ADAM Ferrier makes the point that he is not a “local” to Hepburn Springs as such, but he does spend most weekends there – taking time out from his base in St Kilda.

A regular panellist on TV shows such as Gruen, Sky, The Project, Your Money and Sunrise, he says he gets stopped in the street only about once a month with a “you’re that guy from…”
Adam and wife Anna finally bought a house after years of visiting and falling in love with the town’s “bohemian sensibilities” and the easy drive to Melbourne. “We just fell in love with it.”
The marketing guru started life as “the kid who traded shares at lunchtime” with an interest in money and people. He went to a tutor who told him to become a consumer psychologist, which Adam thought was a fantastic idea. “I started as a forensic psychologist just to get work and then moved into clinical psychology and did my thesis on the underlying constructs of what makes people cool. That then allowed me to move into consumer psychology and transition into marketing and advertising which is what I do.”
(If you are wondering, there are five factors involved in being cool, but knowing them doesn’t make you cool. And Adam says he is not cool because no-one would ever call him one of those factors, understated.)
Adam founded Naked Communications, APAC in 2004 – one of Australia’s most awarded and successful agencies. After selling Naked, he started Thinkerbell, working with the concept of ‘measured magic’ – bringing together marketing, science and hardcore creativity.
“Basically, we come up with ideas to help clients build their brand and get recognised and get attention – that is at the heart of what we do. And within that there is a whole lot of different sub- categories – it could be a PR thing or a big advertising campaign or a digital initiative. We work with the biggest brands in Australia.
“Our clients come from a whole bunch of companies trying to sell their thing or social causes trying to get more people to their movement or charities trying to get people to make more donations. And when they need help there is a whole industry of creative and media and social and PR agencies and they will have a fossick around online and pick one. Currently we are Australia’s number one Creative, Full Service and PR Agency of the Year in Australia according to Mumbrella so if they look at recommendations, we come up on the top quite a lot and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy that you try to hold on to as long as you can.”
Adam said during Covid his business did quite well with lots of brands trying to transition into different business models. The main issue for his own business was cultural.
“Having a strong culture for a creatively driven business is really important and making sense of that culture while everyone was separated was the biggest challenge.”
Adam said as a part-time local he was enjoying the drama of The Rex and Hepburn Shire Council – and, when prompted by The Local, had some advice.
“The big buzz word in marketing is authenticity and I really like the Jung concept of embracing your shadow or your dark side. And with that comes embracing your weaknesses. So when you stuff up in a momentous way you just need to admit it, wear it and then work from there.
“I think from there the first thing they (the council) need to do is listen and then have a good understanding of how they can rebuild trust in the institution. I would also encourage them to get as many voices as they possibly can into the council. The more people with a voice means you can build trust and make those people heard. Then you are going to have people involved with a vested interest.”
Finally, Adam says the future of local newspapers is really strong.
“There is the whole concept of news deserts appearing everywhere and what that means is that people are starting to really value their local newspaper. They realise that something they took for granted is under threat.
“And then at a business level there is lots of talk about people getting back into local and community news. Social media has a cliché that we are more connected than ever but have never been more alone. That is kind of true and I think people are trying to discover a sense of local community and newspapers are incredibly good at making people feel genuinely connected to their community. I think The Local’s motto Connecting the Community is spot on. The future is really strong.”
Words: Donna Kelly

Millions of Victorians will be able to quickly and simply access discounts, rebates and savings available to them through a new Savings Finder launched today on the Service Victoria app and website.

