Schools, ex-service organisations and community groups across Australia will soon receive resources to help them plan Remembrance Day commemorative services and activities.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee said the Department of Veterans’ Affairs has prepared a Remembrance Day educational resources pack to highlight the history and importance of honouring Australia’s veterans and servicemen and women.

“Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of guns falling silent on the Western Front in the First World War: the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Our nation stands in silent reflection for one minute each year to commemorate and honour the more than 102,000 Australians who have suffered and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations,” Minister Gee said.

“It is important that their service and sacrifice is never forgotten. As a nation, we can ensure generations of Australians continue to mark Remembrance Day and preserve the memory of our veterans by providing relevant and engaging educational resources to our schools and community groups.

“The Australian Government’s resources pack contains a video series focusing on the roles of Australians in war time, as well as a range of online and hardcopy resources, and an interactive lesson.”

Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson encouraged all schools and community groups in Corangamite, Ballarat, Bendigo and Corio electorates to use these resources to expand the knowledge of future generations to ensure Remembrance Day continues to be acknowledged with pride and respect.

“The Remembrance Day ‘kitbag’ contains the resources required to conduct a commemorative service including an Order of Service, the Ode of Remembrance, the Australian National Anthem, suggested speeches, and commemorative music,” Senator Henderson said.

“In the lead up to Remembrance Day, assisting students to learn more about the service and sacrifice of all Australians who have served our nation, contributes to honouring and preserving the Anzac legacy.

“While we are seeing many states opening up, there are many locations where restrictions may limit numbers at services and for many people, it may not be possible to attend larger events.

“The Remembrance Day ‘kitbag’ will provide everything a family, a neighbourhood or a community group needs to hold their own service this year on Remembrance Day.”

Schools, community groups and ex-service organisations will start receiving the educational resources in the coming weeks. Resources are also available online at the Anzac Portal: anzacportal.dva.gov.au

A new all-abilities fishing platform and kayak launch has been constructed along the Campaspe River, near Rochester – to provide safer access to the river as part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to boost recreational activities along waterways.

Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp said the facility is the first of its kind to be constructed along the Campaspe River and will provide huge benefits to the local community and visitors to the area for years to come.

Located near the popular Rochester Riverside Holiday Park, the 6-metre x 3-metre floating platform allows people to safely launch their kayaks into the river while also providing a peaceful spot for anglers to throw in a line and catch a fish.

The $260,000 project took just over 18 months to complete and includes a wheelchair accessible footpath and carparking, so everyone can enjoy what the beautiful Campaspe River has to offer.

The project builds on other works recently completed by Campaspe Shire Council as part of the Rochester Holiday Park redevelopment.

The site will be managed by the Rochester Recreation Reserve Committee of Management.

Equipment Solutions Plus from Swan Hill were contracted to complete the works on behalf of the North Central CMA in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Campaspe Shire Council, Murray Darling Basin Authority, and the Rochester Recreation Reserve Committee of Management.

This project was funded through the Victorian Government’s $3.2M Boosting Recreational Water initiative that commenced in 2018 to support the implementation of Water for Victoria.

The Victorian Government is helping communities build and transform sports facilities, including female friendly change rooms, to encourage more participation and healthier lifestyles across the state.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence today announced applications are now open for the 2021-22 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.
The fund will invest up to $27 million for new and improved sports facilities across Victoria, with a focus on providing facilities to encourage participation among women and girls. As sporting clubs, leagues and associations chart their path to reopening, the Government investment in infrastructure will help stimulate local economies while encouraging people to stay active and healthy. The Fund supports projects across five dedicated streams: Indoor Stadiums/Aquatic Centres, Female Friendly Facilities, Community Sports Lighting, Community Facilities, and Planning. The grant amount available to develop female friendly facilities has increased to up to $800,000 to support more women and girls getting involved in community sport. The planning stream will support councils in developing projects to meet the changing needs of their communities.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence: “Investing in new and upgraded facilities means community clubs can support more players and host more events safely as we progressively re-open. We’re creating a level playing field and urge councils and sporting organisations to think creatively about how they can support their communities with innovative and inclusive facilities.”

