Rutherglen memorial hall refurbishment completed

The Federal Member for Indi, Sophie Mirabella, today officially opened the Rutherglen Soldiers’ Memorial Hall Refurbishment at Rutherglen.

Mrs Mirabella said Howard Government Regional Partnerships programme funding of $250,250 (GST inclusive) assisted the Indigo Shire Council to refurbish the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall.

“The refurbishment has upgraded the festivals and events area and has also improved the dress circle,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“The improved Hall provides an excellent facility benefiting the whole community,” she said.

Mrs Mirabella congratulated the local community for working together to access Regional Partnerships programme funding.

“I would particularly like to thank the Albury-Wodonga Area Consultative Committee for helping to bring this project to fruition,” she said.

“I would also like to acknowledge the financial support provided by the Indigo Shire Council, Department of Victorian Communities and Rutherglen RSL.”

The Regional Partnerships programme continues the Howard Government’s approach of working with local communities to support their ideas. A total of $271.2 million is available under the Regional Partnerships programme from 2006–07 to 2009–10.

Mrs Mirabella said the Regional Partnerships programme would deliver benefits to communities well into the future, not only from programme funding, but from the higher levels of economic activity and improved social amenity which the programme was generating.

Since its inception in July 2003, the Regional Partnerships programme has, on average, attracted a further three dollars from other sources for every dollar invested by the Howard Government.

Communities should contact the Albury-Wodonga Area Consultative Committee if they wish to seek funding through the Regional Partnerships programme.

Benalla flood risk - too sensitive to release

Goulburn Murray Water has refused a request for Benalla flood risk information under the Freedom of Information Act on the grounds that it is a security risk and contrary to public interest.

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said, “Refusal to release flood risk information on these grounds is truly remarkable.

“It is a particularly remarkable in light of some information I received this week confirming that the original reason for constructing Lake Nillahcootie and Lake Mokoan was to reduce flood risks to Benalla.

“I have been advised by a former State Rivers & Water Supply Commission Engineer that in 1961 he and a senior engineer conducted a preliminary assessment of the Lake Nillahcootie site and Winton Swamp with the view to constructing dams and diversion channels to reduce the risk of flooding to Benalla.

“This information confirms what Frank Rankin, Weir Keeper of Lake Nillahcootie from 1967 to 1989 inclusive and many long term locals have repeatedly claimed.

“The explanation for the public records showing that water storage was the primary reason for the construction appears to be related to political and funding imperatives linked with the overall storage of water in the Murray Darling Basin.”

Dr Sykes continued, “The continued refusal to make the true flood risk publicly available and the confirmation of flood risk mitigation being the original reason for the construction of Lake Nillahcootie, the diversion channels and Lake Mokoan highlights my concerns about the potential increased flood risks if Lake Mokoan is decommissioned.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “I again call on the Bracks Government to make the full flood risk information publicly available and if they are not prepared to do that, then support the mini Lake Mokoan proposal which provides flood risk protection to Benalla as well as security of water supply to irrigators.”

What's on around Wangaratta - 29 June 2007

This is edition 95 of the Rural City of Wangaratta E-Newsletter "Cultural Capers". If you would like to subscribe simply enter your email address in the subscription box at the bottom of the newsletter and it will be sent upon publication.

Public rally against North-South Pipeline proposal

Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, has today called on local residents to voice their anger at the recent pipeline proposal announced by the Victorian Government by attending a public rally in Shepparton on Thursday 5 July at midday.

"Since the pipeline announcement, I have been holding regular discussions with my Federal Parliamentary colleagues, the Hon. Fran Bailey MP, Federal Member for McEwen and the Hon. Dr Sharman Stone MP, Federal Member for Murray," Mrs Mirabella said.

"We have joined forces and are facilitating a public rally in Shepparton for next Thursday 5 July 2007 at Queen's Gardens, Wyndham Street, Shepparton."