Minister for Government Services Danny Pearson unveiled the Service Victoria Savings Finder, featuring more than 60 discounts, rebates and savings to maximise benefits for individuals and families.
By answering a few simple questions to check their eligibility, users will be given a list of possible savings across energy, utilities, health, education, transport, recreation, leisure and more.
New savings are being added regularly and access to the Savings Finder will be widespread with the Service Victoria app having been installed on more than 6 million devices.
Savings are headed by the Andrews Labor Government’s $250 Power Saving Bonus which has been taken up by more than 1.4 million households since July and is eligible to all Victorian households. Seven out of 10 users can save money by switching energy offers, enabling typicalsavings of $330 on energy bills in the first year ofswitching.
Concession card holders can check their eligibility for discounted motor vehicle registration and TAC fees, as well as for reductions on gas bills through the colder months.
Victorians can also use the Savings Finder to locate any unclaimed rental bonds and to determine if they are eligible for the $10,000 First Home Owner Grant.
Casual and contract workers will be able to use the Savings Finder to check whether they can claim the Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee to receive a day’s pay when they can’t go to work due to illness.
Recreational savings range from free visits to Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo for children under 16 to an array of Senior Card benefits including free travel and discounted entry fees.
The Savings Finder builds on more than 80 government services already available through the Service Victoria
website and mobile app, making Service Victoria a one stop shop for Victorians to get the services they need.
Among these services is a new online help tool for small businesses to find the permits and licences they need to operate, which can be done in around five minutes.
More than 1 billion transactions have been completed through Service Victoria including car registration payments, ambulance subscriptions and vouchers and cashbacks to reduce the cost of living.
The Victorian Budget 2022-23 invested almost $100 million so Service Victoria can offer a more personalised experience for all Victorians. To access the Savings Finder, go to service.vic.gov.au or download the app at the App Store or Google Play Store.
Minister for Government Services Danny Pearson said:
“Cost of living is a major issue and we’re making sure Victorians know about the savings and discounts that may be available to them.”
“We know that every dollar counts – the Savings Finder is a simple way for households and individuals to get full value from benefits that are out there.”

The activation of traffic lights at the newly upgraded Gillies and Gregory Street intersection marks the completion of the State Government’s first Keeping Ballarat Moving project.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said the newly finished project will reduce the risk of crashes and providing safer turning and crossing points for pedestrians.
An important throughfare for Ballarat locals, Gillies Street connects schools, Wendouree train station, recreational facilities, and shopping centres.
The upgraded intersection also delivers better pedestrian access to the upgraded Wendouree Train Station and supports pedestrian movements between Gillies Street and Lake Wendouree.
These traffic signals will significantly improve road safety for all road users, particularly for motorists making rightturn movements between Gregory Street West and Gillies Street.
Pedestrians will also be able to use dedicated crossing points at all legs of the intersection.
Approximately 2,400 vehicles use the intersection every hour during peak times. This number is expected to grow by 60 per cent by 2041.
For further information please visit regionalroads.vic.gov.au and search ‘Keeping Ballarat Moving’ or call 133 RRV.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said:
“These new lights will reduce the risk of crashes and improve safety for all road users at the Gillies and Gregory intersection.”
“The new lights will improve traffic flow and ensure the intersection supports local school traffic, as well as people accessing Wendouree train station and nearby shopping and recreational facilities.”
Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said:
“The activation of the Gregory and Gillies Street lights marksthe completion of this Keeping Ballarat Moving project.
We are investing $60 million in key intersections to ensure our roads keep up with our growing population.”

Victorians are being reminded that with spring just around the corner, native birds such as magpies and masked lapwings may begin swooping during their breeding season – but there are steps we can take to remain safe at this time. 

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) Senior Wildlife Projects Officer, Belinda Cant, said some native birds swoop to defend their eggs and young for the six to eight weeks until they leave the nest. 

“Swooping can catch us by surprise, but it is normal behaviour for some territorial birds,” Ms Cant said.

“Swooping is basically a scare tactic to warn people and animals not to come near their nesting young. Birds may swoop people or animals, so be mindful of your dogs too.

“However, not all birds swoop to protect their eggs and young during the breeding season, so don’t be concerned simply because there are magpies or other common swooping birds in the area.

“During this time of year less than 10 per cent of birds from just a few species will swoop and even fewer make contact.

“If you are worried about being swooped, you can do a few things to protect yourself.”

