LEGISLATIVE Council candidate Craig Farrell today said he did not intend to stand down from his position as deputy mayor of the Derwent Valley Council. The announcement followed a report in today's Sunday Tasmanian which said Mr Farrell would resign the deputy mayorship tomorrow. To the contrary, Mr Farrell said it was his intention to serve out his full term.
Announcing his candidacy yesterday, Mr Farrell said he was looking forward to the challenge of the election campaign and was hopeful of being elected as a strong voice for the Derwent electorate following Michael Aird's recent decision to retire.
“The Derwent electorate is extremely diverse ranging from regional communities to the suburbs of Brighton, Bridgewater, Claremont and Old Beach,” Mr Farrell said. “There are many issues facing the Derwent electorate and key ones that I will be concentrating on are the rising costs of living, jobs growth, regional development and aged care.”
A former Labor candidate for the lower house seat of Lyons, Mr Farrell was elected to the Derwent Valley Council in 2002 and became deputy mayor in 2009. He said his time as a local government representative had given him a genuine understanding of people’s needs in local communities. “People in local communities are finding it pretty tough to make ends meet and many are also facing an uncertain employment future. I want to work with our communities to bring about improvement in people’s lives,” he said.
Mr Farrell is married with four children and works in the New Norfolk office of the Federal Member for Lyons, Dick Adams MHR. He heads the Derwent Valley Railway and is a member of the New Norfolk Lions Club.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Bartlett annoints Farrell for Derwent
PREMIER David Bartlett has today named Derwent Valley Council deputy mayor Craig Farrell as the Labor Party’s candidate for the Legislative Council seat of Derwent. “Craig has proven his commitment to the local community, with eight years of service on the Derwent Valley Council, including the past year as Deputy Mayor,” Mr Bartlett said.
The incumbent, Michael Aird MLC, recently announced his intention to retire. “I’m pleased that Craig wants to serve ... in State Parliament, and believes standing for the Labor Party is the best way to do that,” Mr Bartlett said.
“Michael Aird has represented this community with passion and dedication for several years. I’m sure Craig would bring many of the same qualities to the job,” Mr Bartlett said. “Craig has indicated his priorities will be local jobs, and helping Tasmanians to ease the cost of living. I’m pleased that his goals and values match those of the government,” he said.
The incumbent, Michael Aird MLC, recently announced his intention to retire. “I’m pleased that Craig wants to serve ... in State Parliament, and believes standing for the Labor Party is the best way to do that,” Mr Bartlett said.
“Michael Aird has represented this community with passion and dedication for several years. I’m sure Craig would bring many of the same qualities to the job,” Mr Bartlett said. “Craig has indicated his priorities will be local jobs, and helping Tasmanians to ease the cost of living. I’m pleased that his goals and values match those of the government,” he said.
Family centre for Ellis Dean Reserve
LAND on the Ellis Dean Reserve in Blair St, New Norfolk, had been chosen as the site for a $2.5m purpose-built Derwent Valley Child and Family Centre, Labor Lyons MHA Rebecca White said yesterday. “The ... recommendation comes after an extensive consultation process started in February 2010 at the initial community stakeholder meeting,” Ms White said.
Ms White said the Child and Family Centre's aim would be to improve the health, wellbeing, education and care of Tasmania’s very young children by supporting parents and enhancing accessibility of services in the local community.
"Social Inclusion community liasion officer Katrina Higgins along with volunteers consulted with the primary stakeholders – parents and carers of children currently 0-5 years. Community feedback was overwhelming that the centre should be on town side where all other services are presently located," Ms White said.
Ms White said she was impressed with the way the Derwent Valley community has embraced the Child and Family Centre and the establishment process. “There have been preliminary discussions around access, transport and providing services in other locations, for example Fairview Primary School. This project is bigger than an actual building, it’s a whole new way of working with families,” Ms White said.
