Media Releases

The Nationals Member for Lowan and Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty is reminding community sporting groups and recreational organisations in the Lowan electorate that the 2011 Country Action Grant Scheme will be closing soon.

“The Country Action Grants aim to increase the skills of coaches, officials and mangers and improve the accessibility and operational capacity of community sport and recreation organisations,” Mr Delahunty said.

“The grants are open to clubs, organisations and community groups that deliver sport and active recreation programs.”

Mr Delahunty said non-government, not-for-profit and registered organisations may apply and such things to be funded could include the preparation of a business plan, the development of policy and procedure manuals or a website.

Mr Delahunty said other items to be funded could include initiatives to improve the skills of club members through provision of training for coaches and officials, administration staff and management committee members such as participation in courses for coaching, umpiring accreditation or First Aid.

Funding was also available for initiatives to increase community participation by providing accessible sport and active recreation.  Priority will be given to projects involving people with a disability, women, Indigenous people, school0aged children, culturally and linguistically diverse people and older adults.

Preference will be given to projects involving collaboration between community organisations; involving residents of areas identified as disadvantaged; and applications from bushfire or flood affected areas.

 “As the Minister for Sport and Recreation I would like to see more people more active more often and Country Action Grants provide assistance to sport and recreation groups to help increase participation,” Mr Delahunty said.

Applications close 7^th October, 2011 and further information is available online at www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au or by phoning the DPCD grants information line on 1300 366 356.  Application forms are available from Mr Delahunty’s offices at 114 Firebrace Street, Horsham telephone 5382 0097 or 44 Gray Street, Hamilton telephone 5571 9800.

The Nationals member for Lowan and Minister for Veteran Affairs Hugh Delahunty today reminded year 9 and 10 western Victorian school students that the closing date to place their entry for this year’s Premier’s Spirit of ANZAC Prize was just weeks away.

“The Premier’s Spirit of ANZAC Prize offers 10 high school students from across Victoria a free study tour of the major battlefield sites where Australians had served, focused on Gallipoli or the Western Front,” Mr Delahunty said.

“This year the tour will travel to Gallipoli and then onto Malaysia and Singapore, in the light of 2012 being the 70th anniversary of the Fall of Singapore.

“For the first time, 17 regional finalists will also be treated to a free Canberra study tour featuring Parliament House, the National Film and Sound Archive, the National Portrait Gallery and the Australian War Memorial. This is in addition to the 10 students who will be selected to travel overseas.

“This year’s entries must address the topic, “What does the ‘spirit of ANZAC’ mean to you? Are the values displayed by the ANZACS at Gallipoli and the Western Front still relevant today?”

“Students can enter research essays, artworks, musical compositions or audio, video or web-based presentations based on these topics.

“For students working on entries this is a last reminder that they must be submitted by Friday 21 October 2011,” Mr Delahunty said.

Mr Delahunty said the Prize was established to inspire young Victorians to explore how the values embodied by our ANZACs – courage, determination, self-reliance and sacrifice – are still relevant to us today.

“By exploring the spirit displayed by the ANZACs, students gain a greater understanding of the courage, mateship and sacrifice that motivated the citizen soldiers in World War I,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Being one of the 10 students to receive the Premier’s Spirit of ANZAC Prize and to go on the study tour is a once in a lifetime experience.

“Most importantly the Prize is an important way of ensuring future generations of young Australians never forget the sacrifices that helped define us as a nation.”

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty is calling on inspiring rural women who want to make a lasting contribution to primary industries and rural communities to put their hand up and nominate for the 2012 Rural Women’s Award.

 “The award was designed to recognise and encourage the vital contribution women make to rural Victoria and Australia,” Mr. Delahunty said.

 “In addition to a $10,000 bursary awarded to the Victorian winner, both the winner and the runner-up will attend a course at the Australian Institute of Company Directors in Canberra.

