University offers new ag courses
Charles Sturt University has launched new postgraduate agriculture courses.
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Agriculture has been earmarked as a key growth area for the university, especially at the Wagga Wagga campus.
The new courses include:
- Master of Agriculture (with specialisations).
- Graduate Diplomas in Agricultural Business Management, Digital Agriculture and Sustainable Agriculture (exit point only).
- Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Business Management.
- Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture.
- Graduate Certificate in Agriculture.
A Master of Agricultural Science (with specialisations) will also be offered as a standalone course, both on campus and online, to onshore international students and domestic students.
For more information on the new postgraduate agriculture courses, visit the Charles Sturt University website.
Leadership program applications open
Applications are now open for the 2023 Alpine Valleys Community Leadership Annual Program.
Established in 1999, the program engages participants in an immersive “learning by doing” experience that develops personal leadership skills, knowledge of the region and access to a broad network of professional and community-focused contacts.
The program draws in applicants from across the north-east and border regions and runs for 10 months, from February through to November.
Applications close on Sunday, September 11.
Further information and the application form can be found on the AVCL website: www.avclp.org.au
Grants for wildlife carers
Applications for the Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants program are now open.
Victorian wildlife shelter operators and foster carers can apply for grants of up to $3000 for equipment, infrastructure, consumables, education and training.
Last year the grants were provided to 120 wildlife carers and shelters, funding a range of expenses from new enclosures, nesting boxes and temperature control systems to medication, feed and rescue equipment.
Applications close on Tuesday, September 6.
To apply for a grant, go to: wildlife.vic.gov.au/grants/wildliferehabilitator-grants/
Supporting regional leaders
The Leading Australian Resilient Communities program has been designed to bolster leadership across regional Australia and support communities to meet challenges and drive the positive changes they want to see.
LARC is delivered as part of the Federal Government’s Building Resilient Regional Leaders Initiative (Pilot) grant.
The program will deliver a combination of community forums focused on resilience and response to change; place-based multi-day leadership sessions to identify local challenges, opportunities and what underpins them; as well as webinars, group coaching and support for practical, community-led projects.
Applications are now open.
For more information about dates, locations and how to apply, visit: https://rural-leaders.org.au/programs/leading_australian_resilient_communities/
Political party founder dies
Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party founder John Tingle has died.
Mr Tingle founded the party in 1992. The party currently has two members in each of the NSW Parliament’s upper and lower houses and one in the Victorian Parliament’s upper house.
“John had three outstanding careers in his life,” the party said.
“One as a journalist, then as a broadcaster and finally and unexpectedly when he expected to retire, a member of the Legislative Council in NSW Parliament for 11 years.
“The Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party will miss John greatly as a mentor and a guiding light who encompassed the true spirit of independence and freedom.”
Mr Tingle’s daughter, ABC journalist Laura Tingle, announced the 90-year-old's death on Twitter on Saturday, August 6 saying: “Love you Dadda”.
Work at the Victorian state election
The Victorian Electoral Commission is looking for casual staff for the 2022 Victorian State election.
Election casuals receive competitive pay and don’t need any prior experience, with full training provided.
Voting centres and early voting centres will be located across the state and people are encouraged to apply for election work anywhere in Victoria.
The VEC said it welcomed all applications.
People are particularly encouraged to apply if they:
- Speak multiple languages including English.
- Are from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Have a disability.
- Don’t have secure housing.
- Are aged between 18 and 30.
People interested in working at the election can find out more at: https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/
Recycle old solar panels for free
City of Greater Bendigo residents can now dispose of old solar panels for recycling for free at the Eaglehawk Landfill and the Strathfieldsaye and Heathcote transfer stations.
City of Greater Bendigo’s Brooke Pearce said it was expected that by 2035 more than 100,000 tonnes of solar panel waste will enter Australia’s waste streams.
“(We’re) preparing for this influx by partnering with Solar Recovery Corporation to provide responsible management and recycling for solar panels that have reached the end of their life,” Ms Pearce said.
“Materials that can be recovered from old solar panels include glass, plastic, silicon, copper and aluminium and all solar panels dropped off at the Eaglehawk Landfill or the Strathfieldsaye and Heathcote transfer stations will be collected and processed in Australia by Solar Recovery Corporation.
“Broken or smashed panels and other solar operated equipment such as solar lights will not be accepted.
“Anyone dropping off panels must be able to unload the panels themselves taking care not to damage them at the drop-off point.”
Free masks for some Victorians
The Victorian Government will provide free N95 and KN95 masks to protect vulnerable community members and help reduce transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases.
More than three million masks will be handed out to the community through state-run testing sites, community health services across Victoria and across the public transport network.
During the next four to six weeks every person that presents for either a free rapid antigen or PCR test will receive one box of 10 N95 masks, along with instructions on how best to wear them to reduce transmission.
Masks will also be distributed through some of Victoria’s community organisations including at multicultural, multi-faith events and First Nations gatherings as well as through a number of disability service providers.
In addition, more masks will be available from PTV hubs and staffed train stations while authorised officers and some V/Line conductors will carry masks with them to hand out as needed.
Antarctica milestone gets stamp of approval
Australia Post has marked the 75th anniversary of the Federal Government’s scientific research program in Antarctica with a new stamp release.
The Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions, now known as the Australian Antarctic Program, was formed in 1947, to establish a permanent station on the Antarctic continent for scientific research and exploration.
The 1947-48 expedition led to the sub-Antarctic Heard Island and Macquarie Island bases, with the first continental base opened in 1954.
About the stamp’s themes:
- $1.10, a base for science: Shows the raising of the Australian flag at Atlas Cove, where the first sub-Antarctic station was established.
- $1.10, field expeditions: Shows an early expedition where sled and snow-shoe technology supported the ultimately unsuccessful attempt to ascend the volcanic Big Ben, on Heard Island, during the first year of ANARE.
- $2.20, polar science: Shows a geologist at his microscope in the first year of the program; it is paired with a colour photograph showing a glaciologist during recent years processing an ice core at Aurora Basin.
- $2.20, aviation support: Shows an Auster Mark 6, built from two Austers damaged during their transportation to Mawson station on the ship Kista Dan.