Issue 207 / 7 February 2022
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JA N UA RY
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Performance remains strong through storm season P U N C T UA L I T Y
Regional train service punctuality for the month of January finished just above 92 per cent despite a range of challenges. General Manager Network Control Rhett Buckley said wild weather in the final few days of January and the impacts of COVID on staff availability had inevitably affected some parts of the network. “The whole team delivering train services has performed exceptionally well, with only six days during the month of January
recording punctuality below 90 per cent,” Rhett said. “And when we were challenged, we rebounded quickly with average punctuality for the last weekend of January being just over 97 per cent.” While patronage during the holiday period is traditionally lower, Rhett said the most recent patronage data
was starting to show an increasing trend as commuters started to return to office working towards the end of January. “Despite the continuous challenges, we have maintained punctuality above 93 per cent for the first seven months of this financial year, which fills us with confidence as we head further into 2022,” he said.
In this issue • Key Warrnambool level crossing re-opens • Matt Carrick confirmed as CEO to 2026 • Marking the anniversary of the national apology to the Stolen Generations • The Overland celebrates 135 years • Focus on financial efficiency continues • Network access portal consolidates and modernises • How we work
V/News / Issue 207
Matt Carrick confirmed as CEO to 2026
Key Warrnambool level crossing re-opens Pedestrians now have more direct access to the Warrnambool waterfront with the opening of a new public crossing at Gilles Street. Regional Manager South West Stuart Beardwell said the installation of a passive maze pedestrian crossing would provide a safer route between the town and the foreshore.
“The $300,000 passive maze crossing was installed by contractor Sterling Infrastructure and will be an interim measure ahead of future Warrnambool Line Upgrade (WLU) works.
“V/Line has been working closely with the Department of Transport and the local community over several months to identify the safest way to upgrade access across the train line for pedestrians,” Stuart said.
“As part of Stage 2 of the WLU project, the pedestrian crossing will be converted from passive to active to allow trains to safely use the train stabling facility currently being built.” Stage 2 will allow the introduction of VLocity trains on the line.
Virtual Transport Portfolio Aboriginal Employee Conference V/Line, on behalf of the Department of Transport, is excited to invite all transport portfolio Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australian employees to the inaugural Transport Portfolio Aboriginal Employee Conference on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 February 2022. The conference is a key initiative of the Transport Portfolio Self-Determination
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Matt Carrick’s term as V/Line CEO has been extended for an additional four years to July 2026, providing important leadership stability as the organisation readies itself for a return to pre-pandemic levels of patronage and growth. “It is a tremendous honour to have the opportunity to lead an organisation that provides such important services in our state,” Matt said. “With substantial ongoing investment in the regional network, this is an exciting time to be a part of V/Line. “During the pandemic, V/Line has demonstrated enormous resilience and an unrelenting focus on safety and performance. “More recently, we have been putting in place the foundations for the organisation to continue to grow into the future. “Providing the organisation with leadership certainty is an important part of establishing these foundations.” Matt said stability extended beyond the CEO role, with the appointments for the executive leadership team on track to be finalised in the weeks ahead. “When combined with the extensive work undertaken over the past six months on our new Code of Conduct, the launch of our new V/Line values, as well as streamlining decisionmaking structures and other governance reforms, considerable progress is being made,” he said.
Plan 2020-2023 and is an opportunity for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees across the portfolio to meet virtually and network in a culturally safe space.
“One of my key priorities will be to get out and visit as many of you as possible in the weeks and months ahead, a task made more challenging recently by the evolving COVID-19 situation.
Please register your interest before Friday 11 February 2022 by completing this form and advise V/Line’s Aboriginal Cultural Specialist Jeffrey Gray via email at Jeffrey.Gray@vline.com.au.
“I’d like to thank all staff for their support over the last seven months and I look forward to continuing to lead this outstanding organisation.”
V/News / Issue 207
Marking the anniversary of the national apology to the Stolen Generations The national apology acknowledged the pain and suffering caused to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by the removal of their children from family, community, culture and country. Cultural Specialist Jeffrey Gray said Sunday 13 February 2022 would mark the fourteenth anniversary of the day the Australian Government said sorry in the nation’s parliament.
To understand some of the impacts
“Since colonisation, numerous government laws, policies and practices resulted in the forced removal of generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families and communities across Australia,” Jeffrey said.
Healing Foundation.
listen to Aunty Julie Black as part of the telling our stories series by the
began consulting with Aboriginal Australians about what form a national apology should take,” Jeffrey said. “On 13 February 2008, he offered a formal apology to members of the Stolen Generations on behalf of the
“The apology was a significant step towards healing, particularly for those who made it home, those still searching, and those who never made it home and rest in the Dreaming.”
encouraged to take a moment to
“In 2007, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
“Each year on 13 February, it is important for the entire nation to remember, honour and pay respects to the Stolen Generations.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologises to the Stolen Generation at 9.00am on Monday 13 February 2008.
to the Stolen Generations, staff are
Australian parliament.” To learn more about the stolen generations and to view the Bringing Them Home report, please visit the AIATSIS website.
The Overland celebrates 135 years The enduring train service connecting Melbourne and Adelaide, and many regional centres, recently celebrated 135 years of service, with a special ceremony at Southern Cross Station. Regional Manager Southern Cross Michael Brady said The Overland service first departed in January 1887 and was called the Intercolonial Express. “The train was later called the Adelaide Express or Melbourne Express — depending on whether you resided in Melbourne or Adelaide,” Michael said.
