The Australian Government is calling for applications for the 2015 Community Heritage Grants program.

Grants of up to $15,000 are available to not-for-profit community groups across Australia to preserve and manage nationally significant cultural heritage collections of documents and objects for future generations. Projects supported include significance assessments, preservations needs assessments, conservation activities and collection management.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, invites local not-for profit community organisations to apply for the Community Heritage Grants.

“I strongly encourage local libraries, archives, museums, genealogical and historical societies, and multicultural and Indigenous groups in Bonner to apply for this year’s grants.”

“This funding is a wonderful opportunity to contribute to our national cultural identity by restoring our locally-held collections to share with future generations.”

Minister for the Arts, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC, said, “The successful recipients of the Community Heritage Grants program will assist in preserving and maintaining collections of important objects that make up Australia’s history.”

“The program also invites first-time recipients to Canberra to receive their grant and build their collection management skills through training from our national collecting institutions including the National Library of Australia, National Archives of Australia, the National Film and Sound Archive, and the National Museum of Australia.”

Since the Community Heritage Grants program began in 1994, the Australian Government has provided more than $5 million to 1117 projects.

The Community Heritage Grants program is managed by the National Library of Australia and funded by the Attorney-General’s Department with the National Archives of Australia, the National Film and Sound Archive, and the National Museum of Australia.

More information about the Community Heritage Grants Program can be found on the National Library of Australia website at www.nla.gov.au/awards-and-grants/chg. Applications close on 1 May 2015 and should be submitted online.

On 25 April, Australians will commemorate the 100^th Anniversary of the Gallipoli landings during the First World War and honour the sacrifices of those service personnel who helped forge our national identity.

This Anzac Day Australians are also being asked to spare a thought for our current serving personnel and recently returned veterans who have served on operational service overseas.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said it is as important to commemorate the ongoing work of the men and women who continue to serve and represent our nation abroad today as it is to commemorate the acts and deeds of those present at the Gallipoli landings.

“It is important to honour and support the current generation of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and veterans who have served on our behalf in what are often complex, challenging and extremely dangerous environments,” Mr Vasta said.

“In recognition and gratitude for the service of our current personnel, I encourage Bonner residents to consider donating to ex-service organisations such as the RSL, Legacy and Soldier On.”

“These excellent organisations provide phenomenal support to our ADF personnel, past and present, and their families.”

“The service of Australia’s military personnel is rightly revered by the community and I urge everyone to show their support this Anzac Day.”

Donations can be made to Legacy (www.legacy.com.au) or Soldier On (www.soldieron.org.au) in support of those personnel who have been wounded on operations, and those family members who are suffering financially and socially from the death of a loved one.

Messages of support can also be emailed to serving personnel at supportthetroops@defence.gov.au.

For those still wishing to send a care package, the Australian Forces Post Office box address below will be open until 13 April 2015:

An Australian Defence Member
AFPO 60
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890

Those who are short on time can still help by donating to the RSL’s Australian Forces Overseas Fund. Which can be found by going to www.rsl.org.au – then click on the “Supporting ADF Personnel” link and then on the “RSL Australian Forces Overseas Fund” link. This page also includes a link to a donation form. Donations over $2 are tax deductable and every donation is individually acknowledged by the RSL.

What can be included in care packages

Be creative with donations while being mindful of Australia Post’s guidelines for the free delivery of care packages. Some suggestions are listed below, as are the general restrictions. It is recommended that any donated goods collected by EOs, and which are unable to be sent due to size or weight, be donated to local charities.

