The Sturt’s Desert Pea is the floral emblem for which Australian state?

Happy 21st for communitybuilding local history grants

THE state government is supporting com munity organisations to preserve and sha local history and distinctive local voices, with a new round of the Local History Grants Program. Minister for Government Services, Dan Pearson, announced the opening of the program’s 21st round, with $350,000 ava able in grants of up to $15,000 to foster the preserving, recording and sharing of Victoria’s fascinating history. “Local history is an important part of Victoria’s memory, and we’re proud to support projects that showcase and preserve the diverse voices that make p up the state’s past,” he said. “Whether it is for the digitisation of records, the publication of local history stories or an upgrade to a museum, the Local History Grants Program ensures that the stories of our past are available for future generations.” The program funds community-based organisations to tell the stories of their communities, preserve significant historical collections, and increase opportunities for public engagement with the past. The most recent round of grants saw 40 projects across the state funded for a range of projects and publications, making local history more accessible. Recipients included the Nagambie Historical Society for important upgrades to its museum, ILBIJERRI Theatre Company to archive its 30-year history, and the Australian Queer Archives to digitise its collection of press clippings. Other projects previously funded include websites, oral histories and podcasts, interpretative signage, collection cataloguing and Auslan translations. The Local History Grants Program is managed by Public Record Office Victoria and supported by the state and federal government. Applications for grants close on Monday, January 30 2023. For more information and to apply for funding go to prov.vic.gov.au.

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Important: The Local History Grant Program can help preserve historical images such as this one (right) from the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. photograph s pliedsupplied

Combatting mosquitoes this summer

GIPPSLAND health authorities have issued a warning against underestimating the potential impact of mosquito bites on people over the summer. More than 275 species of mosquitoes are found in Australia. Fortunately, only a few species bite humans, and fewer still are vectors of human diseases, according to Tracy Vander Zalm, communications adviser for Gippsland Regional Public Health Unit. “In Victoria, the most common viruses transmitted from mosquitoes to humans are Ross River and Barmah Forest virus,” she said. “Infections caused by Japanese encephalitis virus, Murray Valley encephalitis virus and Kunjin virus are rare, but do have the potential to cause severe disease.” Ms Vander Zalm said the most effective way to reduce risk of mosquito-borne diseases was by avoiding mosquito bites and removing mosquito breeding sites around homes. “Cover up, use repellent, clean up still water around your home and campsite, and use fly spray when eating or gathering outdoors,” she said. The department has released a flyer that sets out ways to combat mosquitoes. These include:  Cover up by wearing loose-fitting clothing.  Clean up still water. Reduce stagnant or still water where mosquitoes can breed around the home or campsite.  Only open windows with fitted fly screens, and if camping, use a mosquito net  Apply mosquito repellent to all exposed skin, especially at dawn or dusk.  On babies, you might need to spray or rub repellent on their clothes instead of their skin,  Babies and children naturally put their hands to their mouth, so avoid applying repellent on their hands to avoid irritation.  When outdoors, use ‘knock down’ fly spray, mosquito coils or plug-in repellent where you gather to sit and/or eat Visit the Department of Health website for more information Mosquito-borne diseases (health.vic.gov.au).

Bull re-appointed, gets straight back to work

NATIONALS Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, says he is honoured to be re-appointed to the new Opposition Shadow Cabinet. Mr Bull will again have the crucial portfolios of Veterans’ Affairs and Racing, as well as Disability and Aged Care, which includes carers. “As part of an expanded Nationals team that covers Victoria from border to border and the only party solely representing regional Victoria, I look forward to my continued advocacy for East Gippsland,” Mr Bull said. “It’s disappointing that the Liberals and Nationals are not in government and that we are not able to deliver on the policies that we took to the election both locally, and to get a better deal for the regions more generally. “Things like our policy initiative to create a $4 million social enterprise start-up fund for disability enterprises, when the unemployment rate for people living with disability is about three times higher than the average unemployment rate in Victoria. “Or our plan for improved supports for veterans and a review of our public sector owned aged care facilities with a follow up renewals and upgrades program. “And for many years, residents of retirement villages have been asking for an independent resolution process for disputes, that’s why The Nationals and Liberals proposed to resource the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria with this responsibility. “Daniel Andrews said he would govern for all Victorians, and one way he can demonstrate his commitment to that is to take a serious look at the common-sense policy solutions we took to the election.” Mr Bull said he would also continue to pursue the deteriorating state of the local road network, the lack of social and affordable housing, and the non-sensical decision to shut down the native timber industry. Advocating: Returning Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, says he will continue to push for better roads in our region.