NEWS
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Planting the seeds for a new $160 million facility Budding industry set to bloom THE undisclosed, 72ha site will include a 160,000m2 high technology glasshouse growing area, as well as research and breeding facilities. Thanks to the Goulburn Valley’s abundant hours of sun and access to water, the region is ideal for growing the cannabis sativa plant. With the right amounts of sun and water, the cannabis sativa plant, which is technically a weed, has a full life cycle of only eight to twelve weeks. As a result, Cannatrek will produce a whopping 160 tonnes of medicinal cannabis annually when operating at capacity, affording the ability to export into other markets. As of July 2019, Australian authorities, under the Special Access Scheme (SAS), have granted approximately 11,500 approvals for the use of medicinal cannabis. The SAS refers to arrangements that provide for the import and/or supply of unapproved therapeutic goods for a single patient, on a case-by-case basis. The billion-dollar Australian medicinal cannabis industry is forecasting an estimated 20,000+ approvals by the end of 2020. For thousands of years, cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes. Recently, advancements in technology and legislative change have seen governments around the world loosening and amending laws to embrace this medical resource.
Greater Shepparton College (interim name)
From 2020, secondary students in the Shepparton region will have an unprecedented choice of subjects to explore their passions and develop pathways for the jobs of the future. Greater Shepparton College (interim name) will offer all VCE subjects, a VCAL program and a broad range of VET options. Students will no longer need to travel out of Shepparton, or attend virtual classes, to study subjects of their choice as currently happens. Around 80 VCE and VET subjects along with a full VCAL program will be offered to students. This is a significant increase compared with the number of subjects currently on offer at the four existing schools. Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning Megan Michalaidis says local students will have greater access to subjects than ever before. “We want all students to have the choice of subjects that suit their strengths, pathways and aspirations.” “This means students will no longer need to grapple with distance education or travel between schools to study their favourite subjects.” The final number of subjects delivered in 2020 will be confirmed at the end of September after students make their final subject preferences in the coming weeks. While all VCE and VET subjects will be offered, the delivery of subjects will be based on student interest. All existing pathways, VET and VCAL options will remain available to students at the new school. All senior students (Years 11-12) will start school in 2020 at the Wanganui and McGuire campuses. Subjects will be delivered at two campuses, eliminating the current need for students to move between four schools to study their subjects of choice. At Wanganui and McGuire campuses, all
Cannatrek is one of only a handful of businesses at the forefront of this change in Australia and one of the first companies to be entrusted by government to import cannabis seed, research strains, cultivate, process, distribute, market and export cannabis to international markets. Cannatrek CEO, Tommy Huppert said he was excited to be finally revealing the news to the region, after securing the land over a year ago. “I’ve been working in the space for five or six years and it’s been tricky flying under the radar. The whole industry is a blank canvas and it feels like I’ve been on eggshells,” Mr Huppert said. “But I’m just so thrilled to be having this conversation at last and I’m thankful to get support from three levels of government. Greater Shepparton City Council have been so great and it just goes to show how business and council can work together to do something great for the region.” Mr Huppert said Cannatrek will not only focus on production and distribution of medicinal marijuana but there will also be a dedicated team for research into its medical use, as well as a breeding and genetics program. “People don’t realise but there are over 100
Shepparton Education Plan Vision: All students are empowered to learn and achieve, experiencing high quality teaching practice and best conditions for learning which equip them with the knowledge, skills and dispositions for lifelong learning and shaping the world around them. subjects will be delivered by VCE teachers who have specialist skills in study design and student subject support. This means teachers will provide expert advice to help students follow their interests and career aspirations. A specialist curriculum for Year 9 students at the Mooroopna campus is currently in the works. For the first time in 2020, Year 9 students will have access to double the electives than previously on offer. These choices could be community-linked, project based, immersive or involve outdoor education. The program will focus on supporting handson learning, self-development, resilience, selfdetermination, community connections, and student leadership. Teachers are also creating an innovative curriculum which will include a strong literacy and numeracy focus. Literacy and Numeracy will be the focus of the Year 7 curriculum. Students will also study Humanities, Science, Languages other than English (LOTE), Physical Education, Arts and Technology subjects. Each semester Year 7s will have the opportunity to investigate real life applications through the integration of science and humanities. Year 7s will also learn organisation and study skills to assist in their transition to secondary school through the Learning Mentor Program. A dedicated review of Year 8 and Year 10 curriculum will occur in 2020. Meantime, there will be no change to the Year 8 curriculum at Mooroopna and McGuire campuses while Wanganui Campus will combine what has been offered at Shepparton High School. Student camps for Years 7 and 9 will continue in 2020. All students will have the opportunity to learn about the cultures, histories and knowledge of the Goulburn Murray region’s Indigenous people through the Kaiela Dhungala First People’s Curriculum.
For more information and updates about the school, you can: Visit our website: www.greatersheppartoncollege.vic.edu.au Email us: contactus@greatersheppartoncollege.vic.edu.au McGuire Campus 92-100 Wilmot Road, Shepparton, VIC 3630
Mooroopna Campus 141-179 Echuca Rd, Mooroopna, VIC 3629
Wanganui Park Campus Parkside Drive, Shepparton, VIC 3630
ONE OF THE BIGGEST IN THE WORLD… The region is abuzz with excitement following the announcement of the enormous new Cannatrek medicinal cannabis facility. Artist impression: Supplied. Insert: Cannatrek CEO, Tommy Huppert. Photo: Supplied.
different strains of the sativa plant and all of them do different things. At Cannatrek, our focus will be on mental health and strains that will help with depression, anxiety, insomnia and pain relief. “So far, Australia has done quite well in allowing universities, scientists and the medical fraternity to join together and conduct
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research. We hope that further research will provide authenticity to doctors and patients unsure of the benefits of a plant that’s been prohibited here for over 70 years.” Construction on the Cannatrek medicinal cannabis facility is set to commence in its undisclosed location soon and is expected to be completed before the end of 2020.
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gmcu.com.au Goulburn Murray Credit Union Cooperative Limited. ABN 87 087 651 509 AFSL / Australian Credit Licence Number 241364. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and eligibility criteria apply. After the first 2 years the interest rate reverts to the Basic Variable Home Loan Rate (currently 4.20%p.a.). *Comparison rate based on a home loan of $150,000 over 25 years. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees and other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. #Offer available for the first $4m in eligible loans applied for before 16 September 2019 and funded prior to 16 November 2019. Eligible loans include new owner-occupied home loans or increases to existing owner-occupied home loans of >$100,000 where the maximum loan-to-valuation ratio is less than 70%. Not available for construction.
The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1471 Wednesday, August 28, 2019 – Page 17