AT a Teacher’s Federation members meeting of Cowra TAFE teachers this morning (Thursday) the recommendation to accept the latest offer from the Department of Education and Training (DET) was rejected. The meeting moved that they could not follow the recommendation while ever the requirement to work an additional five hours per week was a part of the agreement.
However the result of the state wide votewas to accept the Federation's stance.
In advice to the teachers the Teachers’ Federation had said that while the proposal does not address some important concerns, it establishes an historic precedent in NSW industrial history. What is described by the Director-General as "administrative arrangements to implement the new TAFE Teachers Award", represents a major improvement on what the DET intended to do under the October decision of the Full Bench of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.
Of particular significance:
The additional hour of face-to-face teaching each week will be able to be offset by time spent on professional development activities,
Members generally will only have to attend work for 30 hours per week,
programmed excess hours can be claimed on a fortnightly basis,
The changes to long service leave will not be implemented.
In deciding to recommend the proposal to you, the Federation executive is of the view that it would be extremely difficult to improve upon it in the current political and industrial climate. Even with prolonged and costly industrial action which would require the support of a significant majority of members, it is unlikely that a better outcome could be achieved in the current circumstances.
Cowra and Boorowa councils to meet with State Water over Wyangala access
COWRA and Boorowa council representatives are scheduled to meet with State Water representatives next week to discuss the costings that State Water has received for alternative access solutions to Wyangala Dam because of the planned closure of the road cross the dam wall.
The engineers from both councils are now in the process of examining the plans provided by the consultants for the alternatives that arose from an independent review conducted by Mr Ian Armstrong. The consultants have also provided costings for both a new bridge over the Lachlan River and the possible upgrading of Mt McDonald Road.
The proposed safety improvements to the dam wall are expected to cost approximately $25million.
Councils get down to the Business of Tourism in Cowra
MORE than 200 delegates from across NSW gathered in Cowra today for the sixth annual Local Government Tourism Conference. Mayor of Cowra Bill West welcomed the delegates to Cowra with a brief history of the town before introducing President of the Shires Association and fellow Cowra councillorvCr Bruce Miller officially opened the Conference, outlining the importance of tourism for Local Government.
"Tourism not only allows us to promote our unique towns and cities, but it's also crucial for boosting the local economy," he said.
"It's fitting that this year's conference theme is The Business of Tourism.
"A lot of councils were hit hard by the global financial crisis and drought, so now's the time for us to start developing solid tourism strategies to get visitors back into our cities and towns.
"The Conference comes at an opportune time because this year councils will be required to integrate tourism into their long term Community Strategic Plan.
"While this is a positive move forward for Local Government, it's a new process so there's still an element of uncertainty as to how to go about it.
"Tourism will now have to be openly positioned alongside other community priorities like waste services and infrastructure upgrades - this is something we're not traditionally used to doing."
The conference will also feature a panel discussion on who is responsible for funding tourism and the different funding options available, chaired by Chairman of the Ministerial Taskforce on Tourism and Local Government, Garry Payne AM.
"By 2011, all Regional Tourism Organisations must be self funded - this is going to be a major challenge for regional tourism" said Cr Miller.
"We're disappointed the State Government is withdrawing funding at a time where councils are just starting to incorporate tourism into their long term planning.
"Regional tourism doesn't just benefit one specific area - it can provide a range of economic benefits to the state and nation, so this funding is critical.
"I look forward to hearing the panel discussion later this morning."
The Conference is run by the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW in partnership with Tourism New South Wales, and supported by the Tourism Industry Council. It is sponsored by CountryLink and Cowra Guardian and is hosted by Cowra Shire Council.
THE Cowra Tidy Towns and Urban Landcare Committee chairman Brett Butler announced his retirement at the recent committee AGM. Cowra Shire Council’s Director Of Operations Wayne Bennett has volunteered to fill the chairperson’s position until a new chairperson can be found as there were no nominations for the position. Mr Butler has been the chairman of the local committee for several years presiding over successful entries in the annual awards competition conducted by the state Tidy Towns organisation. Mr Butler’s retirement has come about due to his continuing poor health.
At the AGM Mr Butler presented his chairman’s report thanking members for their support while he was the chairman. In his report he outlines many of the more recent achievements of the group and reasons why its retention is important for Cowra. His chairman’s report is available by clicking [HERE].Meetings of the Cowra Tidy Towns and Urban Landcare Committee are held each fist Tuesday of the month at 6pmin the Public Meeting room adjacent to the ramp atthe entrance of the council administration building. Everyone is welcome.
Editor of CCN Garry Starr spent morning tea with the mayor of Cowra Bill West yesterday. During the conversation Cr West outlined what is likely to be happening the Cowra Shire of the next few months including a meeting with State Water over developments in relation to the access to Wyangala Dam. Discussions also covered the next development in the establishment of the emergency water supply for Cowra and the reestablishment of rail in the area.
To hear the interview simply click the PLAY icon (ARROW) on the audio panel below. Depending on the quality of your connection you may have to wait a few seconds before the interview starts.
Local businesswoman Belinda Mort is in Hiroshima this week, attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Senior Officials Meetings.
