Dwelling

Day for Daniel at Stodale Road

ON Friday, October 28, Stockdale Road Primary School, Traralgon, took part for the very first time in ‘Day for Daniel’. The Junior School Council decided to take part in the event, raising awareness for child safety by dressing in red. Throughout the week, classrooms participated in activities that taught them about child safety. On the day, the whole school came together to create a love heart to show support for the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, and through gold coin donations, were able to raise $484. Day for Daniel: Stockdale Road Primary School, Traralgon, students and staff form a love heart, supporting the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.

St Joseph’s Primary has talent

RECENTLY, the Mini Vinnies team at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Trafalgar, organised a school talent show. Students were encouraged to enter and then perform their item in front of the school community. The Mini Vinnies team organised this event as a fundraiser for the Moe/ Newborough ‘Meals on Wheels’ group. President Beth Cox and treasurer Dot Teague visited the school for the school assembly. The students presented a cheque of $350 to Beth and Dot, who explained the work of ‘Meals on Wheels’ in the local area. The students were proud to be supporting such important work in the community. Many thanks: The talent show at St Joseph’s Primary School, Trafalgar raised more than $300 for Moe/Newborough Meals on Wheels.

Continuous learning

GIPPSLAND Southern Health Service (GSHS) is developing its continuous learning environment as a drawcard to attract staff and create the next generation of workers. Like most facets of society, the health system struggles to find suitable employees, but GSHS believes it is well-placed to attract a strong workforce now and in the future. GSHS has about 20 job vacancies, including enrolled and registered nurses, midwives, sonographers, food and domestic assistants and speech pathologists. Interim chief executive officer, Chris Trotman, said GSHS had created a collaborative and supportive continuous learning environment as a drawcard to attract and retain staff. “The learning options here are excellent, covering clinical, non-clinical, allied health and through to work-experience placements for students,” Ms Trotman said. “We all know it’s hard to fill positions, so we’ve developed career pathway opportunities that will appeal to people. “ Much of the training is hands-on in clinical surroundings, and GSHS also provides management coaching and leadership development programs.” Non-clinical educator and career adviser, Jennifer Miles, has recently completed her PhD in ‘learning and development’ in Vocational Education and Training. Her role at GSHS centres on cultivating safe-learning spaces where staff can continue moving forward in their professional and personal development. “Through my own life-long learning, I have come to understand learning as a shared, transformative journey,” Dr Miles said. She provides hands-on support for staff who might require guidance or inspiration for their current studies or future pathways. This includes informal, TAFE, undergraduate, post-graduate and higher-degree research studies. “Sometimes it’s about considering pathways into gaining a promotion or shift across in their current area, or staff might be contemplating a ‘sea change’ and want to explore something totally unrelated to their current role,” Dr Miles said. “In all instances, I provide space for staff to grow into the greatest expression of themselves - in ways that maximise the services that GSHS can offer our community.” Ms Trotman said GSHS was again collaborating On the job: Neo-natal resuscitation training is provided on mannequins for GSHS staff.

Education: Mirboo North Secondary School Year 10 student Gabby Buissink learns about CT scanners from radiographer Georgia Webster. photographs supplied with local secondary colleges to provide placements for students. “After a break due to COVID, GSHS is pleased to have secondary students back so we can give them a taste of the different and rewarding professions available locally,” she said. Students seeking placement can contact the education team at education@gshs.com.au. GSHS is also encouraging local people to consider government-funded placements for nursing and aged care in 2023 that can be studied for free at the TAFE Gippsland Leongatha campus.