Competition to raise soils awareness
A new soils learning and competition program will soon be available at every agricultural show in Australia.
The Grains, Oilseeds, Pulses and Soils Learning Program uses competitions to give young people aged up to 25 the opportunity to learn about soil quality and its importance to the entire agricultural sector.
A grant of $3000 is available from Agricultural Shows Australia to royal shows and state entities to kick-start statewide competitions relating to grains, oilseeds, pulses and soils.
“It’s very easy for a local show to run, so we’re hoping all local shows run one in 2023,” ASA executive officer Katie Stanley said.
Instructional videos, online guides, handbooks and factsheets developed by ASA equip show organisers with all the information they need to run a successful competition.
To learn more about the grains and soils competition, and the funding opportunities, head to: agshowsaustralia.org.au
Number plates to help reduce crime
A new in-built security feature in general-issue number plates aims to reduce crime and number plate theft in Victoria.
The Directional Security Markings embedded in the surface of new general issue number plates will provide an extra level of authentication, making it harder for them to be illegally copied.
VicRoads has been working closely with Victoria Police and the Department of Justice and Community Safety on a solution to combat number plate theft and cloning.
The new design features a ‘VIC’ logo within a small circle — with the security markings unable to be removed by chemical or physical means from the sheeting or finished sticker without causing irreparable damage to the reflective system.
The markings are similar to holograms embedded in the production of Australian banknotes.
New security markings will appear on about 430,000 new number plates per year including all general issue standard car number plates, trailer number plates, Commonwealth ‘Z’ number plates and ministerial number plates.
There will be no extra cost to drivers who order standard-issue plates with new security markings.
Uplifting rural women’s voices
Rural women across the state can now apply for the 2023 Rural Women’s Network Leadership and Mentoring programs.
The 2023 Leadership Program will provide women with support to participate in training and study that accelerates their development as leaders.
Participants will also work closely as a group to explore issues impacting rural women, learn from subject matter experts, and connect with other rural women from across Victoria.
The 2023 Mentoring Program will pair rural women together for a peer-to-peer exchange of skills and experience.
Working with skilled facilitators, participants will identify individual, career or business goals and work to implement change with the support and accountability of their mentoring partner.
The Rural Women’s Network was established in 1986 as a forum for women to share skills, resources and information for collective benefit.
Applications for both programs close at 5pm on February 1.
For more information and to apply for either program, visit the Agriculture Victoria website
Yea brigade knows the drill
Eight Yea Fire Brigade members recently completed the Road Crash Rescue course.
The course, facilitated by CFA volunteer trainers and assessors, tested members across multiple drill scenarios to evaluate their capabilities and then put it into practice.
The training project, which ran over several nights and weekends in October, was also supported by nearby Alexandra Fire Brigade, which provided the practical drill locations.
Rowville and other brigades in the area provided their members to cover the operations for participating brigades while they attended training in Yea.
Existing rescue operators at Yea brigade also used the opportunity to refresh and update their road crash rescue skills.
Yea Fire Brigade captain Stephen Bennett said it was a great outcome for the broader community.
Yea Rescue responds to rescue incidents in the high-risk settings of major highways, winding rural roads and in the urban area.