This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced.
AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
Engineers Australia has been approached by a large number of its members and partner organisations who have concerns about the implications of the closure. These include a significant increase in the cost and time needed to certify new systems if companies are forced to use overseas facilities for electrical testing.
This could lead to reduced testing regimes or companies withdrawing from domestic production altogether.
Ultimately, closure of the facility could lead to job losses and business closures, weakened supply chains and a lack of local innovation.
Engineers Australia’s General Manager for Policy and Advocacy Jonathan Russell said the organisation understood the seriousness of the situation and was taking action.
“As well as advocacy to relevant Ministers at the state and Commonwealth levels, we are working with government agencies and industry peers to shine a light on the issue so we can start developing solutions,” he said.
Australian Industry Group represents some of the biggest manufacturers in the country and is working with Engineers Australia to draw attention to the potential closure. Senior Adviser – Standards and Regulation James Thomson said there was no easy solution to the problem, but that something needed to be done.
“It is vital this capability is kept in Australia,” he told create.
“From what we understand, it is unique in the entire southern hemisphere in terms of its capability and the experience of its staff.”
While there is a facility in Melbourne that can do similar testing, it doesn’t have the capacity or throughput of the Lane Cove site.
In fact, Engineers Australia has reviewed alternative testing sites in Australia and New Zealand, and none have the capability to replace the Sydney site. And it would likely cost tens of millions of dollars to establish an equivalent.
The Lane Cove facility is unique in terms of its purpose-built equipment and its co-location with an electrical substation and 132 kV connection, which means it can draw very high currents without disrupting the network.
“Work will have to be sent overseas,” Thomson said.
“This means substantially longer turnaround times and a great deal more cost because of the shipping involved.”
Shipping isn’t an option for electrical solutions provider Powins, which uses the facility to test products including switchgear designs for the mining sector.
Engineering Manager Stuart Kemp MIEAust said the firm would be forced to move testing overseas — probably to Europe — if the Lane Cove facility closes, and that limited timeframes for testing meant products would need to be sent by air.
“We don’t have the luxury of sea freight,” he told create. “This means some disassembly of our products for the purposes of air freight. It’s a lot more trouble than putting equipment on a truck and sending it from Brisbane to Sydney.”
As a small local business, Kemp said Powins doesn’t have millions of dollars to put into research and development like some of its multinational competitors. While government grants are available to fund product development, Powins still funnels a substantial amount of its profits into new designs.
The lack of a local testing facility could be a “tipping point” for similar small companies over whether they continue to operate.
“That might sound excessive, but when a company supplies electrical products to industry, the expectation is that they’re at the forefront of Australian and international standards,” Kemp said.
“A lot of product development is trial and error … You’re finding out what works, what doesn’t and redesigning, rebuilding and retesting. Imagine doing that overseas — you’re talking about several hundred thousand dollars just for a small project. It will be financially impossible for some companies.”
And the testing doesn’t end once a product hits the market. It is an ongoing process, as products must be re-tested every time a standard is reviewed.
“It’s a constant cycle, and a constant drain on both resources and funds,” Kemp said.
“To tell some companies they have to go overseas, that could be the point when they think it’s not worth it any more. And then what are we talking about? Jobs.”
The 15th annual Nanga Mai awards, held virtually yesterday, celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal students and the continued commitment and accomplishments of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal staff, school communities, and community members.
Banora Point High School and five students across the northern rivers region were honoured for their outstanding contribution to Aboriginal education in NSW public schools at the 2021 Nanga Mai Awards. They were among 33 winners recognised across 17 categories across the arts, sport, leadership and academic excellence.
Mia Thom from Byron Bay High School received the award for the ‘Highest achieving Aboriginal student in the 2020 Higher School Certificate’. She earned an ATAR of 99.95 and will be studying a Bachelor of Law with an emphasis on Indigenous Studies and Human Rights at the University of Sydney.
Kiahn Ladkin, also from Byron Bay High School, was awarded the ‘Outstanding Achievement in Performing/Creative/Visual Arts’. Kiahn is a high academic achiever, committed to a professional dancing career, and is involved with Bangarra Dance Theatre and mentoring younger Aboriginal students in dance.
The award for ‘Outstanding Student Achievement’ went to Banjo Golder from Bogangar Public School for his active involvement in school and community, assisting his peers to navigate Microsoft Teams during the pandemic lockdown, pursuing his public speaking interest, and is a singer-songwriter, didgeridoo maker and player.
Jasmin Morrissey from Tweed River High School was awarded the ‘Outstanding Achievement in Sport’ for representing her school and state in various sports including hockey, touch and athletics, is a member of the Queensland Under 18s Girls Hockey Squad, and school captain.
‘The Nanga Mai Awards display the NSW Government’s ongoing dedication to celebrating Aboriginal students, their achievements and their cultural identity,’ said Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning, Sarah Mitchell.
Authorities remain uncertain as to exactly who the woman acquired the infection from, but Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young said she was "not a risk at all" to the wider community.
Dr Young described the woman, who resides in the Wide Bay area three hours north of Brisbane, as "the perfect case".
"When the person came back to Queensland, they went into quarantine and they were tested on Monday night and they were negative on Monday night," Dr Young said.
"Then they were tested again Wednesday morning when they were positive, so they have been in quarantine during their infectious period – so not a risk at all."
The woman resides with a previously detected case who is now in hospital in the Wide Bay region, with Dr Young saying it's unclear whether the woman contracted her infection from the hen's party or from her housemate.
