Media Releases

Jeanette Powell, the Member for Shepparton and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, will tonight address the Koori Employment Enterprises Graduation Dinner in Shepparton.

“The Coalition Government understands that education and training are keys for opening up employment opportunities and the range of benefits having a job brings,” says Mrs Powell.

“I am particularly pleased to be invited to celebrate the achievements of the 12 local Indigenous Victorians who have successfully completed a Certificate III level qualification in Aged Care/Home and Community Care and Disability and Asset Management.

“I understand 8 of today’s graduates have already secured employment with Rumbalara Elder Care Facility which is great news.

“I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication that the students have all shown in getting to this point of graduation.

“Aged carers and carers for people with special needs are professionals that provide a valuable and important service to the community and willingly tackle what is a challenging role.

“The Certificate III that the graduates have successfully completed offers more than technical learning. It offers practical experience within the community in the form of a 3 week placement – an important component of the 6 month course that provides real life experience in the field.

“Lowering the entrenched high rates of Indigenous unemployment is an important focus of Victorian Government policy.

“The Victorian Government has adopted a 1% Indigenous employment target for the Victorian public service and is hopeful of improved rates of Indigenous participation in the private sector.

“Reconciliation Week starts on Sunday and it’s important to acknowledge that increasing employment opportunities for Indigenous Victorians is part of process of bringing our community closer together,” Mrs Powell said.

The Nationals Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell announced today that three Shepparton Secondary Schools will receive funding for students to volunteer in the community, thanks to the Victorian Coalition Government’s $4.5 million Advance program.

National Volunteer Week is being held from 14-20 May 2012.

Advance is a $4.5 million flexible school-based program offered annually in Victorian Government secondary schools. It engages and provides opportunities for young people between the ages of 14-18 to actively participate in their community through volunteering.

“Shepparton has a great culture of volunteering and I am very pleased to see the staff and students from McGuire College, Shepparton High School and Wanganui Park Secondary College getting involved in National Volunteer week,” Mrs Powell said.

“This week highlights the wonderful contribution made by volunteers in so many areas, including charities that give to those in need, health care, sporting and recreation clubs, education, arts and social justice.

“As a Meals on Wheels volunteer I understand how appreciative and grateful people are of the service they receive,” Mrs Powell said.

Minister for Youth Affairs Ryan Smith announced that more than 420 schools and 17,000 young people will be participating in the Advance program in 2012.

“Advance is a fantastic program that encourages young people to get involved in their local community and strengthens local partnerships between schools and local community organisations and services,” Mr Smith said.

“The program also provides young people with practical opportunities for mentoring and gaining new skills and training whilst learning more about their local community.”

“We’re blessed to have so many volunteers and it’s important that the next generation of volunteers learn the joy of giving back to their community,” Mrs Powell said.

“I congratulate the schools and students for their important contributions to our community and I encourage people to consider a role as a volunteer if they are able to do so.”

For more information on the Advance program go to www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/advance

The McAuley Champagnat Programme (MCP), part of Notre Dame College in Shepparton, has received $100,000 in State Government funding as part of the Coalition Government’s $5-million Local Solutions Year 12 Retention Fund.

State Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell visited the school recently to meet with several of the students in the program and talk to the program director Peter Chalkley about the funding.

“I know MCP will use this money well, as they are already doing a terrific job in keeping students who are identified as “at-risk” in education with a view to getting them into meaningful employment,” Mrs Powell said.

Notre Dame’s MCP was among 37 schools state-wide to share in the Victorian Coalition Government’s $5 million Local Solutions Year 12 Retention Fund.

Mrs Powell said Notre Dame’s MCP had received the funds for its Growing Hope Project.

“The Growing Hope Project is an agricultural and horticultural education program which will enable the delivery of Certificate II Agriculture and Certificate II Horticulture,” Mrs Powell said.

“The project will provide opportunities for students to experience a sense of enterprise, as well as allowing those students undertaking Certificate II Engineering to apply their training to a farm setting.

“Importantly, it will also deliver therapeutic benefits for student wellbeing and improve training options via links to VCAL.

“This is very important targeted funding aimed at encouraging more students to complete their schooling through to Year 12.

“Finishing Year 12 increases the likelihood of students gaining meaningful employment,” Mrs Powell said.

Minister for Education, Martin Dixon said while the number of metropolitan students finishing school is going up, the Government wants to ensure the same opportunities are available to rural and regional students.

