NEWS DESK
Internet of Things a Frankston first Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au A NEW internet network has been rolled out in Frankston in an Australia first launch of a commercial Narrowband Internet of Things. The low power wide area network is not connected to the national broadband network used by households and is a separate network that enables businesses to monitor, send and
receive data from objects that have embedded sensors. The initial launch of the Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) network by Vodafone in Frankston will see businesses such as Metasphere monitor area water usage in real time. Frankston was chosen by Vodafone as a location to launch the NB-IoT network thanks to previous trials with South East Water. The state government-owned water management authority’s head office is
located in Frankston. NB-IoT chips installed on sewerage and rainwater pipes will eventually be used to control waste water flows from properties and identify sewerage faults. Unauthorised entry to manholes will be immediately flagged. The NB-IoT network and technology have been used elsewhere globally to automatically monitor parking times in car park spaces and track when rubbish bins are full.
“Australians will see a huge variety of products, services and applications enabled by NB-IoT over the coming years as more carriers, vendors, utilities and commercial organisations roll out and harness the benefits of this new way of connecting devices,” Vodafone executive general manager of enterprise Stuart Kelly Kelly said. “This will enable society to become smarter and more efficient, massively benefiting the general public as well as businesses. We expect NB-IoT to be a
key driver behind Australia’s move towards becoming a smarter, more connected country.” Businesses are charged for the NBIoT service based on project scope. Vodafone is also working with CCP Technologies Limited with a focus on managing food inventory in commercial fridges at restaurants. The Internet of Things network has also been launched by Vodafone at the telco’s Port Melbourne and Sydney offices before a wider rollout next month.
Education chief is honoured
Schools out for education help
THE head of the Chisholm TAFE Institute has been recognised by the state government for decades of work in the education sector. Chisholm CEO Maria Peters received the Lynne Kosky Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Victorian Training Awards last Wednesday (11 October). Ms Peters, Chisholm’s CEO since 2010, announced in July she intends to retire at the end of the year. Chisholm TAFE has nine campuses throughout Victoria including Frankston and Rosebud education centres. The Frankston campus is undergoing extensive redevelopment, due to be complete next year, as part of a $75.9 million joint state government and Chisholm project to upgrade the TAFE training centre. Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke said Ms Peters, who is also a member of the Frankston Revitalisation Board, has “made an invaluable contribution to our community”. “I’m proud that she has been awarded the Lynne Kosky Memorial Award as it is acknowledgement of the huge positive impact she has made on our community.” When announcing her retirement in July, Ms Peters said a new skills training hub in Frankston is a boost to the area’s economic future. “This will enable Chisholm to forge even stronger links with business and industry and deliver outstanding education, employment and skills opportunities for the Frankston community and surrounds,” she said. In 2014, a report by the Victorian Auditor-General revealed Chisholm defied a statewide trend of financial struggle across the TAFE sector by reporting a $30.6 million net surplus, before operating costs. The Auditor-General praised Chisholm for implementing “effective cost control strategies”. State Training and Skills Minister Gayle Tierney said last week: “The Victorian Training Awards recognise and honour the outstanding achievements of apprentices, trainees and students and the teachers and businesses who work tirelessly to train them.” The Lynne Kosky Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement is named after the former state education minister who died in 2014 after contracting toxic shock syndrome after breast cancer surgery.
THREE schools are pooling their resources to plan the way ahead for education in Frankston North. Aldercourt Primary School, Mahogany Rise Primary and Monterey Secondary College are seeking community ideas to develop a Frankston North Education Plan in partnership with the state government. A parent and community workshop to investigate ways education participation can be increased, how resilience in young people can be built and strategies to increase aspiration and pride in the Frankston North area will be hosted by the Victorian School Building Authority. The education plan aims to ensure more students stay in school to break the link between disadvantage and poorer outcomes for students. Families can also complete a survey about the Frankston North Education Plan at engage.vic.gov. au/fnep online. n A parent and community workshop will be held at Frankston North Community Centre, 26 Mahogany Avenue, Frankston North on Tuesday 24 October, 6-7.30pm with a drop-in session at 12-4pm on the same day. See schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au or call 1800 896 950 for more details.
Music magic
PENINSULA Folk Club’s Making Music Magic session meets on the first Sunday of the month at Frankston Bowls Club, Yuille St, 5.30pm, for a free jam in the bar. The concert begins at 6.30pm. A free workshop is held every month. Meals are available. Details: Julie Meaden, 0450 280 954.
Lifetime award: Chisholm TAFE chief executive officer Maria Peters has received the Lynne Kosky Memorial Award. Picture: Supplied
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