Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said today that it is important to recognise the many people throughout the Benalla Electorate who deserve to be acknowledged for their commitment to put something back into someone else’s life, into our community and into our electorate’s future.
Dr Sykes said, “That is why I have initiated the opportunity for people to nominate a Local Hero via my website.
He said, “This acknowledgement is an important tribute to all those who inspire us and care for our communities.
“This week is National Volunteer Week, an important time to celebrate and recognise the work of the many volunteers throughout the Benalla Electorate and the vital contribution they make to their communities.
“Equally it is important to continue to honour and recognise those people throughout the year who either give up their time as a volunteer or who through some act of kindness help to make someone else’s life a little better.
“If you know someone who deserves to be recognised in this way I encourage you to consider nominating them as a Local Hero.”
Find out more about Local Hero nominations and people who have been nominated by visiting Bill Sykes’ website at www.billsykes.com.au and click on the Local Hero tab.

Bill Sykes, Member for Benalla today announced that students at Bright and Myrtleford P12 colleges and Mt Beauty Secondary School will receive funding for students to volunteer in the community thanks to the Victorian Coalition Government’s $4.5 million Advance program.
National Volunteer Week is held from 14-20 May 2012.
Dr Sykes said, “Our volunteers do a fantastic job in protecting communities and lives during fire, storm and flood. They also provide important support in the areas of health, education, social justice, sports, heritage and culture and the environment and conservation.
“I applaud these schools for participating in the Advance program in 2012 and I am sure that the students will greatly benefit from their contribution and experiences.
“The Advance program also provides a fantastic opportunity to partner local schools with local community groups.”
Principal of Myrtleford P12 College, Zlatko Pear said, “The Advance Program funding has been fantastic for our college. It has enabled us to run a community based Year 9 and 10 program which involves our students forming close links with the local CFA.
“At the completion of the program our students gain a certificate of basic competency from the Public Safety Training Package. Having our students involved in such a program benefits their personal development whilst contributing to the community in a meaningful way.”
Minister for Youth Affairs Ryan Smith announced that more than 420 schools and 17,000 young people will be participating in the Advance program in 2012.
“Advance is a fantastic program that encourages young people to get involved in their local community and strengthens local partnerships between schools and local community organisations and services.
“The program also provides young people with practical opportunities for mentoring and gaining new skills and training whilst learning more about their local community.
“Supporting young people to volunteer has a positive and lasting effect, not only on the individual, but the whole community,” Mr Smith said.
Advance is a $4.5 million flexible school-based program offered annually in Victorian Government secondary schools. It engages and provides opportunities for young people between the ages of 14-18 to actively participate in their community through volunteering, while learning valuable transferable skills.
Dr Sykes also thanked the countless volunteers throughout north east Victoria who make such valuable contributions to their local communities.
For more information on the Advance program go to www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/advance

Bill Sykes, Member for Benalla today announced that Mansfield Secondary College will receive funding for students to volunteer in the community thanks to the Victorian Coalition Government’s $4.5 million Advance program.
National Volunteer Week is held from 14-20 May 2012.
Dr Sykes said, “Our volunteers do a fantastic job in protecting communities and lives during fire, storm and flood. They also provide important support in the areas of health, education, social justice, sports, heritage and culture and the environment and conservation.
“I applaud Mansfield Secondary for participating in the Advance program in 2012 and I am sure that the students will greatly benefit from their contribution and experiences.
“The Advance program also provides a fantastic opportunity to partner local schools with local community groups.”
Minister for Youth Affairs Ryan Smith announced that more than 420 schools and 17,000 young people will be participating in the Advance program in 2012.
“Advance is a fantastic program that encourages young people to get involved in their local community and strengthens local partnerships between schools and local community organisations and services.
“The program also provides young people with practical opportunities for mentoring and gaining new skills and training whilst learning more about their local community.
“Supporting young people to volunteer has a positive and lasting effect, not only on the individual, but the whole community,” Mr Smith said.
Advance is a $4.5 million flexible school-based program offered annually in Victorian Government secondary schools. It engages and provides opportunities for young people between the ages of 14-18 to actively participate in their community through volunteering, while learning valuable transferable skills.
Dr Sykes also thanked the countless volunteers throughout north east Victoria who make such valuable contributions to their local communities.
For more information on the Advance program go to www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/advance

