Community E-News November 2019

NOVEMBER 2019 EDITION

As your local Member of Parliament, I am available to assist you with
any State Government related issues such as education, health, public
transport and police.

My office can be contacted on 03 9741 1133 or at
tim.pallas@parliament.vic.gov.au.

IN THIS EDITION

LOCAL NEWS

New Train Timetables for Victorians
Simplifying Kinder Enrolment Process for Wyndham Families
Victoria's Big Build Disruption Notice
Getting Ready for Three-Year-Old Kinder
Fire Season Safety
Water Safety
Workplace Manslaughter Bill Enshrined in Law
Lifesaving Training Helps Doctors Find Skin Cancer Faster
Landmark Gender Equality Laws Introduced to Parliament

GRANTS, AWARDS & PROGRAMS

Music Works Quick Response Grants
Opportunity to Recognise Werribee's History
Local Sports Infrastructure Fund
Health Services Workers Training Fund
Multicultural Community Infrastructure Fund
Indian Community Infrastructure Fund
2020 Victorian Young Achiever Awards

LOCAL NEWS

NEW TRAIN TIMETABLES TO GET VICTORIANS WHERE THEY NEED TO GO

The Andrews Labor Government is making it easier for passengers to plan their journeys with changes to train timetables.

These changes mean significant improvements for commuters in Wyndham and the wider west.

V/Line passengers in the Werribee District now have more options to get into Melbourne on Saturdays, with those on the Geelong line having an extra Saturday morning service added to the timetable. To make room for this, the existing Warrnambool service will run express from Geelong to Footscray.

Werribee line passengers will now also be able to access Southern Cross Station earlier on Sunday mornings to allow easier transfer from the Night Network services.

Timetables are available at ptv.vic.gov.au.

Enrolling a child in kindergarten is an exciting step towards them getting a great early childhood education - this is why the Andrews Labor Government is helping simplify this process for families across Wyndham.

Wyndham City Council has been awarded a $42,000 grant to support their central enrolment system, helping to simplify the kinder enrolment process for families in 2020 and beyond.

Central enrolment systems allow parents to register their interest in enrolling their child in more than one kindergarten service in one place, without having to work through the different processes used by individual service providers.

Wyndham City Council is one of 47 local councils across Victoria to have been awarded Central Enrolment Administrative Support Grants, thanks to a $5.5 million budget commitment by the Andrews Government.

Victoria’s Big Build will ramp up over the summer months as a record amount of work is carried out on some of the biggest transport projects in Victoria’s history, with works from December through to February.

The quieter months on Victoria’s roads and trains will allow construction to intensify on the Metro Tunnel, the West Gate Tunnel, level crossing removals, the Western Road Upgrade, and other transport projects.

There will be significant disruption to train services in Melbourne’s south east, roads in the west and trams in the inner north.

Detail of the impact for each disruption will be made available ahead of time, and real time information on delays will be provided during each disruption.

Victorians are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.

For more information, please visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au.

GETTING READY FOR THREE-YEAR-OLD KINDER

The biggest reform of early childhood education is now closer, as the Andrews Labor Government gets on with supporting new teachers as part of the landmark roll-out of funded Three-Year-Old Kinder.

The Andrews Government has announced a $9.2 million package to support early childhood teachers at the beginning of their careers, as we continue rolling out our historic $5 billion decade-long reform to deliver a full 15 hours of three-year-old kinder.

Three-Year-Old Kinder is expected to create around 6,000 jobs. More than 4,000 additional kinder teachers and more than 2,000 additional early childhood educators are needed as the program expands across Victoria.

Three-Year-Old Kindergarten is starting in 2020 in six regional local government areas – South Gippsland, Buloke, Hindmarsh, Northern Grampians, Strathbogie and Yarriambiack, with 15 more LGAs set to join in 2021.

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW FIRE? GET READY BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE

"How Well Do You Know Fire?" is a new campaign to reinforce the deadly risks of fire and the importance of planning ahead, as Victoria heads towards a long, hot and dry season.

The Andrews Labor Government is delivering the resources and support needed to protect the community this fire season, with all available emergency management staff and agencies ready to respond to incidents across the state.

However our firefighters and emergency services can’t do this alone, everyone has the responsibility to plan and prepare for fire.

How Well Do You Know Fire? will run across television, radio, print, digital, social, and outdoor media, depicting facts and confronting imagery to remind Victorians to be aware of dangers this fire season.

Victorians and communities need to start preparing themselves – visit www.vic.gov.au/knowfire and download the VicEmergency app to plan and prepare.

THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER SAFETY HIGHLIGHTED IN NEW SUMMER CAMPAIGN

The Andrews Labor Government is reminding Victorians to stay safe in and around the water this summer, launching an emotive new campaign that will help save lives.

The launch of the 2019 Water Safety Week coincided with the release of Life Saving Victoria’s annual drowning report.

In 2018-19, 56 lives were lost to drowning, which is the worst drowning toll in more than two decades.

The new hard-hitting water safety advertising campaign focuses on the first-person fear of drowning and specifically targets men, who are significantly overrepresented in drowning deaths

In response to last year’s season, Life Saving Victoria will also deploy new surveillance and monitoring drones, and an expanded jet ski lifeguard patrol service.

Volunteer lifesavers have also returned to beaches this weekend, with the iconic red and yellow flags being raised at 57 beaches across the state.

The Labor Government continues to work closely with the aquatics sector to improve water safety at beaches, pools and inland waterways, with a new Victorian Water Safety Strategy to be launched next year.

The Andrews Labor Government is delivering on an election commitment and making workplace manslaughter a criminal offence, under tough new laws passed by the Parliament, because no person deserves to die at work.

As many as 30 people are killed in workplaces across the state every year, with 20 people having already lost their lives so far in 2019.

Under the new laws, employers who negligently cause a workplace death will face fines of up to $16.5 million and individuals will face up to 20 years in jail.

The offence will fall under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act) and will apply to employers, self-employed people and ‘officers’ of the company or organisation.

The new laws will also apply when an employer’s negligent conduct causes the death of a non-employee —ensuring that all Victorians are safe in, and around, our workplaces.

LIFESAVING TRAINING HELPS DOCTORS FIND SKIN CANCER FASTER

The Andrews Labor Government is helping more GPs across Victoria detect skin cancer earlier and save lives thanks to the expansion of a SunSmart training program.

The Government announced a $1.1 million health workforce training strategy to improve early detection and treatment of skin cancer.

This will include a boost to the Dermoscopy for Victorian General Practice Program, which provides dermatoscopes and training to help GPs better manage skin cancer. A dermatoscope is a specialised skin microscope which allows doctors to look more closely at skin lesions than with the naked eye-improving the early detection of skin cancer.

Since the program launched in 2018, more than 200 GPs have benefitted from the training, the majority from regional and remote practices. The expansion will see a further 60 GPs trained.

In addition,$4 million will also be given to the Cancer Council Victoria to implement a new skin cancer prevention awareness campaign.

With summer officially here, it is a timely reminder for Victorians to get to know their skin so they can find changes earlier. If you notice any anything unusual–get it checked straight away.

Workplaces will beheld to account in making sure women are being afforded the opportunities they deserve,thanks to landmark laws being introduced by the Andrews Labor Government.

The Australian-first Gender Equality Bill was introduced into the Victorian Parliament on the 27th of November 2019, delivering on a key election commitment and making once-in-a-generation reforms to ensure gender equality is non-negotiable.

The Gender Equality Bill will mean public service organisations, universities and local councils will be required bylaw to publicly report on their progress against key indicators such as equal pay, sexual harassment and career progression practices.

The new gender equality laws will apply to workplaces in the public service, universities, local governments and organisations such as Court Services Victoria and the Office of the Public Prosecutions.

More than 300 organisations and about 11 per cent of the Victorian workforce will be covered by the legislation.

GRANTS, AWARDS &

PROGRAMS

Music is part of our DNA in Victoria, and the Andrews Labor Government believes it is important to foster local talent across the state, and take it world wide.

As part of this initiative, the latest round of the Music Works Quick Response Grants is now open.

This grant will enable Victorian artists and music industry professionals to take up significant career or business opportunities that arise at short notice and outside the Music Works major funding round.

Grants of $1,000 - $5,000 for individuals and $1,000 - $15,000 for groups/organisations support activities such as local and international tour invitations, professional development workshops, and attendance at major trade fairs such as SXSW, Folk Alliance International and Bigsound.

Specific funding is also available under the Quick Response banner to support activities in regional areas.

Applications close 12 December 2019.

For more information, please visit https://creative.vic.gov.au/funding-and-support/programs/music-works/music-works-grants.

OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNISE WERRIBEE'S RICH HISTORY

The Andrews Labor Government recognises that local and community history is an important part of Victoria’s memory.

Through the Local History Grants Program, our community in Werribee has the opportunity to preserve, record and share our history of Victoria and Victorians.

The Program is managed by the Public Record Office, with applications now open for grants of up to $15,000. The previous round of the Local History Grants Program saw 49 community groups across Victoria share in funding.

Applications close midnight 8 January 2020.

