HUME IED - Volume 16 - Autumn 2009

HUME CITY COUNCIL

IMAGINE EXPLORE DISCOVER VOLUME 16, AUTUMN 2009 www.hume.vic.gov.au

WELCOME TO IMAGINE, EXPLORE, DISCOVER (IED) AUTUMN 2009

CONTENTS

Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills, make friends, help others and boost your employment prospects. In this issue we introduce Hume Volunteer Gateway, a brand new, free community service that connects people who want to volunteer with registered groups and organisations which need volunteers.

The early years

You can also read about Hume Global Learning Village members’ exciting activities coming up over the next few months.

IMAGINE, EXPLORE, DISCOVER

A great initiative is the Kangan Batman TAFE Indigenous Education Centre, which offers traineeship opportunities that provide Indigenous students with support in finding employment.

Read about the 2009 Hume Inspiring Teachers Scholarships; applications will open on Monday 1 June. Six of Hume’s most inspiring teachers will be awarded with scholarships, now valued at $4,000 for each category.

Inspiring lifelong learning in Hume The HGLV network

The school years The adult years The older years Learning at Hume Libraries

HUME INSPIRING TEACHERS SCHOLARSHIPS The Hume Inspiring Teachers Scholarships, now in its fifth year, aims to reward and further develop the talents of creative, innovative and inspiring teachers in Hume City.

The program enables teachers to learn new techniques, attend conferences and workshops, or work on an innovative project.

There are six scholarships available (valued at up to $4,000 each), in each of the following categories: Primary School Scholarship; Secondary School Scholarship; Graduate Teacher Scholarship, Early Years Scholarship, Open Category Scholarship and Outstanding Team Scholarship.

To find the scholarship nomination form, conditions of the scholarship and the criteria for each of the categories, visit the Hume City Council website at www.hume.vic.gov.au.

Applications for the 2009 Hume Inspiring Teachers Scholarships will be open from Monday 1 June 2009 until Wednesday 8 July 2009.

Six of Hume’s most inspiring teachers will be awarded scholarships, now valued at $4,000 for each category

Parents will want to read about the range of community services available for families to enjoy together. Babies in Hume, Kidz Unplugged, Playgroup and Kindergym are all free services for parents and children offered throughout Hume.

We are very excited about the launch of Hume City Council’s ‘My Favourite Songs’ bilingual CD, featuring songs and lullabies in Arabic, Turkish and English.

You will also notice a refreshed new look throughout our magazine. Enjoy!

Rewarding outstanding learning practitioners in Hume: the winners of the 2008 Scholarships

Ken Thompson, Chairman, HGLV Committee

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CORRECTION On page 2 of IED’s Summer Edition, Mohamad Nassar’s name was incorrectly published as Mohammed.

We apologise to Mr Nassar, from Roxburgh Park, for our error.

NORTHERN VOLUNTEER EXPOS The Hume/Moreland Volunteer Coordinators' Network is creating sister Volunteer Expos in the neighbouring municipalities of Hume and Moreland in May for National Volunteers Week. The expos aim to raise the profile of volunteering in the Northern region.

This is the first time volunteering expos will be held in either of these municipalities: both events will showcase the volunteering options available to the community, the agencies that engage volunteers and the benefits of volunteering to the individual.

Events will showcase the volunteering options available to the community These one-stop-shops for volunteering will raise residents’ awareness of their skills that could contribute to the community and of the difference they can make in their municipality, both of which will lead to increased self esteem.

The network is collaborating with the Darebin Volunteering Network and the Whittlesea Volunteering Forum, both of which are also hosting an expo in their region.

The Northern Volunteer Expos have been timed to coincide with National Volunteer Week in May 2009, and will be held annually thereafter in the neighbouring municipalities of Moreland, Hume, Darebin and Whittlesea.

GET INVOLVED! If you are interested in participating in any of the Northern Volunteer Expos please contact: • Whittlesea Expo - Thursday 14 May 11am-5pm, contact Annette Mckail on 03 9401 6666 or ciwwhit@vicnet.net.au.

• Moreland Expo – Friday 15 May 3pm – 8pm, contact Anne Gedye on 03 9240 1111 or agedye@moreland.vic.gov.au.

• Darebin Expo – Saturday 16 May 11am – 3pm, contact Lucy Foley on 03 8470 8522 or Lucy.Foley@darebin.vic.gov.au.

• Hume Expo – Sunday 17 May 1.30pm – 4.30pm, contact Jean Tusler on 03 9356 6999 or jeant@hume.vic.gov.au.

GIVING THE COMMUNITY A HELPING HAND

Events will showcase the volunteering options available to the community Hume Volunteer Gateway's specialised database matches volunteers’ capabilities with organisational skill needs. The gateway promotes volunteer participation based on the specific needs of our community, and also provides links to training opportunities for volunteers, lists all volunteer opportunities available and provides organisations with assistance in recruiting volunteers.

Volunteering allows you to make a difference in the world

To register as a volunteer or sign up your organisation to receive volunteers with Hume Volunteer Gateway, visit www.hume.vic.gov.au/volunteering. Alternatively, you can telephone the Gateway Project Officer on 03 9356 6999 or email gateway@hume.vic.gov.au. An interview will then be arranged to learn more about you or your organisation.