Bill Sykes, Member for Benalla today announced that Euroa Secondary College will receive funding for students to volunteer in the community thanks to the Victorian Coalition Government’s $4.5 million Advance program.
National Volunteer Week will be held from 14-20 May 2012.
Dr Sykes said, “Our volunteers do a fantastic job in protecting communities and lives during fire, storm and flood. They also provide important support in the areas of health, education, social justice, sports, heritage and culture and the environment and conservation.
“I applaud Euroa Secondary for participating in the Advance program in 2012 and I am sure that the students will greatly benefit from their contribution and experiences.
“The Advance program also provides a fantastic opportunity to partner local schools with local community groups.”
Acting Principal of Euroa Secondary College, Scott Watson said, “Euroa Secondary College has a very well run Advance program at year 9 level which constantly relies upon the volunteer workforce associated with a variety of surrounding country fire brigades.
“Both CFA members and equipment is utilised on a weekly basis in order to meet the educational outcomes of the Advance program.
“Young people at Euroa Secondary College are able to complete Junior Wildfire Firefighter qualifications as part of their course of work and the volunteer nature of people with the expertise in our community who assist with this outcome is greatly appreciated indeed – without this assistance the program would struggle to engage the young people involved and certainly would decrease the quality of achievement able to be obtained.”
Minister for Youth Affairs Ryan Smith announced that more than 420 schools and 17,000 young people will be participating in the Advance program in 2012.
“Advance is a fantastic program that encourages young people to get involved in their local community and strengthens local partnerships between schools and local community organisations and services.
“The program also provides young people with practical opportunities for mentoring and gaining new skills and training whilst learning more about their local community.
“Supporting young people to volunteer has a positive and lasting effect, not only on the individual, but the whole community,” Mr Smith said.
Advance is a $4.5 million flexible school-based program offered annually in Victorian Government secondary schools. It engages and provides opportunities for young people between the ages of 14-18 to actively participate in their community through volunteering, while learning valuable transferable skills.
Dr Sykes also thanked the countless volunteers throughout north east Victoria who make such valuable contributions to their local communities.
For more information on the Advance program go to www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/advance

National Volunteer Week from 14-20 May is an important time to celebrate and recognise the work of the many volunteers throughout the Benalla Electorate and the vital contribution they make to their communities, Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said today.

“Our volunteers do a fantastic job in protecting communities and lives during fire, storm and flood. They also provide important support in the areas of health, education, social justice, sports, heritage and culture and the environment and conservation.

“National Volunteer Week provides an opportunity to pay tribute to the 1.5 million Victorians who donate their time and energy for the benefit of their communities.”

Dr Sykes thanked the many people in the Benalla Electorate who donated their time and leant their skills and support to help out those in need.

“We have seen in recent years the vital contributions made by our volunteers during times of fires, storms and floods, not just during an event but in clean up and recovery and providing emotional and counselling support to those in need.

“In so many of our small rural towns volunteering is an integral part of the community and provides people with an opportunity to become involved in that community in a way that is interesting, rewarding and fun.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan thanked Victorian volunteers for all their hard work and important support.

“In addition to saying thanks to our many wonderful volunteers, National Volunteer Week serves as a great occasion to consider giving volunteering a go and I encourage everyone to visit Victoria’s Volunteering Portal and have a look at the opportunities on offer.”

The Volunteering Portal www.volunteer.vic.gov.au provides access to a range of practical information, lists volunteering opportunities and shares the stories of numerous Victorian volunteers.