"Unfortunately, through this pipeline proposal, the Victorian Government has decreed that urban water consumption in Melbourne is more important than securing our water future in the north-east," Mrs Mirabella said.

"This rushed announcement has been taken without any economic, social or environmental analysis of the cost, benefit or regional impact of this pipeline proposal."

"Like many people in the north-east, I am deeply concerned about this proposal and its long-term consequences for our local communities," Mrs Mirabella said.

"The many people who have contacted me on this matter are disturbed about the effects this project will have on our towns, our tourist industries, the food bowl region, our local communities and the security of our rural irrigation and water supply systems into the future."

"Those of us in rural and regional areas of Victoria know from experience that the Bracks Government cannot be trusted on water policy," Mrs Mirabella said.

"Their decisions to take water from the high catchment farmers without compensation, and their decisions to drain Lake Mokoan and Honeysuckle Creek Reservoir are cases in point."

"The community are galvanising into action on this matter and we need to make a stand against this most recent proposal to strip us of our water security."

"I urge all residents of the north-east to join with me in Shepparton next Thursday to voice our shared discontent at this pipeline proposal. Please contact my office for any other details regarding the rally," Mrs Mirabella concluded.

Zuvele Leschen responds to Liberal Broadband policy

The Howard Government’s broadband scheme will not deliver upgraded services to many towns in Indi, whereas the Labor Party’s policy would, ALP candidate for Indi, Zuvele Leschen, said this week.

“Our local member, Ms Mirabella, has distributed a list which shows which areas will get WiMAX services. What is surprising is how many towns miss out, who would not do so under Labor’s scheme.”

“WiMAX is untested technology. It is believed that it will only be effective for 20 k around a base station, and beyond that the service will be unreliable.”

“Even within the 20 k radius, if you have a hill between you and the base, you will not get broadband – which in an area like this means that many places which look good on paper will in fact miss out.”

“Towns such as Myrtleford, Corryong, Mt Beauty and their surrounds appear to miss out altogether.”

“Other towns will miss out because – although the base station appears to be within range – there are hills between.”

“This includes the King, Indigo and Mitta Valleys, and basically any area where there are hills between houses and the main population centre – around Beechworth and Bright, for example.”

Mrs Leschen said that this would not happen under Kevin Rudd’s broadband plan.

“Labor’s broadband plan is to connect all exchanges to broadband, so if you’re connected to a telephone exchange, you’ll have access.”

“Of course it’s more expensive for the government to construct, but it will ensure that country areas have the same standard of access as the cities, and allow them to grow in the future.”

“By doing it on the cheap, Howard’s government is shortchanging the country.”

Mirabella tables civics and electoral education report

Sophie Mirabella MP, Federal Member for Indi and Chair of the Federal Parliament’s Electoral Matters Committee tabled the Committee’s Civics and Electoral Education Report in the House of Representatives today.

“The report highlights significant opportunities to better engage key sections of the population in electoral matters and to improve the quality of civics education,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“The report follows successive surveys of young people which have shown that Australians between the ages of 15 and 35 typically have limited knowledge of Australia’s political history and political system, and have little interest in Australian political affairs.”

“A basic understanding of our political and voting systems is fundamental to a vibrant participatory democracy,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“The Committee believes its recommendations will lead to better informed citizens, who are more engaged in the issues that are important to them.”

Key recommendations include:
• developing a short, focused electoral education unit to be delivered to either Year 9 or 10 students and Year 11 and 12 students, in all secondary schools;
• re-assessing the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate as it affects students from the remotest parts of Australia; and
• improved training and guidelines for polling officials in communicating with Indigenous Australians;
• reviewing the languages which the Australian Electoral Commission currently translates its materials into, taking into account the languages spoken by more recent migrant arrivals to Australia; and
• providing a programme of electoral education in the lead up to federal elections which specifically targets areas of high informal voting including those with a high proportion of voters from non-English speaking backgrounds and those in areas where there are different voting systems in place for State elections.

