Media Releases

Local Member for Rodney, Paul Weller has described his attendance at Anzac Day services across the Rodney Electorate year as an honour and a privilege.

Mr Weller attended commemorative ceremonies in Stanhope, Echuca, Torrumbarry and Nathalia and described Anzac Day as a day for all Australians to acknowledge.

“It is a day that gives us a reason to pause and remember the sacrifice, courage and mateship of all men and women who have served this country during times of war, armed conflicts and in peacekeeping operations,” Mr Weller said.

“As time marches on it is appropriate for all members of the community to consider how we continue to remember the fallen and how best to commemorate the sacrifices our armed service men and women have made, and are still making today, for the freedom of our great nation,” he said.

“In visiting Anzac Day services across my Electorate I have witnessed the Anzac Spirit both in the faces of those who remember all too well the sacrifices made and in the faces of the young who can only begin to understand the reasons for the freedom they enjoy today,” he said.

Mr Weller said there are many ways in which we can help bridge the gap between those who have experienced, first-hand, the horrors of war and the younger generations.

A new publication, Kokoda: Exploring the Second World War Campaign in Papua New Guinea was released as a secondary school education resource by the Department of Veteran Affairs in March this year.

This resource was developed to mark the 70th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign and contains 12 units of teaching and learning activities for secondary school students.

“Through this book, students can learn about the significance and strategic importance of Kokoda and about modern day pilgrimages to the site,” Mr Weller said.

Mr Weller has also encouraged local schools to consider the annual Anzac Day Schools' Awards - designed to encourage initiative and creativity in the way that schools commemorate Anzac Day.

“The awards have an emphasis on inventiveness balanced with tradition and help educate our school children about the sacrifices of our armed services,” Mr Weller said.

The closing date for Anzac Day Schools’ Award for 2012 is Friday 25th May 2012.

For more information about the Anzac Day Schools' Awards Information Pack, please call a Commemorations Officer on 133 254 or email commemorations@dva.gov.au.

To find out more about the Kokoda resource or any other resources relating to our armed services visit the Department of Veteran Affairs website at www.dva.gov.au.

Nationals MP Paul Weller is encouraging residents in the Rodney electorate to nominate local people and groups who are making a positive difference to their environment for the 2011 Victorian Landcare Awards.

Mr Weller said the awards were an opportunity to recognise the invaluable environmental contribution volunteers make to rivers, farming land, wetlands, estuaries, coasts and urban environments.

"It's important that we highlight the efforts of those in our community who work so hard to make our land better for the generations ahead," he said.

“There are so many committed volunteers right across our region who are taking part in environmental projects that are making an enormous difference to our rivers, wetlands, parklands and farming land.”

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith said the awards would recognise volunteers who strive to support rivers, farming land, wetlands, estuaries, coasts and urban environments.

“We want to recognise volunteers and groups who are devoted to making sure Victoria’s natural environment is protected and restored,” Mr Smith said.

"There'll be a focus on creative initiatives including sustainable farming, bushfire recovery, awareness and partnership building."

Victorians can nominate volunteers or groups for approximately 18 award categories, including seven special Victoria-specific categories:

• Heather Mitchell Memorial Fellowship – $5,000
• CitiPower and Powercor Landcare Network Award – $5,000
• Dr Sidney Plowman Travel and Study Award – $4,000
• DPI Sustainable Farming Award (regional) – $500 per CMA region; Rural Press Primary Producer Award (state)
• The Bushfire Recovery Award – $15,000
• Long Service to Landcare Award – $1,000
• Long Service to Landcare – Honour Roll

Landcare is a movement of individuals and groups focusing on managing the environment in their local area. Volunteers perform a range of tasks from planting trees, stopping soil erosion and assisting with primary production, to protecting Victoria’s native wildlife and controlling weeds and pests.

Nominations have been extended until 22 July 2011. State winners will become nominees in the biennial national Landcare awards 2012. For more information visit www.landcarevic.net.au

Nationals Member for Rodney Paul Weller has encouraged residents to nominate for the 2011 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.

