Looking Back 100 years ago 13 September 1917 One of the Dandenong Boys Mr Jas Pickett, of Dandenong, has received the appended letter from his son, Lieut Reg Pickett, who has been awarded the Military Cross, which was previously mentioned in these columns.
1st Anzac Corps June 26 1917 Dear Pickett, This is a line to congratulate you most heartily upon the award to you of the Military Cross, in recognition of your good work during the operations in the Hindenburg line on 3 May. I know how gallantly you led your bombers in the work of clearing the enemy trenches, and though wounded early in the assault continued to lead your men without cessation for
Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society five hours, rendering most valuable service at a critical period, for which I thank you. I trust that your wound is not giving you much trouble, and is making good progress. Yours sincerely, General W R Birwood.
50 years ago 12 September 1967 It’s none of our business but ... . There is a history to one flagpole in the Scout Jamboree Reserve in Churchill Park. It was reported by Ron Smith when thanks for the pole were received at the RSL monthly meeting. Ron said that when Dandenong RSL bowlers won two pennants in the 1966 season, three flagpoles were intended so there was a spare. “And I don’t think we could have found a better place for it,” Ron said.
20 years ago
5 years ago
8 September 1997 PM chooses local women Leading Dandenong businesswomen and world-renowned former opera singer Ms Stella Axarlis has been named as a member of the constitutional convention. The convention, which will develop a plebiscite or referendum on Australia becoming a republic, is expected to be held in the first half of next year. The Prime Minister Mr Howard said the 36 appointments to the 152 delegate body represent a broad cross section of society. He said: “They can reflect the Federal Government’s commitment to ensure that women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, young Australians, and local government are represented at the convention.” The Journal spoke to Ms Axarlis, 58, who she said she was open-mined about the republican-monarchy discussions.
10 September 2012 Pet deluge is barking mad Have your animals desexed! That’s the advice and plea from the president of the Australian Animal Protection Society. Mr Fielder said the list of surrendered animals this past year included 1209 dogs and 3253 cats, showing “our efforts to educate the public on desexing are still failing”. The AAPS has been functioning for 29 years. It covers a wide area and has an equally wide age group in its staunch supporters from school children to retirees. Besides his concern about the desexing of cats and dogs, Mr Fielder also scotched rumours of AAPS’s imminent demise. “They are just that ... .rumours,” he said. He acknowledged the donations of money, time and equipment by individuals, school groups and the corporate sector.
Learning from education lessons COMMUNITY
VOICE SUSAN COLLIER DANDENONG NORTH RESIDENT AND SPECIALIST SCHOOL TEACHER
that they can be supported to become the best possible version of ‘them’. There are many practices and concepts that are commonplace, even mandatory, within special education that should, I believe, be in place in the mainstream system also. All students within the special education system have an individual learning plan - this document clearly and explicitly states the student’s goals for their education for that period, be it 12, six or three months. This document is created via input from all
the key figures in the student’s life. Wouldn’t it be wonderful, as a parent, to be able to highlight to your child’s school the priorities and goals that you have for your child? Learning that occurs in special education settings is largely hands-on and practical. Life skills are addressed, in conjunction with the mandated curriculum. How often is it said that our students in mainstream settings would benefit from learning about taxes, or banking, or household chores? Special education settings have the ability to be able to address this learning in a real and practical manner. Specialist settings have the ability to create opportunities for students to engage with authentic tasks - tasks that hold a purpose and meaning for our students. It is well-researched and documented that tasks of this nature are more engaging for all students, leading to higher performance and
achievement rates. Yet many mainstream environments still function with students sitting in rows, behind either text books or laptops, working through questions in silence. The staff working in these environments are not to blame - they do an amazing job in some very difficult circumstances. The need for greater support to allow all students to support true student growth must start at the top. Increased funding for all schools, both mainstream and specialist, would allow for smaller class sizes, increased funding and increased opportunity for all students to experience s uccess. And just perhaps the mainstream system could, one day, adopt some principles and practices from their special education counterparts and produce a system that is truly aimed at supporting all students and promoting positive outcomes for all.
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Recent inflammatory remarks made by a prominent federal politician have shone the spotlight on special education, but not necessarily in a positive manner. The conversation that has occurred as a result of these comments has been both ignorant and illinformed. The mainstream education system, as it exists currently, is a system that is designed to benefit the ‘few’ rather than the masses. Research has continued to show that students are more successful in an environment that allows them to engage in practical, collaborative tasks that are interest-based. The research is conclusive, however the mainstream education system is slow to make changes. The special education system is truly designed to enable all students to experience success, regardless of their diagnosed disabilities. Students within this system have a variety of needs and challenges, however the system is such
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