In this Issue| Tasmania Together E-News: September Newsletter 2008 | ||||
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| In this Issue |
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| Welcome to Tasmania Together eNews |
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This issue of the Tasmania Together eNews has an environment focus to tie in with our involvement in the Tasmanian Youth Environment Conference. The conference, held in Hobart in August, had students from schools across the State attending. The conference followed the ‘Kids Teaching Kids' model and involved students teaching and learning from each other on a wide range of subjects such as ‘Jaws, Claws and Carnivores: Tassie Devils under Threat’, ‘Biodiversity’, ‘Renewable Energy’ and ‘Coastal Conscience’, plus many more. The Tasmania Together Progress Board is proud to have been actively involved in an event that promotes teaching kids about environmental issues of importance to the community. We would also like to use this edition to tell you about a new progress reporting tool developed by the Board – Online Benchmark Reports. The web-based system was developed to provide up-to-date information about the State’s progress on all of the Tasmania Together benchmarks. Take a look at the new reporting system, by following the link to www.ttbenchmarks.com.au. The 2008 Progress Report was publicly released on 27 August and tabled in Parliament on the same day. It is the first report based on the Online Benchmark Reports. PDF versions are available on the Tasmania Together website and hard copies can be requested from the Tasmania Together Secretariat. Website: www.tasmaniatogether.tas.gov.au The 2008 Progress Report shows the State’s progress at 30 June 2008. More up-to-date progress reports for some benchmarks may already be available at www.ttbenchmarks.com.au Tasmania Together is now on Facebook – click here to become a fan. |
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| Featured Goals |
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Goal 11: “Built and natural heritage that is valued and protected.” Tasmania Together has two goals with an environment focus which aim to:
This edition of the TT e-news features stories promoting one or more of the above. What can you do to promote either of these goals? Read the rest of the newsletter to get some ideas... |
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| Kids Teaching Kids! Tasmanian Youth Environment Conference |
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The Tasmania Together Progress Board helped sponsor the inaugural Tasmanian Youth Environment Conference. The Conference used the Firestarter - 'Kids Teaching Kids' model which encourages students to give presentations and teach each other. Tasmania Together sponsored the participation of Ogilvie High School and Blackmans Bay Primary School. These schools presented on Tasmania Together Goal 11: “Built and Natural Heritage that is Valued and Protected” and Tasmania Together Goal 12: “Sustainable Management of our Natural Resources”. The Conference also provided an opportunity to display the winning entries for the Tasmania Together Youth Challenge, including a performance at the gala dinner by one of the entrants in the Year 11 -12 category. Promotions and communications officer, Shirly Sareyka attended and helped out at the conference. The conference was officially launched by Lisa Singh MHA and conference organiser Aaron Wood on 12 August. Following the launch, an expert panel answered student questions. “Some hot topics were raised such as climate change, the pulp mill and saving the Tasmanian Devil. The panel had some great, diverse responses and students were lining up to ask questions”.
“The first presentation I attended was from Rosetta High School on renewable energy – thoroughly enjoyable and I learned a few things myself – certainly not just kids teaching kids but kids teaching adults too! Not for the last time that day either”. “I attended 3 other presentations: ‘Jaws, Claws and Carnivores: Tassie Devils under Threat’ by Waimea Heights Primary School, ‘Variety is the Spice of Life (Biodiversity)’ from Ogilvie High and ‘Coastal Conscience’ from Hutchins. Presentations featured short films, hands on activities, games and quizzes - great teaching methods used to get everyone involved”. Other topics covered included ‘Wetland Rehabilitation’, ‘Siltation of the Tamar River’, ‘Habitat of the Sea Eagle’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’,’ The Launceston Cataract Gorge’, ‘Sustainability’ and more. “The gala dinner, that evening, was fantastic and Obi Wan (Tasmania Together Youth Challenge entrant), Dewayne Everittsmith and Adam Cousens provided entertainment for the evening”.
The Activities Day started early at the City Hall – after relocation from the Waterworks Reserve because of the weather. The activities were hands on and involved the students using pedal power to make milkshakes, identify different animal scats, looking for creatures in the creek, building bird boxes, making art out of rubbish and many others.