However, the fact that she initially tested negative meant she was not out in the community whilst infectious.
Dr Young said the extensive COVID-19 testing being done made her "reasonably confident" that Queensland Health was successfully managing its two outbreaks.
"The amount of testing over the last 48 hours has been astronomical," she said.
"Thank you to every single person who has come forward."
There are ongoing concerns about the growing number of COVID-19 cases being detected within the state's hotel quarantine system.
Nine additional cases were recorded in returned travellers today and there are now 82 people in Queensland hospitals with confirmed COVID-19 - 68 of whom are returned travellers.
"That's a real risk for us because I think we are the highest state in the country at the moment with the most number of active cases in hospital who are returned travellers from overseas," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"In light of that, I have written to the Prime Minister to ask for another further extension to the end of April in terms of reducing our capacity of returned travellers."
Sovereignty used to mean having supreme power or authority over a territory, such as a government. Today, technology sovereignty is changing this traditional concept. Sovereignty is no longer mainly associated with geography and military might because controlling technology is becoming more important for countries.
By being in control of critical tech, countries can produce and nurture local unicorns in synthetic biology and other industries. Helping these companies grow boosts the economy and creates more opportunities for everyone.
Controlling Critical Technologyhe COVID-19 pandemic revealed what happens when a country does not have access to technology or the manufacturing abilities to produce necessary supplies. From mask shortages to importing problems, many nations realized that they no longer had complete technology sovereignty.
Some technologies are so critical for running a country's economy and government that we must ask three important questions:
"If the answer to the above three questions is no, you have to make changes," says serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, co-founder of Amadeus Capital Partners, and vice-chair of the European Innovation Council, Hermann Hauser. "There is a danger of becoming a new vassal state to these tech giants. It's the danger of a new kind of colonialism, which is not enforced by military might but by economic dependence."
Although critical technology includes items such as microprocessors and semiconductors, products necessary for biology research are also becoming more important. This includes gene sequencing, biosensors, and medical tech.
"Even if you know how to produce something, not having the manufacturing capability will stop you so that you can't control critical technology," says Hauser.
Technology Sovereignty in Europe Technology sovereignty is a critical issue for Europe, according to Hauser. Without it, countries are vulnerable to technological coercion and dependence on others that can become dangerous.
"Europe actually doesn't have a startup problem. We produce more startups than the U.S.," says Hauser. "It's not a startup problem, but we have a scale-up problem. What the U.S. does so successfully, and China does as well, is provide financial aid for a company that looks promising."
The U.S. and China have venture capital communities and government support that can give $50 to $100 million to early-stage companies and help them scale rapidly. Europe does not have the financial infrastructure that enables them to take these bigger risks and write large checks. Europe only has about one-fifth of the venture capital available compared to the U.S.
However, the European Innovation Council (EIC), where Hauser is vice-chair, is trying to change the startup culture. The EIC has a budget of over €10 billion for 2021through 2027 to help develop and support innovation in Europe. This makes the EIC the biggest tech investor in Europe, with key focus areas in biology, healthcare, and green technology.
"Most of the money still has to come from the market, so the venture capital community in Europe can remain strong, and the EIC can turbocharge it. But we can do deals like giving €15 million as long as at least another €15 million comes from the market, and we can sweeten the deal with €2.5 million in grants," says Hauser.
The Role of Synthetic Biology in Biotech SovereigntyBiotech sovereignty is becoming a greater concern as synthetic biology grows. We are already starting to see issues, especially in genetic sequencing. For example, the Nagoya Protocol added to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity attempted to address access to genetic resources and their fair sharing. It mentions that a state has sovereign rights over its natural resources and the genetic sequences of all life in its territory.
"If synthetic biology finally leads to therapies that are personalized for individuals, then the ability to manufacture them locally will become important," says Hauser.
One of the major global shifts that involves synthetic biology is the fundamental change happening in healthcare as it moves toward keeping people healthy instead of treating them only when they are ill. Being able to produce fast, personalized medicine for each individual requires biotech sovereignty on a local level.
Looking to learn more about where the synthetic biology industry is heading? Get access to our top 9 panel discussions and hear what synthetic biology investors, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders envision for the future of the industry. Join the Bioeconomy Revolution today!
Thank you to Lana Bandoim for additional research and reporting in this article. I’m the founder of SynBioBeta, and some of the companies that I write about are sponsors of the SynBioBeta conference and weekly digest.
Yebble has been formally approved by Landgate as the official name of a new locality along WA's South-West coastline.
Lands Minister Tony Buti announced the creation of Yebble in honour of local Noongar man, Mr Samuel Isaacs.
Yebble, Mr Isaacs Aboriginal name, was pivotal in a heroic rescue in 1876 where, together with Ms Grace Bussell, they rescued 54 passengers from the shipwrecked SS Georgette at Redgate Beach.
Having only received a bronze medallion for his efforts, in contrast to Grace Bussell's silver medallion, he was later awarded 100 acres of land in Margaret River for his efforts - the first land grant to an Aboriginal person in Western Australia.
The new locality is excised from the existing localities of Gracetown and Burnside which is mostly covered by the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park and not far from the land gifted to Mr Isaacs.
The Undalup Association with support from Dr Robert Isaacs, Yebble's great-grandson, initiated the proposal to have Mr Isaacs rightfully recognised for the significant role he played in the sea rescue.