INSPIRING LIFELONG LEARNING IN HUME

Learn new skills, make friends, help others and boost your employment prospects. People want to volunteer for different reasons, but are often not sure how to start or how to best use their time and skills to help the community. Hume Volunteer Gateway is a free community service that connects people who want to volunteer with groups and organisations that need volunteers.

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REACHING OUT

NEW TRAINEESHIPS

INSPIRING LIFELONG LEARNING IN HUME

“With the work we are doing on our Indigenous Employment and Career Development Strategy, I have confidence we are leading the way in expanding employment and learning opportunities for our Indigenous young people.” - Linc Yow Yeh

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Kangan Batman TAFE's Indigenous Education Centre (IEC) is offering new traineeship opportunities in 2009. With an outstanding 80 percent employment success rate for trainees last year within Kangan Batman TAFE, the centre’s team is now looking at expanding the number of work placements in other organisations in the area, including Hume City Council. They are also looking to reach out to more Indigenous people in the community.

“It's exciting to tell young people that their resume and skills are actually relevant to other areas beyond their expectations. They are always excited when we talk about our study opportunities and courses that include Web Design, Community Health and Business Development.” - Tanya Douglas

The traineeships are part of Kangan Batman TAFE's Indigenous Employment and Career Development Strategy and are offered to students who show dedication to learning outcomes and a commitment to finding employment.

As Tanya Douglas, IEC Employment Coordinator explains: “The traineeships combine study and employment.

The students gain work skills and accreditation at the same time and application is open to anyone with an Indigenous background.”

After an initial interview, Tanya advises each student on the available study and traineeship opportunities. “We look at their skills and career aspirations then pick the areas to place them.”

The students complete the four-week Pre-Employment Course, where they learn interview techniques, work etiquette and resume preparation.

IEC staff and IEC Trainees, with their respective study areas. Back row: Tanya Douglas, Indigenous Employment Coordinator; Kerry Deacon (Human Resources); Benjamin McKenzie (IT); Terence Galea (Purchasing). Middle row: Jodie Lea (IT); Rachel Burns (Community Youth and Health); De’arne Moore (Customer Service) and Richard Wilson, Indigenous Education Centre Business Teacher.

Front Row: Asinate Kuila, Administration Officer.

OPPORTUNITIES Following the pre-employment course, the student is placed in one of Kangan Batman TAFE's departments and is assigned a 'workplace buddy' – someone from within the department who will partner the student. The students also receive additional supporting material and a mentor from the IEC. “It's exciting to tell young people that their resume and skills are actually relevant to other areas beyond their expectations. They are always excited when we talk about our study opportunities and courses that include Web Design, Community Health and Business Development,” says Tanya.

Many of the centre's original goals have already been achieved. As Linc Yow Yeh, IEC Senior Educator explains, these include the increase in the number of Indigenous students and staff attending the courses and working at the centre.

“When I started in 1999 I was one of three staff members at the IEC; back then we had 12 students. Now we have 26 staff members and 500 students attending courses at the centre in Broadmeadows. With the work we are doing on our Indigenous Employment and Career Development Strategy, I have confidence we are leading the way in expanding employment and learning opportunities for our Indigenous young people.”

NUMBER ONE FOR INDIGENOUS EDUCATION INTERVIEW WITH GREG KENNEDY Gregory Kennedy, 21, is the Business Development Officer at the Indigenous Education Centre (IEC). Originally from Robinvale, a small country town in northeast rural Victoria, Greg moved to Melbourne in 2003 to study at IEC and to join the centre's Footballers Development Program. After a period of moving back-and-forth between Melbourne and Robinvale, he finally found his feet studying for Certificate II and III in Business at the IEC. After a traineeship in Kangan’s Corporate Finance Department, Greg successfully applied for a Business Development position within the IEC. Imagine, Explore, Discover (IED) spoke to Greg about his experiences and aspirations.

What are the advantages of the IEC Traineeship Program?

I had no real expectations with regard to the course; I just saw it as a way to pass the time, but a beneficial way! For the traineeship, my expectation was to obviously finish it but to also ensure that my punctuality, work etiquette and discipline were up to standard. I received the 2007 Trainee of the Year Award for Kangan Batman TAFE as a result of the hard work I’d put in throughout my traineeship.

The major advantage for trainees at the IEC is the support measures that are in place for them. For example, the monthly trainee support meetings, the provision of work clothes and travel tickets and the mentoring program for trainees. With these measures, the IEC is breaking down many of the barriers Indigenous people face getting into the workforce and improving retention of Indigenous employees currently in the workforce.

What did you learn at your Pre-employment Course?

What career paths are you looking at?

The pre-employment course taught me what to expect in job interviews, what work etiquette is and how to write a CV.

At the moment I am concentrating on exceeding expectations in my current position and positioning the IEC as a fully self sustainable department that is the number one place for Indigenous education in the country.

INSPIRING LIFELONG LEARNING IN HUME

What were your expectations of your course and traineeship at the IEC?

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Almost 12,000 people go through the doors of the Roxburgh Park Homestead each year

Bollywood Dancers at the Roxburgh Park Homestead Party

Picture: Helen Safstrom

ROXBURGH PARK HOMESTEAD A MULTICULTURAL PARTY

INSPIRING LIFELONG LEARNING IN HUME

Picture: Kerstine Elliott

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Hume City Council's Roxburgh Park Homestead celebrated its tenth anniversary in March, an event which happily coincided with the Homestead's annual Harmony Day celebration. Entertainment on the day included Bollywood dancing, Homestead Primary School Irish dancing and performances by the Filipino Cultural Dance Ring, Polynesian Youth, the Misfits rock band and Roxburgh Park Secondary School.

of programs and activities, free or at a low cost, to all members of the community.”

