificent Parliament House are FREE and are held Monday-Friday except parliamentary sitting days - 9.30, 10.30, 11.30, 1.30, 2.30 and 3.45. Check website for sitting days.
A captive-bred Regent Honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia) has delighted wildlife researchers in Victoria by re-appearing unexpectedly and nesting, around 18 months after it was released.
Portland
Portland, located on the far south-west coast of Victoria, was the site of Victoria's first permanent settlement back in 1834. The the town quickly prospered due to fishing, pastoral and agricultural industries.
Portland is a place of historic discovery with over 200 buildings within the town classified by the National Trust, many of which are constructed out of bluestone.
Portland is the only deep-water sea port between Adelaide and Melbourne, making it a major centre for sea transport of goods and produce from the surrounding areas. A large sheltered harbour provides calm waters for a marina, wharves and shipping berths.
One of Portland's major industries is the Alcoa aluminium smelter which commenced operations in 1986.
If you would like to see your town mentioned in the Region Focus - send us an email.
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