October 2011
Green Paper and Action Plan
The Victorian Government is interested in your views on how Victoria can better prevent, mitigate, respond to and recover from emergencies.
You can share your opinion on the questions and options contained in the discussion paper Towards a More Disaster Resilient and Safer Victoria.
There are several ways you can respond to the discussion paper:
- Submit your comments in a simple online form
- Email your response at greenpaper@justice.vic.gov.au
- Mail your response to:
Green Paper
Department of Justice
Reply Paid 87276
Melbourne VIC 8060
The consultation is open until 14 November 2011.
2011 Victorian Seniors Festival
2-9 October 2011
The Victorian Seniors Festival is a week-long celebration for seniors held each year. In 2011, it will be held Sunday 2 October to Sunday 9 October. It includes hundreds of free or low-cost events, forums and activities, across Victoria, as well as free public transport for Victorian Seniors Card holders.
On Their Own: Britain's child migrants
13 Oct 2011 - 6 May 2012
During the late 19th century Britain sent over 100,000 child migrants across the British Empire.
From the 1860s, more than 100,000 children were sent from Britain to Canada, Australia and other Commonwealth countries through child migration schemes. They were sent by charitable and religious organisations, with government support, in the belief that their lives would improve, and that they would provide much-needed labour and increase the population.
Few were orphans; many came from families who were unable to care for them. The lives of these children changed dramatically and fortunes varied. Some succeeded in creating new futures. Others suffered lonely, brutal childhoods. All experienced disruption and separation from family and homeland.
Child migration schemes received criticism from the outset, yet continued until the 1960s. Formal apologies were made by the Australian Government in 2009 and the British Government in 2010 but many former child migrants and their families are still coming to terms with their experiences.
Visit the Immigration Museum website for further details.
Swoop! Watch out for swooping birds
The whoosh of flapping wings, the click of a beak - it can only mean one thing, it's swooping season again! Returning for the 2011 spring breeding season, the Victorian Magpie Map shows locations where Victorians have notified us that they have been swooped.
Being aware of swooping areas can also help us to avoid venturing into their territory and take extra precautions while they are protecting their nests and young. However, don't be concerned simply because there are magpies present.
To easily identify swooping birds, take a look at our Common swooping birds page, or check out our Flickr gallery. You can also download our 'Swoop Off' Kit, which contains a printable set of 'eyes', a warning sign and a top 10 tips fact sheet.
Better Health Channel mobile app launched
The Department of Health's Better Health Channel has launched a free iPhone and iPad app to help Victorians take control of their health and wellbeing anytime, anywhere.
The mobile app builds on the quality information Victorians have come to expect from the award winning Better Health Channel, by delivering only the best health and medical advice.
The app delivers comprehensive, reliable and easy to understand information - all of which has been quality assured by medical experts.
The Better Health Channel app enables Victorians to search, find and browse health information as well as locate an extensive range of health services.
To find out more and to download the app, visit the Better Health Channel website.
Work Safe Week 2011
17-27 October 2011
The world of OHS is changing. That's why it is so important that you keep right up to date. With more than 100 seminars and events across Victoria, during Work Safe Week you can learn the latest and prepare for the year to come.
Last year, 74 per cent of attendees used the information they gained to make specific changes in their workplaces.
The big topics this year include the proposed harmonised national OHS laws; updates on return to work, manual handling and slips, trips and falls; and the latest information on bullying prevention and health and wellbeing at work.
Work Safe Week is the perfect time of the year to review, update and get help on common risks and hazards.
And the easiest way to do this is to come along and hear from the experts. You'll get practical and useful information that can be taken back to work and put into practice.
Safe and Sound
The Victorian Government's Home Renovation Service assists to minimise the risk of accident to older people by modifying people's homes, making them safer and reducing the chance of injury.
The data collected from the Home Renovation Service is an important part of the compilation of this 'Safe and Sound' publication.
This latest edition highlights common household trouble spots and identifies ways people can make their home a healthy and safe place to live.
Medical Companions
Volunteers are ready to assist you when you travel to Melbourne for your health appointment.
If you are travelling to Melbourne's CBD, trained volunteers are available to meet you at your train, bus or taxi platform at Flinders Street Station or Southern Cross Station and then accompany you to and from your medical appointment in central Melbourne. This service is free and helps relieve any anxiety you, your friends or family might be feeling about travelling to Melbourne for health reasons.
If you or someone you know is travelling to Melbourne for a medical appointment, consider using this service.
Call Travellers Aid Australia on 1300 700 399 to book at least 24 hours before your expected travel date.
You only need to cover your own public transport costs as your volunteer's travel costs are covered! The pilot Medical Companion Project runs until December 2011 in its current form. Funded by the Victorian Government's Transport Connections Program, it spans 13 local government areas. Visit www.travellersaid.org.au/our-services/medical-companion
Victoria Walks to School
This year's Walk to School day is on again - be a part of it!
Victoria Walks to School is a one day event held on 19 October as part of Walktober. Funded by VicHealth and run by Victoria Walks, the event is designed to raise awareness about the physical, environmental and social benefits of walking and to encourage more children to walk to school. Last year's Walk to School Day saw a phenomenal 70,000 children walking to school in Victoria.
Walking to school is a fun and easy way to stay fit and healthy, connect with friends and family and do something for the environment.
By participating in Victoria Walks to School you can help raise awareness of the physical, environmental and social benefits of walking to children and their families.
It's easy to get involved in Victoria Walks to School. An information pack has already arrived at every Victorian primary school with all the details. Sign up your school today at www.victoriawalks.org.au/walktoschool and enter to be in the running to win some fantastic prizes including sports carnivals and sports equipment vouchers.