Hume Mayor, Cr Jack Ogilvie said: “For ten years now, the Roxburgh Park Homestead has been providing a variety

For further information about the many programs and services offered at the Roxburgh Park Homestead, please

“Almost 12,000 people go through the doors of the Roxburgh Park Homestead each year, for programs, hire and events and activities. Combining our homestead anniversary with Harmony Day celebrations is the perfect way for us to honour and celebrate our multicultural community and living in harmony,” Cr Ogilvie said. contact homestead staff direct on 03 9308 0794 or via Council's Customer Service Centre on 03 9205 2200.

GOLDMARK COLLEGE BY WORKFORCE PLUS Fee-for-service international students living in Hume and students living overseas who want to come to Australia to gain business qualifications, will have a new and exciting study option from July 2009. Goldmark College, a division of WorkForce Plus Inc., is one of the leading employment and training organisations in northwest Melbourne and will be offering business management courses at Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Degree levels.

Goldmark College will attract students from Iran, Iraq, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, China and South America. As Training Services Manager, Dr Derek Kosbab explains: “as we build on our strengths as a teaching organisation, our intention is to deliver quality educational achievement to international students using our extensive know-how. As a specialist adult learning courses provider, we know that understanding how adults learn, facilitates effective learning.”

WorkForce Plus will be operating as Goldmark College from its Level 7 educational facility at Moonee Ponds junction. Classes will be conducted six days and evenings per week. For more information visit www.worforceplus.org.au or call Derek on 03 9309 8333.

HUME GLOBAL LEARNING CENTRE A GREAT PLACE TO LEARN Hume City Council’s Hume Global Learning Centre is a unique venue providing a range of facilities to individuals, community organisations and businesses. The HGLC’s varied facilities include seminar rooms for forums, conferences and presentations; internet and IT training rooms; the e-Play Internet Café; exhibition space for expos and large events and the Ideas Lab for Hume teachers and students to experiment and share ideas. It is also home to Broadmeadows’ first public library – The Age Library.

staff induction and training, cultural celebrations, arts and crafts classes, computer training and much more.

Established in 2003, the Hume Global Learning Centre aims to enhance social prosperity and wellbeing by creating opportunities for the Hume community to participate in lifelong learning activities. It also increases community awareness of local learning providers, addresses local literacy and numeracy needs and increases internet and general computer skills.

In addition, the HGLC has a café, which is an ideal spot to take a break and can also provide for any catering needs you may have.

Many events and activities have been held at the Hume Global Learning Centre, including expos, seminars, workshops,

Hume Global Learning Centre offers competitive and flexible rates to ensure accessibility for all and to encourage activities that produce a learning outcome for the community. The HGLC has many different rooms that can be configured to cater to everyone’s needs.

Guests are invited to take advantage of complimentary tea/coffee as well as use of all audio visual equipment including laptop computers, projectors, whiteboards and other multimedia.

For more information on Hume City Council’s Hume Global Learning Centre call the Bookings Officer on 03 9356 6999. Discuss your needs, order a free Information Kit, or arrange to drop in for a tour.

Established in 2003, the HGLC aims to enhance social prosperity and wellbeing by creating opportunities for the Hume community to participate in lifelong learning activities.

“My thanks to all the staff at the Hume Global Learning Centre for their efforts in the lead up to our event and on the day. The centre’s commitment and efficiency assisted in the smooth running of the event.

I offer my congratulations on the achievements of the Hume City Council in building and delivering services to the Broadmeadows community and wish you well for the future.”

Prime Minister’s Kevin Rudd Office on the launch of the Ideas Lab “Thank you for providing such a terrific service to us over the three days of our Leadership Training program. Everything went very smoothly thanks to your great team.

The participants commented on what a great venue it was.”

Ford Australia

Kangan Batman TAFE

THE HGLV NETWORK

“I would like to thank Hume Global Learning Centre staff for helping to make our second Teaching and Learning Forum a success. You have a wonderful group of people at HGLC… I had feedback from a couple of the special guest speakers who indicated that they were impressed with the centre – go Broady!”

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THE GLOBAL VILLAGE FRANK McGUIRE AND THE BUILDING O Imagine, Explore, Discover spoke to Frank McGuire – founding chair of the Hume Safe City Taskforce and one of the driving forces behind the Hume Global Learning Village – about growing up in Broadmeadows, his career as an award winning journalist and entrepreneur, the future of the Hume Safe City Taskforce and the strategy behind the Hume Global Learning Village and its success.

After Hume’s success, I am also attempting to introduce Global Learning Villages to other Australian communities

THE HGLV NETWORK

A trip to Australia

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My parents Bridie and Eddie McGuire Snr had the imagination to dream of a better future for their children and the courage to cross the world to pursue it.

My father was leading a pit pony in a Scottish coalmine at 14 and mum was a farm girl in Ireland. When our family stepped off the ship in Australia my sister Evelyn was five and I was a babe in arms. Within a year we had a home in Broadmeadows, an achievement my father – now aged 91 – still describes as ‘a dream’. My parents were pioneers of the ’50s housing commission estates and have been honoured as Inspiring Stories Ambassadors by Hume City Council. Their positive approach to life, ambition to educate their children and ‘have a go’ philosophy have indelibly shaped my brother Eddie, my sisters Brigette and Evelyn and me. My parents’ beliefs about education were seminal in defining the Hume Global Learning Village model. Mum ensured we could all read before we went to school, which led to my belief that investment in mums to help them educate their children, and attendant investment in maternal and child care centres are a must.