“The new Child and Family Centre will give children living in the Derwent Valley the best possible start in life. There will be a celebration at Ellis Dean Reserve to mark the site recommendation in the New Year which will be advertised."
For more information: www.education.tas.gov.au/childandfamily
Ms White said the Child and Family Centre's aim would be to improve the health, wellbeing, education and care of Tasmania’s very young children by supporting parents and enhancing accessibility of services in the local community.
"Social Inclusion community liasion officer Katrina Higgins along with volunteers consulted with the primary stakeholders – parents and carers of children currently 0-5 years. Community feedback was overwhelming that the centre should be on town side where all other services are presently located," Ms White said.
Ms White said she was impressed with the way the Derwent Valley community has embraced the Child and Family Centre and the establishment process. “There have been preliminary discussions around access, transport and providing services in other locations, for example Fairview Primary School. This project is bigger than an actual building, it’s a whole new way of working with families,” Ms White said.
“The new Child and Family Centre will give children living in the Derwent Valley the best possible start in life. There will be a celebration at Ellis Dean Reserve to mark the site recommendation in the New Year which will be advertised."
For more information: www.education.tas.gov.au/childandfamily
New wheels for local learners
A NEW car to help young learner drivers in the Derwent Valley was delivered to the Derwent Valley Community House. State treasurer and Derwent MLC Michael Aird said the car had been provided under the "Cars for Communities" program which had funded 29 organisations to purchase vehicles for a range of community transport services.
“This will help young people who might not otherwise have access to family members or professional driving instructors," Mr Aird said. “Many people find it hard to participate in community life simply because they don’t have access to transport. Research has shown that the level of supervised driving experience in a range of conditions is a key factor in reducing the risk of young drivers being involved in a crash,” he said.
Mr Aird said not being able to obtain a driver’s licence could also disadvantage young people in terms of access to employment and training opportunities. “The Learner Driver Mentoring Program was developed in response to this need, with the first programs established in 2005,” Mr Aird said.
“These programs are community-run, providing learner drivers in need of assistance with the opportunity to develop their on-road driving experience. This is the first time that the program has been run in New Norfolk, after being run successfully in other parts of the State. They help disadvantaged learner drivers access a suitable vehicle and responsible supervisory driver to gain on-road driving experience, including their required 50 hours in the L2 learner stage.”
Mr Aird said the learner driver program would be run by the Derwent Valley Community House, which could be contacted on 6261 5230 for more information.
“This will help young people who might not otherwise have access to family members or professional driving instructors," Mr Aird said. “Many people find it hard to participate in community life simply because they don’t have access to transport. Research has shown that the level of supervised driving experience in a range of conditions is a key factor in reducing the risk of young drivers being involved in a crash,” he said.
Mr Aird said not being able to obtain a driver’s licence could also disadvantage young people in terms of access to employment and training opportunities. “The Learner Driver Mentoring Program was developed in response to this need, with the first programs established in 2005,” Mr Aird said.
“These programs are community-run, providing learner drivers in need of assistance with the opportunity to develop their on-road driving experience. This is the first time that the program has been run in New Norfolk, after being run successfully in other parts of the State. They help disadvantaged learner drivers access a suitable vehicle and responsible supervisory driver to gain on-road driving experience, including their required 50 hours in the L2 learner stage.”
Mr Aird said the learner driver program would be run by the Derwent Valley Community House, which could be contacted on 6261 5230 for more information.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Christmas parade coming up
THE 12th annual New Norfolk Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 11. The Derwent Valley Concert Band will proudly head the parade, which will set off from Circle St at noon. There will be plenty of entertainment including the Derwent Scottish Pipe Band and new attractions including a large contingent from combined schools of the Derwent Valley. The plan as usual will be to depart from Circle St, proceed down High St, around Arthur Square by way of Stephen St, Pioneer Ave and Bathurst St and return back along High St to finish at Circle St.
