News, features and updates from the LVA team No Images? Click here UPDATEMonday 4 September 2017An update on what the Latrobe Valley Authority is doing to support workers, businesses and our community. NBL to Blitz the Latrobe ValleyThe Latrobe Valley will see the first major events as a result of the Victorian Government’s $85 million investment in sports and community infrastructure when the National Basketball League (NBL) play a three-day pre-season tournament in the region this week. The NBL Blitz features all eight teams playing two games each at the Traralgon Sports Stadium from September 7 to 9. While they’re in the region, the teams will work with local clubs to share their expertise, with school children also benefitting from a range of coaching clinics and other activities. In December, the region will be treated to world-class cricket when the Melbourne Stars take on the Hobart Hurricanes in a men’s Big Bash League pre-season match under lights in Traralgon. The Melbourne Stars have signed a 3 year partnership to bring some of the best T20 cricketers in Australia to the Latrobe Valley, including Glenn Maxwell and Meg Lanning, to help build upon an already strong cricket foundation in the region. The Melbourne Stars will also deliver a range of community engagement activities with schools and local cricket clubs throughout the greater Latrobe Valley region to promote physical activity, health and wellbeing as well as the next generation of cricketers and fans. Access New Industries ProgramThe first in a series of pathway programs to help Worker Transition Service clients and their families access employment in our region’s growth sectors started last week, with over 30 people attending an information session to learn more about employment opportunities in the health sector. The Latrobe Valley Authority has partnered with the Latrobe Regional Hospital, Benetas, Federation Training and Gippsland Employment Skills Training (GEST) to design the Access New Industries Program giving participants an overview of work in the health sector. The program will include accredited training in food hygiene and first aid; pre-accredited training in aged care services, medical terminology and infection control; and a tour of the Latrobe Regional Hospital and an aged care facility. With a growing need for health and aged care services, there is a diverse range of employment opportunities locally in the health care and social assistance industry, not only for health care experts, but also a range of support and administration roles. Health care and social assistance is the largest employing industry in Latrobe City and Baw Baw Shires, accounting for 15 per cent and 12 per cent of jobs respectively. In Wellington Shire it is the second largest employing industry (12%) after agriculture, forestry and fishing. Latrobe Regional Gallery re-opened ahead of Magritte exhibitionFollowing an extensive five month refurbishment project, the Latrobe Regional Gallery re-opened on 17 August transformed as a significant drawcard and cultural destination for people from across the region and beyond. The $1.5 million project included upgrades to the building façade, foyer and entrance, enhanced lighting and improvements to accessibility. Behind the scenes, the project included improvements to storage, security and climate control systems which has brought the gallery in line with international gallery standards. The gallery’s first major international exhibition is an Australian exclusive - René Magritte: The Revealing Image, Photos and Films is on display now and includes 132 original photographs and eight films by the artist. The works of the internationally acclaimed Belgian surrealist artist, are some of the most recognised and influential contemporary artworks of the 20th century. The works were discovered in the mid-1970s, more than ten years after Magritte’s death, and offer a rare insight into the artist’s private world. Many of the items have never been shown in Australia. Good Money Store opens in MorwellFamilies in the Latrobe Valley can now access safe and affordable financial services at a new one-stop shop in Morwell. The Good Money store provides access to zero or low interest loans, financial counselling and affordable insurance. Clients can apply for loans for essential items such as a fridge, washing machine, car repairs, computers and school books. Good Money is a safe and affordable alternative to payday lenders and helps people under financial pressure and at risk of entering a cycle of debt. The Morwell store is the fourth to open in Victoria. Good Money hubs have worked with nearly 28,000 clients and approved more than 5100 no interest and low-interest loans. The Victorian Government has invested $2.3 million in the store, in partnership with Good Shepherd Microfinance and the National Australia Bank. You can visit the Good Money store at 10 Tarwin Street Morwell or call 1300 770 550 Supporting local businesses to win government workA series of workshops designed to help local businesses build the critical skills needed to tender for and win government work will be held in October. The workshop aims to improve local businesses’ understanding of government tendering processes, and guidelines for preparing high-quality tender and quotation responses to increase chances of winning work. The workshops will be held across Latrobe City, Baw Baw Shire and Wellington Shire and hosted by our local Industry Capability Network (ICN) representative in partnership with the Latrobe Valley Authority, Regional Development Victoria and local councils. Further information to come. To find out more contact Colin Young, Latrobe Valley ICN Industry Adviser cyoung@icnvic.org.au Sale Showgrounds to undertake major facility upgradesThe Sale Showgrounds will undergo a major upgrade thanks to the Latrobe Valley Authority’s $20 million Community Facility Fund. The fund will contribute $500,000 to the $750,000 project which is expected create more than $3.8 million in economic growth for the region through construction, additional visitation and events, and 12 ongoing jobs. The grant will enable the Sale and District Agricultural Society to increase their capability to host large-scale events. The site’s service amenities and office administration space will be redeveloped, including demolition of the existing amenities block and construction of a new 480 square metre building housing an administration centre with office space, storage and bathrooms. The new building will also contain an amenity section with a recreation area, kitchen, laundry and bathroom facilities. Sale Showgrounds is a vital community facility, hosting a large number of major events each year including the Sale Show which attracts around 14,000 attendees over 3 days. UPCOMING EVENTSNBL Blitz7-9 September – NBL Blitz, Traralgon Sports Stadium Grab your tickets to see all the action here Big Bash pre-season15 December – Big Bash League pre-season match, Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes |