Media Releases

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

Twenty young Aboriginal achievers were recognised today at the 16th annual Ricci Marks Awards ceremony at the Korin Gamadji Institute in Richmond.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Jeanette Powell announced Verhonda Smith from Preston and Benson Saulo from Prahran as the recipients of the 2012 Ricci Marks Award in recognition of young Aboriginal achievers.

“The Victorian Government is committed to advancing the development of Indigenous youth,” Mrs Powell said.

“One of the principles guiding the Victorian Government’s approach to Aboriginal Affairs is that of aspiration, believing that every Victorian should have the opportunity to reach his or her fullest potential.

“The Ricci Marks Award is one part of the Victorian Government’s efforts to recognise, support and celebrate young Aboriginal achievers,” Mrs Powell said.

Student of Indigenous Studies and History at Melbourne University, Verhonda (Bonnie) Smith excels in netball and was the captain of the National Indigenous Schoolgirl’s Netball team for two years. Bonnie’s
fundraising efforts for the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program led her to the Kokoda Track and remote Kimberley. Bonnie is motivated to promote healthy living and unite the community through sport.

Benson Saulo is the first Indigenous Australian to be appointed as the Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations and has inspired many young people throughout Australia. Benson is passionate about
Indigenous youth leadership and presently holds the position of a National Director of the National Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy.

A $500 Encouragement Award was presented to Edward (Eddie) Bryant, a young Yorta Yorta man from Shepparton. Eddie was the first Aboriginal student at his primary school to become a school captain, and excels in sport and the performing arts. Eddie has learned Auslan so that he may communicate with
friends and family. Eddie aspires to be a strong Indigenous leader and a role model for his community.

“I was delighted to watch Eddie perform in Pekan Summer, written by famed Aboriginal soprano and actor Debra Cheetham,” Mrs Powell said.

The 20 nominees for the 2012 Ricci Marks Award came from around Victoria, including Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Gippsland, Shepparton and the Wodonga/Albury region.

The award is named after the late Ricci Marks, who in 2000 received what was then the Aboriginal Young Achiever Award. The award title was changed to honour Ricci Marks following his death in 2004 at the age of 21. Each award recipient receives a $5,000 bursary to support their future learning and development.

Youth organisation Word and Mouth in Shepparton will receive a $2,000 State Government grant for its annual Shine Youth Festival, State Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell announced today.

The grant was one of many given across the state by the Victorian Coalition Government to celebrate National Youth Week, which runs from April 13-22.

Mrs Powell said she had been involved in Word and Mouth activities in the past and was pleased the Government was able to help out with funding for the group’s annual festival.

“Word and Mouth, an organisation for 16-30 year-olds, has been operating in Shepparton since 2003 and in that time, I have been fortunate enough to attend several of the events they have hosted,” Mrs Powell said.

“The Shine Youth Festival is an annual event for the group, and with the State Government’s contribution, Word and Mouth will be able to host a variety of activities and events, including a BMX, skate and scooter competition and a talent contest.”

Minister for Youth Affairs Ryan Smith said the theme for this year’s National Youth Week was “Imagine. Create. Inspire”.

“I congratulate the young Victorians who have successfully lodged an application for an event with the help of their community and local governments,” Mr Smith said.

“Their creativity and passion for celebrating National Youth Week will no doubt result in a fantastic week of events for young people in Victoria.

“We need to foster an environment where young people feel connected to their community, are able to engage positively with each other and National Youth Week is an opportunity to do that,” Mrs Powell said.

For more information on National Youth Week 2012 go to www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/nyw/.

For information on depression or anxiety visit www.youthbeyondblue.com or phone 1300 224 636.

Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell announced today the 1st Mooroopna and 1st Shepparton North Scout Groups will receive a share of a $50,000 Victorian Government grant to improve their facilities.

“Scouting is a wonderful opportunity for young people to experience activities which help them become well-rounded young adults who can then make a positive contribution in the community,” Mrs Powell said.

The two local scout groups will share the grant with the 1st Cobram scout group.

“I have attended awards ceremonies at the local scouts groups and have seen the wonderful work they do and the skills and experience they gain to help them throughout their lives,” Mrs Powell said.

“The Scout groups will also use the funds on electrical upgrades and for essential safety compliance measures.

The Victorian Coalition Government is committed to supporting our local scouts in their endeavour to improve their facilities.”

Minister for Youth Affairs Ryan Smith said the $4 million program delivered on the Government’s election commitment to upgrade Scouts and Girl Guides facilities across the state.

“With this new funding Scouts Victoria and Guides Victoria will be able to modernise facilities and to continue their fantastic work in supporting, training and mentoring young Victorians.

“This funding also ensures that these facilities are still available for other community needs, such as accommodating local not-for-profit organisations working with young people,” Mr Smith said.