The Shire of Augusta Margaret River endorsed the creation of the new locality following overwhelming public support during the consultation period.
The new locality includes the Ellensbrook Homestead and Meekadarribee Falls, which are both of historical and cultural significance to the local Noongar people.
Comments attributed to Lands Minister Tony Buti:
"I am honoured to announce the creation of Yebble to rightfully recognise Mr Samuel Isaacs for his part in this historic event in Margaret River.
"I would also like to acknowledge the great work undertaken in reawakening Aboriginal languages through place naming by the former Lands Minister, the Hon Ben Wyatt MLA, who supported the creation of Yebble.
"Aboriginal naming provides a gateway to respect, acknowledge and promote Aboriginal peoples' connection to the land.
"The creation of Yebble helps preserve and promote the Aboriginal people who have contributed to Western Australia's rich and diverse history."
Comments attributed to Aboriginal Affairs Minister Stephen Dawson:
"The McGowan Government strongly supports the preservation of Aboriginal cultural heritage and recognises that place names and language are an important link to history and identity.
"The new locality of Yebble is a nod to a local hero, and I'd like to congratulate everyone involved in bringing this special naming project to fruition.
"I look forward to seeing more Aboriginal place names adopted throughout Western Australia in the future."
Lands Minister's office - 6552 6400
Aboriginal Affairs Minister's office - 6552 5800
The Hon Sussan Ley MP, Minister for the Environment
The Hon Adam Marshall, NSW Minister for Agriculture
The Morrison Government is delivering on a $20 million commitment to rebuild native shell reefs, support local jobs and boost tourism with a three-hectare site at Port Stephens nearing completion.
The transformation of a disused oyster lease in Port Stephens to a thriving native shellfish reef that will boost fish stocks, improve water quality and help protect the coastline from erosion and the impacts of extreme weather will have the last of 4200 tonnes of rock laid in coming weeks.
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said Port Stephens would be the first of 13 Reefs to be completed around the country helping to restore a network of native shellfish reefs that will support precious marine eco systems and increase fish stocks in regions impacted by last year’s bushfires and now, in some cases floods.
“These reefs once thrived around Australia’s coasts but were victim to overharvesting and dredging in the late 1800s,” Minister Ley said.
“Our $20 million Reef Builder Program through The Nature Conservancy is helping to reverse some of that damage with each reef capable of boosting fish stocks by thousands of kilograms each year.
“For areas such as Port Stephens, where fishing is both an important local industry and a major tourism attraction, these Reefs can have a massive impact on local economies which have suffered in the face of bushfires, COVID and now in some cases floods.
“In Port Stephens we have invested more than $1.6 million to expand the existing one hectare oyster area at Myall in the eastern basin to more than four hectares, with increases to the second site at Karuah in the western basin later in the year.
“We now have a reef the size of two SCGs with several million oysters which will boost oyster stocks for local fishers, provide food and shelter for marine life and improve local water quality by filtering and cleaning water.”
NSW Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said the innovative project was designed to bring back oyster reefs in key locations to reap the natural benefits they bring to the local ecosystem.
“These projects deliver lasting change and benefits to these diverse ecosystems ensuring we have clean, healthy waterways for our communities and primary industries.
The Director of Oceans Programs for the Nature Conservancy Dr Chris Gillies said that shellfish reef restoration programs were delivering amazing results both here and overseas.
“For six years we have had a goal of restoring the rich network of reefs around Australia,” Mr Gillies said.
“Where we have established reefs through other projects we are seeing dramatic increases in fish-life from snapper to bream and flathead as well as crabs and other marine life.”
Reef Builder is an exciting partnership between the Australian Government and The Nature Conservancy will rebuild reefs around the Australian coastline, creating up to 170 jobs, engaging up to 120 local contractors and bringing marine ecosystems back from the brink of extinction.
Reefs will be built in NSW: Port Stephens, Botany Bay, Sapphire Coast; South Australia: Glenelg, Onkaparinga and Kangaroo Island; Queensland: Noosa River; Western Australia: Peel Harvey estuary, Swan River, Albany; Victoria: Port Phillip Bay, Gippsland Lake; Tasmania: Hobart Derwent Estuary
KYABRAM and district local businesses, sole traders, local councils, social enterprises and not-for-profits are encouraged to apply for a share of the state government's $250 million Jobs Victoria Fund.
Those eligible for the fund can receive wage subsidy payments of up to $20,000 to allow them to take on people most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp said the fund would help Victorian businesses and organisations to rebuild and grow by providing a wage subsidy of up to $20,000 per eligible employee to meet the costs of taking on new workers for the first 12 months of their employment.
“These wage subsidies could be the difference between a business being able to put on a worker or falling just short. I urge business owners and managers to check out what support is available,” he said.
“It’s crucial that we help those job-seekers who need it most, and this is a very practical way to do that.”
Women’s employment has been disproportionately affected by the pandemic and $150 million of the fund is dedicated to supporting women back into work, including $50 million supporting women over the age of 45.
The fund also focuses on people looking for work who are young, those who have been unemployed for six months or more, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, refugees and asylum seekers, and people living with a disability.
Employers looking for more information on the fund can call the Jobs Victoria hotline on 1300 208 575.
They can also register on the Jobs Victoria online hub to post jobs and recruit skilled and qualified people looking for work in their local area.