 "The winner will also be given the opportunity to sit on the Ministerial Women in Primary Industries Advisory Panel, which provides advice on emerging issues in primary industries and how they affect women," Mr. Delahunty said.

 Past Victorian award finalists put forward projects on a range of topics including young farmer networks, farm financial management, succession planning, aquaculture, dairy co-operatives, agriculture education and exports.

 “The Rural Women’s Award is wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the achievements of women in the rural sector in western Victoria and I urge residents to nominate women who have made a contribution to rural life,” Mr. Delahunty said.

Entries close on 15 October and application forms can be downloaded from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation's website at www.rirdc.gov.au, or by calling (03) 9658 4493.

 The Member for Lowan, Hugh Delahunty, today welcomed the announcement that Grampians Regional Tourism Board will receive $500,000 through the Coalition Government’s $2.5 million Tourism Floods Recovery Program to promote regional tourism destinations affected by the floods.

The grant will be used for a long term recovery plan. This will include not only growing visitation but ensuring business resilience towards natural events such as floods.

The Coalition Government through Tourism Victoria will work in conjunction with the Grampians Regional Tourism Board to deliver Tourism Excellence workshops and leadership programs focused on media training, business profitability, environmental sustainability and crisis preparedness.

The grant will go a long way in developing the resources and skills to be better prepared to respond to crises, so as to lessen the impact on tourism operators and the local economy,” Mr Delahunty said.

A further $475,000 has also been allocated to support event development and public relations activities for the regions significantly affected by the floods.

Mr. Delahunty said the floods did enormous damage to western Victorian roads including Grampians Tourist Road, a key tourist route which links Dunkeld and Halls Gap.  This road sustained extensive damage after heavy rains in January opened last month.

“The repair works were part of a range of measures by the Coalition Government to restore and repair Victoria's flood-damaged parks as well as a targeted national media campaign to encourage visitation.”

This included profiling the Grampians to an 800,000 strong national audience on the Channel Nine’s Today show.

As a result of the first $1 million allocation to the Tourism Flood Recovery Program in January, strong visitation during peak times such as Easter was recorded in parts of regional Victoria. 

“The Coalition Government has announced an additional $1.5 million of relief funding as part of the 2011-12 State Budget to assist to bring tourists back to our outstanding regional areas,” Mr Delahunty said.

In April the Coalition Government announced a multi-million dollar package to assist in restoring the Grampians National Park. Almost $5.5 million was set aside in the 2011-12 Budget to repair extensive damage to visitor infrastructure, roads, walking trails, wildlife habitat and traditional sites.

“This is great news for tourist operators in the Grampians as well as visitors to western Victoria during the school holidays,” Mr Delahunty said.

The National Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty has welcomed the announcement by Minister Terry Mulder that the Coalition Government would reopen the Dimboola to Rainbow section of the Yaapeet rail line.

“This is great news for grain growers and the future of rail freight in Victoria,” Mr Delahunty said.

In making the announcement the Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder said the Coalition Government would shortly reopen the 66 kilometre Dimboola to Rainbow section of the Yaapeet rail line, allowing a further 120,000 tonnes of Victorian grain to be transported by rail from early 2012.

“Through a total $6.3 million investment, the Coalition Government and GrainCorp are working together to secure the reopening of a long section of the former Dimboola to Yaapeet rail line,” Mr Mulder said.

Mr Delahunty said the State Government is growing freight on rail in Victoria and in June this year he was honoured to turn the first sod of the $16.8 million freight hub at Dooen near Horsham.

“The floods that occurred earlier in the year had enormous impact including damage to our roads and to the railway line and I am pleased that we have a partnership between Ministers Terry Mulder, Peter Ryan and GrainCorp to see this railway line re open again,” Mr Delahunty said.

GrainCorp has agreed to contribute more than $1 million to the $6.3 million rail upgrading project as they recognise the value and efficiency of moving grain by rail.