Food
– Anzac biscuits
– Salted peanuts
– Muesli bars
– Instant noodles
– Lollies
– Small tinned consumables
– Other commercially manufactured and packaged foods that are non-perishable

Other ideas
– Magazines
– Puzzle books
– DVDs
– Socks
– Letters of support
– Posters and letters from school children
– Stamped, self-addressed envelope – this way personnel can thank you for the package

Toiletries
– Deodorant (non-aerosol)
– Shaving cream (non-aerosol)
– Small bottle of talcum powder
– Disposable razors
– Shower Gel
– Lip Balm

What not to include
– Pornographic material
– Alcoholic beverages
– Any food prepared or cooked at home, including cakes and biscuits
– Clothing (except socks)
– Pork products
– Cigarettes
– Perfumery products

 Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, is calling on local Bonner schools, clubs and coaches to sign up to Sporting Schools, the Abbott Government’s new initiative to get more kids active and healthy.

Mr Vasta said individuals and sporting groups can now register for Australia’s largest school-based participation program prior to its rollout in July 2015.

“I urge schools, clubs and coaches to register on the Sporting Schools website before July to ensure they benefit from the Abbott Government’s $100 million Sporting Schools programme,” Mr Vasta said.

“The new Sporting Schools programme gives local schools more versatility to run activities before, during or after school time.”

“We know it’s vitally important that we help children in Bonner develop healthy and active habits early in life.”

On registering, schools can nominate a Sporting Schools coordinator who will be kept informed through email updates of any new programme feature.

The online platform will allow schools to pick sporting programmes for their students, and help them find and link with local coaches and sporting organisations.

Teachers can also register individually to receive access to coaching plans and tools to help them plan and run activities outside of Sporting Schools practical sessions.

In addition, from May 2015 schools can apply for grants on the Sporting Schools website.

Coaches can also now register their interest in being a part of Sporting Schools through the website.

Sporting Schools pilot programmes involving 12 sports will continue to be rolled out over the next few months, with the programme to include more than 30 sports in total from July 2015.

Sporting Schools, through National Sporting Organisations, will work with those interested in gaining coaching qualifications, as well as existing coaches who want to be a part of the programme.

More information on Sporting Schools can be found at www.sportingschools.gov.au.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said pensioners in his electorate are $51.80 per fortnight better off for singles and $78 per fortnight for couples since the Coalition Government was elected, following a further rise in the age pension.

“Age pensioners deserve our support and once again the age pension is going up under the Coalition Government,” Mr Vasta said.

“The latest indexing of the age pension coming into effect today will give single age pensioners in Bonner a $5.90 boost to their fortnightly payments or $153.40 a year, while couples will receive an extra $8.80 a fortnight or $228.80 a year.”

“These increases will see the maximum age pension rise to $860.20 a fortnight for single pensioners and $1,296.80 for couples.”

“Today’s boost further exposes the false and misleading scare campaign from Labor and Bill Shorten who claim the age pension has been cut.”

“The increases are in addition to the boost pensioners received from the abolition of the carbon tax and the Coalition Government’s decision to retain the carbon tax compensation of $14.10 per fortnight for single pensioners and $21.20 for couples.

“When these measures are taken into account, pensioners in Bonner are effectively $66 better off per fortnight for singles, and almost $100 better off, with a $99.20 effective increase, for couples since the election.”

“There is also good news for part pensioners in Bonner. Income tested part-pensioners will receive a double boost to their payments from today as lower deeming rates come into effect amounting to $200 million in additional payments over the forward estimates.

“On average, Bonner part pensioners will get an extra $3.20 a fortnight or $83.20 a year as a result of this Coalition Government decision. Combined with today’s indexation, age pensioners across Australia will receive $22 million in increased payments every fortnight or more than half a billion a year.

“Today’s indexation of the pension occurred in line with the Consumer Price Index. If since the last election pensions had only been indexed to Male Total Average Weekly Earnings, then single age pensioners in Bonner would currently be $22.40 worse off a fortnight and couples $16.80 worse off.”

“I am pleased to be part of a Coalition Government that is delivering these increases to help pensioners in Bonner deal with the cost of living.”

“The Coalition Government is committed to ensuring our welfare system looks after those who need it most and that this assistance is sustainable. Our welfare system must assist not only those who need it today, but those who will come to rely on it in the future.”

“Labor has no plan to secure the pension for current and future beneficiaries. Labor only has a plan to scare Bonner pensioners and cause needless anxiety for some of our most vulnerable Australians.”

