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GIVING BONNER TEACHERS TOOLS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES

A new Turnbull Government-backed initiative will ensure educators in Bonner have access to the latest teaching strategies and practical advice on how to support students with learning difficulties.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said the Turnbull Government’s $341,000 funding to DSF Literacy and Clinical Services in Western Australia would ensure the organisation’s new guide is freely available online across the country.

“This guide will give teachers from all backgrounds practical advice on how to identify and support the estimated five per cent of students who face challenges in the way they learn,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Turnbull Government’s funding means the combined knowledge of leading experts in educating students with learning difficulties will be contained in a free and easy-to-access guide.

“Ultimately by better equipping teachers with these skills and strategies this guide will ensure students around Australia can better manage and take advantage of their education opportunities.”

“The guide, Understanding Learning Difficulties, focuses on specific learning difficulties in dyslexia (reading), dysgraphia (written expression) and dyscalculia (mathematics).

“It’s clear how important the guide is given that estimates suggest four out of five students with a developmental learning disability have dyslexia.

Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said Understanding Learning Difficulties will give Bonner principals, teachers and school psychologists a deeper understanding of the significant impact learning disabilities can have on students.

“It’s a valuable addition to the tool kit of teachers dedicated to effectively supporting the diverse learning needs of their students,” Minister Birmingham said.

“Every Australian child should be given the support they need at school to do their best. That’s why in this year’s Budget we committed a further $118.2 million over 2016 and 2017 for young people with disability. Our increased funding commitment for students with disability means the Turnbull Government is investing a record $5.3 billion from 2014 to 2017, exceeding the previous Labor government’s unfunded promises.

“Federal government funding for schools across Australia will grow from $16 billion in 2016 to $20.1 billion in 2020 and we will be working to ensure that funding is distributed fairly and according to need so that schools currently delivering valuable programs can continue to do so.”

Teachers can download the free resource through their state or territory education portal. Print copies of Understanding Learning Difficulties – A Practical Guide are also available for purchase.

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FSG HELPING TO BUILD A DEMENTIA FRIENDLY COMMUNITY IN WYNNUM

People living with dementia, their families and carers would benefit from new initiatives being developed by FSG Australia to build a dementia friendly community in Wynnum, Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said today.

“In Australia over 350,000 people are currently living with dementia. This Dementia Awareness Month it’s important to let these people and the people who care for them know the community supports them and their needs,” Mr Vasta said.

“FSG Australia is working on some fantastic initiatives in Wynnum to increase support in the community for people living with dementia and their carers.”

“Just recently I had the privilege to attend FSG’s first Dementia Friendly Community Café. It was great to see this friendly group of carers and people with dementia come together in support of each other.”

Mr Vasta said his office had recently taken part in the Dementia Education and Training Program run by FSG.

“This program provides individual carers and their families with education, training and support—another valuable part of letting carers and people living with dementia know they’re not alone,” Mr Vasta said.

Those looking for more information on FSG’s dementia friendly initiatives can visit www.fsg.org.au or call (07) 3297 4300.

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FEDERATION CHAMBER: BONNER COMMUNITY UPDATE

I rise today to speak on what’s in store for the Bonner community in the year ahead. All across Bonner I’ve listened to what locals want. I’m committed to delivering to them what matters most.

My flagship commitment is to the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, one of the bayside’s most iconic institutions. The club will have their dressing sheds and gymnasium fixed, giving them and the bayside sporting community the playing facilities they deserve. Other local sporting clubs that will receive vital upgrades to their facilities include:

• Mt Gravatt Youth and Recreation Club;
• Bayside PCYC;
• AAMA Karate-Do Club;
• Manly Bowls Club;
• Mt Gravatt Bowls Club; as well as
• Wynnum Bugs, to help them cover the costs of installing solar.

Mt Gravatt Men’s Shed will also receive funding to install a new solar PV system. I’ve always been proud to support local men’s sheds and their important work for the community. Wynnum and Manly Districts Men’s Shed will also receive assistance to help them install and fit out their new place at Wynnum North.