Picture: The Age

Career in journalism

Business entrepreneur

My first career was in journalism, beginning as a cadet and finally as an investigative reporter, with stints as newsroom chief-of-staff and bulletin producer along the way.

In business, I co-founded the independent television and radio production company, McGuire Media with my brother Eddie that produced programs for the Nine Network, ABC, Foxtel and Triple M. I was later a managing partner of The George Agency, a corporate think tank and communications company. Through my company On the Record Enterprises, I have provided strategic advice for a series of projects including developing the strategy for Melbourne’s North; the Sporting Declaration, on behalf of the Sports Alliance; and the current fiveyear plan for the Victorian Major Events Company. I was also part of a consortia short-listed to develop the St. Kilda Triangle complex.

In 1993 I received the Walkley Award for investigative reporting for courage and persistence when I pursued police accountability for the use of fatal force in Victoria. In 1995 I was awarded a Human Rights Media Award for helping raise the issue to international prominence. A decade after forgoing daily journalism for business, I produced the Force within the Force program for Nine’s Sunday and was awarded a second Walkley Award in 2007.

Frank McGuire pictured with his father Eddie.

F A LEARNING COMMUNITY Government I have also played strategic roles in major government and community campaigns, worked as a parliamentary strategist in Canberra, media adviser to the Cain Government and consultant to the Kennett Government’s Suicide Prevention Taskforce. I am currently a member of the Victorian Drug and Alcohol Prevention Council and am chairman of the ambassadors for the Go For Your Life campaign to combat obesity.

Strategy behind building the Hume Global Learning Village

After Hume’s success, I am also attempting to introduce Global Learning Villages to other Australian communities, and was last year invited to Hanoi as a keynote speaker at a conference for government officials from Asia-Pacific nations.

The Hume Global Learning Village (HGLV) is a preventative model that defies the traditional criminal justice response that state governments for generations have deployed in areas of disadvantage: in the past a bigger police station and grander courthouse in Broadmeadows were built, when there was no library. HGLV focuses on causes rather than treating symptoms and in the past ten years has blossomed into a network of more than 400 organisations including neighbourhood houses, schools, TAFEs, universities, skills shops for employment and business development and recreation ranging from arts and crafts to belly dancing, reflecting the diversity of a city that boasts the United Nations in one neighbourhood.

Within a year we had a home in Broadmeadows, an achievement my father – now aged 91 – still describes as ‘a dream’ Ideas Lab The launch of the Ideas Lab in the Hume Global Learning Centre last year takes the concept to an international level, with the sponsorship of three of the world’s leading companies in information and communications technology: Intel, Microsoft and Cisco.

This has been achieved because we combined a focus on social enterprise with social justice, arguing that the investment was not just the right thing to do, but the smart thing to do.

Leadership Program Partnership The HGLV has been an outstanding collaboration. The Councillors of Hume City Council not only backed the strategy and funded the projects but marked themselves as probably the most enlightened Council in the land during the past ten years. Special acknowledgement must go to former Mayor, Cr Gary Jungwirth, for his commitment to social justice; the Victorian Governments led by Premiers John Brumby and Steve Bracks, who both delivered unwavering support to give this community a hand up; to the Hume Global Learning Centre Advisory Board, chaired by former Premier John Cain; to our sponsors The Age, Ford and Visy for their financial backing; to the Village’s chairman Ken Thompson and Council staff and volunteers. Rather than blaming the past, we have responded creatively and delivered results beyond anyone’s imagination a decade ago.

The HGLV and Hume City Council are developing a leadership program established around Year 9 students. The focus will be on one of Hume’s major attributes – social inclusion. We have recruited Leadership Victoria, the preeminent community leadership program in Australia, to help design the program.

I am a fellow of Leadership Victoria, having graduated from their program in 1998. We already have numerous shooting stars from Hume who have defined themselves as leaders of the highest quality across a broad spectrum of endeavours. The leadership program aims to develop our next generation of leaders, and social inclusion is one of our major points of relevance. One of Australia’s leading businessmen and philanthropists, Peter Scanlon, is also planning to make a significant contribution to social inclusion in Hume.

In both cases, the programs that eventuate will be designed to become models for other communities.

THE HGLV NETWORK

As founding chairman of the Safe City Taskforce a decade ago, and working in partnership with Hume City Council we had a vision to set up public-privatecommunity partnerships to build infrastructure that would stand for generations and deliver systemic change. We had to take the abstract concept of the Hume Global Learning Village and build it from scratch. In Hume this meant providing fundamental infrastructure – the first library in Broadmeadows and a maternal and child health centre in Meadow Heights.

Both community hubs have become emblems of change. The aim was to focus on the attributes that largely determine where people end up in life: attitude, education and opportunity. We used computers instead of poker machines to connect the disconnected; in this case to communities and institutions otherwise beyond people’s reach.

The Hume Global Learning Village focus

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BUSINESS EFFICIENCY NETWORK SMART SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS Hume City Council’s Business Efficiency Network (BEN) is dedicated to supporting your business in implementing strategies and programs which will help you become more sustainable and competitive in a global market.