During the Inquiry, the Committee was grateful and interested to hear from a diverse range of Australians, from school children and teachers to community leaders, academics and practitioners.

Copies of the report are now available by contacting Mrs Mirabella’s office on (02) 6277 2301 or online at: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/em/education/report.htm

Fast affordable broadband for North East Victoria

The Federal Member for Indi, Mrs Sophie Mirabella MP, said today the residents of Indi will be big winners following the Howard Government’s launch of Australia Connected. This new funding is in addition to the previous $500million provided for the existing Broadband Connect and other programs.

“The centrepiece of Australia Connected is the immediate rollout of a new competitive state of the art broadband network that will extend high speed services to 99 per cent of the population and provide speeds of 12 megabits per second by 2009.

“This landmark funding initiative will enable high speed broadband coverage across the entire electorate of Indi so that everyone living and working in the electorate will, over the next two years, have access to fast affordable broadband for the first time,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“The Howard Government will spend $958 million on this new network and this funding will be complemented by $917 million from the network builder OPEL—a joint venture between Optus and Elders.

“Everyone in Indi can benefit from the Australia Connected initiative including those working in our hospitals and schools, families who use the Internet to keep in touch with loved ones, and our business people who use it to contact their customers and suppliers and to find new markets for their product.

“In the electorate of Indi two exchanges will be upgraded to very fast ADSL2+ broadband and 26 new wireless broadband sites (WiMAX) will be built in the region,” Mrs Mirabella said.

ADSL2+ (up to 20Mbps)—Very fast broadband updated from basic ADSL

• Bright
• Wodonga

New wireless broadband sites (12Mbps)—WiMax

• Barnawartha (2)
• Beechworth
• Benalla
• Bethanga
• Bonnie Doon
• Bright
• Bundalong
• Cheshunt
• Creightons Creek
• Euroa (2)
• Glenrowan
• Mansfield (2)
• Milawa (2)
• Nagambie
• Porepunkah
• Ruffy
• Rutherglen
• Strathbogie
• Tungamah
• Wangaratta
• Warby
• Yackandandah

Australia Connected is a three part proposal and contains the following elements:

• A new national high speed wholesale network: the awarding of a $600 million competitive grant which will deliver a mix of fibre optic, ADSL2+ and wireless to rural and regional areas. This rollout has been boosted with an additional $358 million funding extension;

• A new commercial fibre optic network: facilitating a fibre build in cities and larger regional centres via a competitive bids process and subsequent legislation; and

• Australian Broadband Guarantee: a program providing subsidised broadband for very remote locations (the remaining one per cent of the population) that may not be covered by the new regional network.

“Today’s announcement is further demonstration of the Howard Government’s commitment to ensuring fast affordable broadband services for all Australians—regardless of where they live,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“Furthermore, the Australian Broadband Guarantee will ensure the remaining one per cent of Australians are not left behind with a per customer subsidy of up to $2750 to ensure remote broadband access.

“The Howard Government has also launched BroadbandNow—a one stop consumer help centre with telephone and web information. The service will help consumers understand the technology options available to them and provide ready information about how to get connected.”

BroadbandNow will begin from 1 July and the first Australia Connected OPEL broadband network services will be switched on from September 2007.

“Unlike Labor’s uncosted and poorly detailed proposal, this new super fast network is fully costed, affordable and will be rolled out immediately Australia wide.

“Labor’s plan would be rolled out over five years and Australians simply can’t afford to wait until 2013 for Labor’s broadband plan to be turned on.

“I am confident that the Howard Government has got the balance right and that this new network will deliver an enormous productivity boost to the electorate of Indi,” Mrs Mirabella said.

Governmentt set to announce North-South Pipeline

The Bracks Government is expected to announce next week its decision to go ahead with the north – south pipeline to transfer water from the Goulburn Valley to Melbourne.