Wynnum-Manly Meals on Wheels is another organisation that does a great service to the community. They will receive funding to go toward new kitchen facilities at their Kitchen and Community Centre at Wakerley. I want to thank President Ken Edwards for his hard work on this. The new Centre is going to be a huge boost for Wakerley and surrounding areas. I can’t wait to be there on opening day.

Other local community groups that will continue to thrive under this Coalition Government include:

• Eastside Community Church;
• 215 Squadron AAFC;
• St Agnes Catholic Primary School, and
• The Moreton Bay Discovery Centre.

Under the Coalition, Bonner will receive more support through grassroots funding of community organisations than ever before.

I will continue to support my community by supporting this Government’s agenda to grow jobs and deliver real results for our local economy.

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90 SECOND STATEMENT – JOSHUA AND BEN WOOD

Today I would like to speak about Joshua and Benjamin Wood, two remarkable brothers from Carindale. These young men are an inspiration and an example of what hard work can achieve.

Josh is nine years old and profoundly vision impaired. I first got to know Josh two years ago when he came second for reading in the Queensland Braille Writing Association Braille Literacy Challenge. Josh worked extremely hard for this result. I’m pleased to inform the House that last week at this year’s Challenge he came first in the state in his section for reading, and second in his section for writing. This is another great result he should be proud of.

His older brother Ben has also achieved remarkable things. Ben has learnt Braille to help Joshua and attends Braille camps with him every year in Sydney. He’s also received the highest mark in the state twice for his AMEB speech and drama exams. Ben is a fantastic speaker with a big interest in politics. I look forward to seeing him in this chamber one day!

Josh recently wrote to me about his and Ben’s wish to meet the Prime Minister. Tomorrow I’ll have the pleasure of hosting both of them at Parliament House. I’m excited to introduce these young men to the Prime Minister in person. Thank you to both of you for the fine example you’ve set for the community.

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“SALUTING THEIR SERVICE”: NOMINATE A VETERAN NOW

Applications are now open to nominate a worthy serviceman or woman for a Certificate of Appreciation under the Government’s Saluting Their Service Commemorations Program, Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said today.

“Certificates of Appreciation are a way of expressing the nation’s gratitude to those who served in the defence forces or on the home front in the Second World War, or in wars, conflicts and peace operations overseas since the Second World War,” Mr Vasta said.

Certificates of Appreciation are available to those who contributed to Australia’s efforts in the following conflicts and events:

• Second World War, for service in the Australian armed forces or on the home front;
• British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) Japan;
• Korean War;
• Malayan Emergency;
• Indonesian Confrontation;
• Vietnam War;
• Gulf War;
• Iraq War; 
• War in Afghanistan; and
• Peace Operations.

Veterans and those who served in the wars, conflicts and peace operations for which certificates are available, as well as family members of deceased eligible persons, can apply for Certificates of Appreciation.

Application forms are available from Ross Vasta’s office, DVA offices or can be downloaded from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website at http://www.dva.gov.au/dvaforms (click on Topics and select Certificate of Appreciation forms).

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90 SECOND STATEMENT – DEMENTIA AWARENESS MONTH

Thank you Mr Deputy/Speaker. Today I rise to speak about fantastic initiatives in my Bonner electorate to increase support in the community for people living with dementia and their carers.

As you’re aware this month is Dementia Awareness Month. In Australia over 350,000 people are currently living with dementia. It’s important to let these people and the people who care for them know the community supports them and their needs.

That’s why I want to bring attention to what FSG Australia is doing in Wynnum to help people with dementia. FSG is working hard to establish initiatives that will help build a dementia friendly community in Wynnum. Just recently I had the privilege to attend their first Dementia Friendly Community Café. It was great to see this friendly group of carers and people with dementia come together in support of each other.

It’s important to raise awareness and understanding of this condition that affects so many in our community. My staff recently took part in FSG’s Dementia Education and Training Program.

Many thanks to Rae Haggarty from FSG for running this excellent program that provides individual carers and their families with education, training and support. Training sessions are available to local businesses and groups and I encourage those interested to sign up.

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