For more information on eligibility criteria, or to apply for the Jobs Victoria Fund, visit jobs.vic.gov.au/fund
More from the Kyabram Free Press:
Kyabram Goulburn Valley Water tank mural officially complete
[unable to retrieve full-text content]
Local mayors included in advisory panel - bay 93.9 Geelong Bay 93.9
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a large investment plan to ensure Australia's self-reliance for its defense capabilities.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed a plan on Wednesday to manufacture guided missiles within Australia.
Morrison announced a fast-tracked initiative to set up a $1 billion Australian dollar ($760 million; €650 million) sovereign guided weapons enterprise.
He said the government would partner with a global arms manufacturer and collaborate closely with the US.
He grounded the decision in the need to strengthen Australia's defense capabilities.
"Creating our own sovereign capability on Australian soil is essential to keep Australians safe,'' Morrison said.
The prime minister said that the coronavirus pandemic had revealed just how important it is for Australia to be self-reliant.
"As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, having the ability for self-reliance, be it vaccine development or the defense of Australia, is vital to meeting our own requirements in a changing global environment," he said.
Homegrown missile manufacture is just one part of a drive to revamp Australia's defense and its local defense industry with huge investments spread over 10 years.
Morrison said locally sourced missiles were necessary due to the possibility of global supply chain disruptions.
He added that the plan would create thousands of jobs and may also boost Australian exports.
Australia will work closely with the US to increase its defense capabilities. Both countries are part of the "Five Eyes" intelligence-sharing alliance along with Canada, the UK and New Zealand.
"We will work closely with the United States on this important initiative to ensure that we understand how our enterprise can best support both Australia's needs and the growing needs of our most important military partner," Defense Minister Peter Dutton said.
The enterprise could end up being worth up to AU$40 billion in local production and export, according to Dutton.
The government was looking to work together with a global arms manufacturer for the project.
Australian broadcaster ABC reported that Raytheon Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia, Konsberg and BAE Systems Australia were in the running.
ab/nm (dpa, AP)A tireless advocate for migrant workers through his work in the trade union movement, a pioneer of multicultural broadcasting in Victoria and long standing member of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria, George Zangalis passed away on Thursday, 25 March, ahead of a tribute to his life being planned for his 90th birthday in April.
With a statement, the Greek Community of Melbourne encourages the wider community to come together and honour his memory.
“It was with deep sadness that we learnt of the passing of a valued and long standing member of our organisation, George Zangalis.
George was one of the major proponents and advocates of multiculturalism in Australia , as well as a fierce campaigner for social justice and workers rights,” reads the statement.
“The Community in conjunction with the Rail,Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) and numerous other community organisations will be celebrating George’s life of activism on Sunday the 25th of April 2021, 2.30 pm at the Andrianakos Centre, Alphington Grammar.
We are looking forward to our members and the broader community coming together to reflect and honour George’s remarkable Contribution.”
Who was George Zangalis?
Born in Greece in 1931, George was the fourth in a family of five children. He grew up during the Resistance of the Greek people against the German occupation and the post-World War 2 Greek civil war.
After arriving in Australia in February 1950, aged 18, he became immediately involved in the working class and progressive organisations in the Greek community, the wider Australian labour movement, and the fledgling multicultural campaigns. His commitment to these causes continued throughout his lifetime
George pioneered Ethnic Community Broadcasting, serving on the ABC State and National Advisory Councils and the SBS Board in the early 1980s. He is a former President of Melbourne’s ethnic community radio station 3ZZZ and a former President of the National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters’ Council of Australia.
George was one of ECCV’s founders and served on the Board several times over its 47-year history. He was also a leading contributor to the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia’s support for migrant rights.
His involvement in numerous political, industrial and other campaigns is outlined in his 2009 book, Migrant Workers and Ethnic Communities. Their Struggles for Social Justice and Cultural Rights. The Role of Greek-Australians.
*With information from Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV)
As previously advised, the next local government general elections will take place on 4 September 2021 for all Councils in New South Wales.
State Executive has resolved that the Party will contest the following additional local government areas (series 4):
Please note that nominations are being re-opened in Port Stephens and Queanbeyan-Palerang, following unforeseen circumstances resulting in no valid nominations.
Nominations for selection to winnable positions in the above listed local government areas will open at 9:00am on Wednesday, 31 March 2021 and close at 5:00pm sharp on Wednesday, 21 April 2021.
Nominations for selection for unwinnable positions in the series 4 local government areas will also open at 9:00am on Wednesday, 31 March 2021 and will close upon the recommendation of the State Director following consultation with the Local Government Oversight Committee.
Members are invited to nominate for all positions, including unwinnable positions (please refer to the Members section of our website for a list of all winnable positions in these local government areas).
Nomination forms are available by clicking the download button or click here.
Please ensure you nominate using the current nomination form available by clicking the link above or from the forms and downloads section of the Members Website. Please do not use nomination forms circulated with previous emails.
The nomination form has been revised since nominations were opened for the 2020 local government elections and series 1 of the 2021 elections, and nominations lodged on a previous version of the nomination form will not be accepted. It is your responsibility to ensure you are using the current version of the form.
Please contact the Party Affairs Team if you have any questions regarding the nomination form or process.
Members are reminded of the Division's media regulations with regard to making public comments on nominations and pre-selections.
No public statements, either written or oral can be made by party members in relation to party matters including the selection or contesting of seats.
If you have questions or are unsure whether a statement may breach the media policy please contact the Secretariat.