The Newstart Allowance, Parenting Payment Partnered, Widow Allowance, Partner Allowance and Sickness Allowance will also increase as a result of today’s indexation.

Full details of all rates and thresholds indexed today can be found at https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/benefits-payments.

 Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, is encouraging employers to take on mature-aged employees under the Restart employment programme.

Mr Vasta said the programme reached 1000 sign-ups nationally this week.

The programme provides a valuable incentive to encourage and assist businesses take on new mature-aged employees.

Minister for Employment Senator Eric Abetz said that when mature-age workers lost their jobs they tended to stay unemployed for longer than the average job seeker.

“We know that mature-aged workers often face significant barriers when re-entering the workforce, despite the many skills they have to offer.

“Restart is aimed at breaking down those barriers. Restart provides a $10,000 (GST inclusive) incentive to employers to hire and keep job seekers aged 50 and over who have been in receipt of income support for six months or more, including those on age or disability support pensions.”

Mr Vasta said the ageing population meant older workers would be critical to increasing the nation’s overall workforce participation and ensuring continued economic prosperity.

“We simply cannot afford to have mature-aged workers locked out of the workforce.”

The Restart programme – worth $524.8 million over four years – is just one measure aimed at getting more people into employment.

 Other programmes include:

 Relocation Assistance to Take up a Job – providing financial support to job seekers to move to areas where work is available;

 Job Commitment Bonus – provides $6500 to young, long-term unemployed people if they get a job, and stay in continuous work and off welfare for two years;

 Work for the Dole – providing eligible job seekers with work experience to learn new skills and improve their chance of finding a job, to go nationwide from 1 July 2015; and

Employment Services 2015-2020 – this new employment services model, which starts on 1 July, promises to be more efficient and effective, and to better meet the needs of job seekers, employers and providers.

For more information on Restart visit https://employment.gov.au/restart.

Two new Green Army projects are coming to Bonner following the announcement of successful projects for Round Two of the important environmental programme, Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said today.

“I’m pleased to announce two new rehabilitation projects for the Iona Wetlands and Oxbow Wetlands,” Mr Vasta said.

“There are more than 350 Green Army projects set to roll out across Australia in the coming weeks following the announcement of successful Round Two applicants for the Green Army programme.”

Mr Vasta said the two projects will rehabilitate and restore habitat within the Iona Wetlands and Oxbow Wetlands. The project teams will undertake key activities including weed control, brush cutting, herbicide applications, mulching, revegetation establishment, seed collection and propagation, habitat creation using natural materials, as well as monitoring and evaluation of the area.

“The Green Army provides opportunities for young Australians aged 17-24 years to gain training and experience in environmental and conservation fields, and explore careers in conservation management, while participating in projects that generate real benefits for the Australian environment,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Green Army has been an incredible success story for both the environment and those involved. All participants have received training, and many have jobs lined up for when their project finishes.”

Combined with those announced in Round One, 548 Green Army projects have now been announced across Australia.

Mr Vasta said Round 3 of the Green Army programme was now open for applications.

“I encourage eligible community organisations, environment groups and local councils to join this already enormously successful environmental initiative that is delivering real benefits to the Australian environment,” Mr Vasta said.

“Green Army project activities could involve restoring and protecting native habitat, weeding, revegetation, cleaning up waterways, creeks and rivers, fencing, gully remediation, preventing erosion, protecting and conserving heritage places and values, or monitoring and surveying on Indigenous and non-Indigenous lands.”

To be eligible for Round 3, project sponsors must have at least one project ready to begin between 1 June 2015 and 30 June 2016. Applications for Round 3 are open until 17 March 2015.

Further information, project guidelines, the application form and further information on the Programme is available at www.environment.gov.au/green-army.

Young Australians interested in joining the Green Army can apply through the appointed Service Providers for each state and territory. Contact details for Service Providers are available at www.environment.gov.au/land/green-army/service-providers.