The state government is making sure all children in Macedon attending a funded kindergarten program in 2022, have the right support in place to help them transition from early childhood education to the start of their formal school life.
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas has announced that both the Hepburn and Macedon Ranges shires would benefit from $326,902 in School Readiness Funding for new programs, supports and extra staffing across 21 kindergartens ─ helping them provide world-class early education and give children the best start in life.
This funding is among the $53.9 million available in 2022 for more than 2,500 Victorian funded kindergarten services from the government’s $160 million School Readiness Funding initiative.
The Australian-first initiative addresses gaps in educational disadvantage by building the capacity of services, educators and families to support children’s learning and development. The program focuses on growing communication, social and emotional wellbeing skills, as well as improving access and inclusion.
Services will receive a funding allocation based on the level of need from children in their programs, with support available to all three- and four-year-old children in funded kinder programs including sessional and long day care.
The support allows kindergarten services to select the package of resources and programs that best reflects the needs of their children and staff – which can include programs targeting speech, language and literacy, support for culturally and linguistically diverse children and families and tools for parents to support their child’s development.
Services can also use funding to tap into the expertise of speech and occupational therapists, language and literacy professionals and child psychologists – who can boost the capability of both parents and teachers.
School Readiness Funding is part of the Victorian kindergarten funding model to help improve learning and development outcomes – with more than 4,200 services receiving funding, helping over 129,000 children.
Ms Thomas said the government was ensuring children across Macedon have the supports they need for the education they deserve ─ “this funding will help our local kinders best prepare our children for school”.

Victorian parents and carers now have free access to dedicated online programs to support children experiencing anxiety, as part of the Victorian Government’s latest mental health funding boost.
An investment of $1 million will expand the Triple P Positive Parenting Program statewide, supporting more than 20,000 Victorian families whose children are facing anxiety – whether that’s due to the pandemic or other triggers.
The program consists of three online modules aimed at parents of children aged 0-16 experiencing anxiety, anger and depression.
Triple P Online supports parents of children aged 0-12 years, Teen Triple P Online is targeted at parents of children 10-16 years old, and the brand new Fear Less Triple P Online is designed for parents whose children are aged 6-14 years old.
The Fear-Less program provides 24/7 tips, strategies and guidance for parents and carers on how to help their children manage their stress and become more emotionally resilient in challenging, uncertain times.
All the Triple P programs are translated into various languages, and are available for 12 months for any Victorian families who register online at triplep-parenting.net.au.
The investment is part of a new $22 million package that is already delivering fast-tracked, tailored mental health and wellbeing care to Victorians in their own communities – reducing the burden on our emergency departments as the number of coronavirus patients grows.
As students begin to return to school from this week, the Victorian Government has also completed its rollout of a dedicated mental health practitioner in every government secondary school and specialist school across Victoria – a year ahead of schedule.
On top of the $247 million already invested to support Victorians’ mental health throughout the pandemic, the Government has invested $28.5 million in specific school-based measures to keep students healthy and safe.
Work to reform the state’s mental health services is well underway, with a record $3.8 billion allocated in the Victorian Budget 2021/22 to deliver every single recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, and build a system that works for every Victorian.
Minister for Mental Health James Merlino said there was is no doubt that the pandemic had been profoundly challenging for many young people, which can be really challenging for their families – this immediate support will give every parent or carer the tools they need to cope with extra stress.
“Whether it’s new community mental health facilities or dedicated mental health practitioners in schools, we’re making sure our recovery from the pandemic doesn’t leave a single Victorian child behind.”

The Victorian Government is ensuring significant value increases from government rezoning decisions are shared with the community.
The windfall gains tax will be introduced into Parliament this week and will return a share of the profits from rezonings to the community for vital infrastructure such as public transport and schools.
When governments make planning decisions to rezone land, property values can rise sharply overnight. It‘s important that these profits are shared with Victorian communities and are used to fund the services and infrastructure these communities need.
The new windfall gains tax was announced as part of the Victorian Budget 2021/22 and following stakeholder engagement with a range of industry bodies, the Government is announcing some changes to the policy.
As previously announced, the total value uplift from a rezoning decision will be taxed at 50 per cent for windfalls above $500,000, with the tax phasing in from $100,000 – ensuring most land holders of rezoned land won‘t be affected.
Residential land which includes a home – including holiday homes and investment properties – will be exempted from the tax. It will not apply to any other increases in value, such as appreciation in property value over time.
Primary production land that contains a home will also be exempted up to two hectares. Rezonings to most rural zones, or to a Public Land Zone, will be exempted. Landowners with a windfall gains tax liability will be able to defer payment until the next dutiable transaction of the land or after 30 years, whichever occurs first.
Exemptions will also be provided for charities if the land continues to be used for charitable purposes for the next fifteen years after a rezoning, and to rezonings to and from the Urban Growth Zone within existing Growth and Infrastructure Contribution areas which are subject to GAIC will not be taxed.
New transitional arrangements will push back the commencement of the tax by a year, to 1 July 2023, and will provide an exemption to proponent-led rezonings that were well in train by 15 May 2021.
The windfall gains tax will be calculated based on valuations undertaken by the Valuer-General on the pre-rezoning and post-rezoning capital-improved values of land, with the difference between the two representing the value uplift. It will apply to other increases in value due to improvements to the property, or appreciation over time.
Treasurer Tim Pallas said the government wanted to ensure Victoria had a fairer tax system, with revenue from the windfall gains tax going back into Victorian schools, hospitals and public transport.
“We’ve consulted with industry and made the changes that are appropriate and fair, and will ensure the community benefits, as well as land owners.”