Tips to avoid being swooped: 

• Know your local swooping hotspots 
• Avoid the area if possible
• Move quickly, but do not run 
• Cover your head with a hat, helmet or umbrella, but don’t wave it around
• Do not harass or feed birds 

To plan your route around known swooping hotspots or to report a swooping incident on Victoria’s interactive swooping bird map, please visit https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/managing-wildlife/swooping-birds

All Victorian native wildlife is protected by law, and it is illegal to harass or harm native birds and other wildlife without authorisation.

Treasurer Tim Pallas spent last Friday in Gisborne with local Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas. Ms Thomas took Mr Pallas through the new roundabout at the Melbourne and Kilmore Road as well as the recent intersection upgrade at Saunders Road.

Mr. Pallas visited local café Three Little Pigs and enjoyed a coffee and chat with staff and owners as well as many locals along Aitken Street, encouraging the community to shop local.
Victoria’s regions are booming. The regional unemployment rate recently fell to a record low 2.9 per cent, and is by far the lowest regional unemployment rate in the nation, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This is down from 6.6 per cent when the Andrews Labor Government came to power, on the back of nearly 90,000 jobs being created in regional Victoria over this period.
Victoria’s overall unemployment rate is also nation-leading, and the lowest it has been in almost 50 years, at 3.1 per cent. Victoria has led the nation in new jobs since September 2020 with nearly 350,000 jobs created – outstripping all other Australian states.
Victoria’s economy is the best performing in the nation overall, according to the CommSec State released last month, leading the nation with the strongest jobs market and the strongest retail spending.
More than $9.2 billion in development investment was approved over the past two years to keep Victoria growing, with the Development Facilitation Program targeting priority projects.
The Labor Government invested more than $44 billion to protect the health and wellbeing of Victorians during the pandemic, including an unprecedented $13 billion in business support.
Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
“The Treasurer is welcome to come to our amazing local towns in Macedon, any time.”
“Local businesses are thriving in Macedon, I was so proud to show the Treasurer around Gisborne, with our new fantastic roundabout and intersection upgrade, as well as having a coffee at a local café and a great chat with locals on Aitken Street”
Quotes attributable to Treasure Tim Pallas
“It’s fantastic to see local businesses thriving in Macedon. We need to ensure that every Victorian buys and shops local first to support their local businesses.”
“It’s great to see the recent roadwork upgrades to both Station Saunders Road and the new roundabout at the Melbourne Kilmore Road intersection, safety is an absolutely priority and these upgrades mean a safer and more timely commute for locals”

ST AUGUSTINE’S Church Creswick will celebrate its 150th anniversary on the weekend of September 17 and 18.
Coordinator David Preston, who is also president of the Creswick & District Historical Society, said the church was opened on September 16, 1872 by Archbishop James Goold of Melbourne.
“In those days, the whole of Victoria was his parish with the Ballarat Diocese not starting until 1886.”
Mr Preston said the weekend would kick off with a parish dinner at the Doug Lindsay Reserve on the Saturday night, September 17, followed the next day by midday mass at the church with Ballarat Bishop Paul Bird.
After the service there will be a big display of historic photos and memorabilia at the St Augustine’s Primary School hall from 1.30pm
Mr Preston said along with locals there would be many former parishioners returning for the weekend to take part in the celebrations.

“We started with the idea about 18 months ago although Covid stopped us for a while, but we managed to get a fair bit done over the past six months.
“We are hoping to get 80 to 100 to the dinner but I think the Sunday will be a lot bigger which will be great. The church has been a focal point of the town and district for 150 years and just last Sunday we had four kids baptised there.
“There have also been a lot of people carried out in coffins too, and heaps of weddings. A lot of the photos will be of weddings, along with those who have a bit of depth in the place, and plenty of school kids from over the years. It will be an interesting weekend.”
Mr Preston said he had been the motivator of the event although he says he will be happily handing over the reins for the 200th celebrations.
“I really thought this was worthwhile doing and with the way the world is going in another 50 years there will be a different demograph altogether.