To get involved with your local Girl Guide or Scout group visit www.guidesvic.org.au or www.vicscouts.com.au.

Minister for Aboriginal affairs Jeanette Powell has called for nominations for the Ricci Marks Award 2012 to acknowledge outstanding achievements of young Indigenous people in Victoria.

Each year the Ricci Marks Award, a $5,000 bursary, is presented to two young Indigenous people to support further development in their chosen field.

“The Ricci Marks Award recognises individual achievements of young Indigenous people in a number of fields including education, arts, sport, culture and community leadership,” Mrs Powell said.

“It is very important we publicly recognise and encourage the efforts of young Indigenous Victorians who in turn act as positive role models for their peers and the wider community.

“The award is part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to fostering and celebrating achievement and success among Indigenous Victorians.

“The recently launched Victorian Indigenous Honour Roll is another example of recognising and promoting the achievements of significant Indigenous Victorians.

“The Ricci Marks award shines a well deserved light on our young achievers and future leaders which is particularly important as more than half of Victoria’s Indigenous population is less than 25 years of age,” Mrs Powell said.

To be eligible for the Ricci Marks Award, nominees must be a resident of Victoria and between 16 and 25 years of age as of 1 January 2012.

The award is named after the late Ricci Marks, who was a recipient of what was then the Aboriginal Young Achiever Award in 2000. The award title was changed to honour Ricci Marks following his death in 2003 at the age of 21.

Nominations are to be submitted to Aboriginal Affairs Victoria and will be accepted until 13 March 2012.

Nomination forms are available online at www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/Indigenous or by contacting Aboriginal Affairs Victoria on (03) 9208 3255 or via email petr.svoboda@dpcd.vic.gov.au

Recipients of the 2012 Ricci Marks Award will be announced at a presentation to be held in Melbourne on 23 April 2012.

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

Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell has announced the Goulburn Valley Regional Library Corporation will receive $29,461 from the Premiers’ Reading Challenge Book Fund to purchase books and associated materials.

“The Coalition Government is committed to improving educational opportunities for young Victorians and the Premiers’ Reading Challenge Book Fund provides access to a fabulous reading list of more than 4,000 items,” Mrs Powell said.

The Premiers’ Reading Challenge is distributing $1 million amongst local councils, regional library corporations and Vision Australia to purchase books and materials on the reading list of the Book Fund.

“The Book Fund is an important component of the Coalition Government’s investment in encouraging Victoria’s young people to read more widely on their journey to lifelong learning,” Mrs Powell said.

“Containing authors as diverse and important as Homer, Dickens and Pamela Allen, the Book Fund’s reading list is replete with titles to delight and challenge children of all ages.”

Premier Ted Baillieu has adopted a bi-partisan approach to the Book Fund and has enlisted the support of former Premiers John Cain, Joan Kirner, Jeff Kennett, Steve Bracks and John Brumby for this fantastic literacy initiative.

The $1 million from the Premiers’ Reading Challenge Book Fund is in addition to the
$33.5 million that has been allocated in recurrent grants to public libraries under the Public Libraries Funding Program in 2011-12.

The Coalition Government has also committed $17.2 million to the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program to assist councils and regional library corporations in building new facilities and rejuvenating existing libraries.

“Victoria has a highly regarded public library network and the Coalition Government is intent on improving the services libraries deliver and the buildings they operate in,” Mrs Powell said.

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 is encouraging the youth of the Shepparton district to apply for grants to fund events that celebrate and recognise their contribution to the community.
National Youth Week (NYW) is an annual, week-long celebration of young people (aged 12–25) throughout Australia and in 2012 it will be held from 13 April to 22 April 2012.
Mrs Powell said these grants aim to promote positive images of young people where they showcase their talents and get involved in a range of youth-led activities.
“We have many amazing young people in the Shepparton district who are keen to get involved in projects which showcase local talent,” Mrs Powell said.
“This is an excellent opportunity for young people to access funds which will assist in the organisation of events for young people.
“To access these grants young people must work in partnership with a local council, community organisation or school,” Mrs Powell said.
The events can as broad as
• Arts focused events, photography exhibitions, mural creation and youth magazines
• Sporting events, such as soccer tournaments, skate, BMX and basketball competitions
• Festivals with live bands, stalls, demonstrations and competitions
• Workshops and forums which promote a community focus on issues of concern to young people including body image, cyber safety, mental health and wellbeing

Applications are open for two grants:
• $2000 for young people working with an organisation to deliver a local community based project; and
• $2000 for young people working with an organisation to deliver an event that raises awareness of depression or anxiety (supported by Youthbeyondblue).

Applications must be submitted by 5pm Friday 9 December 2011. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

If you have difficulty submitting an application, you can call the Grants Information Line on 1300 366 356.

For further information on NYW 2012, or for an alternative way to submit a grant application, please contact Kate Duncan at the Office for Youth on (03) 9935 3023.