Central Highlands Water commenced National Water Week celebrations with the announcement of Hepburn Primary School students winning the region’s poster competition.

Central Highlands Water chair, Angeleen Jenkins said, “We congratulate the winners, runners-up and every student who entered in the competition.”
“The students did a fantastic job in creating some very artistic and colourful posters, which highlight the important connection and value water has with Country,” Ms Jenkins said.

This year’s theme, ‘Caring for water and Country’, celebrates the vital and cultural role that water plays in our lives and deepens our understanding of Australian First Nations people’s knowledge in protecting and sustaining our water and lands for over 65,000 years.

“Every grade level was represented and the high standard of the posters made it a very challenging, but an enjoyable task for our CHW team members to judge the entries,” Ms Jenkins said.

During National Water Week, a range of great educational resources and activities will be available online at CHW’s website to encourage everyone to learn more about the important role water plays in everyday life.
CHW’s new children’s book about water efficiency, will be available online for students and staff to read to learn more about how you can use water efficiently inside and outside your home or school.
“We are looking forward to our new book being shared online across the region and to give children an opportunity to think about ways we can use and save water,” Ms Jenkins said.
During this week, CHW will also be celebrating the recent installations of Choose Tap drinking water fountains at schools within the region.
For more information regarding National Water Week, please visit:
www.chw.net.au/national-water-week-2021

Central Highlands Rural Health has commenced planning for the upgrade to its theatre facilities at Daylesford Health.   Regional Health Infrastructure Fund recently announced an allocation of $4.5 million for the upgrade that will re-develop the theatre and sterilising areas at the hospital.

Construction is expected to commence in mid-2022 and will require the temporary suspension of surgical procedures for a limited time.  Some procedures may be scheduled at Kyneton Health during this time.  All other Daylesford Health services will continue without disruption.  The community will be able to access the Urgent Care Centre, Acute, Aged Care and Community Health services as normal. 

Central Highlands Rural Health’s Chief Operating Officer Phil Catterson said:

“We are thrilled to be in the initial planning stages for the redevelopment of the theatre facilities in Daylesford.  We are working to ensure that there is minimal disruption to the surgical schedule however it will be necessary to close this service for a period of time.  I can reassure the community that all other Daylesford Health services will be active throughout the theatre’s construction phase.”

The planning process will involve ensuring that construction is completed as efficiently as possible to reduce the time that the theatre services will be unavailable. 

The Victorian Government is continuing to ensure more people have the safety, security and stability of a home, thanks to new incentives for investors to build rental properties.
Eligible Build-to-Rent developments completed and operational between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2031 will receive both the 50 per cent land tax discount and full exemption from the Absentee Owner Surcharge (AOS) for up to 30 years from 1 January 2022.
Originally announced to end in 2040, this support will now provide the certainty of a full 30-year concession to projects starting before 2032.
The Government announced a 50 per cent land tax discount from 1 January 2022 for eligible developments in the Victorian Budget 2020/21, encouraging more investment in the expanding sector.
Build-to-Rent provides a new approach to residential housing, where properties in a development are designed to be held for rental over the long term.
Following consultation with industry and relevant stakeholders, the Government is providing more certainty for eligible developments due to be completed before the 1 January 2022 commencement date, so shovel-ready projects can confidently begin as soon as possible.
The sector presents an opportunity to increase rental supply, improve the diversity of housing choice and mix, and provide more long-term rental options.
Improving access for renters is part of the Government’s ongoing work and investment to ensure everyone has a safe, secure place to call home. The $5.3 billion Big Housing Build will deliver 12,000 social and affordable homes over four years, creating more than 10,000 jobs in the process.
Treasurer Tim Pallas said the move would not only ensure Victorians have access to more rental homes and a greater range of housing options – it would create thousands of jobs as we rebuild from the coronavirus pandemic.
“Home has never felt as important as in the past 20 months and this initiative will ensure Victorians have access to safe and secure rental properties for a long time in the future.”