“We must celebrate the past and the future and also realise that whatever is here has its roots further back. It’s not all about Google.”
Mr Preston said the church remained very relevant in the community and still had about 60 to 70 people coming along each Sunday – not quite the numbers of the 50s and 60s when a large Dutch contingent arrived after WWII – swelling weekly numbers to more than 200.

Many of their descendants remained, he said, along with other locals whose heritage stretched back to the 1870s. One woman’s great-great-grandfather helped cart the stone from Dean for the church building.
As for Mr Preston, Creswick has always been home with his grandparents moving to the town in 1912. His father started the family transport company K.T. Preston in 1950.

More information
Tickets for the dinner are $40 and on sale until September 11. There is free entry to the display in the school hall. For information and tickets visit https://staugustines150.weebly.com or email staugustines150th@gmail.com

Top image: Members of the St Augustine’s community whose families have had connection with the parish since the mid-1800s, from left, Don McMahon, Sr Louise Hall, Margaret Goates, Ann Hall, Keiran Moore & David Preston This image & main church image: Neil Doolan
Contributed image: Monsignor James McInerney, Parish Priest of St Augustine’s 1951-1983

Words: Donna Kelly | Images below: Kyle Barnes

Community priorities championed by an Open Space Community Assembly are being closely reviewed for inclusion in the draft Open Space Strategy for the Macedon Ranges Shire.

Assembly members say collaboration with each other, the project consultants and Council’s planners throughout a complex process has been a positive experience. Twenty-seven community members were appointed to the Assembly via an independent selection process, managed by deliberative engagement specialists i.e. community. Assembly members recommended five key priorities as part of Council’s strategy development and four criteria for a decision-making framework on its future investment in open space.
Assembly members reviewed community feedback provided through consultation activities held from February to April this year. This included an online survey revealing community preferences, perceptions and values related to open space, and future priorities for parks, playgrounds, sporting grounds, conservation areas and bushland reserves.
Top priorities:
Five top priorities were backed by 87.5 per cent of the Community Assembly, with broad support for:

1. Protecting and enhancing biodiversity
2. The standard of maintenance
3. The type of open space
4. Provision of pathways for walking and rolling
5. Physical accessibility of open space
   The Assembly was also asked: “What are the key factors Council should consider from a community perspective when making decisions about investment in open space”?
   In response, members voted on their top four criteria to feed into the strategy’s decision-making framework, which will determine investment in open space resources. These are:
6. How does open space deliver on the shire-wide priorities?
7. How will Council support and sustain local community groups or committees of management to help design and maintain the open space, and implement the Open Space Strategy?
8. How will the open space contribute to the adaptation and mitigation of climate change and Council’s Climate Change Strategy?
9. How will the development respond to local environmental character (pre and post settlement), town culture and identity?
   A short video outlining Assembly members’ experiences with deliberate engagement is available on Council’s website, along with project updates and summary documents. Director Environment and Planning, Rebecca Stockfeld said the feedback from participants has been very positive about the transparency of the deliberative engagement process. “Empowering Assembly members to represent community views in future decision-making sets an important benchmark for how we go about major strategic planning projects.” The project team will integrate the outcomes of the Community Assembly into the draft strategy, for Council to consider in the first half of 2023. If you would like to receive regular project updates, please register at mrsc.vic.gov.au/open-space or call the Strategic Planning team on (03) 5422 0333.