 

The awards provide an ideal opportunity to recognise and celebrate the significant contributions of people aged 60 years and over to their local community and the state.

 

“The awards recognise the many women and men who are actively involved in their communities, and who, through their contributions and achievements, support and inspire others,” Mr Weller said.

 

“The awards also promote the achievements of senior Victorians to the broader community and demonstrate the benefits of positive ageing.”

 

The awards for which seniors can be recognised include the Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year which is presented to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the local community and Victoria.

 

Each person nominated for the Premier’s Award will also be considered for the Healthy and Active Living, Council on the Ageing Victoria Senior Achiever Awards and a new award Promotion of Multiculturalism. 

 

The Veteran Community Award acknowledges a significant contribution of an individual to the veteran community.

 

“There are many senior Victorians in the Rodney electorate who are making an extraordinary difference to their community,” Mr Weller said.

 

“I am extremely proud of the skills and life experiences of our senior residents and the vital role they play in making our region a great place to live.”

 

The closing date for nominations is Friday July 22, 2011.

 

Copies of the nomination form are available from Mr Weller’s electorate office at 26 Percy Street, Echuca. 

 

Additional copies are available from Seniors Information Victoria, 1300 135 090 or www.seniors.vic.gov.au.

 

Nationals MP Paul Weller has encouraged local exporters to consider nominating for the 2011 Governor of Victoria Export Awards.

 

The awards are in their 32^nd year and encourage Victorian firms to celebrate excellence in international business.

 

Mr Weller said awards recognised companies and individuals that are making their mark in the export arena.

 

“For those enterprises that receive a prestigious Governor or Victoria Export Award the benefits are considerable,” he said.

 

“Winners gain a higher profile, both at home and overseas, they increase their credibility, have greater access to new and emerging markets and often experience enhanced business relationships.”

 

Mr Weller said many businesses and individuals in the Rodney electorate were achieving outstanding results in export.

 

He said the awards created the perfect opportunity to help those organisations attract the recognition they deserved.

 

“By nominating for the awards you can help show the nation exactly what exporters in our region are capable of.

 

“A nomination puts your company achievements into the spotlight and acknowledges the efforts of your greatest asset – your staff.”

 

Entries for the 2011 awards program opened on May 2 and close on July 14.

 

For more information go to www.export.business.vic.gov.au/awards or phone Dora Deka on 03 9651 9959.

 

Nationals Member for Rodney Paul Weller has called for public recognition of outstanding local business women by urging the community to nominate them for the 2011 Telstra Business Women’s Awards.

 

The awards are in their 17^th year and will celebrate the achievements of amazing and inspirational business women.

 

Mr Weller said the prestigious awards program was an excellent opportunity to uncover Australia’s best business women and acknowledge the contribution they make within their communities.

 

“The awards are open to all business women to participate, whether they are business owners, executives or employees in the private and corporate sector or leaders in community and government organisations,” he said.

 

“Our community has many local business women who make a positive impact on countless lives every day.  Nominating them for the awards recognises the inspiration they have given to other women to reach and exceed their goals.”

 

For finalists and winners, the Telstra Business Women’s Awards provide personal opportunities and substantial recognition as well as a share in more than $200,000 in cash and prizes.

 

The award categories are:

 

• Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award – open to owners with a 50 per cent share or more in a business with responsibility for key management decision-making.
• Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award – open to employees in the private and corporate sectors or owners with less than a 50 per cent share of a business
• White Pages Community and Government Award – open to employees in government departments, statutory bodies and not-for-profit organisations
• Nokia Business Innovation Award – open to all entrants, this Award recognises the successful introduction of innovation within a business or workplace
• Marie Claire Young Business Women’s Award – open to all entrants who are aged 34 years or younger as at 30 June 2011.

 

Nominations for the awards can be made at www.telstrabusinesswomensawards.com or by calling 1800 817 536.

 

Entries are open until June 20.