Farmers in the north central catchment region can get in early on a program aimed at rewarding them financially for improving, enhancing, and maintaining existing native vegetation on their farms.

The North Central catchment is the only one in Victoria to be chosen for the Enhancing Remnant Vegetation Pilot.

The pilot is a key part of the Australian Government’s $66.1 million Agriculture Biodiversity Stewardship Package.

North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Environmental Assets Program Manager Nicole Bullen said the pilot was a great chance for local farmers to get in early and take advantage of the benefits.

“A lot of farmers in our region are also environmental stewards, and this program rewards and encourages that,” she said.

“Under the pilot project, farmers can apply for funding for activities that help them care for remnant native vegetation on their properties, including activities such as fencing installation, weeding, pest control and replanting.

“And we’re here to help them do it. Farmers can apply online at www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculturestewardship until 5pm on October 27.

“All the details farmers need about the Enhancing Remnant Vegetation Pilot, including eligibility, pricing and application guides can also be found at www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculturestewardship.

“North Central CMA can help by providing local advice to applicants to ensure these important patches of native vegetation are protected for generations to come.”

Ms Bullen said on-farm native vegetation is an important part of protecting the health of our catchments.

“The North Central CMA works at a landscape-level with a range of community members and partners to deliver lasting change,” she said.

“And sustainably managed land doesn’t just help farmers and their stock. It also improves the health of the broader catchment. A lot of things people do on their land can impact, for good or bad, the health of local waterways.”

If you want to know more about the project, email agstewardship@awe.gov.au or call 1800 329 055.

The Victorian Government will recruit up to a thousand healthcare workers currently living overseas, including Australian healthcare workers wanting to return home, as part of a package designed to help ease the pressure on hard-working staff in the state’s hospital system.
The Government will also establish a new allowance to better support nurses, paramedics and doctors working hard on the frontline to protect Victorians.
The new ‘Hospital Surge Support Allowance’ will be paid to patient-facing healthcare workers, providing direct care in public hospital services and Ambulance Victoria, over the next four months.
The allowance will help ensure there are highly skilled staff in the public hospital roles critical to caring for COVID patients, staffing emergency departments, and delivering world class patient care within the health services. Workers in these roles will be eligible for up to $60 per shift.
The Government is supporting Victorian health services to recruit up to 1,000 healthcare workers from overseas with a $2.5 million investment to help fund their relocation and provide dedicated support so they can get to work in Victoria as soon as possible.
The group will include both returning Australian healthcare workers and international recruits. These professionals will be nurses, doctors, midwives and allied health professionals, recruited on the basis of service and system needs.
This announcement builds on the Government’s recent work, having facilitated the arrival of more than 130 healthcare workers under the dedicated healthcare workforce pathways since August this year.
All recruited healthcare workers will have an occupation identified on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List. To be eligible, healthcare workers will need to have an existing employment contract with a Victorian health service, have active professional registration, and be ready to travel.
Priority for relocation assistance will be given to the first 1,000 healthcare workers who arrive and commence employment with a Victorian health service, noting the need to support our system as soon as possible.
The Government will continue to work with the Commonwealth to ensure that access to flights and quarantine for international or Australian healthcare workers does not disadvantage other Australians returning home.

Agricultural shows and field days cancelled or postponed during to the Covid-19 pandemic will be eligible to apply for the $25 million Round 2 of the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program in coming weeks.

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said a further $25 million is being provided under the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days and Supporting Showmen and Women programs in addition to $34.5 million provided in the first round.

“COVID-19 has forced the cancellation of more than 700 show and field day events since early 2020, incurring significant losses for operators in the past two consecutive years,” Minister Littleproud said.

“Those hit hardest are the local showmen and women – often small, independent, sole-traders or family-based operations that cannot absorb the costs, with flow on effects for years to come,” Mr Littleproud said.

Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson said shows and field days are supported by more than 50,000 volunteers and about 4,000 showmen and women.

“Shows at Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and many field days in between are of significant social and economic contribution to hundreds of local families and the impact of cancellation of these events has been devastating,” Senator Henderson said.

“Local shows support farm innovation, grow local businesses and provide an annual event many look forward to every year to take the family to.

“The federal government is investing a further $25 million to help ease cash flow pressures as operators emerge from the pandemic, with the target to return to full operation, with shows generating around $1 billion to the national economy,” Senator Henderson said.

