NEWS DESK
Unanswered questions on Evocca graduation rates Neil Walker neil@mpnews.com.au EVOCCA College is refusing to reveal graduation rates at its Frankston campus in the wake of a damning Senate inquiry into the funding and management of vocational education and training (VET) providers. The Queensland based college, which has more than 40 campuses nationwide, was one of several registered training organisations offering short diploma courses criticised in the report over its marketing to students (‘College’s marketing to students slammed’, The News 27/10/15). The Senate committee heard allegations vulnerable students with little or no chance of completing courses are enrolled by some private sector operators to boost enrolment numbers and rake in hundreds of millions of dollars in profits at the expense of taxpayers. The federal government banned private colleges earlier this year from offering so-called “free” iPads and laptops to persuade students to sign on the dotted line. Students are signed up for “study now, pay later” deals with federal VET FEE-HELP funding, paid for by taxpayers, not having to be repaid until students earn at least $50,000 per year. The Senate committee tasked with investigating the private colleges industry recommended the repayment threshold be lowered to $30,000 or $40,000.
When asked about graduation rates at its Frankston campus Evocca College communications executive Suzanne Ross said in a statement that the college “is focused on delivering quality vocational education and training that is geared towards students generating strong outcomes”. “This year 79.4 per cent of graduates from Evocca College Frankston have either continued with further study or are in employment.” When asked how many students had graduated at its Frankston campus, Ms Ross subsequently replied: “It’s Evocca’s policy not to disclose statistics relating to specific campuses.” Data released by the Department of Education and Training reveals Evocca had 27,907 students enrolled nationally last year but just 1053 students completed courses, a completion rate of less than 4 per cent. Evocca received more than $250 million in VET FEE-HELP funding in 2014 according to the Department’s figures. “Evocca College has completion rates which are well in excess of the industry average for both public and private VET FEE-HELP providers,” Ms Ross said. Department of Education and Training statistics show Evocca College’s benchmarked progress rate of units completed by students against units undertaken was 27.6 per cent against a national average of 64.4 per cent for VET FEE-HELP providers nationally.
Cat trap: Julie Trezise, of the French Island Landcare Grou and Scott Couts, Parks Victoria, and setting a feral cat trap to help protect wetlands on the map for international bird travellers. Picture: James Lauritz
Wetland protection for the birds PROTECTING wetlands in Western Port and Port Phillip which are integral to the survival of migratory birds, ranges from controlling pest plants and animals to increasing understanding about their importance. Management of the three internationally recognised Ramsar wetlands - Edithvale-Seaford, Western Port and the western shoreline of Port Phillip Bay – is coordinated out by the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (PPWCMA). “In addition, the PPWCMA has started the Improving Wetlands Project supported by the state govern-
ment’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning involving partnerships with councils, government agencies, community Landcare groups and private landholders,” the authority’s Andrew Morrison said. “Some birds, such as the eastern curlew, migrate annually over 10,000 kilometers from places such as Siberia to Australia, and rely on our wetlands to rest and feed as part of their amazing yearly ritual. “However, some pests and modern land uses and activities, including weeds, foxes, feral cats and increasing urbanisation and recreation have put
the Ramsar wetlands under pressure.” Mr Morrison said the five-year, $3 million Improving Wetlands Project “will contribute to improving the ecological health and condition of mangrove and saltmarsh vegetation communities across the sites”. “It will also help to reduce the threats from feral animals to native wildlife, and community engagement activities will raise awareness of wetland values and increase community and public knowledge. For more information on the PPWCMA’s work at the Ramsar wetland sites, visit www.ppwcma.vic.gov.au.
100 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK...