GrainCorp will also upgrade its grain handling site at Rainbow with an investment of up to $2 million. This will ensure that both trains loading grain and farmers’ trucks unloading grain can have a quicker turnaround time. The improvements will help to carry 120,000 tonnes of grain expected to be harvested within the catchment area of the Dimboola to Rainbow line during the 2011-12 season.

The Department of Transport is providing up to $3.6 million. Regional Development Victoria will contribute a further $1.7 million from the Coalition Government’s Regional Growth Fund.

V/Line will shortly commence upgrading the line with completion by the end of 2011.

The Yaapeet line was last used to regularly haul grain in 2006, although it was temporarily reopened in 2010. The condition of the line deteriorated in recent years. Further damage occurred in the floods earlier this year.  While the Coalition Government will be retaining the 17 kilometre section of track from Rainbow to Yaapeet, it will not be reopened at this time.

“The floods did enormous damage and this announcement will be very welcome by people within the Hindmarsh Shire and commuters using the road network between Rainbow and Dimboola.  I thank all concerned for their cooperation in getting this project completed for the upcoming harvest,” Mr Delahunty said.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty has welcomed the release of the Green Paper “Towards A More Disaster Resilient and Safer Victoria” which will provide the state’s emergency services, volunteers and communities the opportunity to have their say as the Victorian Coalition Government initiates major reform to Victoria’s crisis and emergency management arrangements.

 “The Green Paper marks the start of a two month consultation process that seeks innovative ideas and feedback to improve the way Victoria responded to emergencies,” Mr Delahunty said.

“While we have one of the best emergency services in the world, the Green Paper offers the opportunity for all of us to consider new ways to ensure we are equipped to deal with the increased risks of fire, flood and other natural disasters,” Mr Delahunty said.

“The Green Paper will challenge current thinking about Victoria’s crisis and emergency management arrangements and pose proactive questions about the practical options for reform.

“We want to get the structures, response and laws right and the Green Paper will help develop options that will improve support for the thousands of volunteers and staff in our emergency services organisations who sacrifice so much to protect our communities.”

Mr Delahunty said the Green Paper process would also take into account the valuable lessons and recommendations from the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission and the current Flood Review. 

“The Green Paper consultation process will seek input from experts, those at the coal face and from Victorians to get a range of views of this important reform program,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Victoria’s resilience has been tested in recent years, with extreme events proving too big for any one emergency services agency to manage alone.  Western Victoria unfortunately has endured many significant emergency events such as floods and fire over the past few years.

“The Coalition Government and every person involved in emergency management wants to ensure Victoria has a world’s best practice emergency management framework for now and into the future.” Mr Delahunty said.

The Green Paper can be accessed at www.dpc.vic.gov.au and submissions can be made until 14 November.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty has welcomed the release of the Green Paper “Towards A More Disaster Resilient and Safer Victoria” which will provide the state’s emergency services, volunteers and communities the opportunity to have their say as the Victorian Coalition Government initiates major reform to Victoria’s crisis and emergency management arrangements.  

“The Green Paper marks the start of a two month consultation process that seeks innovative ideas and feedback to improve the way Victoria responded to emergencies,” Mr Delahunty said.

 “While we have one of the best emergency services in the world, the Green Paper offers the opportunity for all of us to consider new ways to ensure we are equipped to deal with the increased risks of fire, flood and other natural disasters,” Mr Delahunty said.

 “The Green Paper will challenge current thinking about Victoria’s crisis and emergency management arrangements and pose proactive questions about the practical options for reform.

 “We want to get the structures, response and laws right and the Green Paper will help develop options that will improve support for the thousands of volunteers and staff in our emergency services organisations who sacrifice so much to protect our communities.”

 Mr Delahunty said the Green Paper process would also take into account the valuable lessons and recommendations from the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission and the current Flood Review.

 “The Green Paper consultation process will seek input from experts, those at the coal face and from Victorians to get a range of views of this important reform program,” Mr Delahunty said.

 “Victoria’s resilience has been tested in recent years, with extreme events proving too big for any one emergency services agency to manage alone.  Western Victoria unfortunately has endured many significant emergency events such as floods and fire over the past few years.