$21 million will be provided for operational costs of shows cancelled in 2021 due to COVID-19 with an additional $4 million towards reimbursing showground rent of showmen and women, with application guidelines to be published in coming weeks.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s Director Planning and Environment, Angela Hughes has announced her resignation after three and a half years in the role to take up the position of Director Communities at the City of Frankston.
Ms Hughes joined Macedon Ranges Shire Council in May of 2018, leading the Strategic Planning and Environment, Statutory Planning, Planning Compliance, Building, and Economic Development and Tourism units. Following an organisation restructure in 2020, the Community Development, Arts and Culture, Hanging Rock, Environmental Health, Local Laws and Emergency Management units also joined the directorate.
Council’s CEO, Bernie O’Sullivan thanked Ms Hughes for her dedication and service to council.
“Angela has been a trusted and valued member of the Executive Leadership Team; and has been a terrific support to me in my early months at Macedon Ranges.
“I know that she will do well at Frankston City Council, which will be much closer to home for her.
“On behalf of councillors and staff, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Angela for her significant contributions during her time here at Council—she will always be welcome in the Macedon Ranges and I wish her all the best in her new role,” he said.
Significant achievements by Ms Hughes during her time with Council include delivery of the Statement of Planning Policy into the Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme; supporting the community and business in the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery; leading the work to assist Councillors to declare a climate emergency and continuing the Cool Changes program; being part of the creation of Council’s first Reconciliation Action Plan; as well as being a member of the Hanging Rock Project Control Board, which seeks to implement the Hanging Rock Masterplan.
“I am fortunate to have been able to work with Bernie O’Sullivan and other great CEOs, Councillors both past and present, and the hardworking staff during my time at Council.
“I am extremely proud of the work of the Planning and Environment Directorate and the positive impact it has on the shire.
“The Macedon Ranges is a unique and special place and has been a wonderful place to work. I’m very grateful for the experience and I will dearly miss it,” Ms Hughes said.

The Victorian Government has expanded the National Business Events Program in further support for the business events sector in Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula announced applications are open for the next round of the program and a new stream of funding is available for events to be hosted in regional Victoria.
The program is being administered by the Melbourne Convention Bureau and Business Events Victoria with eligible events including conferences, trade exhibitions, workshops and seminars.
The expanded program offers increased funding amounts up to $90,000 per applicant for business events in Melbourne and up to $25,000 per applicant to hold events in regional Victoria before 31 December 2023.
The funding offers eligible event organisers a significant cash injection to offset costs such as accommodation, venue hire, transport and other event costs when hosting their event Melbourne or regional Victoria.
The program continues its focus on domestic business events and is designed to stimulate short- and medium-term recovery of the business events sector right across the state.
Since it launched in May, the National Business Events Program has received more than 200 expressions of interest and helped to build confidence for organisations to plan and book their events in Victoria.
Funding for 73 events has already been approved, which will provide $102 million in economic contribution to the state.
Melbourne has a strong track record in hosting prestigious conferences, supported by ideal event infrastructure, quality accommodation, accessible public transport and exciting city experiences.
With the new funding stream for events in regional Victoria, the economic benefits will be spread further across the state and give regional communities the opportunity to welcome a new set of visitors.
For more information on the National Business Events Program, visit melbournecb.com.au/plan-event/national-business-events-program.

The Victorian Government is helping more communities to transform ageing pavilions, upgrade local stadiums and
develop new pools to encourage people to stay active and healthy.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence has announced applications are open for the 2021-22 Community
Sports Infrastructure Loans Scheme.
The scheme provides low-interest, government-guaranteed loans of between $500,000 and $10 million to councils,
clubs, associations, educational institutions and facility managers to develop high-quality community sport and
active recreation infrastructure.
Eligible projects include the development or upgrade of aquatic leisure facilities, indoor sports stadiums,
community sport precincts, pavilions, sports grounds, skate parks and trails, as well as the packaging of similar
projects across multiple sites.
Previous rounds of the scheme supported councils and organisations to kick-start more than $434 million worth of
community sport and recreation infrastructure across the state, including Colac Bowling Club which this year
received a $975,000 loan towards installation of accessible ramps and a new roof over the green.
Other supported projects include East Gippsland Shire Council’s expansion and upgrade of the WORLD Sporting
Precinct in Bairnsdale through the provision of a $5 million loan while Glen Eira City Council received a $10 million
loan to support the $51.8 million Carnegie Swim Centre Redevelopment.
In addition to providing organisations with access to low-interest loans, Sport and Recreation Victoria makes
interest subsidy payments that effectively halve the interest paid by borrowers – saving organisations more money
and helping to launch infrastructure projects that support our economic recovery.
The Government has invested more than $1.1 billion in community sport and active recreation infrastructure since
2014.
For further information on the Community Sports Infrastructure Loans Scheme including details of past loan
recipients, visit sport.vic.gov.au.