BEN provides business operators in Hume with sustainability solutions to reduce the impact they have on the environment. Learn about how you can reduce your operating costs by integrating smart, sustainable practices into your business operations.

Efficiency for industrial companies and business is not just a necessity to help minimise green house gases; it can also create bottom line savings.

THE HGLV NETWORK

“We are not just focussing on areas such as water and waste, we are looking at it from a broad perspective,”

said Maria-Luisa Nardella, Hume City Council Industry Facilitation Officer.

Apart from the obvious areas of resource use, there are opportunities for business to partner up and collaborate – being part of this network provides fertile ground to meet with like minded business representatives to share ideas and projects. “There is an amazing ‘green’ market that businesses which are producing, retailing or providing services need to be aware of because it has a great capacity to increase revenue and sales,” says Maria-Luisa. “The global economic downturn has and will continue to have a huge impact on business. BEN will help businesses have a closer look at their operations and find ways that they can become more efficient.”

To find out more about the BEN contact Maria-Luisa Nardella, Hume City Council Industry Facilitation Officer, or Fiona Briers Sustainable Resources Officer on 03 9205 2200 or email maria-luisan@hume.vic.gov.au or fionab@hume.vic.gov.au.

CHILDREN REWARDED CONNECTING HUME PC AWARDS Forty-eight lucky Hume primary school children were rewarded for their passion for learning at the Connecting Hume PC Awards presentation evening in March.

Children who have a passion for learning were given a computer, computer training and one year’s free internet access.

This annual program puts computers in the homes of children who do not already have one, in order to help them improve their learning at home. One child from almost every primary school in Hume received a computer. The children were nominated by the principals at their school, who felt that they would benefit from having a computer in their home.

The Connecting Hume PC Award program is a Hume City Council initiative run in partnership with the Hume Global Learning Village, supported by Ford Australia and GreenPC. Ford’s sponsorship of the Hume Global Learning Village provides funding for this project, while the not-for-profit organisation GreenPC provides refurbished and repackaged computers, as well as ‘help desk’ support for families who receive a computer through this initiative.

The Connecting Hume PC award program is just one of more than 50 strategies outlined in Council’s Learning Together 2 Strategy, aimed at encouraging lifelong learning among residents.

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Forty-eight Hume primary school children received a computer at the Connecting Hume PC Awards presentation evening

BILINGUAL STORYTIMES CD MY FAVOURITE SONGS Parents and carers who enjoy bringing their children along to Bilingual Storytimes at Hume Libraries can now listen to their favourite songs from the sessions at home. Hume City Council’s new ‘My Favourite Songs’ CD features songs in Arabic/English and Turkish/English.

Development Worker, Ruba Gondal, a parent participant in Bilingual Storytimes and Muna Yazdin, Assyrian storyteller with Hume Libraries.

Vocalists and musicians from within the Arabic, Turkish and English speaking communities recorded traditional songs in their own language. These popular children’s songs, heard so often in the libraries, can now be taken home for children to enjoy and to encourage fun learning. The CDs are free and are available through Hume Libraries.

Since 2005, Bilingual Storytimes sessions have been offered at Hume Libraries and in community settings, including childcare centres, preschools, playgroups and schools. The sessions are performed in a variety of community languages, including Arabic, Turkish, Vietnamese, Assyrian and Sinhalese. Trained storytellers engage children aged 0–8 in a dynamic session of storytelling, songs, rhymes and craft activities. In the last financial year, 7,194 children and 1,983 parents or carers participated in 344 Bilingual Storytimes sessions.

The Australian Turkish Arts and Music Community (ATAM) helped produce the Turkish children's songs. The Arabic children’s songs were recorded with help from Jeanette Hourani, Community

“Storytimes give people a sense that their language and culture is valued by the community and helps children develop their language skills at the same time,” says Hume City Council

‘My Favourite Songs’ CDs feature songs in Arabic/English and Turkish/English

Community Literacy and Engagement Officer, Anna Boland.

For more information on Hume City Council's ‘My Favourite Songs’ CD contact Anna Boland on 03 9356 6999 or email annab@hume.vic.gov.au.

ORANA FAMILY SERVICES KIDZ UNPLUGGED

Melinda Huang, Kidz Unplugged Coordinator, explains that: “The aim of the program is to use music as a way of assisting with child development and encouraging positive family relationships. Through the involvement of both parents and their children, the program attempts to not only contribute towards children’s development, but to also teach parents different ways to use music at home.”

45 minutes. The structure of the session consists of a 'Hello' song; warm up activities; instrument playing (a variety of instruments are available for both parents and children to play) and music appreciation/relaxation, where children lie on the floor with relaxing music playing in the background.

The Kidz Unplugged program relies on the work of volunteers, who are

members of the community who enjoy spending time with families and young children. For more information on how to become a volunteer, or to attend a session in Sunbury, Roxburgh Park and Craigieburn, contact Orana Family Services by on 03 9308 8761 or cp@oranafamilyservices.org.au.

Alternatively, visit www.oranafamilyservices.org.au.

THE EARLY YEARS

Parents and kids in Hume are being offered the chance to bond in a unique way through music. The Kidz Unplugged Program, run by Orana Family Services, is a music program where parents and their children – from 0 to 4 years old – have the chance to play, sing, dance and listen to music together.

The program is running in Sunbury, Roxburgh Park and Craigieburn and is becoming wellknown within the Hume community.