The State Government is slashing costs for new drivers and their families across Macedon with the abolition of learner and probationary license fees, as well as online testing fees.
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas said from Monday, 15 August, aspiring L-platers will save up to $51.40 in license and online testing fees. While learner drivers going for their P-plates will save up to $133.30 in licence and online hazard perception testing fees.
Over 138,000 Victorians who get their L’s each year and 121,000 who get their P’s will have more money in their pockets thanks to these changes.
Victoria’s new online learner permit and hazard perception tests will also be free from Monday. These tests were made available online last year to provide more options and greater flexibility for aspiring drivers looking to achieve their licence goals anywhere, anytime, with more than 90 per cent of customers now choosing this new option.
Car, motorcycle, and heavy vehicle licence holders of all ages across Macedon will also benefit from reintroduction of the Safe Driver Discount, which was abolished by the former Liberal National Government in 2013.
Drivers who have not incurred demerit points or committed road safety offences in the previous three years will receive a 25 per cent discount off their next licence renewal, meaning a saving of up to $73 on a new ten-year drivers license. The Safe Driver Discount will recommence for driver licence renewals generated after 1 October 2022.
These changes build on other initiatives from the State Government to reduce costs for motorists and promote road safety.
Since 2016, the Free Licence Scheme has provided free licences to young drivers under the age of 21 who complete both their red and green probationary periods with no traffic offences or demerit points.
For more information about licence and registration services in Victoria or to access the online learner permit and hazard perception tests, head to vicroads.vic.gov.au.
Mary-Anne Thomas said:
“We’re rewarding Macedon motorists for their safe driving habits and offering financial support when it comes to getting their licence – this program will keep people on the move and get them where they need to go.”
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said:
“Getting your L’s and P’s is one of life’s most significant milestones – and we are delivering them for free.”
“This puts money back into the pockets of Victorian families and makes it easier to unlock all the opportunities that come with a driver license.”

Farmers, freight operators and the community will soon have safer and smoother journeys on
the Sunraysia Highway, with works to upgrade two intersections between Birchip and Woomelang set to start in August.

Crews will upgrade the Mcloughlans Road and Birchip-Rainbow Road intersections on the
Sunraysia Highway thanks to a joint $4.16 million investment from the Australian and Victorian
governments.
Both intersections are located on bends and will be remodelled to T-shaped intersections to
improve visibility and allow all road users to safely enter and exit the highway.
Crews will also widen and resurface sections of the Sunraysia Highway, add a new left turn lane
from the Sunraysia Highway into Birchip-Rainbow Road, build a raised median on BirchipRainbow Road, and install safety barriers and new street lighting at both intersections.
The new intersections will no longer be curved, meaning it will be easier for drivers travelling on
Mcloughlans Road and Birchip-Rainbow Road to see vehicles travelling on the Sunraysia Highway.
The Sunraysia Highway provides a key road for both locals and our broader agricultural industry,
with more than 500 vehicles using this section of the highway each day, including around 70
trucks and other heavy vehicles.
These works form part of the $68.75 million Roads of Strategic Importance – Ballarat to Ouyen
corridor which is improving access along the Sunraysia Highway and is jointly funded by the
Australian and Victorian governments.
Works will continue at the intersections until early 2023, with the roads to remain open and
reduced speed limits in place. For more information visit regionalroads.vic.gov.au.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development
and Local Government Catherine King said:
“There’s a mix of both heavy and light vehicles sharing this section of the highway, which is why
the Australian Government is investing in this project to ensure the intersections are safe for
everyone.”
Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said:
“We’re investing a record amount in infrastructure projects across the state and that includes in
regional Victoria, ensuring the needs of our communities are funded and delivered.”
Quote attributable to State Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp:
“A traffic management team will be in place during works to help everyone travel safely through
the area. Please drive to conditions for the safety of workers and all other road users.”

The State Government has today released its Skills Plan, which will see a collaboration between TAFEs,
training providers, universities, adult and communication education providers, industry and unions to ensure Victoria has the jobs it needs for the future.

