UPDATE

Tuesday 23 October 2018

Doors open at Youth Space Latrobe

Youth Space Latrobe is now up and running with 16 enthusiastic and creative young people appointed to the Youth Governance Committee to drive the project forward from a temporary home at Mid Valley Shopping Centre.

The Committee will help guide the development and delivery of Youth Space’s programs and activities for young people across the Latrobe Valley.

One of the Committee’s first tasks will be to identify and plan local programs and activities, as well as decide on the winning submissions for the site’s branding and logo competition, with applications closing 1 November, 2018.

Safe driving lessons, young mothers’ groups, street art workshops and live theatre performances are just some of the initial ideas for Youth Space Latrobe, with details to be finalised over the next couple of months.

Youth Space Latrobe is led by the YMCA as part of a consortium of organisations which include Berry Street, Baw Baw Latrobe Local Learning and Employment Network, Scouts Victoria, Quantum Support Services, Latrobe Youth Choices, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, the Gathering Place, AGL Loy Yang, Centre for Multicultural Youth, National Disability Officer Programme and Gipps Sport.

Keep up to date with everything Youth Space Latrobe by following them on Facebook.

New energy projects funded

Pictured above: Emily Scholes, CEO, EnviroMicroBio Pty Ltd at the official opening of the company's laboratory at Federation Training's Yallourn campus.

Last week, three grants were announced from the Latrobe Valley New Energy Jobs Fund.

This funding from the Latrobe Valley New Energy Jobs and Investment Prospectus launched earlier this year highlights opportunities for investment in clean energy resources, supply chain and workforce capabilities, and markets for new energy products and services to support Latrobe Valley’s new energy transition.

Congratulations to:

EnviroMicroBio Pty Ltd - $50,000 for new laboratory and analytical equipment to support local businesses to explore anaerobic digestion for energy production and waste management.
Latrobe Valley Engineering Services and Sundermann Water Power - $48,400 for development of the Sundermann Water Turbine.
Federation Training - $8,000 to reduce local businesses costs to have staff complete the solar PV installation course.

For more information on the Latrobe Valley New Energy Jobs and Investment Prospectus visit lva.vic.gov.au

Starting the conversation on Gippsland's Future World of Work

Close to 300 people attended Lardner Park on Friday 5 October for Latrobe Valley Authority's highly anticipated Future World of Work Forum.

The event featured engaging and informative guest speakers including Jeff Connolly (Chairman and CEO, Siemens Asia Pacific), Jan Owen (CEO, Foundation for Young Australians) and David Latina (Deputy Secretary, Higher Education and Skills Group, Department Education and Training).

International experts on regional growth and development Professor Andrés Rodriguez-Pose and Dr Manuel Palazuelos-Martinez joined Jeff Connolly and LVA CEO Karen Cain for a panel discussion on the implications of industry 4.0 for future work.

Attendees participated in a number of workshops and table discussions designed to help inform how Gippsland can best prepare for the future world of work going forward.

This insight will be used to inform the next steps for preparing a future-skilled workforce in partnership across the community.

Local businesses get the work

Local businesses are reaping the benefits across the Latrobe Valley thanks to grants valued at more than $9 million in funding for facility upgrade projects from the LVA's Community Facility Fund.

The Upper Maffra Mechanics Institute received a $224,774 grant under the Fund for extensive upgrade works to Newry Hall.

The Hall has engaged local contractors on the project, such as Traralgon-based Fitzpatricks Pro Audio, Lighting & Pyrotechnics, an example of the positive flow-on effect to our local businesses as well as the broader community.

Community grants broadened

A recent review of the Latrobe Valley Authority’s Community Facility Fund has resulted in the Fund now being able to accept applications for a broader range of projects.

Community events can now be funded up to $20,000 (previously $5,000), and a broader range of projects such as project plans, business cases and strategies, websites, strategic plans, assistance with financial management, technology improvements and energy cost reduction projects.

Check if your project is eligible at lva.vic.gov.au

Bus and truck driver training underway

Twenty-six local women got to experience getting behind the wheel of a bus or truck last week at Lardner Park.

The driver training is part of a free five day taster course, encouraging local women to consider a career in the transport industry.

The course also includes training on communication, customer service, workplace awareness and safety, paperwork compliance and management, fatigue management and more.

The initiative is thanks to Latrobe Valley Authority's Access New Industries Program and is being run in partnership with local transport companies Dyers and Latrobe Valley Bus Lines.

Bright future for Virtue Homes

Latrobe Valley-based home designer and builder Virtue Homes is upgrading to a bigger facility and employing 6-7 more staff, after outgrowing their head office at Stratton Drive Traralgon.

The purchase of a new facility has been assisted by reimbursement of stamp duty costs from the LVA’s Economic Growth Zone.

For more information on the Economic Growth Zone and support available to help businesses grow visit lva.vic.gov.au

BBL blockbuster coming to Moe

The chance to see the bright lights of cricket’s Big Bash League boundary side in the Latrobe Valley has arrived.

Tickets are now on sale for the 23 January Melbourne Stars versus Adelaide Strikers in-season fixture at Moe’s Ted Summerton Reserve, opening the door for locals to catch their slice of history.

The match will double as a homecoming for one of the Valley’s greatest sporting exports in former Australian Test cricketer Peter Siddle – a key cog in the Strikers bowling attack.

The Stars will also be in the region for a practice match against the Melbourne Renegades on 14 December at Ted Summerton Reserve in a game reserved for Gippsland’s school children to enjoy.

The matches come as part of a three-year partnership between the Stars and LVA to bring events and community programs to the region through the State Government’s $85 million Latrobe Valley Sports and Community initiative.

Tickets for the 23 January BBL blockbuster can be purchased through ticketek.com