Facilitated by a registered music therapist, each session runs during school terms and lasts for approximately

Kidz Unplugged: singing and playing guitar

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BABIES IN HUME First-time parents, especially new mums, can go through a difficult and challenging time during their baby’s first months of life. It is not uncommon to hear parents describing the difficulties of being at home and the process of caring for and bonding with their child.

Hume City Council’s Maternal and Child Health Service ‘Babies in Hume’ program aims to enhance mother-baby communication and support emotional attachment through play. The program is comprised of ten sessions covering various subjects including sleep settling, feeding, communication cues in babies and relationships. Parents are encouraged to attend all sessions and although they are normally for first time parents, any parent is welcome provided they attend the session with the new baby – generally under 3 months of age.

Although families who attend the program continue to visit the Maternal and Child Health nurse for support and information they are also invited to come back once their children are 15 months old, and again at 2.5 years of age to discuss their baby’s specific social developmental issues which occur around these ages. The formation of a ‘playgroup’ (where parents and babies meet to play) is also encouraged and supported.

THE EARLY YEARS

As Ann McNair, Hume City Council Maternal and Child Health Coordinator,

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Mums and bubs attending the Babies in Hume program

explains: “One of the most critical outcomes for parents is the formation of an ongoing support group. We find that from around week four, parents begin to meet together outside the program and we support this by including information from Playgroups Victoria to encourage parents to set up a playgroup from their parent group.”

For further information about Babies in Hume program contact Ann McNair, Hume City Council Maternal and Child Health Coordinator on 03 9205 2546 or email annm@hume.vic.gov.au.

MUMS TALK ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF ATTENDING THE SESSIONS “Hearing from other parents about their experiences and being able to relate and learn from them.”

“Seeing ways that my baby communicates that I didn't know before.”

“Hearing everyone's stories; it’s a comfort to know that everything we are going through at the moment is normal.”

COOLAROO SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL One of Coolaroo South Primary School’s main objectives is to prepare children for school by developing their language, literacy, emotional and social skills through a range of Early Years Programs.

Coolaroo’s Playgroup and Kindergym Project are successful examples of how combining learning and play can assist with a smooth transition to school. The projects also aim to bring families and children closer together. As Fahriye Yilmaz, Community Liasion Officer at Coolaroo South Primary School, explains: “We have approximately 15 children from different backgrounds coming to our playgroup sessions each

week. The aim of the program is to promote play (especially between mothers and their children), as well as communicate and share with other children.”

Coolaroo South Primary School’s Kindergym is part of the Communities for Children (CfC) project and delivered to the school by VICSEG (Victorian Cooperative on Children's Services for Ethnic Groups). Designed to promote the importance of physical activity to children and their families, the program is also proving to be an excellent way of improving the children’s social skills.

“It’s only been three years since the CfC project was developed at Coolaroo

Artwork and paper flowers: kids enjoying playgroup time at Coolaroo South Primary School

Primary School, and we are already beginning to see the benefits of having a community hub onsite,” says Colleen Turner, CfC Project Manager.

For more information contact Fahriye Yilmaz, Community Liasion Officer at Coolaroo South Primary School on 03 9309 1664 or email yilmaz.fahriye.f@edumail.vic.gov.au.

INTEL COMPUTER CLUB CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY Intel Computer Clubhouses is an initiative that gives young people access to computers and inspires them to create artwork with technology. There are more than 100 Intel Computer Clubhouses in 20 countries, each with the philosophy of empowering children to talk about themselves and have an impact in the digital era.

Officially launched a month ago, the Meadow Heights Learning Shop Intel Computer Clubhouse is the second Intel Clubhouse in Australia. This after-school learning program allows young people from various communities to work with adult mentors and each other to explore ideas, develop skills and build confidence through the use of computer technology.

As Miranda Nation, Intel Computer Clubhouse Coordinator, explains: “We are giving disadvantaged young people access to creative technology. We want

to motivate young people to talk about issues that are important to them. They can produce digital stories, digital artwork … it is a form of creative self expression.” Software programs taught at the clubhouse include Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Flash and Windows Movie Maker.

Once the young people become members of their local clubhouse, they create their own personal Facebooktype webpage and may be invited to attend the Network Teen Summit in Boston, USA. Held every other year, the Teen Summit brings together representatives from Intel Computer Clubhouses around the world to meet in person, share ideas, and begin crossclubhouse collaborations. While gathered at the Teen Summit, the youth can pool their technological skills and use their imagination to develop solutions to issues facing their communities.

Digital artwork by Belinay Uyar, 8 years old

The Intel Computer Clubhouse is open from Monday to Friday from 3–7pm.

The clubhouse is free of charge. Once members have enrolled and had a consent form signed by a parent or guardian, they can come in whenever the clubhouse is open. No booking is required. For more information contact Miranda Nation, Intel Computer Clubhouse Coordinator at Meadow Heights Learning Shop Inc on 03 9310 9200 or email mirandan@mhls.com.au.

ROXBURGH HOMESTEAD PRIMARY SCHOOL

Some of the new initiatives for 2009 include a mosaic and arts project, a community garden and school enhancement teams, where students work on projects to improve both their school and the wider community.

Students at Roxburgh Homestead Primary School work on the mosaic and arts project

As Bev Plowman, from Roxburgh Homestead Primary School, explains: “Student learning needs to be relevant and is improved when the school community is actively involved in school activities. The establishment of a strong partnership with parents and the attraction of community support are part of our commitment. We can all work together to achieve common goals,” explains Bev. Bev says that when students and community are both involved in school

activities the outcome is clear.

