Press Releases

Young people aged 12-25 can now apply for grants to help their local communities celebrate next year’s National Youth Week, Member for Mildura, Peter Crisp, said today.

The theme for 2012 Youth Week, from 13-22 April, is ‘Imagine. Create. Inspire’, which aims to recognise the contribution young people make to their community and to be proud of their achievements.

“These grants represent a great opportunity for young people to get involved in their community and put on an exciting event for local youth.

“It is important that young people find meaningful ways to engage with their peers and other community members and getting involved in a Youth Week event is a chance to do just that.”

Grants of up to $2000 are available in two categories;·

- Grants for young people working with an organisation to deliver a local community based event; and·

- Grants for young people working with an organisation to deliver an event that raises awareness of depression and anxiety.

The $155,000 grants program has been made available through a partnership with the Victorian Coalition Government, Australian Government and Youthbeyondblue.

Applications for National Youth Week 2012 grants close on Friday 9 December 2011. For further information on the grants program visit www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/nyw .

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.

Member for Mildura, Peter Crisp, is calling on people in the Mildura Electorate to nominate remarkable local women in the community for the 2012 Victorian Honour Roll of Women.

“In my travels I have met some exceptional women and this electorate is blessed to be home to many remarkable women who work hard in their chosen field and in volunteer roles within the community.”

He said previous recipients in the Mildura Electorate included Jill Joslyn for her dedication to the issue of youth suicide in rural and remote areas and her work breaking down the stigmas associated with mental illness. 

Mr Crisp said the Victorian Honour Roll of Women is an opportunity for these people to be recognised for the important services they give to their communities.

“It provides an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of outstanding women either through their service to their local community or professional work.”

Each year the Honour Roll pays tribute to women from across Victoria who have succeeded through vision, leadership, commitment and hard work.

Women who have been honoured in past years come from a diverse range of fields including health, science, law, social justice, arts, media and education.

Since its inception in 2011 as part of Victoria’s Centenary of Federation celebrations, 478 women have been included in the Honour Roll.

The new inductees will be announced in March 2012 as part of International Women’s Day.

Nominations are open until 21 December 2011. Application forms and guidelines are available at www.women.vic.gov.au or by contacting the Office of Women’s Policy at the Department of Human Services on (03) 9918 7345.

www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au or www.veterans.vic.gov.au

www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/teendrinkinglaw.