The plan provides the most comprehensive overview of the state’s labour market to date, outlining the immediate challenges and opportunities in joining up skills and training with jobs to deliver the workers industry needs and create great career opportunities for more Victorians.
The Skills Plan shows that Victoria will need an extra 373,000 workers across 13 key industries by 2025, providing a clear picture of skills needs and job opportunities in every part of the state over the next three years – a detailed picture of the sector that will make Victoria far better equipped to build the workforce of the future.
The Victorian Skills Authority will drive delivery of the Skills plan through continuing to bring together the key stakeholders of the skills sector – industry, unions, training providers and learners – and work together to improve skills and employment outcomes.
The plan delivers a blueprint for TAFEs, universities and training and education providers to plan their courses to match local industry and community need – and, armed with greater knowledge of in-demand local industries and training opportunities, will support learners and jobseekers to make the best choices for their future.
Of the new workers required across Victoria, 90,000 new workers will be needed in the service sector, 65,000 in health and community services and 64,000 in the professional, financial and information services sector. An extra 82,000 workers will be needed in regional Victoria.
The Skills Plan delivers on a key recommendation of the Labor Government’s Macklin Review by bringing together industry and training providers, using evidence drawn from more than 60 local, national and global sources and 150 consultation forums with industry, employers, unions, education and training providers and learners.
The plan highlights nine regional snapshots and profiles, addressing the key occupations, industries and actions to bring skills needed to the regions.
It also identifies 11 actions the Government will undertake – partnering with government, industry, employers, unions, training providers and learners – to address priorities in skills provision, helping to reform the training and
skills sector and enable learners and workers make informed skilling and career choices – starting at senior secondary school.
The Victorian Skills Plan is available at https://www.vic.gov.au/victorian-skills-plan
Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney siad:
“Free TAFE has brought more women, mature-age students, unemployed people, neurodiverse students, culturally diverse students, and students with a disability into TAFE courses – and thanks to the Skills Plan, we’ll be able to put more Victorians into great new jobs and careers.”
“Working shoulder to shoulder across industry, unions, training providers and government will mean we can work with one purpose in mind – a high quality, accessible training system that delivers what students and employers need.”
“Our record investment in TAFE and the training and skills sector since 2015 has achieved strong, future-focused outcomes, with more than 115,000 Victorians having signed up to a Free TAFE course saving them $281 million.”
Victorian Skills Authority CEO Craig Robertson said:
“The Skills Plan provides comprehensive, robust data and analysis – tested with industry and other stakeholders – to inform the targeting of funding and training activity for vocational education to meet industry and community needs.”
“It represents a new approach to connecting industry, learner and community insights and provides evidence for the provision of training and skills across Victoria.”

The State Government will establish five new GP-led Priority Primary Care Centres to give Victorians the
care they need while easing pressure on our busy emergency departments (EDs).

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today announced that Priority Primary Care Centres will be established close to five hospitals – giving Victorians an alternative to visiting an ED.
The State Government is investing $14.3 million to establish and run the five new centres, which will provide care for people with conditions that require urgent attention but not an emergency response.
Centres will be established close to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Northern Hospital Epping, Sunshine Hospital, Monash Medical Centre Clayton, and Grampians Health Ballarat – sites selected following careful consideration of population, community needs and ED demand.
Working with our primary health networks and partner hospitals, these five new centres will open over coming months, and operate seven days a week and 16 hours a day. The centres will be able to handle conditions such as mild infections, fractures and burns, and offer pathology and imaging services.
Accepting walk-ups, referrals and pre-booked appointments, the clinics will ensure vital ED resources are freed up for patients with more critical needs, taking pressure off EDs as we continue to face record levels of demand for care.
Victorian EDs are the busiest they have ever been, with presentations hitting a record 486,701 in the most recent quarter – an increase of 5.1 per cent from the previous quarter.
The new centres will help improve treatment times and reduce waiting times in EDs, while providing an alternative care pathway for non-emergency patients.
Despite record demand, our hardworking doctors and nurses are still delivering timely world-class care – with more than 99.9 per cent of Category 1 triaged patients being treated within recommended time frames.
This announcement follows a range of initiatives to deliver more care outside the hospital system, including the expansion of the Virtual ED and Better at Home program, as well as 28 state-funded GP respiratory clinics.
Premier Daniel Andrews said:
“This will reduce demand on our emergency departments, ensuring those that need urgent care can get it faster and avoid an unnecessary trip to the ED.”
“The global pandemic has put health systems around the country under unprecedented pressure – and this is part of our comprehensive plan to deliver the care Victorians need, when they need it, close to home.”
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said:
“The former Morrison Government neglected primary care – meaning too many Victorians are ending up in an ED when they don’t need to be there. These new centres complement the other initiatives we’re delivering as part of our plan to build back a better health system.”