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, described this action as water theft and lazy water resource management. It also breaks a pre-election promise.

Dr Sykes said, “True to form the Bracks Government have chosen the easy option of stealing water from the Goulburn Valley rather than investing in a desalination plant, water recycling and improved storm water capture to satisfy Melbourne’s unquenchable thirst for water.

The Nationals see this as another example of transferring the wealth generation potential out of Country Victoria to the city.

The Nationals believe that water savings made in the Murray Darling Basin should remain in the Basin for the benefit of irrigators, communities, industry and the environment.

Water savings projects funded by the proposed Federal Government plan would see the savings remain in the Basin.

This is one of the key reasons for The Nationals support of the Federal plan, providing all undertakings given regarding security of supply and appropriate transfer of powers are honoured by the Federal Government.

What's on around Wangaratta - 15 June 2007

This is edition 94 of the Rural City of Wangaratta E-Newsletter "Cultural Capers". If you would like to subscribe simply enter your email address in the subscription box at the bottom of the newsletter and it will be sent upon publication.

Funding announced for HP Barr Reserve Upgrade

“I am delighted to announce that the Howard Government is contributing $742,500.00 for the vital and urgent replacement of the sports pavilion at HP Barr Reserve,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, said today.

“This will be a wonderful asset for the community, and has been eagerly greeted by local families who have been exasperated by several years of waiting for State Government funding. For too long junior sports teams have trained and played with substandard facilities.”

“Wangaratta is well known for its participation and involvement in sport, especially at the junior level and these new buildings and facilities will ensure that our children have every opportunity to succeed in their selected sporting endeavours.”

“This project will construct and fit-out a hall, meeting rooms and commercial kitchen for a new community centre in a sporting precinct which already comprises an indoor sports and aquatic centre, netball and tennis courts, sporting ovals and open parkland,” said Mrs Mirabella.

“This investment in our local community is only made possible by the responsible economic management of the Howard Government. “

This funding is provided under the Department of Transport and Regional Services’ Regional Partnerships programme and was pursuant to an application by the Rural City of Wangaratta. It aims to build on local community support to invest in important local infrastructure.

“Unfortunately, projects like this will be at risk under a Rudd Labor Govermnent – and not just from their poor economic management. The Labor Opposition has a clear track record of criticising the Regional Partnerships programme, labelling funding under this programme as a scandal and deriding important investments in our community,” said Mrs Mirabella.

The Centre gets $53,000 for Volunteer Management Program (VMP)

Federal Member for Indi, Sophie Mirabella, said volunteers in Wangaratta would benefit from the Howard Government’s expansion of the Volunteer Management Program (VMP).

Minister for Community Services, Senator Nigel Scullion, recently announced the 50 Volunteer Resource Centres (VRCs) across Australia will receive over $4.8 million in funding which includes The Centre for Continuing Education in Wangaratta.

“The Centre for Continuing Education will receive $53,089.19 to provide a range of training options and advice for volunteer organisations and volunteers in North-East Victoria. This is a massive boost to our volunteers who donate their time to strengthen our community.”

“Changes to the VMP allow The Centre for Continuing Education to increase training programs and support to not-for-profit organisations in rural and regional locations.”

“This will allow organisations to concentrate on meeting the needs of the target population and provide more training options to volunteers and volunteer managers.”

“Through the transfer of funds from the Volunteer Work Initiative (VWI) to the VMP, a further 25 VRCs nationally will now provide expanded service to assist volunteers and not for profit organisations with volunteer management and training and their funding will be either matched, or significantly increased,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“The Howard Government recognises the vital contribution of volunteers, and these improvements to the VMP further assist the people who donate so much of their time to serve the community,” Mrs Mirabella said

School Drought Money - where is it (Sykes)

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes has joined the call in wanting to know what has happened to nearly three million dollars promised to drought affected communities three months ago by the State Government, as part of a school drought relief package.