Long awaited ‘Caste’ opens Tuesday Compiled by Melissa Walsh THE annual meeting of the Tyabb Annual Picnic will be held on Monday evening next at 8 o’clock. *** THE “Wattles” Club are holding one of their popular dances tonight (Saturday) when a good time is expected. One shilling will be charged for admission, and a good supper will be provided. *** WORD has been received at the Frankston Post Office, that on and after the 1st November mails will be due at Frankston at 2.39 p.m. daily, in lieu of 6.11 p.m. as formerly. *** WE have received some schedules and entry forms, relating to the Moorabin Show which will be held at Cheltenham, on the 13th inst. The proceeds are being devoted to the Australian Sick and Wounded Soldiers Fund, and we understand that quite a number of donations in goods have been received, which will be offered by auction by Mr W. P. Fairlam on the day of the Show. Entries close on the 9th November at the Show office, Cheltenham. *** THE name of Sapper Harold T. H. Reeve appears in the list of those who have died of wounds at Gallipoli. He was the nephew of Messrs C. and T. Cooper, of Frankston, 26 years of age, and followed the occupation of a plummer. Though he enlisted from Euroa, he
was well known in this district, and was a member of the Malvern and Dandenong brass bands, for both of which he did service as a cornet player. He leaves a father and brother, who reside at Rutherglen. *** THE members of St Paul’s Club, Frankston, have been putting through a big double task in preparing scenery as well as learning and rehearsing their parts in the great three act com edy “Caste,” which is to be staged at Carrum on Tuesday night, and at Frankston on Wednesday night. The new scenery has been made on new and special lines, and is parti cularly adapted for quick changes be tween the acts. It comprises two separate interiors, and represents a spacious drawing room and a common living room. The play itself is one of the finest comedies ever staged. It combines farce, burlesque, high class comedy and touching drama, in never ending variety. Written forty years ago, for the Prince of Wales’ Theatre, London, it was recently produced at large theatres in Sydney and Melbourne. Its theme is one of never failing interest, the law of caste and the meaning of social distinctions. In spite of the great difficulties which attend the staging of such a farce as this, the offering by St Paul’s Club should be well worth seeing.. The rehearsing has been thorough going and the players are well suited to their parts. There will be one or two musical items, as well as the comedy.
As the piece is not short, the audience is requested to be started by eight o’clock sharp. *** A somewhat novel provision has been incorporated in the Justices Act, consolidated, and it is now law. Where a person who is in gaol is prepared to pay a part of his fine the governor of the gaol can accept it and, calculating what portion of the total sentence it represents, deduct that time from the sentence. If, for instance, a man has been fined a pound and can pay 10s his sentence in default of payment would be reduced by half. This system has been in vogue for some time in New South Wales, where it has been found to work well, and its adoption here meets with the approval of the Crown Law officers, *** THE prolific growth of crops this season is causing officials at the Lands department apprehension of dangers by fire. It has therefore been deemed necessary to issue a very special caution as to the lighting of fires and burning off. The Minister of Lands invites the cooperation and assistance of all concerned in minimising the risk that must inevitably occur during the approaching summer season. Wherever possible assistance is to be given to Australian fruit growers to obtain insulated space for perishable goods on transports. *** MR Jensen, Minister for the Navy,
stated on Wednesday that the Director of Transport Captain Clarkson, had recommended to him that a conference should be held with the fruit growers in Australia with regard to their wants over the coming shipping season. The Minister added that it was his intention, therefore, to have a conference held in about ten days time in Melbourne with a view to ascertaining the amount of insulated space required upon the transports. Wherever it is possible he intended to assist the fruitgrowers to get their perishable goods on the market in Londod during the months of February, March, April, and May. *** “Polly my pet, my brightest little batswing. and most brilliant burner” Sam the gasman in “Caste.” *** ON Tuesday evening 16th November, the Hon Samuel Mauger (Greatest Temperance Reformer in Australia) will lecture in the local town hall. The lecture will be on “The War and its affects.” On Thursday evening last the business people of this town met in the hall to discuss the best ways and means of assisting the band. The band is worthy of assistance and it was agreed to hold a concert and dance on November 19th. The programme for the concert will consist of Melbourne and local talent. The following officers were duly elected.— Chairman Mr R. Davis; secretary, Mr E T Kinninmont; treasurer, Mrs O’Neill; committee, Messrs H Knox, P. Ryan, D. Hoban, A. T. Denison, A. Campbell,
F. Strickland, A. Perrot, G. Hoglund(?) and Mrs Kay. “M’ladyship, you and me’d have a dream together on the quiet.” Eccles, in “Caste.” *** AN error crept in the paragraph devoted to the Langwarrin Tennis Club last issue. Mr Herbert Oates was the winner of the racket and press, not Mr H Carrs, as reported. *** TWO of our young men, W.Thomas and Leo.McNally, have entered into partnership as market gardeners to supply the residents cost to the railway station. They do not intend to compete for outside local trade. Any surplus supplies will be sent to Melbourne for export. We wish them every success. *** MISS Gillard, who succeeded Mr H Tidiman, as health teacher of the local state school here, is proving very painstaking with the scholars, and good results are to be expected at the examinations to be held this month. *** AT a committee meeting it was decided to asphalt the floor of the shelter shed of the school. Mr G. Upton was elected correspondent and Mr P.J.Murray treasurer. It was decided to grant a school holiday one day this month to enable scholars to attend the Methodist Sunday School picnic. *** VERY few of our punters picked Patrobas for the Cup. In one instance a soldier invested £5 and won £100. From the pages of the Mornington Standard, 6 November, 1915
Mornington News 3 November 2015
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