The State Government will establish five new GP-led Priority Primary Care Centres to give Victorians the care they need while easing pressure on our busy emergency departments (EDs).

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today announced that Priority Primary Care Centres will be established close to five hospitals – giving Victorians an alternative to visiting an ED. The State Government is investing $14.3 million to establish and run the five new centres, which will provide care for people with conditions that require urgent attention but not an emergency response.
Centres will be established close to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Northern Hospital Epping, Sunshine Hospital, Monash Medical Centre Clayton, and Grampians Health Ballarat – sites selected following careful consideration of population, community needs and ED demand.
Working with our primary health networks and partner hospitals, these five new centres will open over coming months, and operate seven days a week and 16 hours a day. The centres will be able to handle conditions such as mild infections, fractures and burns, and offer pathology and imaging services.
Accepting walk-ups, referrals and pre-booked appointments, the clinics will ensure vital ED resources are freed up for patients with more critical needs, taking pressure off EDs as we continue to face record levels of demand for care.
Victorian EDs are the busiest they have ever been, with presentations hitting a record 486,701 in the most recent quarter – an increase of 5.1 per cent from the previous quarter.
The new centres will help improve treatment times and reduce waiting times in EDs, while providing an alternative care pathway for non-emergency patients.
Despite record demand, our hardworking doctors and nurses are still delivering timely world-class care – with more than 99.9 per cent of Category 1 triaged patients being treated within recommended time frames.
This announcement follows a range of initiatives to deliver more care outside the hospital system, including the expansion of the Virtual ED and Better at Home program, as well as 28 state-funded GP respiratory clinics.
Daniel Andrews said:
“This will reduce demand on our emergency departments, ensuring those that need urgent care can get it faster and avoid an unnecessary trip to the ED.”
“The global pandemic has put health systems around the country under unprecedented pressure – and this is part of our comprehensive plan to deliver the care Victorians need, when they need it, close to home.”
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said:
“The former Morrison Government neglected primary care – meaning too many Victorians are ending up in an ED when they don’t need to be there. These new centres complement the other initiatives we’re delivering as part of our plan to build back a better health system.”

The State Government is delivering support to reinvigorate volunteering and bolster the ranks of community-based volunteer organisations for their vital work across Victoria.

Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Colin Brooks today announced the recipients of the Emerging Stronger grants, which will receive up to $80,000 to help strengthen volunteering by re-engaging volunteers and broadening their volunteer base.
The $1 million grants program recognises volunteering is vital to the delivery of everything from essential
community services and innovative projects that build stronger, more resilient and inclusive communities.
Through the Emerging Stronger grants program, the Labor Government is helping to provide more volunteering opportunities that are empowering, flexible, accessible and collaborative.
Wellsprings for Women, an organisation helping women from refugee, asylum seeker and migrant backgrounds access volunteering opportunities, is among the 19 grant recipients.
The centre hosts homework clubs for primary school children and language classes for women across the Cities of greater Dandenong and Casey, where 69 percent and 45 percent of the population respectively speak a language other than English at home.
The Emerging Stronger grant will help fund a volunteer training program that will provide a pathway to paid employment for up to 75 women, specifically from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
The grant program is a key part of the Victorian Volunteering Strategy launched in May, which encourages people
to give volunteering a go, or get back into it, following a significant drop in volunteering during the pandemic.
The Victorian Volunteering Strategy is the Government’s five-year action plan to promote, build, support and celebrate all forms of volunteering.
For more information and to view a full list of grant recipients, visit volunteer.vic.gov.au/grants
Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Colin Brooks said:
“Volunteers are vital to a vast array of essential services and community activities. Volunteers are also healthier and happier through social connection, and the sense of purpose and achievement it provides.”
“The programs run by grant recipients will boost volunteering and help Victoria’s social recovery from COVID-19.”
Wellsprings for Women CEO Dalal Smiley said:
“Our training program will help these women attain volunteering opportunities which are so important to increase self-esteem and build social connections – and ultimately gain paid employment.”

