Press Releases

The Nationals Member for Mildura Peter Crisp will join students and families in a walk from Washington Drive to Mildura West Primary School tomorrow morning (FRIDAY) at 8.30am. 

“Mildura West is an excellent example of how walk and ride to school programs have been promoted and utilised by both students and parents,” Mr Crisp said. 

“A feature is the participation of mums, dads, grandparents, younger children in strollers and their siblings on bikes, scooters and skateboards. 

“Last time, while the event started with about 15 it grew to about 60 by the time procession reached the school. 

“What is special is the good feeling and the laughter,” Mr Crisp said.

State President of The Nationals, Mr Peter Schwarz is encouraging students to get their applications in as The Nationals Scholarship for Young Leaders 2012 draws to a close. The scholarship will assist students from rural and regional Victoria in their chosen tertiary pathway.

“The Nationals are committed to ensuring that regional and rural young people continue to reach their potential through higher education and training opportunities.” Mr Schwarz said.

“The scholarship winners will be chosen based on their academic endeavors, local leadership qualities, community involvement and their commitment to rural life.”

The total value of the scholarship is $5,000 which may be shared amongst one or more successful applicants.

“The Scholarship for Young Leaders has been a great success in the many years The Nationals have committed to run the bursary. The response from students across the state has traditionally been of a high caliber and the quality of the applications shows the strength and resilience of young people from across country Victoria,” Mr Schwarz said.

Member for Mildura, Peter Crisp, said the Scholarship was a fantastic initiative and encouraged eligible students to apply.

“The Nationals are proud to support regional and rural students pursuing their tertiary studies and promoting exceptional leadership qualities from future leaders, especially those committed to the future development of regional and rural Victoria.” Mr Crisp said.

The selection criteria for The Nationals Scholarship includes the applicant’s academic record, leadership qualities and community involvement. It is intended that The Nationals Scholarship be awarded to students who are intending to return to or remain in the country after their course and demonstrate a career commitment that will ultimately benefit rural/regional Victoria. Special consideration may also be given to students in hardship situations.

“I would encourage all school leavers and young people progressing with tertiary studies in 2012 to consider applying for the Young Leaders Scholarship.” said Mr Crisp.

The application process will be open until February 24, 2012. Application forms can be downloaded from The Nationals website:

www.vic.nationals.org.au

Member for Mildura, Peter Crisp, has announced that Sunnycliffs Primary School, Tempy Primary School, Woomelang Group School are among the first of almost 300 primary schools that will receive funding for a welfare officer as part of a $124.4 million Victorian Coalition Government election commitment to help stamp out bullying and provide additional support to students and families.

 The expansion of the Primary Welfare Officer (PWO) initiative will deliver on the Coalition Government’s election promise of an additional 150 welfare officers over the next four years to assist primary school students across the state.

 The funding boost, announced in this year’s State Budget, will see welfare officers working in two out of three government primary, P-12 and special schools. Under the Coalition’s plan, every Victorian primary school will eventually have access to a Primary Welfare Officer.

 Education Minister Martin Dixon said the Coalition Government had listened to the positive feedback from principals about the program.

 “Principals of primary schools where the program has operated have been incredibly supportive of the work of welfare officers and have reported enormous improvements in students’ behaviour, attendance, willingness to learn and general perception of themselves,” Mr Dixon said.

 Mr Dixon said the Primary Welfare Officers initiative would be supported by other measures to help teachers identify, prevent and manage bullying and behavioural issues.

 Other commitments to improve student welfare include:

 - $10.5 million for the eSmart initiative to help every government school and 300 Catholic and independent schools educate students about cybersafety and cyberbullying;

 - $2 million over four years for teacher professional development to manage classroom behaviour;

 - $4 million over four years to review and update bullying policies and programs for Victorian government schools.

can literally punch in your postcode and find out about local war memorials, avenues of honour and memorial buildings has been launched in Victoria.  

“The database is part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to educate the community about the importance of our war memorials and monuments and remembering the sacrifice our veterans and current serving personnel have made for our country,” Member for Mildura, Peter Crisp, said.

Known as the Victorian War Heritage Inventory, the searchable database contains information and images of sites relating to Victoria’s war history sites and places of commemoration and can be found on the Victorian Veterans Virtual Museum at www.veterans.vic.gov.au  

Five schools in the Mildura electorate are set to receive a new playground/hard court/car park thanks to the Coalition Government’s commitment to restore play areas affected by Building the Education Revolution (BER) construction works.

Mildura Primary School, Mildura West Primary School, Ranfurly Primary School, Red Cliffs Secondary and the Lake Primary School are five of more than 100 schools across the state set to benefit from the Coalition Government’s decision to provide up to $5 million to reinstate playgrounds, hard courts and car parks removed or demolished as part of BER projects.

Member for Mildura, Peter Crisp, welcomed the Government’s decision to reinstate facilities lost at government schools during the roll-out of the BER program. The schools will receive the following:

“This is a win for the schools and the local community as playgrounds and hard courts play a vital role in student engagement, learning, social skills and physical education,” Mr Crisp said.

Education Minister Martin Dixon said the Government had listened to schools and acted to reinstate these facilities.

“The Coalition Government has ensured Victorian government schools such as these receive funding to reinstate facilities they lost during the BER program,” Mr Dixon said.

“Children across the state will be able to enjoy these new play areas, which are essential for a well-rounded education.”

www.acfe.vic.gov.au