“While the Government had made a big noise about the $2.9 million package announced in March, it seemed the money was still to reach schools and students in drought-affected country Victoria,” Dr Sykes said.

“It’s not apparent that any of the money has been spent as yet and the Minister for Education, when questioned in Parliament this week, had no knowledge of where the money was,” Dr Sykes said.

“Clearly it is important to spend any money allocated while people are feeling the impact of the drought. Taking kudos for announcing a package is one thing; The Nationals want to make sure the money is actually being utilised properly and effectively.

“The Education Minister cannot tell us whether that is the case, and surely he should
know.”

The package was aimed in particular at the five regions identified as suffering most from drought, Hume, Gippsland, the Grampians, Barwon-South Western and Loddon-Mallee.

The Premier promised funding support for drought support welfare officers to work with schools and provide support to students and families, as well as subsidies to schools to help with transport costs for students, books and stationary, counselling services and water conservation costs.

“The Nationals want the Minister to provide information about how much of that $2.9 million has been spent and in which program areas and specifically whether schools in those regions have actually received some financial assistance.

“The Government has announced the funding and it is important that schools and communities in the Benalla Electorate get their fair share of what is promised to them quickly,” Dr Sykes added.

Sykes speaks to Water Acts Amendment Bill - Second Reading

WATER ACTS AMENDMENT (ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER MATTERS) BILL

Second reading

Debate resumed from earlier this day; motion of Mr THWAITES (Minister for Water, Environment and Climate Change).

Dr SYKES (Benalla) -- I wish to contribute briefly to the debate on the Water Acts Amendment (Enforcement and Other Matters) Bill 2007. This bill focuses on one aspect of water management -- that is, the enforcement of regulations. I would like to briefly comment on another aspect -- that is, the role of upper catchment storages, which are critical components of drought response plans and permanent water saving plans as defined in clause 3 of the bill. I would also like to comment on the implementation of the regulations, of which adequate enforcement is a key component.

Upper catchment storages provide security of supply and flexibility of management of water for the benefit of the environment, downstream communities, irrigated agriculture and industry. At last the Minister for Water, Environment and Climate Change and the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) are publicly recognising this fact and have stated that they are now prepared to consider increased storage capacity of dams such as Lake Buffalo and Lake William Hovell, which are in the high-rainfall catchment areas. I should note that today's Wangaratta Chronicle points out that Lake William Hovell is overflowing, showing that there is plenty of capacity there for holding water and that there is an opportunity to increase storage capacity.

The minister also acknowledges that the Murray-Darling Basin cap is on water usage and not water storage, and therefore the cap per se is not an impediment to increased upper catchment storage capacity in northern Victoria. This is a point that I have been making to the minister for a number of years.

The current drought should also prompt a reconsideration of the decision to decommission Lake Mokoan. Today local Broken Valley irrigators are making a presentation to DSE and others on their alternate proposal for Lake Mokoan, which would deliver water savings in line with the plans but also retain security of supply for the Broken Valley, thereby preventing the serious social and economic impacts associated with the full decommissioning.

A small Lake Mokoan would enable the provision of continued security of supply and the flexibility of management of water for the irrigation industry, the broader manufacturing industries, the community and, last but not least, the environment. To this end I ask that the minister give this proposal his very full and considered consideration, including having a firsthand presentation from the irrigators before making his decision.

I turn to the implementation of the regulations that this bill relates to.

Stage 4 restrictions have been applied throughout many communities in country Victoria, often with severe economic consequences for businesses such as car washes and nurseries. Regrettably the government did not put Melbourne onto stage 4 restrictions, despite its having reached the trigger point. Instead the government made up a new category 3a. People in country Victoria believe that there should be one rule for all and that there should be equitable sharing of the inevitable pain.
Continuing on the issue of restrictions, there is also the staged removal of restrictions. Most communities in north-east Victoria are now coming off stage 4 restrictions while some others are moving up to stage 3 restrictions, in line with proposals to cope with the possibility of a continuation of this drought for a long period. Benalla and Myrtleford are two communities which are still on stage 4 restrictions.

