Let’s Read National Early Years Literacy Campaign
The new Let’s Read National Early Years Literacy Campaign e-newsletter for professionals will be available soon sign up here to stay informed!
The Let’s Read campaign supports Australian children to gain the foundational skills for language, literacy and learning success. Building on existing evidence-based programs, the campaign engages children, families, professionals and communities to promote high quality early literacy environments for children aged 0-5 years. The campaign will:
- Develop a large scale national campaign so that families are aware of the importance of early literacy and how they can support their children’s emergent literacy development.
- Develop Professional Training and Dissemination so children participating in early childhood education and care experience high quality early literacy environments and early childhood and health professionals share strategies with parents for promoting emerging literacy with their children.
- Develop ongoing sustainability for early literacy promotion in Australia
The Hon Peter Garrett MP, Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth is officially launching the Let’s Read campaign at the International Queen Elizabeth Conference 15 November 2012.
Sign up to our mailing list today to receive the new Let’s Read campaign e-newsletter in November and stay informed of latest news, announcements and resources. For more information on Let’s Read please visit our website: www.letsread.com.au
NSW Road Rules Changes
There have a been a number of changes to the NSW road rules. The Roads and Traffic Authority have produced a guide to these changes in various languages. see this useful publication at
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/usingroads/downloads/2012roadruleschanges_dl1.html
Opening of the Local Solutions Fund in Shellharbour
I am pleased to advise that the second round of the Commonwealth’s Local Solutions Fund opened today.
The Shellharbour Local Advisory Group is seeking innovative ideas from not for profit organisations to increase social and economic participation for people experiencing barriers to participation in Shellharbour. Interested parties can submit expressions of interest for projects that align with the Local Advisory Group’s priorities and:
- reduce poverty and disadvantage through targeted and community-based approaches to improve opportunities for children, educational attainment, workforce participation and social participation
- reduce service gaps and improve service coordination
- support opportunities for different levels of government, community groups, businesses and individuals to create coordinated and sustainable responses to related local issues and needs
- reduce risk factors associated with teenage pregnancy and parenthood, youth unemployment and vulnerable children.
The Shellharbour Local Advisory Group’s priority is to achieve employment for our focus group in Shellharbour.
Our Focus Group – Young people, parents, Indigenous people and job seeking families, in Shellharbour, who will engage or re-engage with education, training and employment.
Objective 1: Increase the education and employment opportunities of our diverse target group
Strategies
- Promote an aspirational culture within the Shellharbour community
- Encourage all members of our focus group to complete their education
- Collaborate with business and growth industries to engage employers and provide opportunities for our target group
- Work with our community to develop local strategies to address issues relating to intergenerational reliance upon government benefit
Objective 2: Develop partnerships
Strategies
- Identify and foster links between business, services and organisations that can assist Shellharbour citizens
- Foster access to Early Childhood Education and Care services for our target group
- Assist our target group to access transport solutions
- Treat all our citizens, businesses, services and organisations with respect and equity
Objective 3: Better Futures Local Solutions funds and resources are applied effectively
Strategies
- Employ excellence in corporate governance processes to support the development of local projects which are creative, innovative, engaging, flexible and practical
- Research successful programs across Australia and in neighbouring Local Government Areas; that may strengthen the Shellharbour community
Shellharbour’s Local Advisory Group will assess expressions of interest for grants from the Local Solutions Fund and invite those local organisations with the most innovative and promising ideas to submit a full application for consideration.
For detailed information and an Expression of Interest form go to http://www.humanservices.gov.au/corporate/government-initiatives/better-futures-local-solutions or contact me on 42954168 or your local Government Action Leader, Robert Meikle on 0403297317
I am available to provide information about the Local Solutions Fund and directly support you in the application process. I will work closely with the Shellharbour Local Advisory Group and your Government Action Leader to ensure that the government and the community are working together to identify service gaps and create solutions to help families and individuals increase their work skills and find jobs.
More information about the Local Solutions Fund including eligibility criteria, guidelines, expression of interest forms, and the broader Better Futures, Local Solutions initiative is available at http://www.humanservices.gov.au/corporate/government-initiatives/better-futures-local-solutions
Should you wish to receive an invitation to a Community Information Session regarding the funding; to be held on Monday 12th November, 2012 at 3pm at Shellharbour Council Chambers; please email clymbery@barnardos.org.au
The closing date for Expressions of Interests is Tuesday 4 December 2012.
Quickword from the HARP team November 2012
Board Builder Conference
The date for the annual Board Builder Conference is quickly approaching. Join us for the Australian community sector’s most practical and inspiring event for board and committee members, and those who work with them – Melbourne, Friday, November 30, 2012.
We’re experiencing enormous change in the Australian community sector, and this is your opportunity to get on top of what it all means to your board, and for them to pick up some practical governance skills and knowledge.
A full program is attached. Please feel free to send it on to your networks. We do hope to see you there.
Visit www.ourcommunity.com.au/boardbuilder2012 to secure your spot.
We also have our ever-popular grants and fundraising workshops in Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney:
Strategies for Sustainable Funding Seminar
Melbourne 23 November
Sydney 23 November
Perth 26 November
Brisbane 26 November
Further information: www.ourcommunity.com.au/secure/event/event_sign_up.form?conferenceId=197&area=management
Introduction to Writing Winning Grant Applications Seminar
Melbourne 23
Sydney 23 November
Perth 26 November
Brisbane 26 November
Further information: www.ourcommunity.com.au/secure/event/event_sign_up.form?conferenceId=198&area=management
Advanced Grant Writing Seminar
Melbourne 3 December
Sydney 3 December
Perth 7 December
Brisbane 7 December
Further information: www.ourcommunity.com.au/secure/event/event_sign_up.form?conferenceId=199&area=management
If you have any questions, contact:
The Our Community Team
51 Stanley Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
P (03) 9320 6800 F 03 9326 6859
E service@ourcommunity.com.au