“Almost nine out of 10 metropolitan students are finishing school, but nearly a third of country students are leaving school early, and these new grants are a step toward addressing this issue.”

Of the schools receiving funding, 27 are government schools, eight are Catholic and two are independent.

The Nationals Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell is reminding young people from the Shepparton electorate applications for The Nationals Scholarship For Young Leaders in 2012 closes on 24 February.

The scholarship will assist students from rural and regional Victoria through their chosen tertiary course. The total value of the Scholarship is $5,000 which may be shared amongst one or more successful applicants.

Mrs Powell said there has been great interest in the scholarship from young people in the district this year.

“This scholarship by The Nationals is aimed at ensuring country students can achieve their goals in further education,” Mrs Powell said.

“We believe it is important to keep our best and brightest young people in country Victoria and this scholarship offers rural students a great opportunity to gain financial assistance with their studies.

The selection criteria for The Nationals Scholarship include the applicant’s academic record, leadership qualities and community involvement and will be awarded to students who are intending to return to or remain in country Victoria.

Special consideration may be given to students in hardship situations for whom the scholarship will provide major assistance.

“I encourage all school leavers and young people progressing with tertiary studies in 2012 to consider applying for The Nationals Young Leaders Scholarship,” Mrs Powell said.

The application process closes on 24 February 2012.Application forms are available from Mrs Powell’s office at 5 Vaughan Street, Shepparton ph 58316944 or can be downloaded from The Nationals website: www.vic.nationals.org.au

The Nationals Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell is inviting young people from the Shepparton electorate to apply for The Nationals Scholarship For Young Leaders in 2012.

The scholarship will assist students from rural and regional Victoria through their chosen tertiary course.
The total value of the Scholarship is $5,000 which may be shared amongst one or more successful applicants.

Mrs Powell said The Nationals are committed to ensuring country students can achieve their goals in further education and this scholarship money will provide much needed assistance throughout their studies.

“Previous recipients have included Ashlea Noye from Shepparton,” Mrs Powell said.

“I had great pleasure in presenting Ashlea with her award on the steps of Parliament House in 2009.

“Ashlea completed her secondary education at Wanganui Park Secondary College and is currently studying Medicine and Surgery at Monash University, Clayton. On completion of her tertiary studies she plans to return to a regional centre and practise as a General Practitioner.

“It is important to keep our best and brightest young people in country Victoria and this scholarship offers rural students a great opportunity to gain financial assistance with their studies,” Mrs Powell said.

The selection criteria for The Nationals Scholarship include the applicant’s academic record, leadership qualities and community involvement and will be awarded to students who are intending to return to or remain in country Victoria. Special consideration may be given to students in hardship situations for whom the scholarship will provide major assistance.

The application process closes on 24 February 2012.

Application forms are available from my office at 5 Vaughan Street, Shepparton ph 58316944 or can be downloaded from The Nationals website: www.vic.nationals.org.au

Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell announced today the Shepparton office of Berry Street Victoria has received funding through Round 2 of the Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) Board Capacity and Innovation Fund 2011.
Mrs Powell made the announcement on behalf of the Minister for Higher Education and Skills Peter Hall.
The Capacity and Innovation Fund encourages innovation within adult education and provides vital support for adult learners.
Mrs Powell said Berry Street has received $95,000 for its Careers and Pathways and Good Start for Learning adult community education programs in Shepparton.
“This funding will allow Berry Street to expand its services and offer new courses which will hopefully increase the participation of people in the workforce,” Mrs Powell said.
The Careers and Pathways project supports young people who have a history of educational disengagement to develop skills which will allow them to re-enter training programs.
The Good Start for Learning program targets parents who wish to return to work. Berry Street will work with local primary schools to encourage parents back into learning and improve their chances of obtaining work.
“These are very important programs which will provide opportunities for young adults and parents to improve their skills and enter the workforce,” Mrs Powell said.
“I congratulate Berry Street on the great work it does and look forward to the implementation of the programs which will help even more people,” Mrs Powell said.
More than 80 Learn Local organisations across Victoria received grants totalling $3.78 million allowing them to expand services, improve efficiency, offer new courses and increase the participation and attainment of learners.
Each year the state's 320 Learn Local organisations provide education and training to more than 100,000 people in vocational, language, literacy and numeracy and work-skill courses.
In the 20 years that the community-based adult education sector has been recognised in Victoria by legislation, these organisations have helped thousands of people to better education and employment opportunities.