The State Government’s Women Leading Locally program is officially underway with the first intake of the program meeting to discuss key issues in the sector.

Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne today welcomed the first 60 participants of the program at an event at the RACV Club in Melbourne’s CBD.
Throughout the afternoon, participants took part in networking activities, mentoring sessions, and also heard from Kat Henaway, CEO of Politics In Colour to discuss the importance of cultural diversity in politics.
The Program is designed to inspire and equip women to become successful local representatives for their
communities and is being delivered by the Institute of Community Directors Australia in partnership with Womenfor Election.
Delivered over two years, 120 women will be supported through the program, with participants to also gain connections and tools to campaign as candidates in the next local government elections in 2024.
Women Leading Locally builds on the success of the Labor Government’s Gender Equality Advisory Committee (GEAC), led by MPs Kat Theophanous and Juliana Addison, who have assisted in the design of the program.
GEAC provides advice to the Minister for Local Government and the Minister addressing gender inequality in local government elected officials, with the goal of reaching 50 per cent representation among councillors and mayors by 2025.
GEAC draws on experience from across the sector to ensure local government can harness the benefits of equality for all Victorians.
The next round of the leadership program for the remaining 60 women is scheduled to begin in early 2023.
To find out more about the program, GEAC and other LGV programs supporting gender equality visit
localgovernment.vic.gov.au.
Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne said:
“Achieving gender equality in local government leadership will deliver real benefits because when you have diversity in decision-making bodies, decisions are made that better represent the needs of the community.”
“This program will help break down the barriers many women face to stand for leadership positions and give them the skills and confidence to campaign in the local government elections in 2024.”
Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins said:
“It’s critical that we give the right support to women who are considering standing for leadership positions within local politics to ensure we get more diversity and better decision-making throughout the sector.”

A new global tech unicorn – a company with a valuation exceeding $1 billion – has chosen Victoria as the base to build its Oceania operations, bringing new jobs as well as opportunities for universities and graduates.

LeadSquared is one of India’s leading Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms and supported by the State Government, it will establish its Oceania headquarters and global training hub in Melbourne.
The move enhances Victoria’s position as a leader in the tech sector and will create 18 high-skilled jobs. The state’s
world-class technology infrastructure and talent, renowned culture of innovation and thriving education and financial services sectors were key factors in the move.
Melbourne will be LeadSquared’s global hub for all training needs and the company is looking to partner with a Victorian university to deliver its training program.
Victoria’s tech sector contributes more than $38 billion to the economy annually and supports almost 140,000 workers across 20,000 businesses.
The State Government’s International Investment Strategy continues to attract more global organisations from high-impact industries to secure the jobs, skills and technology that will drive long-term growth in the Victorian economy.
A leader in end-to-end sales, marketing, and onboarding automation solutions, LeadSquared raised over $220 million in its series-C round to achieve its unicorn status, pushing its valuation past $1.3 billion.
The firm’s purpose-built platform connects experiences across digital properties, back-office systems, company staff and customers to provide sales and marketing solutions.
The Bengaluru-based firm has more than 1,000 staff with operations in India, the US, Singapore, the Middle East and South Africa and clients including global Edtech companies such as Byju’s, Unacademy, Cuemath and UpGrad. In Melbourne, staff will focus on sales, marketing, engineering and servicing.
Minister for Economic Development Tim Pallas said:
“The arrival of LeadSquared builds our tech excellence and provides terrific new jobs.”
“Tens of thousands of Victorians do great things in tech every day and it’s vital that we continue to grow and create opportunities for the coders, engineers and developers of the future.”
LeadSquared CEO Nilesh Patel said:
“Melbourne’s innovation culture, technology infrastructure and talent will play a key role in supporting our global expansion efforts in the region and will also lead in our go-to-market training efforts globally.”