Today I have spoken with North East Water, and we agreed that there is little point in keeping those communities on stage 4 rather than stage 3 restrictions, as there are minimal additional savings, but there is a considerable ongoing economic impact for businesses such as nurseries and car washes. I believe that as a result of our conversation, Benalla and Myrtleford will be taken off stage 4 restrictions very soon, provided the minister for water and the DSE do not delay the process.

I therefore call upon the Minister for Water, Environment and Climate Change to ensure that such delays do not occur, hence avoiding an unnecessary continuation of the financial impact of stage 4 restrictions on businesses such as local car washes and nurseries. In closing, I make the plea: get it right -- water is so damned important!

Passed remaining stages.

Remaining business postponed on motion of Mr CAMERON (Minister for Police and Emergency Services).

*** DAILY HANSARD *** PROOF VERSION ONLY *** DO NOT QUOTE ***

Call to farmers to speak up on climate change

FROM THE MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
DATE: Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Farmers across north east Victoria are being urged to help shape Victoria’s future environmental policy by contributing to a Land and Biodiversity white paper.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Steve Herbert, said farmers held much needed land and biodiversity expertise and the Bracks Government was keen to hear their views.

“With CSIRO projecting temperature rises of up to five degrees by 2070, we all need to better understand how managing our biodiversity can help the productivity of our land in the face of climate change,” Mr Herbert said.

“Many land managers in the region are adapting their farming techniques to cope with the impacts of less rain and warmer temperatures, and we want to learn from their hands-on experience.”

Lindsey Humphry, a dairy farmer from Springhurst, is overhauling his farm practices together with a group of 10 other landholders, by using worms, aerating soil and using less chemicals and antibiotics.

“We’re now seeing fewer problems with cattle health and testing is showing that nutrient levels are up in the soil,” he said.

Lindy Lumsden, a senior scientist in wildlife ecology at Arthur Rylah Institute, said farmers in the region were also beginning to understand the importance of protecting tiny bats that live in old trees, which are vital in controlling pests.

At a property at Numurkah, Ms Lumsden recently trapped 50 bats from seven different species, which the landholder didn’t know were there.

“Many farmers think birds control pests but these tiny bats eat half to three quarters of their body weight a night and are free pesticide controllers,” she said.

“But they are dependent on native vegetation for habitat, so it’s important to keep the trees in the paddock.”

Mr Herbert invited landholders and residents in the North-East to make a submission to the Land and Biodiversity White Paper as a practical way to mark World Environment Day today.

“The White Paper, Land and Biodiversity at a time of climate change, will set the agenda and help identify investment priorities for managing land, biodiversity and natural resources for the next 20 to 50 years.

Mr Herbert said Victorians had until Friday 22 June 2007 to make a submission for the first stage of the 18-month White Paper consultation process. People could also join online discussions through Landcare networks and have their views heard.

For more information about the Land and Biodiversity White Paper – including the consultation paper – visit www.dse.vic.gov.au/landwhitepaper or join an online discussion at www.landcarevic.net.au/climate-change/the-white-paper-on-land-and-biodiversity.

Operation Backoff cuts fruit fly menace

A major operation in north-east Victoria has made a significant contribution towards combating the threat of fruit fly, Minister for Agriculture, Joe Helper, said today. Mr Helper said Operation Backoff – a Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) operation to combat the major economic pest head-on had produced positive results.

A major operation in north-east Victoria has made a significant contribution towards combating the threat of fruit fly, Minister for Agriculture, Joe Helper, said today.
Mr Helper said Operation Backoff – a Queensland Fruit Fly ( QFF ) operation to combat the major economic pest head-on had produced positive results.