“In 1926, the service was officially renamed ‘The Overland’ and it has been a unique sight at Southern Cross Station ever since.” For those rail enthusiasts who would like to see the striking emu livery on The Overland, the service departs Southern Cross platform 2B at 8.05am on Fridays and Mondays. You can click here to make a booking on The Overland or other rail journeys.
THE EMU: Customer Services Officer (Southern Cross) Kathryn Roach with The Overland before it departs for Adelaide via Stawell, Horsham, Dimboola and Nhill
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V/News / Issue 207
Focus on financial efficiency continues A number of recent initiatives across V/Line are delivering funds for reinvestment. General Manager Business Planning and Reporting Scott Quirke said V/Line was ahead of its financial efficiency targets for the year due to several key initiatives across the business. “There have been some recent outstanding examples of innovative thinking, which has contributed to improved revenue and cost
positions,” Scott said.
Scott said the initiatives and
“Among these examples has been replacing mass SMS messaging to operational staff with collaborative instant messaging in Microsoft Teams, which has reduced operating costs.
efficiencies achieved were driven
“Another example has been improvements to the taxi service booking and management process.
their Finance Business partner if they
by staff and helped to enable a re-investment into improving our services. Staff are encouraged to speak with have identified a potential financial efficiency opportunity.
Network access portal consolidates and modernises The recently launched Network Access Portal brings together important information libraries, while simultaneously providing secure information access to crucial third-party engineering design specialists. Advisor – Safeworking Lionel Camilleri said the portal combines a vast array of rail safety, network planning, train driver and third-party information into a single data warehouse. “The consolidation of all this information, as well as the innovative integration into an external internet sub-domain, was one of the most challenging aspects of migrating V/Line from the old intranet-extranet environment,” Lionel said. “We’ve worked incredibly hard to establish a portal which not only delivers excellent user experience but also leverages specialised powerapp and workflow functionality, ensuring information delivered either internally
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via SharePoint or externally via a V/Line website subdomain are identical at all times. “Automation is an important part of this consistency, where application program interfaces provide real confidence that our workflows are accurate and our third-party partners have access to exactly the same information as we are seeing across V/Line.
improved searchability and timely access to information, which was previously housed in multiple document libraries. “Most importantly, we continue to extend our capabilities in the fields of powerapps and workflows, which continues to open up more opportunities for further modernisation and efficiency,” he said.
“Through combining some simple data input fields and robust security measures, we can also grant thirdparty access directly to certain IMS documents.”
“A huge thanks is extended to Anwar Ul Haq, Ugur Namal and to Monalisa Biswas for the support with connections through to IMS and Engineering documents.”
Lionel said the consolidation and system integration significantly
Click here to see the Network Access Portal.
V/News / Issue 207
PEO PLE A N D I N T EG R I T Y
HOW WE WORK The People and Integrity team is very excited to be launching the How We Work learning program. What is ‘How We Work’? It’s a short 30-minute, interactive online training program that brings to life V/Line’s Code of Conduct and the expectations relating to behaviour and professional standards for everyone at V/Line. It includes these topics: • Speaking up about concerns or misconduct. • Prioritising health and safety. • Showing respect. • Behaving with integrity. • Working with clients. • Respecting the environment. • Protecting our information. • Our values.
Why are we running the How We Work program?
There have been many changes at V/Line over the past few years. One of those changes included V/Line adopting the Victorian Public Service Commission Values in November 2021. The How We Work program aims to clarify our expectations of all people who work at V/Line, and to provide guidance around what to do when you have concerns or observe a breach of our values, policies and/or processes.
How? Staff can access the learning via Platform 100 and it can be completed on any device. Once enrolled, you will receive an email alert so stay tuned for this.
Who should complete this course?
Everyone who works at V/Line will be automatically enrolled.
When? This learning will be launching soon in February.
Find out more here.
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V/News / Issue 207
Improving mood through food V/Line staff are being invited to TrackSAFE’s first webinar for the year with dietitian, Nicole Dynan. Nicole will discuss the relationship between food and mood, sharing insights into the power of food and the science of gut health, with practical tips on improving mood through food.
The 30-minute webinar will be held on Wednesday 16 February 2022 at 1pm and staff can join by clicking here with the password: JhcPCqfY764. Attendees will also receive a free copy of The Good Mood Diet E-Book. Please click here for further details.
The VicSuper Empowering Series has been created to inspire, enable and empower people to take action for a better future.
He is so full of beans, keeps everyone on their toes and has brought so much joy to the family.
Compliment of the week
The series is divided into three phases, running at different times during the year and each with a specific focus.
The early stages of a career can be an ideal time to set up for financial success and a few small steps now can make a big difference down the track.
He arrived on Christmas eve and is the best gift anyone could ask for.
He’s such a loving and friendly boy that puts a smile on everyone’s faces and over the past month, has proven his love of food (and shoes) time and time again.
Taking steps to financial success
The first phase is called ‘Superannuation – what is it? How do I make it work for me?’ and will be held on Tuesday 22 February.
Fitz is a 20 week-old Maltese Shih Tzu and belongs to Comms Officer Chantelle Mpofu.
This compliment was featured in the Warragul and Drouin Gazette, sent in by a reader of the newspaper. The session will run from 2pm to 2.45pm so please click here to register. Staff can also register via the Social & Financial page on the intranet – partners and non-members are also welcome.
“ Bouquets to the Moe V/Line staff on their win in the V/Line Christmas decorating competition. A well-earned win.”
You can receive V/News in your personal inbox each fortnight. Send your preferred email address to comms@vline.com.au
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