“A lifelong habit of working together and helping each other in the community is created, with all different areas and teams of the school working together to create a meaningful learning experience for all,” she says.

As an example of an efficient partnership between the school and the community, Bev cites the transition program, where children from the adjoining Long Day Care and the

THE SCHOOL YEARS

Roxburgh Homestead Primary School is celebrating its thirteenth birthday with a range of exciting, new lifelong learning programs and activities designed to engage students, parents and the local community.

Kindergarten gain experience in the school environment, making their transition to school much easier.

For more information about Roxburgh Homestead Primary School’s 2009 community programs and activities contact Bev Plowman on 03 9305 1688, or email plowman.bev.e@edumail.vic.gov.au.

You can also visit www.roxhomesteadps.edu.au.

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GLENROY NEIGHBOURHOOD LEARNING CENTRE FITNESS AND FRIENDS PROGRAM Q&A with Tracey Oliver, Glenroy Neighbourhood Learning Centre Community Engagement Coordinator.

With Yoga, Walk and Talk, Tai Chi and Social Dancing, the Glenroy Neighbourhood Learning Centre Fitness and Friends program has something for everyone. Tracey Oliver, Community Engagement Coordinator, spoke to IED about the benefits of yoga and other forms of exercise.

Who can participate in your classes?

Local people who want to make friends and feel healthier and more relaxed.

Our Fitness and Friends program includes low cost activities to suit everyone.

What are the benefits of regular exercise?

THE ADULT YEARS

Regular exercise such as Yoga enables you to be more flexible, fitter and more alive. Tai Chi reduces stress and improves balance, strength, flexibility and confidence.

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Participants at the Walk and Talk program

What about Walk and Talk and Social Ballroom classes?

Walking briskly (our Walk and Talk program) makes your heart and lungs work harder, creating many benefits for your health. You can also make friends and explore the local area. Social dancing classes offer Waltz, Swing, Cha Cha and Latin; we also offer Line Dancing at Broadmeadows. Attend just one or them all and learn steps you can do at social functions!

For more information contact Tracey Oliver on 03 9387 6796 or visit http://glenlink.vic.edu.au/Content/.

“Our Fitness and Friends program includes low cost activities to suit everyone”

A NEW CAREER IN CARE As part of its commitment to community engagement, Kangan Batman TAFE works with students and groups from a wide range of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

Kangan’s Children's Services Department is engaging local women from CALD backgrounds by offering a CALD-specific Certificate III in Children’s Services, which can lead to direct employment in the childcare industry or further study options.

Senior educator Lynne Vaughan says the course is specifically designed for women with English as a second language. It has had a great response from Middle Eastern and Muslim women and other minority cultural groups within the Hume area, including Sri Lankan women and others from Mediterranean and Asian backgrounds.

“Their ages vary enormously from the early 20s through to the late 50s,” Lynne says. “What they have in common is a domestic situation that has typically involved remaining within the family home and raising children, with few opportunities for engagement with the broader community.”

While some participants are newly arrived migrants, many have lived in the local area for years, but are only able to participate in learning English and venturing outside their domestic and family sphere once their children are older.

The CALD-specific Certificate III in Children’s Services is delivered over four days per week from March to December. Student selection for next year’s intake will begin in September 2009.

Senior educator Lynne Vaughan says the course is specifically designed for women with English as a second language

For more information, contact the Kangan Customer Service Centre on 03 9279 2222 or visit www.kangan.edu.au to find out more.

LEARNING IN HUME

A JOB-SEARCH WEBSITE FOR MATURE AGE WORKERS

Computer Users Group

A unique job-search website, www.olderworkers.com.au links older people looking for work with employers who are looking for experienced, reliable and flexible mature age workers.

A group of seniors with a ‘users helping users’ attitude meet every week at the Sunbury Senior Citizens Centre, to learn and share their knowledge in softwares including Word and Outlook Express.

Where: Sunbury Senior Citizens Centre (8 O'Shanassy St, Sunbury).

When: First and third Thursdays of the month, 9.30am–12noon.

Cost: $1 per meeting.

Enquiries: Kevin Day on 03 9744 2514 or David Law 03 9744 1874.

The national website averages around 47,500 views per month. “We are extremely pleased with the response we have had. We advertised the site nationally and feel confident we can offer access to older workers seeking work which companies otherwise may not have reached,” says Matt Higgins, one of the airectors at olderworkers.com.au.

Research indicates that a high number of mature age people are more than happy to travel to gain work and learn new skills, as many of them are ‘grey nomads’ (a term referred to retired

people that spend a large amount of time travelling) and do seasonal work around Australia.

Many older workers no longer use traditional ways to seek employment because they feel they have been overlooked in the past due to their age and circumstances. These capable and willing workers are looking for somewhere they can go to find work where their age will not be seen by employers as a disadvantage. “There is a huge underutilised workforce in Australia who are willing to learn new skills and ready to work, and we can provide access to them,” explains Matt.

For more information visit www.olderworkers.com.au.

HUME U3A EXPO Yoga 2009 Yoga classes for beginners and advanced students. Excellent for improving flexibility and body strength.

You will also have the opportunity to make new friends and socialise.

Where: Goonawarra Community Centre, Dornoch Drive, Sunbury.