 “The Coalition Government and every person involved in emergency management wants to ensure Victoria has a world’s best practice emergency management framework for now and into the future.” Mr Delahunty said.

 The Green Paper can be accessed at www.dpc.vic.gov.au and submissions can be made until 14 November.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty said organisations in the Lowan electorate supporting youth engagement can apply for funding under the Victorian Coalition Government’s $12.3 million 2012-2014 Engage! grants program.

“Under the Engage! Program guidelines [formerly known as the Youth Participation and Access programs], western Victorian organisations can apply for $30,000 to $50,000 in annual funding over three years,” Mr Delahunty said.

In announcing the grants program, Minister for Youth Affairs, Ryan Smith, said up to 50,000 young Victorians will benefit from the Engage! program each year.

Mr Smith said the Coalition Government is committed to supporting and encouraging greater participation of young people in social, economic and civic activities in our community. That’s why the Government is investing $12.3 million in this program over the next three years.

Mr Delahunty said the program is designed for community organisations and local government to develop programs offering opportunities for young people to volunteer, develop education and employment pathways, and to increase connections with their community and family.

“All organisations passionate about helping young people aged between 12 and 25 years make a difference in their community should apply for funding under the Engage! program,” Mr Delahunty said.

‘To Engage! is to participate and this program provides opportunities for all young people, including those who have additional needs or who face barriers to participate in and benefit from civic, social and economic activities in their communities.”

“It also provides opportunities for them to develop skills, confidence and connections within the community, to volunteer, participate in mentoring, develop education and employment pathways and to  increase connections with peers, community and family, to make the most of their futures.”

“Encouraging community organisations, not-for-profit organisations and local government within western Victoria to consider applying for funding and current providers can reapply for Engage! Grants,” Mr Delahunty said.

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty this week in Parliament has called on residents in the Lowan electorate to support their local agricultural show.

“We are heading into the season of Agricultural and Pastoral Society shows with 13 shows happening in the Lowan electorate between now and Christmas,” Mr Delahunty said.  

“Local shows are a drawcard for towns and are a means of showcasing local produce, skills and enterprise and providing networking opportunities for many farmers, businesses and the community.”

Mr Delahunty said the former Labor Government took away the opportunity for public holidays for local shows, and it was a disaster! 

“The Coalition Government has given back to local government the ability to facilitate local arrangements for half or full day public holidays as a substitute for the Melbourne Cup.  This means there will be public holidays for the Rainbow and the Nhill Shows which will encourage increased attendances,” Mr Delahunty said.

“I never cease to be amazed at the skill and talent of people of all ages who exhibit their produce and talents at the show including agricultural products, art, craft, and cookery.”

“The local show is a fantastic way of not only supporting show societies but it is also an important way of supporting the local community,” Mr Delahunty said.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty is inviting local community groups throughout the Lowan Electorate to apply for the latest round of funding under the State Government’s Local History Grants Program.

“This program has been utilised in past years by local history groups to support projects that record histories and preserve important collections,” Mr Delahunty said.

Last year the Mount Rouse and District Historical Society and the Edenhope and District Historical Society were successful in receiving funding to undertake significant projects.

“In the Lowan Electorate there are many important stories to tell which illustrate our rich and diverse history.

“The Local History Grants Program supports the networks of volunteers and community organisations that are custodians of our heritage and I encourage not-for-profit groups to apply for funding,” Mr Delahunty said.

The program is open to not-for-profit community groups and is run by Victoria’s Public Record Office.

Previously funded local history projects include newspaper microfilming and digitising, multimedia projects and on line exhibitions, physical exhibitions in community halls, historical murals and interpretive signage, book publishing and cataloguing and indexing projects.

Applications for the 2011/12 Local History Grants opened on 5 September and close on Friday 11 November.

For more information visit www.prov.vic.gov.au/community-programs/grants-awards