Peter in the Electorate

A pilot program teaching computer skills to people with disabilities is creating new employment opportunities, fostering social inclusion and helping Paynesville locals take on further education and training.

Minister for Higher Education and Skills Peter Hall visited Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre today to see the Pilot Program for People with Disabilities in action.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is proud to have contributed more than $25,000 towards the program that is already seeing fantastic outcomes, with participants gaining employment and heading into further study,” Mr Hall said.

“It was wonderful to meet students receiving training tailored to meet their needs and delivered in a supportive environment.”

The pilot program is providing basic computer skills training for special-needs learners with either a physical impairment or low vision. 

Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull said it was being delivered by the Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre in partnership with Gippsland Personnel, Noweyung Ltd (a Learn Local organisation), Commonwealth Rehab and the East Gippsland Shire Council.

“Learn Local organisations are the grassroots of community education, giving everyone the opportunity to learn new skills,” Mr Bull said.

Mr Hall said the Paynesville Neighborhood Centre was a small Learn Local that delivered a range of training focused on developing information technology, career development and job preparation skills.

“On behalf of the Coalition Government I would like to congratulate the Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre on the wonderful role it has played in supporting the local community for over 20 years,” Mr Hall said.

Minister for Higher Education and Skills Peter Hall has announced more than 80 Learn Local organisations will share in $3.78 million as part of Round 2 of the Adult Community and Further Education (ACFE) Capacity and Innovation Grants.

Mr Hall made the announcement at the Moe Life Skills Community Centre. The group is a recipient of two of the grants.

“Adult Community Education plays a vital role in Victoria’s education and training system and in achieving our social and economic success,” Mr Hall said.

“In the coming days more than 80 Learn Local organisations across Victoria will be notified of their success in gaining funding worth $3.78 million.”

The ACFE Capacity and Innovation Grants help Learn Local organisations, including neighbourhood and community houses, develop new programs to boost participation and learning.

“I am particularly pleased today to be announcing grants to a local organisation, Moe Life Skills, which is receiving $127,506 for two innovative and exciting projects,” Mr Hall said.

“The first is a project where people with a disability learn real skills in hospitality through setting up and running a coffee bar at Narracan Garden in Newborough.

“The cafe will be run in partnership with Narracan Garden Aged Care Facility and MECRUS – an Australian owned company that supports and retrains staff and managers to work productively.

“Their second project will see the development of new curriculum resources and assessment strategies to support learners attaining new skills at the Baw Baw and Latrobe pre-accredited network of 11 Learn Local organisations.

“Today’s announcement comes hot on the heels of the 2011 Victorian Learn Local Awards where Moe Life Skills won an award for Outstanding Pre-accredited Program for a theatre program designed for adults with an intellectual disability.

“There are great projects up and running in Moe that seek to improve the employment prospects for people who need support.

“As a knowledge-driven economy, Victoria will increasingly need an inclusive workforce with higher levels of qualifications and skills.”

Minister for Higher Education and Skills, Peter Hall farwelled Victoria’s five Skillaroos from Melbourne Airport as they headed to London for the 41^st WorldSkills Competition recently.

The WorldSkillS Competition is held every two years and involves more than 50 countries competing for the title of world’s best tradesmen and women.

Selected young people aged 17 to 22 years are chosen to compete on the global stage to showcase and raise the standards of their country’s skills.

The Skillaroos are supported by metropolitan and regional education providers including the University of Ballarat, Marjorie Millner College and RMIT.

Two of the five Skillaroos to compete at the WorldSkills Competition, Nicholas Sharp and Tamika Mackrell, work in Gippsland. Nicholas is supported by RMIT Brunswick and works for James Yeates and Sons in Bairnsdale while Tamika supported by Marjorie Millner College, works as a florist at Jen’s Flowers in Sale.

Other young Victorians to receive the honour were David McPherson, Matthew Hall and Romain Marteau, all supported by the University of Ballarat.

Minister for Higher Education and Skills Peter Hall visited Chisholm’s Berwick campus to formally announce funding of $22 million to build the Berwick Trade Careers Centre.

Chisholm Institute’s Berwick campus was the big winner in the State Budget, receiving the lion’s share in vocational education and training capital works funding.

Mr Hall said the $22 million investment would go a long way to helping meet the rapidly increasing demand for trade training in the area.

The new state-of-the-art facility will serve industry and the local community with a broad range of course options provided by outstanding and highly qualified teachers and trainers.

The annual South Gippsland Dairy Expo was held on the 29^th and 30^th of September at the Poowong Recreation Reserve.

The expo attracted a number of farmers and many others to look and learn about the latest industry technology and information.

I had the pleasure of taking part in the expo’s milking competition against Member for Bass Ken Smith.

I’m pleased to say I am now the official “It’s more than a handful, Udder Champ!”

An evening of entertainment, light hearted fun and great food and wine was recently hosted by the Gippsland Nationals team of Peter Hall, Peter Ryan, Darren Chester and Russell Northe at the Traralgon Vineyard.

An Evening with The Nationals was a great success with many people from the Gippsland community enjoying a Christmas in July themed meal at the picturesque Traralgon winery.

Throughout the evening guests received a light-hearted insight into the lives of their Gippsland representatives including past television bloopers, football tragedy and triumphs and even singing prowess!

Other highlights included Gavin Foenander’s own Sammy Newman version of "Street Talk" filmed on the streets of Traralgon, an auction run by Rob Wilson, music by The Jars Brothers and a revealing Q and A opportunity with the pollies.

It was an informal non-political night with many laughs and it was great to see so many familiar faces thoroughly enjoying the evening.

Thank you to all of those who attended and volunteered their time to make the night a great success.

Shadow Minister for Tertiary Education Mr Peter Hall will be conducting a tour of all 18 Victorian TAFE Institutes in the coming weeks.

Mr Hall said he expects to discuss a range of matters including; the impact of the Government’s skills reform on 2010 enrolments, the TAFE governance review recently undertaken by the Government, and matters associated with the education of international students in Victoria. 

Above is Peter with John Fisher Owner/ Operator of WIne Justice