Australia’s largest and oldest poetry writing competition for students, will open for entries on March 1.

Primary and secondary students across Australia are invited to explore the wonderful world of creative writing and have a go at telling their own stories using poetic tools.

This year awards celebrate their 30th anniversary. With this in mind the optional theme, ‘What Shall We Tell You’, has been chosen from the verse poem The Golden Journey To Samarkand by James Elroy Flecker, to encourage the idea of links between past and present, important milestones, memorable times and events.

Last year 10,000 poems were written by students from 700 schools nationally, with winners sharing over $7000 worth of prizes including cash, trophies, books and a trip to Gunnedah in north-west NSW – home of the awards and where Dorothea Mackellar’s family owned several properties.

The awards are divided into nine categories and are open to all school students from kindergarten to year 12. Individual students can win up to $500 and while prizes for primary and secondary school whose entries demonstrate a high overall standard are worth $1000 each. There are categories for students on learning assistance and special education programs and the Community Relations Commission (NSW) is supporting a category for the best poem highlighting the value of cultural diversity within the Australian community.

Judging the entries this year are authors Corinne Fenton (primary sections) and Nette Hilton (secondary sections) – highly accomplished children’s authors with numerous award winning work, both passionate poetry lovers.

Competition closing date is 30 June 2014. Winners will be announced on the 29th August during the National Presentation ceremony, their work will be published in online and print format and promoted nationally.

Entries are accepted online via www.dorothea.com.au , primary students have an option of postal submission – forms and all relevant information about the competition are available on our website.

Registrations are now open for events during Australian Heritage Week 2014 and I encourage everyone in Bonner to get involved.

Australian Heritage Week is an annual national celebration of the places, buildings, landscapes and stories of our local communities and provides a link to our nation’s heritage.

Local groups and communities in Bonner can get involved in Australian Heritage Week by planning and hosting a range of exciting activities to showcase the unique heritage within the community.

Registering an event is open to everyone who wants to share and celebrate what makes Bonner special. I encourage everyone in the community to find the best way to showcase our local area to the rest of Australia.

Australian Heritage Week 2013 event highlights included heritage walks, concerts in the park, community fairs and festivals, tours of historic buildings and places, and hands-on activities for children. These are just some of the many activities that we can hold during Australian Heritage Week 2014 in Bonner to celebrate our local heritage.

National Heritage forms one of the key pillars under the Government’s Cleaner Environment Plan and Australian Heritage Week will be an opportunity for communities and local groups to celebrate and learn about our heritage.

Australian Heritage Week 2014 will run from Saturday 12 April to Sunday 20 April.

For more information on registering your event, please visit http://heritage-week.govspace.gov.au/

Ross Vasta welcomes news the Prime Minister has recommended the establishment of a Royal Commission to inquire into alleged financial irregularities associated with the affairs of trade unions.

It will inquire into the activities relating to ‘slush funds’ and other similar funds and entities established by, or related to, the affairs of these organisations.

“This will not be an inquiry into trade unionism or the day to day activities of honest trade union officials,” said Ross Vasta.

“This Royal Commission is about shining a great big spotlight on the dark corners of our community and the increasingly widespread claims of unlawful activity, corruption, kickbacks and collusion within sections of the union movement.”

“We don’t want honest workers to be ripped off by dishonest union bosses,” said Ross Vasta.

“This is a government committed to the rule of law. Honest workers and honest unionists in Bonner should not be ripped off by corrupt union officials. Honest local businesses should be able to get on with their work without fear of intimidation, corruption and standover tactics.”

The terms of reference are not limited to any particular organisations, particular allegations or particular industries. The inquiry will be able to go wherever the evidence leads it. Union officials, employers and any other persons who are involved in such conduct will be subject to equal scrutiny.

Ross Vasta says it’s time for Labor to support the establishment of this Royal Commission.

“Bill Shorten and the Labor Party should not be running a protection racket for dodgy union officials. They may owe their jobs to their union leaders, but they owe their service to the hard working Australian people.”

Older people in Bonner will get extra support and care services-such as cleaning, meals, nursing care and transport-to remain living independently at home thanks to a $1,280,052 Australian Government investment.

The Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta MP, said the funding was part of a $240 million investment under the Commonwealth Home and Community Care (HACC) program.

“This extra funding will help expand existing services or create new ones in identified priority areas of need in Bonner,” Ross Vasta MP said.

“In Bonner, we know there is a real need for domestic assistance, social support, and transport, and that’s where the majority of funding will go.

“These services are essential to older people staying safe and well, and remaining connected to their community and in control of their own lives.”

“The Australian Government believes that older Australians should have the support and care they need to continue to live at home as long as they choose.”

Assistant Minister for Social Services, Mitch Fifield said “The Commonwealth HACC program provides critical basic maintenance, care and support services where most people prefer to receive it-in their own homes and communities.

“We have made sure a large portion of the funding is going towards services that meet each region’s most pressing needs.