A Derwent Dollars Draw will take place outside the Post Office 1.15pm. The winners must be in attendance to claim their prizes. Entry coupons appear in the Derwent Valley Gazette on Dec 1 & 8 and the entry box will be found in Glasser & Parker's New Norfolk store from December 2 up until 1.10pm on parade day. All entries must be attached to a receipt to the value of $5 from participating New Norfolk businesses listed in a large advertisement in the Gazette this week and next.
Organiser Ngaire Glover said there was still time for new entries to be registered. Local businesses are strongly encouraged to enter the parade, with a number already having booked their spot. For further information contact Ngaire Glover 0419 337 608 as soon as possible.
A Derwent Dollars Draw will take place outside the Post Office 1.15pm. The winners must be in attendance to claim their prizes. Entry coupons appear in the Derwent Valley Gazette on Dec 1 & 8 and the entry box will be found in Glasser & Parker's New Norfolk store from December 2 up until 1.10pm on parade day. All entries must be attached to a receipt to the value of $5 from participating New Norfolk businesses listed in a large advertisement in the Gazette this week and next.
Organiser Ngaire Glover said there was still time for new entries to be registered. Local businesses are strongly encouraged to enter the parade, with a number already having booked their spot. For further information contact Ngaire Glover 0419 337 608 as soon as possible.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Bridge to close for official opening
THE Bridgewater Bridge would be temporarily closed to all traffic on the morning of December 11 while a special ceremony was held to mark the restoration of the bridge liftspan to full operation, deputy premier Lara Giddings said today. Ms Giddings said the lifting span would be opened to enable a flotilla of boats to travel under the bridge to mark its first lift in four years.
“It will be great to see the Bridgewater Bridge restored to full operation,” Ms Giddings said. “The bridge is a Tasmanian icon and the fact that it will be able to open once again is good news for boat traffic up the Derwent. The bridge will be closed from 10.30 to 11.45am on December 11 while the ceremony is under way, and we apologise in advance for any temporary inconvenience to motorists."
“To prevent unnecessary queuing and delays, motorists are asked to use the Bowen and New Norfolk Bridges during this time,” Ms Giddings said.
“It will be great to see the Bridgewater Bridge restored to full operation,” Ms Giddings said. “The bridge is a Tasmanian icon and the fact that it will be able to open once again is good news for boat traffic up the Derwent. The bridge will be closed from 10.30 to 11.45am on December 11 while the ceremony is under way, and we apologise in advance for any temporary inconvenience to motorists."
“To prevent unnecessary queuing and delays, motorists are asked to use the Bowen and New Norfolk Bridges during this time,” Ms Giddings said.
Gretna cricket notes
FOLLOWING last weekend's junior marches, special mentions must go to three of the Gretna Cricket Club's former players: Darren Stevenson for buying a broom to sweep the water from the pitch, Kevin Williams for yet another top job with the scoring, and Owen Browning for not only umpiring the Under 13 game but also the Under 15 game at Rokeby.
Thanks also to Jarrod Nossiter for again helping out with the scoring for the Under 15 game. His ever-sharp pencil keeps the book in great order.
We appreciate senior players Darren Lennox, Rhys Browning, Corey Ransley and Nathan Rainbird coming along to training last Friday night to present new playing tops to the juniors. The players look very smart in their tops, featuring the club colours and emblem. These same guys and Brian Smith helped out with the young Milo cricketers around at Glenora High School. The kids enjoyed every minute and I hear they nicknamed the guys the Big Milo Kids!
Thanks also to Jarrod Nossiter for again helping out with the scoring for the Under 15 game. His ever-sharp pencil keeps the book in great order.
We appreciate senior players Darren Lennox, Rhys Browning, Corey Ransley and Nathan Rainbird coming along to training last Friday night to present new playing tops to the juniors. The players look very smart in their tops, featuring the club colours and emblem. These same guys and Brian Smith helped out with the young Milo cricketers around at Glenora High School. The kids enjoyed every minute and I hear they nicknamed the guys the Big Milo Kids!
WADE GLEESON
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