Right: Members of the APEC SRB Forum:Sonoko Ichigawa, Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry(Japan), Mr Nyoman Supriyatna APEC (Indonesia), Mr Juichi Nagano PASC (Japan), Dr Helen Liddy APLAC (Australia), Mr Colin Blair PASC (Australia), Ms Belinda Mort PAC (Australia), Mr Mike Bourassa PASC (Canada), Dr Angela Samuel APMP (Australia), Mr Tsuyoshi Matsumoto APLMF (Japan), Mr Chao Zhang APLMF(PR China), Shinich Iguchi JAB (Japan)
As Co-Chair of APEC’s Specialist Regional Bodies (SRB) Forum, Ms Mort is involved with increasing the awareness and uptake of international standards in such diverse areas as food safety, laboratory testing and environmental standards.The Forum meets twice annually during the APEC meetings, as well as making a presentation to the biennial Conference on Standards and Conformance.The SRBs’ goal is to ensure that the region’s standards and conformance infrastructure ensures a high quality of life for its citizens and reduction of trade barriers. Some recent areas of interest have included toy safety, melamine in milk products and wine labelling.
“APEC is committed to enhancing trade in our region and the work of the SRBs is crucial to ensure product quality, protecting consumers from unsafe, substandard and faulty goods.” Ms Mort said. “Australia is well represented in this important work, with 4 out of the 5 SRB representatives being Aussies.”
The meetings run until Sunday 8 March with delegates having some free time to visit local attractions such as the Peace Park – Hiroshima’s monument to the dropping of the first atomic bomb in August 1945.
More facts less scare mongering needed for health plan
INDEPENDENT State MP Dawn Fardell has warned against a Federal blueprint for health that uses a one-system-fits-all for hospital funding.
Right: Cowra District Hospital ... listed for possible closure in Sydney newspaper report.
Ms Fardell said she supported a bigger role for the Federal Government in delivering the nation’s health services.
But she said any approach that failed to recognise the specific pressures on country health services would be a backward step.
“We certainly can’t accept any model which suggests that the approach applied to a major Sydney hospital is suitable for Parkes, Forbes or Dubbo,” Ms Fardell said.
“Surely we’ve reached the stage where we recognise that flexibility is integral to meeting and responding to health needs.”
But Ms Fardell was far from impressed with recent reporting on the federal plan saying it was an exercise in scare mongering.
She said the media report of a so-called “117 hospital hit list “ only served to alarm country communities.
“Anyone can pull together a list of country hospitals. I’m not sure what that proves, except to build anxiety levels within rural and regional areas.
“Keep in mind that this is not happening tomorrow. The Rudd Government would need to be elected twice more before this occurs.
“In the meantime there is an opportunity for productive debate, more consultation, a lot more detail and negotiation, guarantees that country hospitals will be enhanced under the Federal model, and far less scare mongering.”
Above: Missing Cowra man Michael Glenn Miller and the vehicles he is believed to have with him.
POLICE from Cowra are appealing for information about the whereabouts of a local man who has not been seen since leaving his workplace three weeks ago. Michael Glenn Miller was last seen on Thursday 11 February when he drove his 4WD from his workplace in Cowra Road, Cowra, about 9.30am. Mr Miller, 47, was driving a 1989-model white Toyota Landcruiser 4WD with NSW registration: ZJJ 976. At the time it was towing a black box trailer with NSW registration: Q 37503. He is described as being of white/European appearance, 170cm tall, with a slim build 75-85kg, brown eyes, olive complexion, and short dark brown hair which is greying. Police and Mr Miller’s family have concerns for his welfare as he has not been heard from or seen since that date. Police have information he may travelled through Nyngan on Saturday 13 February, but at this time he could be anywhere in country NSW. Anyone with information on Mr Miller’s whereabouts are urged to contact Cowra Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
THE ever popular lunch hour theatre returns to this year’s Festival of International Understanding with the Cowra Musical and Dramatic Society staging a production of the classic comedy Dinner for One at the Cowra Civic Centre on Tuesday 16 and Thursday 18 March.
Dating back to the 1920s Dinner for One tells the story of Miss Sophie (played by Jenny Thompson) who is celebrating her 90th birthday. Miss Sophie has invited four sophisticated guests, who, unfortunately died some years ago.
Right: Richard Neate in his role as
James the butler.
Rather than disappoint the lady of the house the butler, James (Richard Neate), proceeds to not only serve but also become each of the long-departed guests. His efforts become increasingly difficult as round after round of toasts begin to take their toll on the dignified and subservient butler.
Dinner for One is a comedy classic that regularly appears on screen each New Year’s Eve. It is best known in Germany and Scandinavia where the 1963 English language version of the sketch has become a holiday institution. With classic comedy timing and hilarious slapstick humour it is certain to delight every audience member.
Lunch Hour Theatre is designed to suit anyone looking for an entertaining break in the middle of their busy day. Doors open at 12 noon and the show starts at 12.25pm. Admission is by gold coin donation and a light lunch is available for just $5. The show will be over by 12.50pm, giving audience members plenty of time to get back to work within 60 minutes.
The M&D is proud to be performing Dinner for One and hopes the play will be a popular addition to this year’s Festival program.
For more information about Dinner for One or the Cowra M&D in general please contact Lawrance Ryan on 6341 3337.
Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Senior Officials Meetings.
health that uses a one-system-fits-all for hospital funding. 
Jenny Thompson) who is celebrating her 90th birthday. Miss Sophie has invited four sophisticated guests, who, unfortunately died some years ago. 
Lunch Hour Theatre is designed to suit anyone looking for an entertaining break in the middle of their busy day. Doors open at 12 noon and the show starts at 12.25pm. Admission is by gold coin donation and a light lunch is available for just $5. The show will be over by 12.50pm, giving audience members plenty of time to get back to work within 60 minutes.