For further information, please visit https://prov.vic.gov.au/community/grants-and-awards/local-history-grants-program.

WERRIBEE COMMUNITY TO WIN THROUGH SPORTS GRANTS

Sport and active recreation is the heart and soul of Werribee.

That is why the Andrews Labor Government is providing greater opportunities for more people to get active more often with the announcement today of a new $22 million Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.

Local councils can apply for grant opportunities across five funding streams including; Aquatic Centres and Indoor Stadiums, Strategic Facilities, Female Friendly Facilities, Community Facilities, and Planning.

Interested clubs should discuss project proposals with their local council, with applications closing on 14 February 2020.

For more information, visit sport.vic.gov.au.

GROWING CAREERS FOR HARD-WORKING HOSPITAL WORKERS

The Andrews Labor Government has launched a landmark new training and skills program which is now open to non-clinical workers in Victorian health service.

100 scholarships now available through the $1.25 million Health Services Workers Training Fund.

The scholarships are open to hospital cooks, cleaners, orderlies, security guards and other administrative and support staff who are seeking to develop or learn new skills.

Non-clinical health service workers help make our hospitals tick, giving our dedicated doctors and nurses the support they need to keep saving lives.

These scholarships will open the door to new career opportunities for these critical hospital workers, making courses more affordable while also improving retention in Victoria’s health workforce.

The scholarships will apply to accredited training courses such as certificate studies in Health Services Assistance, Health Support Services, Non-Emergency Patient Transport, Health Administration, Health Care and in Hospital Security.

Applications close 20 December 2019.

For more information, including how to apply, please visit https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/health-workforce/education-and-training/worker-training-fund.

Don't forget - Victoria's ban on single-use plastic bags begins on November 1.

You can drop-in to my Watton Street electorate office during the week to pick up your free reuseable shopping bag!

HELPING VICTORIANS CELEBRATE CULTURE AND TRADITION

The Andrews Labor Government is making it easier for Victorians from a multicultural background to have a place to call their own and celebrate together, through the Multicultural Community Infrastructure Fund.

The Multicultural Community Infrastructure Fund can be used to create or upgrade community facilities, as well as increase security or improve accessibility. Hundreds of organisations have benefitted from previous rounds, including kitchen and bathroom upgrades, building refurbishments, community hall repairs and new community centres.

I encourage the many community organisations in our diverse Wyndham community to apply for grants between $10,000 and $100,000 to build new facilities or renovate, fit-out or upgrade existing buildings.

The Fund ensures multicultural communities have safe and welcoming places that allow them to participate with others, hold cultural activities and share their traditions with the broader Victorian community.

Applications close on 20 February 2020.

For more information or to apply for a grant, please visit: www.vic.gov.au/multicultural-community-infrastructure-fund.

SUPPORTING VICTORIA'S INDIAN COMMUNITY

Victoria is home to Australia's largest Indian community, and the Andrews Labor Government is fulfilling a key election commitment through its $3 million Indian Community Infrastructure Fund.

The Fund will help Victoria’s Indian communities build and improve community facilities to ensure they have safe and welcoming places to meet.

I encourage our strong and growing Indian community here in Wyndham to apply for the Indian Community Infrastructure Fund, which is open to Indian communities across Victoria to help upgrade and enhance their temples, community centres and other community facilities.

Indian not-for-profit organisations can apply for a grant between $10,000 to $100,000 for smaller scale projects,or a large grant from $100,000 to $500,000 for larger new build projects.

The Fund ensures Indian Victorians have access to safe and functional facilities where they can participate in their community, hold cultural activities and share their cultures with the wider Victorian community.

Applications for the grant close on 20 February 2020.

For more information or to apply, please visit www.vic.gov.au/Indian-community-infrastructure-fund.

Whether in community service, leadership, the arts or academic excellence, the time has come to recognise the achievements of young people at the 2020 Victorian Young Achiever Awards.

Applications for the awards are now open, and award categories include:

Community Service and Social Impact Award
The Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award
Leadership Award
Online Achievement Award
Inspirational TAFE Student Award
Create Change Award
Environmental Sustainability Award
Tech Visionary Award
Small Business Achiever Award
Indigenous Achievement Award.

If you know a young person doing great things in our community, visit https://awardsaustralia.com/young-achiever-awards/vic/ to submit a nomination.

Applications close 13 December 2019.

Government is a collaborative process and I encourage you to contact me and pass on your feedback, questions and suggestions, so we can continue to improve our community.

My office can be contacted on 03 9741 1133 or at tim.pallas@parliament.vic.gov.au.

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Tim Pallas MP · 2/56-58 Watton St, Werribee, 3030 · Werribee, VIC 3030 · Australia