When: Wednesdays 7.30pm.

Enquiries: Michael on 0412 244 662 or www.yoga2000.com.

Reading, Writing, Spelling and Numeracy Reading, Writing, Spelling and Numeracy classes for adults who want to improve their reading and writing skills in a supported and fun learning environment. Accredited and preaccredited courses available.

Where: Glenroy Neighbourhood Learning Centre, 5B Cromwell St, Glenroy.

When: Basic Education class for people with a mild intellectual disability, Fridays 9.30am– 12noon; Literacy classes Mondays and Wednesdays 12.30–3pm, Numeracy classes Tuesdays 10am–12pm and 1–3pm.

Enquiries: Jacinta Agostinelli, Glenroy Neighbourhood Learning Centre, on 03 9304 3910.

All 87 U3As from around Victoria, representing more than 22,000 members, were invited to send delegates. “It was a great opportunity to meet other members and check on the most successful programs running in our U3As,” says Aina Crawford, Secretary of Hume U3A. The conference participants attended workshops and talks on a range of interesting topics, from diabetes, obesity and heart health, to the importance of physical activity for older people. An ‘Innovative Ideas’ panel also discussed and shared ideas on U3A online courses.

Aina Crawford, Secretary of Hume U3A

The Hume U3A is a learning cooperative of older people which encourages healthy ageing by enabling members to share many educational, creative and leisure activities. For more information visit http://home.vicnet.net.au/ ~humeu3a/welcome.htm or contact Aina Crawford on 03 9309 4983 or email humeu3a@three.com.au.

THE OLDER YEARS

Cost: $16 per class or $130 for a term of 10 classes.

The Hume University of the Third Age (U3A), in partnership with U3A Network Victoria, held its biannual conference in May. With the theme “Going from Strength to Strength”, the event provided members with information about new courses, lifelong learning programs and health issues.

Keynote speakers include writer and TV presenter Phillip Adams, Former Chief Justice of the Federal Family Court Mr Alistair Nicholson and Professor Richard Larkins. The event ended with a celebratory lunch at the Hume Global Learning Centre and a visit to the Hume U3A. 15

HUME LIBRARIES TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE Hume Libraries is pleased to announce that it's now easier than ever for schools to get involved in the Premier’s Reading Challenge.

HUME LIBRARIES

The libraries have added a search page to the library catalogue which automatically brings up a list of Premier's Reading Challenge titles that Hume Libraries own for each year level. Now you can see what titles your local library has and take up the challenge.

The Premier’s Reading Challenge aims to promote a love of reading.

It is not a competition, but rather a challenge to each student. For more information on the Premier’s Reading Challenge visit www.education.vic.gov.au/prc.

www.humelibraries.vic.gov.au The Age Library The Hume Global Learning Centre 1093 Pascoe Vale Road, Broadmeadows 3047 Phone 03 9356 6900

Premier John Brumby at the Hume Global Learning Centre

To view the Hume Libraries catalogue visit http://catalogue.humelibraries. vic.gov.au/.

MEET ERIN WAMALA

Craigieburn Library 59 Craigieburn Road, Craigieburn 3064 Phone 03 9356 6980 Gladstone Park Community Library Taylor Drive, Gladstone Park 3043 Phone 03 9356 6990 Sunbury Library 44 Macedon Street, Sunbury 3429 Phone 03 9356 6970 Tullamarine Library 58 Spring Street, Tullamarine 3043 Phone 03 9356 6966

LEARNING AT HUME LIBRARIES

Erin Wamala is the Senior Education Consultant for Penguin Books, and will be the guest speaker at Craigieburn Library on Monday 26 May, when she will review adult fiction titles as part of the library’s school holiday program.

IED - What is your role at Penguin Books?

ERIN WAMALA - My job is to visit secondary schools and present our books to the English teachers and librarians. This is mainly to help them to choose class texts to study in English, but sometimes they just like to keep on top of new publications.

IED - What are your top tips for adult fiction?

EW - Some titles I have read and particularly liked include ‘Unpolished Gem’ and ‘Growing Up Asian in Australia’ by Alice Pung, ‘Everything I Knew’ by Peter Goldsworthy, ‘Breath’ by Tim Winton, ‘The Tall Man’ by Chloe Hooper and ‘The Help’ by Kathryn Stockett.

Erin Wamala is the Senior Education Consultant for Penguin Books

IED - What sort of books do you like to read?

EW - I tend to focus on children’s and young adult titles for my job, and these are the books that I really like to read.

There is a certain ‘feel’ to children’s books that you can’t get from adult stories. I think it’s a feeling of nostalgia or of the unknown. And there is also so much imagination in children’s books.

Erin Wamala will be at Craigieburn Library on Tuesday 26 May at 7pm.

For more information contact Josie Mitzi on 03 9356 6980.

Winter IED Learning Booklet The next IED, Winter edition, will focus on professional development courses and service providers in Hume for all Hume Global Learning Village members. If you are a certified course provider please submit your details to ied@hume.vic.gov.au.

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Hume Global Learning Centre Hume City Council 1093 Pascoe Vale Road Broadmeadows Vic 3047 PO Box 119 Dallas Vic 3047 Phone +61 3 9356 6999 Fax +61 3 9356 6935 Email globallearning@hume.vic.gov.au www.humegloballearning.vic.gov.au The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views or opinions shared by the Hume Global Learning Village and Hume City Council.