Council’s former Chief Financial Officer, Jay Nankivell, has been appointed to the position of General Manager.
Having served as Acting General Manager since January 2, Mr Nankivell was officially elevated to the top administrative position following a unanimous vote at today’s Extraordinary Meeting of Council.
Mr Nankivell is a fully qualified CPA, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds a Bachelor of Business (accounting/finance) degree and is currently completing a Graduate Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning.
He has served as Broken Hill Council’s Chief Financial Officer and Manager Finance, Alexandrina Council’s Accounting Support Officer, and also worked at NSW Government level as Senior Business and Finance Officer with Local Land Services Western Region.
Mayor Darriea Turley AM said the combination of Mr Nankivell’s expertise in finance and local government along with his local knowledge made him an ideal choice for the General Manager position.
“From the beginning of the recruitment process we placed a high importance on financial acumen and that is certainly one of Jay’s biggest strengths,” said Mayor Turley.
“We knew the community was very keen on having a local General Manager, and we’d love to take credit for hiring one, however Jay’s status as a local wasn’t a deciding factor in the final decision – he has attained this position purely on merit.
“I am confident he will excel in this role and continue to provide the calm, measured, and astute leadership he has shown in the past as both a member of Council’s Executive and as Acting General Manager.”
Mr Nankivell said he was proud to take on the role, and thanked Councillors for their support.
“Like all locals I have a great passion for our city, and it’s an incredible honour to be able to take on this position to further serve Broken Hill,” he said.
“I know Councillors and senior staff have all worked very hard over the last five years to establish a solid foundation from which Council can build, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue that good work.
“I look forward to working with residents, staff, and Council in the coming years to ensure we remain the greatest outback city in Australia.”
Agents of Change participants share their experiences of being part of a network for women who have an active interest in driving social change.
Established in 2018, Agents of Change was developed by Imperial and local partners to support women in White City achieve their ambitions. The programme is supported by a consortium of local institutions: Hammersmith United Charities, Hammersmith and Fulham Council and The Lyric, all of who provide support infrastructure such as access to mentors, inspirational guest speakers, community and business leaders and industry experts – as well as providing funding and venue space.
The programme is designed to address specific barriers that may prevent local women from increasing and sustaining their impact, equipping them to strengthen and empower both themselves and their local communities. Agents of Change is one of a number of programmes that form part of the College’s commitment to working in partnership with our local communities to make an enduring and positive impact, as detailed in the College’s Strategy for Societal Engagement.
In addition to the Network, members are eligible to apply to a 6-month free Community Leadership Programme. The programme covers different aspects of leadership, project management and professional development. The training sessions also cover topics such networking, communication, influencing, fundraising and evaluation in order to help boost the impact of local change initiatives.
Participants in the programme are given access to a large support system of women who can help develop their community initiative through the programme partners, in addition to being matched with a mentor.
The last cohort started the programme in September 2019 and met monthly at The Invention Rooms until the start of the pandemic, with their last two sessions held virtually.
One of the Agents from the last cohort is Saskieja Belmont. She works at Family Assist in the local authority, where she helps vulnerable young people on their education and learning journeys. After attending a networking evening at The Invention Rooms at the White City Campus, Saskieja was inspired by experiences from previous agents and signed up for the Agents of Change programme.
Speaking of the programme, Saskieja said: “I was fully supported throughout and was matched perfectly with my mentor. The Agents of Change programme taught me about project management and stakeholder engagement, as well as the Theory of Change. It’s a concept which allows you to work backwards from your end goal, and it’s one that I apply to so many aspects of my current role and volunteering roles.”
Saskieja said about her mentor: “If I had any issues she would help me with them, even if they weren’t related to my work project. She was really there for me and really inspired me – and we are still in contact, even after the programme finished.”
“The programme gave me the confidence and empowerment I needed to take new ideas forward in my line of work, as well as explore how I can use my experience outside of my formal role.” Saskieja Belmont
Through the networks she developed through Agents of Change, Saskieja worked in partnership with the White City Community Team to create and project manage the delivery of 250 science backpacks during lockdown to the most vulnerable children in White City. The backpacks contained fascinating science-inspired activities that can be easily done from home, with all equipment provided.
Hala Abusin is a Community Pharmacist in Hammersmith and Fulham and signed up to the Agents of Change programme as she wanted to understand unique leadership styles and explore how she could influence and bring other people along towards her vision for change.
Pre-pandemic, Hala developed a business initiative called Plat Pharma which is aimed towards community pharmacists. She has designed and launched a platform to help community pharmacists engage better with their patients. This included video consultations with patients and allowing patients the opportunity to book appointments with their local pharmacists. It also allows pharmacists to record outcomes and interactions with all patients.
Hala said: “I particularly liked that there was so much synergy within the group and that you could support other agents with what they’re doing. I was able to partner with another agent for work”.
Hala is now working with the College on designing and conducting a survey on the public’s perception, knowledge and attitude towards secure video consultations with community pharmacies.
Melanie Lee, Organisational Development Consultant at Imperial, has been working with the White City Community Team since 2018 on the programme. She helped design the leadership training, delivers and also volunteers as a mentor.
Melanie’s experience was beyond what she imagined. She felt honoured to be part of such a programme where she is able to build connections and share her knowledge experience.
Speaking of her experience, Melanie said: “It was so powerful being in that space and there was so much trust in the room. Grassroots activity is what supports society and where it all begins. Change comes from the grassroots. If there was anything I could do to help them and to support them through their thinking and their processes, then that’s what I did.”