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said today that almost $12 million would be made available under the 2012/2013 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP).
Dr Sykes said, “These grants provide our local volunteer emergency service groups the opportunity to apply for equipment, facility upgrades, vehicles and appliances.
“It is important our volunteer groups such as SES and CFA are supported through grants like VESEP so that they can continue to do what they do best – protecting lives and property throughout north east Victoria.
“Our emergency services in the Benalla Electorate have had to deal with a number of significant emergencies in recent years including fires, storms and flooding.
“In each of these emergencies our volunteers have played a crucial role in protecting communities and people.”
Under the program emergency services volunteer groups can access grants of up to $100,000 for operational equipment, vehicles and appliances and minor facility improvements.
VESEP will contribute $2 for every $1 of funding up to $100,000. Applicants must meet a range of criteria and will be assessed by a panel comprising representatives from government and respective emergency services organisations.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Emergency Services Peter Ryan said, “Our volunteers are the backbone of Victoria’s emergency services so we want to ensure they have the best equipment available to help them carry out their vital work.
“The Coalition Government’s VESEP initiative will ensure our emergency services are better equipped to respond safely and effectively to emergencies, whether it be floods, heat waves, storms or bushfires.”
For more information to go www.justice.vic.gov.au or email vesep@justice.vic.gov.au.

The community of Thornton will be better protected from bushfires following the official opening of the new $383,000 fire station on Sunday 16 October, Member for Benalla Bill Sykes said today.
Officially opening the station on behalf of the Deputy Premier and Minister for Bushfire Response, Peter Ryan, Dr Sykes said the new building provides brigade members with a modern base, which replaces an outdated galvanized shed built in the 1960s.
Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said the building would better equip brigade members to continue providing essential emergency services to the community.
“For the residents of Thornton and the surrounding region, the new station represents an investment in the safety of the community,” Dr Sykes said.
“Thornton brigade’s 42 members work tirelessly to protect life and property and I am confident that the new station will serve the brigade for many years to come and ensures that its members are equipped to continue serving the local community.”
Dr Sykes said the 72 year-old brigade had made a significant contribution to major fires across the state, including the 2009 Black Saturday fires, as well as interstate, and provided invaluable support to surrounding communities as part of the Alexandra Group of Brigades.
He said many long serving members have given significant and valuable service to their community.
The new station will for the first time house the brigade’s tanker and ultra-light tanker under one roof.
It also includes a meeting room, kitchen, office area and other support facilities and incorporates the latest in environmentally sustainable building design.
Dr Sykes said the residents of Thornton have shown great community spirit over the years by raising thousands of dollars to improve the station.
“Recently the Brigade Auxiliary raised $10,000 over two years, which is a commendable effort.”
“CFA brigades have a critical role in fostering community networks, and that is evident in the tremendous fundraising efforts of the Brigade’s Auxiliary,” Dr Sykes said.
The function was attended by CFA Operations Officer John Leben, life members Bill Rollason and Jack Robb with Dot Willingham, the widow of past captain Peter Willingham, travelling from Melbourne for the occasion. Peter Rice AFSM, represented the Alexandra Fire Brigades Group and neighbouring brigades were also present and Captain Phil Cox spoke on behalf of the brigade.
The official opening also included the presentation of Life Membership to Graeme Robb who has achieved 45 years of service, was an officer of the brigade for 41 years and captain for 10 years. The brigade has only awarded four life memberships in its 72 years existence and has had only eight captains in that time.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Peter Ryan said local volunteer agencies such as the Thornton CFA were the backbone of Victoria’s emergency service response.
“CFA is one of the world’s largest volunteer-based emergency service organisations with 59,000 members,” Mr Ryan said.
“Victoria is proud to support more than 90,000 emergency services volunteers by equipping them with the essential tools and equipment they need to save lives and property.”
The station was funded under the State Government’s Rural Fire Stations Program.

