July 2016
Wednesday, 27 July 2016 09:51

Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre in the running for training award

Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre (PNC Training) has been identified as one of the best training providers across the state and is in the running for a Victorian Training Award.

PNC Training manager, Karen Fleischer, said the team was “humbled” to be in the running for the prestigious Victorian Community Training Provider of the Year award, and that it was due to a strong partnership it has established with Federation Training over many years. 

Ms Fleischer said PNC, along with Noweyung, Buchan Neighbourhood House, Orbost Telecentre and SNAP, were members of Gippsland East Learn Local Organisation (GELLA). One of the aims of GELLA is to provide Learn Local pre-accredited training to the community following the closure of Community College East Gippsland. 

“We’ve got a dedicated team of people who work very hard and provide a quality service to the community,” Ms Fleischer said.

“To win it, it would be recognition of the effort and what the team does here at Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre. It (to be named a finalist) validates the quality of the programs we provide and our commitment to the community,” she said.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said it was pleasing news to have a local training provider shortlisted for such an award, which will be presented on Friday, August 26.

“I fully congratulate the educators and staff at Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre for providing such high standards of adult, community and further education to the community,” he said.

The Victorian Community Training Provider of the Year is one of 15 categories featured in the awards, with Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre the only East Gippsland nominee.

“PNC Training and Federation Training have established a fantastic partnership that is seeing more people being entered into courses at either Paynesville or Bairnsdale. There are people coming through the door at PNC who are being referred to courses at Federation Training, and vice versa,” Mr Bull said.

An example of the strong partnership is PNC’s ‘Linking Learning to the Land’ program with Federation Training’s ‘Paddock to Plate’ initiative, according to Federation Training’s Karen Bird.

“In its first six months, there have been 130 enrolments, with four apprentice outcomes in term three,” Ms Bird said.

Expressions of interests are currently being sought for PNC Training’s ‘A Start on the Land’ course which is being offered in partnership with Federation Training. This course is for people with no farm experience who want to learn about job opportunities with local farming industries.

Federation Training is hosting four of PNC Training courses this term. They are ‘Your Next Step’, ‘A Start on the Land’, ‘Skills for Successful Supervision’ and ‘Improving Team Productivity Course’.

 

Caption: Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, congratulates Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre manager, Karen Fleischer (left), with Federation Training’s Karen Bird, after PNC was shortlisted for a Victorian Training Award.

 

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Published in Media
Thursday, 21 July 2016 15:11

Farmers encouraged to apply for funding

Young farmers in East Gippsland have the opportunity to apply for funding so they are better equipped to face the farming challenges and opportunities of the future, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has announced.

Mr Bull said scholarships of up to $10,000 were available to farmers and farmhands under 35 years of age to help them improve development and career progression.

“$5000 is available for study and another $5000 is available for farmers to invest on-farm or in professional development activities to help put new skills into practice,” he said.

Mr Bull said the scholarship program was designed so it can be flexible to fit in with the demands of farmers and farmhands across the state.

“Some of the courses eligible include human resources training, business management, a Diploma in Agriculture, a Diploma of Agribusiness Management and on-farm technical training,” he said.

Applications for the Young Farmers Scholarship Program close on August 26.

More information on the program is available at www.vic.gov.au/youngfarmers

Caption: Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is encouraging farmers under the age of 35 to apply for State Government grants to invest on-farm or in professional development activities.

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Published in Media
Wednesday, 20 July 2016 09:24

Region recovering well after floods

State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the region was recovering well after the recent floods and was looking forward to a bumper spring period.

I have spoken to a number of farmers who lost fencing and crops, but as always they are being optimistic. A common phrase I have heard is “in the scheme of floods it wasn’t a bad one”.

Mr Bull said it was important that the wider Victorian community knew that East Gippsland was well and truly open for business.

“The way some things are reported in the metropolitan media, people could be excused for thinking the entire area was under water. They see the worst pictures that are published and think that is typical, so we need to get the real message out there,” he said.

Mr Bull said he hoped these floods did not result in a summer algal bloom, but given the level of flooding, history would say it is more than likely.

“There is a greatly increased chance of a significant algal bloom in summer after floods of this nature in the winter as it dumps high levels of soils and nutrients in the system. If the other factors fall into place, including high temperatures, salinity levels and still days to name a few, blooms were very likely.

“They are a completely natural occurrence that was taking place in the Gippsland Lakes before white settlement, so if it happens I hope we can get well into the tourist season first,” he said.

 

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Published in Media
Tuesday, 19 July 2016 15:25

Input sought for invasive animal inquiry

Local farmers and landholders have been encouraged to make submissions to a Victorian Parliament inquiry into the control of invasive animals on Crown land.

Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said he had received a number of complaints from concerned property owners regarding effects caused by many species including wild dogs, foxes, feral cats and sambar deer on the environment, property and livestock.

“If left unchecked, invasive animals will spiral out of control in certain areas and we have seen that first-hand in East Gippsland,” he said.

“The committee needs to hear from our local people who face issues with invasive animals and this inquiry is an opportunity to have your say on how issues can be addressed on Crown land.

“This issue affects many regional areas across Victoria and city Members of Parliament need to understand the impacts that invasive animals are causing in county areas.”

The Nationals Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Tim McCurdy, is the deputy chair of the Environment, Natural Resources and Regional Development Committee which is conducting the inquiry.

Mr McCurdy said deer, foxes, wild dogs, rabbits, feral pigs and feral goats were some of the main species causing issues.

Submissions can be made until August 8, 2016. For more information, including how to make a submission and the terms of reference for the committee, visit www.parliament.vic.gov.au/enrrdc

Caption: The Environment, Natural Resources and Regional Development Committee is seeking feedback on how best to manage invasive animals such as sambar deer (pictured) on Crown land in Victoria. Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is encouraging affected local landholders to make a submission.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Published in Media