Melanie received the College’s ‘Collaboration and Communication Award for Culture and Community’ last year for her work on Agents of Change. It is for individuals and teams who embody our spirit of community and collegiality. This involves teams and individuals working, planning, and delivering together towards the College’s shared vision through effective networking, collaboration and communication.
Stephanie Williams was also one of the 17 women to join the programme. Stephanie is a White City Resident and Councillor at Women’s Aid, a charity that shapes and coordinates responses to domestic abuse and helps survivors of domestic abuse.
Stephanie’s initially joined the programme to explore her idea of creating a group specifically for young girls in White City and Shepherd’s Bush on the subject of domestic violence. It wasn’t until she was teamed up with her mentor, Alison Perry, Lead Midwife/ Manager Women’s Health Research Centre at Imperial College London, that she realised she wanted to expand the idea and make it a group that encompasses broader topics and issues women face.
“I left the sessions with a great feeling of empowerment and drive every time.” Stephanie Williams
Stephanie said: “This ignited a passion within me and I realised I wanted to be a facilitator for women’s issues – issues across the spectrum such as health, domestic violence, fertility, etc.”
“I learned so much from just listening to other women on the programme and their journeys and experiences. Each month was a different training theme, but we unpacked our life experience within these topics.
You can read about all the participants on the 2019/2020 cohort here.
The Community Engagement Team are looking for volunteers to mentor participants and to run training for the next cohort starting in summer 2021, as well as colleagues interested in joining the network to connect with local women, share expertise and support local grassroots initiatives.
Visit the Agents of Change website
Background
Land Use Planning and LEP Review Program
Hilltops Council is progressing its land use planning review program to ensure local planning tools are suitable to and reflect local needs and aspirations as well as all relevant State and regional legislation and policy.
Through this program, Hilltops Council has completed background studies into rural and residential lands, employment lands, economic strategy and freight and transport planning. This material informed the development of a comprehensive strategic land use plan (Hilltops 2040) which was endorsed by Hilltops Council following public consultation in 2020.
The program has now progressed to the review of statutory land use plans, initially focussing on the LEP. Upon completion of the LEP the program will progress to reviewing and revising the Development Control Plans (DCPs) and establishing standard development conditions, as well as Infrastructure Contributions Plans. Each of these actions will be seeking to provide greater consistency across local planning requirements and guidelines, greater alignment with current State and regional policy as well as progressing the objectives of Hilltops 2040.
With the strategic objectives and policies established within Hilltops 2040, the new Hilltops LEP can now provide the statutory planning controls that will see these come to fruition. This includes the use of zones, minimum lot size requirements and planning clauses that are consistent with and further local strategy.
The development of a consolidated comprehensive LEP is one of the biggest steps in this program, as it is the most influential land use planning document in day to day decision making. In conjunction with the DCP, it is the most commonly used land use planning document in reviewing development applications and discussions with the public about what development can occur in their property, neighbourhood or community.
Need more information?
You can view the Draft Hilltops LEP via Council’s dedicated LEP Consultation website, https://lep.hilltops.nsw.gov.au/. The Consultation Website includes all of the draft Hilltops LEP documents and interactive Online Mapping to view the current and proposed planning controls.
Documents are also available to be viewed at Council Offices and Libraries.
Council’s Offices
Council’s Libraries
If you have any questions about the draft Hilltops LEP, please contact our Councils Strategic Planning Team on:
Phone: 1300 445 586 or
Email: lep@hilltops.nsw.gov.au
Make a submission
If you would like to make a submission in writing (including reference: DRAFT Hilltops Local Environmental Plan) by 5.00pm on 26 April 2021 in one of the following ways:
Online
Via Feedback form on Councils Consultation LEP website: lep.hilltops.nsw.gov.au Email
Subject title - Draft Hilltops Local Environmental Plan 2020 submissions@hilltops.nsw.gov.au Post
The General Manager
Hilltops Council
Locked Bag 5
YOUNG NSW 2594
When making a submission you should be aware that details of the submission can be made publicly available as allowed by the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.
Councils Consultation LEP website
Tumut’s Gym Fun Gymnastic Centre had a day to remember at the Orange Women’s Artistic Gymnastic (WAG) Invitational on Sunday, with their 11 competitors combining to bring home a swag of medals.
The event was the first time Tumut Gym Fun had competed in WAG events, as they traditionally have entered only Team Gym competitions, and as a result, owner and coach Petrina Buckmaster, was over the moon.
“We had an awesome carnival,” Buckmaster said.
“Every kid placed really well, it was a banded competition, so the kids were competing against their own level, but I was super proud, I cried.
“I was that overwhelmed. We were so nervous going in, and as soon as we got there and saw what it was all about, we just knew we would smash it.”
Tumut’s Gym Fun earned rave reviews at Orange and were invited back later this year.
“They went out there confident, I was so much more nervous than them and they killed it,” Buckmaster said.
“All the judges and coaches commented on the kids, and told us what beautiful competitors they were, and for our first event, I was so happy to get good feedback.
“We were even invited back in September, so we can try out for the regional team, which is blended between the Riverina and Western regions.”
Over 200 kids entered the competition, and Buckmaster was just happy to see her team performing well on the big stage.
“Overall, we have never been to a live WAG competition and they have learned their routines off videos and manuals, and to go in there and smash it – I’m just speechless,” Buckmaster said.