“In the six weeks of this operation, officers from the Department of Primary Industries ( DPI ) worked with local communities to tackle fruit fly,” Mr Helper said.

“DPI field crews recorded and inspected more than 27,000 fruit trees in more than 14,000 properties. From these trees, 27 infestations of QFF were identified and treated.”

Fruit trees were surveyed and inspected at Wahgunyah, Rutherglen, Chiltern, Benalla, Tocumwal and Wangaratta.

Mr Helper said teams recorded the type and number of fruit trees on each property, gathering information that would assist in more effective eradication of the pest in future campaigns.

“Other benefits of the operation included the testing of a new and rapid diagnostic technique for identifying QFF and the discovery of several new outbreaks along the Murray River,” he said.

“Operation Backoff was not an isolated operation but rather part of an ongoing strategic campaign to reduce the pressures of the QFF in north-east Victoria.

“It was part of the Bracks Government’s extensive and ongoing control measures aimed at protecting the state’s $500 million horticulture industry from pests and diseases.”

Mr Helper thanked landholders and communities for their co-operation and assistance during Operation Backoff.

“The community response to this operation has been fantastic and I would like to thank residents for their support and DPI officers for their hard work,” he said.

“When you’re fighting the world’s worst economic fruit pest, it takes a combined and committed effort.”

Mr Helper said an additional 1200 trees had been nominated by house owners for removal over the coming weeks, which would help reduce the threat of future outbreaks.

For further information on the QFF program call the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or visit the website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au

Source: media-newswire.com

King Valley kids 'dig' healthy eating

FROM THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION SERVICES
DATE: Thursday, May 31, 2007

The Minister for Education Services, Jacinta Allan, today planted the seed for a healthy eating education program for students at four King Valley primary schools.

Ms Allan joined students in Edi Upper Primary School’s hot house to plant seeds into trays that will become the first vegetable crop in a ‘Go for your life’ Kitchen Garden Project with Stephanie Alexander.

The kitchen garden project at Edi Upper Primary School is among the first 20 projects to be funded with $62,500 two year grants to help children grow to be healthy, active adults. Another 20 projects will be funded in 2009–2010.

The garden at Edi Upper Primary School will also be tendered by students from Whitfield, Moyhu and Myrrhee Primary Schools.

The idea is the brainchild of food-writer and chef Stephanie Alexander, who created a kitchen garden at Collingwood College in Melbourne where students tend a vegetable garden and then learn how to prepare and cook the fruits of their labour.

Ms Allan said children were usually more willing to try and appreciate food they had grown and prepared themselves.

“By making healthy eating fun through growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing good fresh food we will plant a seed in children’s minds that eating well can be an enjoyable experience,” Ms Allan said.

“This project is introducing King Valley children to the world of edible gardening and cooking and will encourage them to develop positive attitudes towards a wide range of foods.”

Ms Allan said the kitchen garden project reinforced the Government’s ‘Go for your life’ campaign, promoting healthier lifestyles through greater physical activity and healthy eating to address the rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes.

“The Bracks Government put healthy eating on the menu at all Victorian government schools at the start of this year when its ban on the sale of high sugar content soft drinks from school canteens and vending machines came into force,” Ms Allan said.

“This kitchen garden project here at Edi Upper Primary delivers on the commitment we made to Victorians to meet the challenges of the future and invest in the services that matter to their families.”

Healthy ideas growing in the King Valley

archived from The Chronicle 1 June 2007

SEED planting was on the agenda when Minister for Education Services, Jacinta Allan, visited Edi Upper Primary School yesterday.

Edi Upper, in partnership with Whitfield, Moyhu and Myrrhee primary schools, was the recipient of a Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Project grant to help children become healthier and more active by involving them in growing and cooking their own fresh food.

"Every school will have an individual garden and there will be one kitchen at Edi Upper," Edi Upper Primary School principal, Mick Cross, said.