Victorian Parliamentary Handbook: The 57th Parliament
The 57th Victorian Parliamentary Handbook is now available for purchase from Information Victoria. The Handbook is one of the most authoritative sources for information about the 57th Parliament. In full colour, the slim and easy to read volume provides a complete guide to Members of Parliament including; office holders in the Legislative Council and Assembly, the Ministry, the Shadow Ministry, and Parliamentary Secretaries and also features electoral information and enrolment statistics, historical information and contact details and photographs of Senior Officers of Parliament. Great new features include clear tabulated data and statistics, and up to date biographical information and new photographs of all current Members of Parliament with each bibliographical entry distinguished by innovative colour coded tabs for ease of reference.
Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty
To reward eligible Victorian hunters for their efforts in contributing to fox and wild dog control, the Victorian Government has announced a $4 million Fox and Wild Dog Bounty, commencing from 1 October 2011.
This initiative will deliver on the Government's commitment to reinstate a fox and wild dog bounty and reward eligible Victorian hunters with a $10 bounty reward for each fox killed and $50 for each wild dog killed, subject to the Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty Terms and Conditions.
The most effective means of achieving a sustained reduction in fox and wild dog numbers is through simultaneous and coordinated community baiting programs, implemented at a landscape scale and supported by other control techniques.
Existing fox and wild dog control programs being conducted on public land will continue during the bounty period.
New Publications
General Publications
Day Walks: Victoria (Edition 2)
by Chapman, John & Monica, Siseman, John @ $34.95
Planting for Wildlife: A Practical Guide to Restoring Native Woodlands
by Munro, Nicola & Lindenmayer, David @ $39.95
Kinglake-350
by Hyland, Adrian @ $32.95
Bushrangers: Australia's Greatest Self-made Heroes
by McHugh, Evan @ $32.95
The Eating And Drinking Guide To Melbourne 2012
edited by Campisi, David, Brady, Michael & Gannon, Genevieve @ $29.95
Wetland Weeds: Causes, Cures and Compromises
by Romanowski, Nick @ $49.95
Australian House Building Manual (Edition 7)
by Staines, Allan @ $39.95
The Great Ocean Road 2012 Calendar
by Great Ocean Publications @ $32.95
Living With Snakes and Other Reptiles
by Watharow, Simon @ $29.95
How To Grow Practically Everything
by Kindersley, Dorling @ $39.95
Backyard Beekeeping
by Smithers, Courtenay @ $19.95
Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia
by Kuiter, Rudie H. @ $45.00
The Butcher, the Baker, the Best Coffeemaker: Classic Recipes,
Hidden Gems and Fabulous Flavours From the Heart of Melbourne
by Weeden, Gaye & Smorgan, Hayley @ $39.95
Local Histories
Colac and District Pioneer Register: Vol. 2 Pre 1920
by the Colac Family History Group @ $33.00
Mountain Gold
published by Paoletti's Maps and Videos P/L @ $29.50
Melbourne
by Cunningham, Sophie @ $29.95
1835: The Founding of Melbourne and the Conquest of Australia
by Boyce, James @ $44.95
Mapping Products
Mitchell River National Park Forest Activities Map
by Rooftop Mapping Services @ $4.95
Perth and Surrounds Street Directory 2012 - 54th Edition
by UBD @ $34.95
Victoria Citylink Street Directory 2012
by UBD @ $49.95
Melbourne Compact Street Directory 2012 - 10th Edition
by UBD @ $26.95
Explore Australia 2012
by Explore Australia @ $59.95
Government Reports
Road Safety Camera Program
by the Auditor General Victoria @ $20.00
Victorian Parliamentary Handbook: The 57th Parliament
prepared by the Victorian Parliamentary Library@ $17.00
Individualised Funding for Disability Services
by the Auditor General Victoria @ $20.00
Business Planning for Major Capital Works and Recurrent Services in Local Government
by the Auditor General Victoria @ $20.00
New Legislation
New Acts
New Statutory Rules
Reprinted Acts
| A49.88 | Health Services Act 1988 Reprint 13 | $30.10 |
| A16.10 | Equal Opportunity Act 2010 Reprint 1 | $18.65 |
| A109.97 | Residential Tenancies Act 1997 Reprint 6 | $34.35 |
| A9921 | Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983 Reprint 16 | $57.25 |
Reprinted Statutory Rules
| No reprinted statutory rules published this month. |
Visit the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website for a list of all Victorian acts and statutory rules.
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Victorian Parliamentary Handbook: The 57th Parliament
Victoria's 57th Parliamentary Handbook details the Members of the Legislative Council & the Assembly.
Pneumococcal vaccines
A free, one-off dose of the new pneumococcal vaccine will be available until 30 September 2012 to children aged 12-35 months old (one year to almost three years old).
Senior Victorians can now enjoy the discounts offered by their Seniors Card abroad thanks to a historic deal between Victoria and New Zealand.
Victoria Police was established on 3 January, 1853. The first police depot opened in Richmond and included a police hospital and prison.
Berwick
Berwick is a suburb in Melbourne, approx 50 km south-east of the city- it was named after Berwick-on-Tweed in Northumberland. Although in recent years suburban development has expanded rapidly and has become connected to the wider metropolitan area, much of the character of the original township has been retained.
Subdivision commenced in 1854 and the area grew with the construction of a coach road between Melbourne and the Gippsland region. A quarry opened in 1859 to supply ballast for the railway line along the same route. The site of the quarry is now occupied by Wilson Botanic Park.
Berwick has been a popular destination for first home buyers with the population exploding with new housing developments from the 1990s to the 2000s. Poplar trees lining the High Street were planted as an Avenue of Honour to commemorate the fallen in the First World War.
The suburb also features the Berwick campuses of Monash University and Casey Institue of TAFE.
If you would like to see your town mentioned in the Region Focus - send us an email.
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