Member for the Shepparton, Jeanette Powell is encouraging all parents and guardians of school aged children to participate in the Victoria Walks to School Day on Wednesday the 19th of October.

Walk to School Day aims to raise awareness of the need for children to make healthy exercise part of their daily routine to improve their fitness, friendships and help the environment.

Mrs Powell said Walk to School Day is a great way to encourage young people to adopt a more active lifestyle.

“Good habits learned early will have life-long benefits. A love of regular exercise is one of the best habits we can develop,” Mrs Powell said.

“More than 25% of Australian children are overweight or obese, which obviously needs to change and this is a great initiative for that change to begin,” Mrs Powell said.

“Studies show children need a minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity a day and by incorporating a walk to school into the daily routine of children we can put them on track to a healthier lifestyle.

“This activity promotes the health benefits of walking and will help create regular walking habits at an early age.

“It will also help children develop the vital road-crossing skills they will need as they become mature pedestrians.”

“I encourage all children, parents and carers to participate in this year’s Victoria Walks to School Day and make it another successful day,” Mrs Powell said.

Fifteen Indigenous graduates of Victoria University of Technology were today awarded Certificates in Business (Governance) by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Jeanette Powell.

“Today marks another important step on the road to greater participation by Indigenous Victorians in the economic and social life of our state,” Mrs Powell said.

“These Indigenous graduates are part of a concerted effort to create greater opportunities for Indigenous Victorians to move into rewarding jobs, sit on boards and committees and start their own businesses.

“I congratulate each of the students on their achievement.

“The Coalition Government is developing partnerships with the business and education sectors to provide education and training that will be a key component to unlocking opportunities for Indigenous Victorians.

“The determination and dedication shown by hundreds of Indigenous Victorians to develop the governance skills necessary to lead their communities is a critical component of closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage.

“The Coalition Government understands that Indigenous organisations, like all organisations, need good governance to ensure effective operations, service delivery and accountability.

“The Coalition Government has allocated $2.2m to continue governance training to assist the Indigenous Victorian to take their place on boards and committees for the benefit of their community,” Mrs Powell said.

The Certificate IV graduates have been trained under a new partnership between the Commonwealth and Victorian governments and the Victoria University of Technology as part of the Managing in Two Worlds: Indigenous Governance Training Program.

The Certificate IV in Business Governance is delivered through four single week residential programs covering a range of topics including board member roles and responsibilities, identifying conflicts of interest and understanding legal obligations and terms relating to boards.

Approximately 730 Indigenous people have participated in the program since its launch; 550 participating in the workshop, 150 completing the Certificate IV and 30 completing the Diploma.

Ian Gawler OAM will speak at Shepparton High School this Saturday (May 21) as part of a fundraising effort by Shepparton High School students, Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell said today.

Mr Gawler’s topic is Health Healing and Well Being with proceeds from the event going to support students from Shepparton High School complete volunteer work in Cambodia.

“This is a great opportunity to hear from one of Australia’s best known cancer survivors and to learn from his experiences,” Mrs Powell said.

“Ian Gawler’s message is an important one to the hundreds of thousands of Australians diagnosed with cancer and to their friends and family.

“People attending the fundraiser will also help the students of Shepparton High make a tangible difference in a country of immense need.

“Cambodia remains one of the poorest nations in the region and will require ongoing assistance to recover from years of war and oppression.

“Twenty nine students have volunteered to work on water sanitisation projects or teach English to orphaned teenagers and assist in school construction near the Cambodian city of Siem Reap,” Mrs Powell said.

The students have committed to earning $2000 each through part time work and to organise fundraising events to help with the total cost.

More information is available from Shepparton High School on 5821 4322 or email teacher Emlyn Cruickshank on cruickshank.emlyn.w@edumail.vic.gov.au.

Bourchier St Primary School will receive a new hard court on its campus, funded by the State Coalition Government, State Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell announced today.

The $40,000 court is being funded as part of a Coalition Government’s commitment to reinstating play areas that were taken away under the Federal Government’s Building the Education Revolution (BER) construction works.

“Under the BER works, playgrounds, car parks and hard courts were taken away from some schools, and the State Government is reinstating many of these areas,” Mrs Powell said.

“Being active and playing team sports is important and facilities are needed in schools for students to participate in physical education so I am pleased Bourchier St Primary School is having its hard court reinstated.”

Bourchier St Primary School is one of 80 schools across the state to benefit from the Coalition’s $5-million project to reinstate hard courts, playgrounds and carparks.