The Alpine Shire Heritage Network (ASHN) will benefit from a volunteer support and recruitment initiative with a $5,000 grant from the Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition Government, Member for Benalla Bill Sykes announced today.
Dr Sykes met with representatives from the organisation today at the Bright Museum.
He congratulated them on their continuing commitment to preserve significant historical data and artefacts and acknowledged the funding, provided through the Department of Planning and Community Development.
ASHN will use the grant to train volunteers in display making, artefact preservation, storage handling and movement of artefacts to enable them to work within the four museums across the Alpine Shire; Bright RSL Military Museum, Bright and District Historical Society, Myrtleford and District Historical Society and Kiewa Valley Historical Society.
Curator of the Bright RSL Military Museum, Bruce Nordeck said, “The funding will greatly benefit our regional museums and enable us to provide much needed training for our volunteers.”
Jan Mock, Community Building Facilitator Alpine Shire and Facilitator of ASHN said, “Since the establishment of ASHN the museums and historical societies are now talking to each other and sharing exhibits.
“This should enable us to be able to build a bigger and better tourism offering and make sure that the exhibits at the museums don’t overlap.
“The training for the individual members will provide the knowledge to look after collections better and to promote co-operation between the groups.”
Dr Sykes acknowledged the great work done by ASHN volunteers and the significant contribution made to the local community.
“Volunteering not only improves the lives of others, but also provides volunteers themselves with benefits, like learning new skills, extending their networks and providing a great sense of fulfilment by helping someone else.
“The Coalition Government is proud to support organisations such as the Alpine Shire Heritage Network and the valuable work that they do,” Dr Sykes said.
Dr Sykes concluded, “People interested in volunteering could find useful information and a vast range of volunteering opportunities by visiting Victoria’s Volunteering Portal at www.volunteer.vic.gov.au.”

Nagambie Lakes Community House Incorporated and the Murchison Lions Club received donated computers today as part of the Joint Community Computer Project.
Dr Sykes said, “I am delighted to be able to provide computers for these two not-for-profit organisations who provide a valuable service to their local communities.”
Nagambie Lakes Community House president Kimm Kennedy said, “The computer will allow us to provide a permanent and accessible computer for anyone who needs access to the internet.
“It will also be used for our genealogy and eBay classes.”
President of the Murchison Lions Club, Alan Rosser said the computer would ensure that current and future secretaries would have access to a dedicated computer to assist with their duties.
“We will put all of our minutes onto the computer and store other Lion’s Club documents including photographs. We will also be able to set up a separate email address for the Murchison Lion’s Club which will help with our communications.”
Dr Sykes acknowledges the input of Benalla business, Daynetree Computers, who have volunteered to check the computers prior to distribution to community groups and to provide ongoing technical help to recipients.
Round 7 of the Community Computer Project is now closed and it is hoped that Round 8 will be available at a future date.

CAPTION: Daynetree General Manager Rosey Bonnes and Member for Benalla Bill Sykes present Murchison Lion’s Club secretary Alan Rosser with a donated computer

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said today that the Mansfield Historical Society will receive a donated computer through his Community Computer Project.
Dr Sykes said, “I am delighted to be able to continue to support the important work done by the Mansfield Historical Society by providing them with a computer.
“The society is to undertake an important digitising program and the computer will greatly assist in the project.”
Using donated computers the Community Computer Project is able to make a real difference for many community groups throughout the Benalla Electorate.
The computers are checked by Daynetree Computers of Benalla who provide technical support prior to distribution.
Mansfield Historical Society committee member, Bernie Anstee who collected the computer on behalf of the society from Daynetree Computers and said, “A reliable computer will make it a lot easier for our volunteers to undertake research, in particular the conversion of the Mansfield Courier into a digital formal from 1960 to 1990.
“This is an exciting project and we have a dedicated team ready to concentrate their efforts on this task.”
Mr Anstee said that some of the newspapers in that period had been missing until the Tehan family located copies in an old shed.
“Now that we have a complete set of newspapers and a computer on which to do the work we are now ready to undertake this project to preserve an important part of Mansfield’s history.”
Dr Sykes said that all the computers in Round 7 have been allocated and communities throughout the Benalla Electorate will be advised when Round 8 is able to be announced.