Arguably Buckmaster’s proudest moments came when she watched level three athletes, Georgie Austin and Olivia Dean, winning seven gold medals between them.
“Georgie and Olivia have been waiting to go to a WAG competition forever and they were so ready to compete,” Buckmaster said.
“They were competing in level three, which is really amazing, and being their first event, they did such a good job.”
Both competitors were exceptional on the day, and Buckmaster said the pair consistently set a good example for the young gymnasts at Tumut’s Gym Fun.
“They are both junior coaches within the gym, they are always mentoring and supporting all the kids and they are wonderful,” Buckmaster said.
“Regardless of what has gone on in the gym, it’s never about the competition, but it is about the love of the game, which makes them such good little gymnasts.”
Olivia and Georgie are Tumut Gym Fun products, which makes their success all the more impressive.
“They have been here since they were babies,” Buckmaster said.
“They are beautiful tumblers, and they have the strength and the poise that you need and when you see a gymnast, they are so tight and strong and have a good demeanour, and George and Olivia have all of that.”
For the moment, Buckmaster and her little gymnasts will focus their attention back on Team Gym, with major events on the horizon.
“These gym kids, they will go back and start training for the Team Gym Country Championships in Armidale on June 26-30,” Buckmaster said.
Now is the time to celebrate all things chocolate, so we thought we’d go on a chocolate hunt in our very own backyard.
Here’s a few local Canberra chocolates to try for Easter and beyond.
Do you know a local chocolate maker? Let us know in the comments and share that chocolatey goodness around!
Enigma Fine Chocolates specialises in artisan chocolate that almost look too good to eat! For Easter, they’ve got limited-edition hot cross bun truffles and sweet treats like their hot choc bunny bomb filled with mini marshmallows. Check out their selection of chocolate bars, truffles and special treats in store at 65/30 Lonsdale Street, Braddon.
Get your Easter chocolate fix with one of the Canberra region’s original chocolate havens. Robyn Rowe handcrafts her chocolate creations with Belgian fair-trade couverture and fresh, natural ingredients – no artificial preservatives here, so eat them quick (as if you wouldn’t!). Pay Robyn Rowe Chocolates a visit at 1153 Nanima Road in Murrumbateman.
Owners Li Peng and Peter personally source all their cacao beans from Bougainville in PNG and create award-winning goodies at their factory in Fyshwick. They’ve got something for everyone; classic bars, flavoured bars, specialty bars; coated products and drinking chocolate. And, if you’re into this kind of thing, Jasper and Myrtle supplied cacao nibs to their mates next door at Capital Brewing Co. for their Easter beer, a chocolate porter called ‘Augustus Gulp’. Shop the creations at their factory/workshop on Dairy Road in Fyshwick, or head to their website to see which markets they’ll be popping up at!
Handmade here in the Capital, KokoArtisan make a range of chocolate-covered products, including coffee beans, freeze-dried raspberries and mango. Alongside their extensive range, they also have a number of Easter specials – so hop to it! Check them out online or at Pop Canberra on Lonsdale Street in Braddon.
A local mother-daughter duo are the team behind Sweet Pea & Poppy, a boutique chocolatier and gifting studio. Shop their chocolate collection, including Easter treats and gift hampers, online now at sweetpeapoppy.com.au, and at a range of local stockists around town.
Bruno’s Truffels in Mawson is filled with bread, pastries, cakes and handmade Swiss chocolate, all made on the premises by Swiss pastry chef and confectioner Bruno Ehrensperger. The chocolate options come in a variety of flavours – more than 50! – and you can enjoy them alongside a cup of coffee in store or take them home. Head to 2/106 Mawson Place, Mawson to check it out.
Featured image: Jasper and Myrtle’s Easter Bunny lollipop packs. Photo: Jasper and Myrtle Chocolates via Facebook.
For more Easter treats:
A US private equity firm is funding speculative construction of two industrial buildings in Melbourne’s west as e-commerce ramps up demand for warehousing.
US-based Cabot Properties has commissioned two warehouses, one 17,000 square metres and the other 6000 sq m, on the last available site at Vaughan Constructions’ 4.7 hectare Wyndham Industrial Estate in Truganina.
The new Dulux factory which Vaughan Constructions is building at Merrifield.Credit:Cloud 9 Aerial Photography
The sheds will have a total end value of about $32 million. Cabot’s decided to go ahead with the two projects, its first expansion into Australia, after several years of research, the Boston-based firm’s chief investment officer Patrick Ryan said.
Vaughan’s director, Mark Byrne, said construction was on a speculative basis underpinned by the strong industrial property market.
“We would anticipate both buildings would be leased during the construction phase, if not very soon after completion, such is the level of demand.”
Mr Byrne said Vaughan had contracts on hand for $355 million industrial builds over the next 12 months. Vaughan also has the Dulux factory in Merrifield, Victoria.
The industrial building boom has prompted another developer, Sector Property Group, to buy a $7 million site in Preston on which it intends to build multiple smaller warehouses popular with owner-occupiers.
Managing director David Loakes said Sector’s The Base estates had grown in popularity with buyers wanting to own warehouses for work, storage, or investment.
“Since the start of last year we have seen a spike in interest and we have had an active pipeline of projects from Mitcham, Ringwood, Yarraville and Point Cook, which have sold out,” he said.
Sector will build multi-level storage and warehousing on the 6500 sq m site at 44 Albert Street that it purchased from Point Property Group.