“The organisers of the event did a fantastic job, I think the kids, teachers and volunteers took a lot away with them.” For more information visit: www.onelifeoneworldourfuture.com |
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| Tasmania Together Youth Challenge | ||||
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Take Ctrl + Altr the future! A state-wide competition for school-aged students The Tasmania Together Youth Challenge was open to school age students across the state and asked entrants to tell us their vision for Tasmania’s future using their creative talents. 150 entries were received and there were some great prizes for the students and schools. Some of the issues that came out as being clearly important to students included:
In keeping with the theme of this newsletter, below are some environment-focused entries that received awards. Sarah MacDonald – South Arm Primary School
Phoebe Wyatt
Yahi Davidson - North East Home School
All winning entries can be viewed on the Tasmania Together website at: |
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| Tasmanian Climate Change Office |
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The Tasmanian Climate Change Office (TCCO) is co-ordinating the Tasmanian Government’s action on climate change. Tasmania Together benchmarks have been established in relation to the mitigation of the effects of greenhouse gases and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The recently developed Climate Change (State Action) Bill 2008 builds on the Tasmania Together benchmarks and sets legislated greenhouse gas emissions targets for the State. The Bill sets a 2050 emissions reduction target for the State of 60 per cent below 1990 levels and provides for the setting of interim and sector-based targets. It also establishes the Tasmanian Climate Action Council, an independent body to provide climate change advice to government. The Tasmanian Framework for Action on Climate Change was developed to provide a ‘living framework’ for the Government’s approach to climate change. The framework outlines the Government’s key climate change priorities:
The Framework also sets out the Government’s key climate change initiatives for development and implementation over the coming year. The Framework is available at www.climatechange.tas.gov.au The Climate Change Office’s ‘Earn Your Stars’ website assists the community to understand about climate change and what individuals, businesses and governments can do to tackle the climate change problem. The website has an emissions calculator to help people estimate carbon emissions from their energy used at home, travelling and through waste production. A number of easy practical tips are also provided to help you reduce your carbon footprint. For more information on the Tasmanian Government’s action on climate change, please contact the Tasmanian Climate Change Office by telephone: (03) 6270 5485 or by email at climatechange@dpac.tas.gov.au |
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| Partner News |
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| AURORA ENERGY |
With community concern growing over climate change and global warming issues, Tasmanian energy company, Aurora Energy, now offers customers an accredited wind powered green electricity product, AuroraGreen. Aurora has introduced the product as part of its commitment to ensuring a more sustainable future for all Tasmanians. AuroraGreen is renewable energy sourced from wind generated at the Studland Bay wind farm at Woolnorth on Tasmania’s North West Coast and is available to all customers. To find out more about AuroraGreen check out Aurora’s website: www.auroraenergy.com.auBy purchasing AuroraGreen, you’ll be helping protect the environment and doing your bit towards Tasmania Together Goal 12: “Sustainable management of our natural resources” - reducing green house gas emissions. Launch of the Toy Express project marks Aurora's ten year service to the community One of Tasmania Together’s longstanding partners, Aurora Energy, celebrated its 10th anniversary on 1 July this year by making a significant gift to the Tasmanian community: three specially-equipped mobile toy libraries to be operated by Playgroup Tasmania with support from the Tasmanian Early Years Foundation. The vehicles will be located in the south, north and north-west and are expected to travel thousands of kilometres a year bringing a range of toys and educational and parenting equipment to families in small communities around the State. Aurora’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Peter Davis said Aurora’s 10th birthday was a milestone, which the company wanted to mark by supporting a significant community project. “Aurora operates its business with the purpose of helping the Tasmanian community to prosper from our efforts,” he said. “We have employees and customers in every corner of the State and everything we do links us to the community.
“We wanted to cement this connection to the Tasmanian community by doing something to assist families and to support the next generation of Tasmanians.” The mobile toy libraries will provide a range of services including parenting DVDs and books, service provider information and referral brochures, educational toys, musical instruments, popular toys and home help ideas.
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| TasCOSS |
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"Fairer Future" Conference
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TasCOSS will be holding its Fairer Futures 2008 Conference – People, Place, Policy, Practice on October 29 - 31 at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart.
The conference theme focuses on a vision for a fairer Tasmania, in which we, as a community, eliminate disadvantage and foster a vibrant and inclusive civil society. The conference is a timely opportunity for people in the community services industry, government departments, local government, academia, and others sectors to showcase their work, share experience, network, and debate and discuss the latest policy and practice issues in their field of work and research. Follow this link to learn more about the Fairer Futures Conference Early Bird registrations are due by 12 September 2008. |
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| Multicultural Council of Tasmania |
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| MCOT |
Multicultural Council of Tasmania (MCoT) invites you to join them for a multicultural evening at the Hellenic Club Where: Federal Street, North Hobart
Tickets: $35:00 (Bookings essential) Phone the MCoT Office on 6231 5067 or Marcella on 0421 040 920 |
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| Tasmanian Early Years Foundation |
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Forum - Friday, 24 October 2008 |
The Tasmanian Early Years Foundation will host a keynote speaker forum on Friday 24 October 2008, from 10.00am to 11.30am at the Derwent Entertainment Centre, The Bowen Room. The forum topic is "Innovation and Inspiration: key elements in leadership in the early years". It will provide a unique opportunity to hear from Professor Dorothy Scott OAM, the Foundation Chair in Child Protection and the Director of the Australian Centre for Child Protection at the University of South Australia. For more information, please contact: Mrs Julie Cullen on: Phone: 1300 367 863 or email: foundation@earlyyears.org.au This workshop promotes Goal 3: “High-quality education and training for lifelong learning and a skilled workforce”. |
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| Disclaimer |
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You are directed to a copyright and disclaimer covering the information provided. You are directed to information on how your personal information is protected. |
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| Contact Us |
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| Tasmania Together Progress Board Level 7, 144 Macquarie Street Hobart 7000 GPO Box 123 Hobart Tas 7001 E: secretariat@tasmaniatogether.tas.gov.au W: www.tasmaniatogether.tas.gov.au Phone: 03 6233 5958 Fax: 03 6233 5952 |
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Entry Statement: My entry shows the environment we have in Tasmania at the moment, and then what it could become. When I grow up I want my children to enjoy the same places that I do, but for this to happen, we need to protect the environment.
Entry statement: My picture tells about the youth of today bringing about the ‘wind of change’ to the future. Also, about how we should enhance the natural elements (sun, earth, water, wind) to create renewable and clean energy. Come on all you young people we hold the key to the future.
Entry statement: Stop these little vampires from breeding disease. Keep our water ways clean. This mossy is called a little vampire and is made from litter.