Further north in Somerton, privately owned Australian mail house Melbourne Mailing has consolidated two of its sorting facilities into a central distribution centre at Somerton.
CBRE’s Daniel Eramo and Joe Brzezek negotiated Direct Mailing’s 12,600 sq m 5-year lease at 83-89 Freight Drive in a move that will consolidate its warehousing operations from Campbellfield and Fairfield.
Industrial vacancy in Melbourne’s north is at a historical low of 1.84 per cent, Mr Eramo said.
“There has been significant leasing activity in existing buildings through first quarter, with approximately 70,000 sq m of space absorbed since the start of this year,” he said.
Simon Johanson is a business journalist at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.
Protests have marred the opening of a new Chinese consulate in Adelaide, which has previously prompted questions over its size and national security implications.
The opening ceremony in the Adelaide suburb of Joslin on Wednesday was disrupted by local protesters from the Uighur, Vietnamese, Tibetan, Hong Kong and Nepalese communities.
No federal government officials were present at the ceremony, with South Australian Premier Steven Marshall in attendance to meet with Chinese officials from Canberra.
In a statement to SBS News, Mr Marshall said his attendance was necessary to maintain Australia's diplomatic relationship with China.
"Mr Marshall in his capacity as Premier meets with consular officials from a variety of countries on a regular basis," the statement said.
DFAT in a statement to SBS News also defended the need to maintain consular relations with China.
"Embassies and diplomatic staff are essential to maintaining official channels of communications between governments.
"Our Embassy and Consulates in China play an important role in advancing Australia’s interests.
"Our expectation is that all foreign missions act in an appropriate manner, consistent with Australian law."
The 5,600 square metre facility, built on a site valued at $10 million, will be staffed by between ten and 12 consular staff.
The official opening of China's new embassy in South Australia has not been welcomed by some members of the local community who have concerns about the size and influence of the mission.
SBS News
The other two consulates in the state has staff in the single digits. Greece's consulate has two staff employed and Italy's embassy has one.
About 50,000 Chinese passport holders live in the state, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
South Australian independent senator Rex Patrick said he has concerns about the national security implications.
"I don't understand while the Premier is rolling out the red carpet for the Chinese government in circumstances when they [China's government] are acting out against our crayfish industry, our wine industry, our grain industry," he told SBS News.
"Steven Marshall is sleeping with the enemy here."
Many of Australia's defence capabilities are based in Adelaide, with the federal government allocating $90 billion on a naval shipbuilding plan to construct warships and submarines.
South Australia Police arrested two men for assault and public order offences during the protest attended by hundreds of people from diaspora communities on Wednesday.
Ted Hui said he and other members of the local community from Hong Kong have concerns about the location and size of the embassy.
"Instead of sending them a warm welcome, the Australian government should give the Chinese government a stronger stance and [voice] criticisms against human right violations," he told SBS News.
"With Chinese embassy, with the size [being] this big and there can be infiltrations and other suspicious activity. We just don't trust the [Chinese] officials."
Professor of international security John Blaxland at the Australian National University said the federal government is managing the trade-offs that come with maintaining diplomatic relations, even while balancing defence considerations.
"The concerns about the consulate in Adelaide are understandable, but they need to be placed in the context of our international relations," he said.
"The bottom line is that we have five consulates or embassies in China and the arrangement is potentially a reciprocal one.
"So if we were to constrain them in Australia, they would be constraining us in China as well."
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade secretary Frances Adamson told Senate estimates last week the federal government has made "active considerations" on the diplomatic obligations under the Vienna Convention, the consulate's size and the national security implications.
"We look at what role it is that the consul-general is telling us, if you like, that it needs to perform in relation to the number of citizens it needs to service," she said.
"And on the basis of that alone, yes, it looks on the large side, but it is not, on its own, a matter of concern.
"What would be of concern, and what we would seek to act on immediately, is if we, and when I say we, I don’t just mean DFAT, I mean all Australian government agencies, observed any behaviours on the part of those staff which were contrary to their formal roles under the Vienna Convention and contrary to, if you like, our interests."
26 Jan: China's President Xi Jinping warns against 'new Cold War' in Davos speech
SA Liberal senator Alex Antic, who raised the questions in Senate estimates, said he has sought assurances from Foreign Minister Marise Payne about the size of the consulate and complaints made by local residents over the use of security cameras positioned over homes.
Minister Payne's office directed SBS News to a previous statement made on 23 March about China's treatment of Uighurs in the Xinjiang province.
"There is clear evidence of severe human rights abuses that include restrictions on freedom of religion, mass surveillance, large-scale extra-judicial detentions, as well as forced labour and forced birth control, including sterilisation," it said.
"Since 2018, when reports began to emerge about the detention camps in Xinjiang, Australia and New Zealand have consistently called on China in the United Nations to respect the human rights of the Uighur people, and other religious and ethnic minorities."
16 Dec 2020: Australia refers China to WTO over barley tariffs
China has consistently rejected claims about forced labour and forced birth control, saying the voluntary re-education camps are aimed at combating extremism.
China's consulate in Adelaide did not respond to SBS News' enquiries.
Chinese consul-general Li Zhang has previously rejected complaints about the construction of the facility, saying the embassy is committed to serving Chinese nationals in the state and upholding its duties under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
"We urge relevant media to discard prejudice, look at China in an objective and rational manner, rather than stir up trouble or smear China intentionally," he has said.
