Media Releases

Nationals Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh is calling on leaders and innovators throughout the electorate to nominate for the DPI Science Awards so emerging and existing talent can be acknowledged and rewarded.
Mr Walsh said the awards promote the central role of science, innovation and the application of new technologies to ensure the future and development of the Victorian economy.
“With specific awards for students, primary producers or those working in collaboration with DPI who are championing an innovative solution to an environmental, social or economic issue affecting Victoria’s primary industries, communities or environment, it is worth having a further look to see if you are eligible.
“You can nominate yourself or you can be nominated by friends or peers.”
The Award categories are:
• The Hugh McKay Future Farming Award
• The Nancy Mills Postgraduate Award
• The Daniel McAlpine DPI Science Award
• The SM Wadham Practice Change Award
Nominations are currently open and close on Monday 23 August. Finalists will be announced in September and the awards ceremony will be held on 5 October 2010.
“If you know a strong leader or an innovator within the science field, or a primary producer or team that can demonstrate practical adoption of environmental solutions, then I strongly encourage you to nominate them for these awards,” said Mr Walsh.
Further information about the awards can be found at www.dpi.vic.gov.au or by contacting Peter Walsh’s office on 5032 3154, or at 274 Campbell St Swan Hill.

Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh is reminding residents of the danger of being caught in scams that can clean out their bank accounts.
“My office has had a number of reports recently of residents receiving phone calls telling them about over charging of bank fees,” Mr Walsh said.
“They are then asked to give their banking details to this person on the phone so that a refund in the fees can be paid into their account.
“This is a scam!
“I urge anyone who gets such a phone call to immediately hang up. Do not give your details out.
“There are all sorts of unscrupulous people out there who will say anything to get at your money. Be very wary of any offer that sounds too good to be true, because that is probably exactly what it is – too good to be true.
“I have reported this latest scam to the ACCC’s ScamWatch Infocentre, however, anyone else receiving such a scam can also report it by phoning the Infocentre on 1300 795 995.
“The Infocentre is staffed between 8.30 am and 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday or you can visit www.scamwatch.gov.au,” Mr Walsh said.

Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh is calling on businesses throughout the electorate to register their interest in supporting the new Carer Card.
“The Carer Card is a small way in which the community can recognise those family members, friends and other carers who spend so much of their time supporting people with disabilities, chronic or mental illness, children needing foster care and the increasing number of frail aged who need care,” Mr Walsh said
“The Carer Card offers holders discounts at businesses, entry to a variety of venues such as zoos, museums, etc and travel vouchers on public transport.
“The Card is aimed at acknowledging the incredible work that these carers do and I hope that all Carers take up the opportunity to obtain one.
“However, to show that you care I ask all local businesses to get on board the program and register their support for the card by accessing the Carer Card website or contacting my office for more information,” Mr Walsh said.
“Because of what they do most carers suffer isolation from many of the social activities that the rest of the community have access to.
“This new Carer Card, and the offers that go with it, go a small way towards recognising the tireless efforts that these carers throughout the community do,” Mr Walsh said.
The only businesses already registered for the program at this stage in the Swan Hill electorate are the Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery, At Home Furniture and Bedding, Swan Hill’s Red Rooster and Swintons Homemakers.
For carers seeking more information about the card or businesses wishing to register to be included in its offers, access the website www.carercard.vic.gov.au or contact Peter Walsh’s office at 274 Campbell St Swan Hill, phone 50323154.

Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh is encouraging residents between the ages of 16 to 30 to apply the Connections UnitingCare Anti-Poverty Awards.
“The Connections UnitingCare Anti-Poverty Awards are now open and are designed to recognise, support, encourage and link young people who are making a contribution to reducing poverty,” Mr Walsh said.
The awards also increase public awareness of the causes and consequences of poverty with our local communities.
Mr Walsh said the Connections UnitingCare Anti-Poverty Awards, established in 2004, recognise young Australians between the ages of 16-30 who are making a contribution to the eradication of poverty at a local, national or international level.
“The Connections UnitingCare Anti-Poverty Awards are a great way for young people to receive recognition for the work they are doing to battle poverty.
“We have wonderful young people throughout our region, and many of them work very hard to help and assist fellow community members in a variety of ways. It would be great to see their efforts recognised,” he said.
The winner will receive a $4000 grant to continue their work and encouragement awards up to $1000 are also offered.
For more information, go to www.connections.org.au/anti-poverty.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, is calling on individuals, organisations, businesses and communities to nominate for the prestigious Regional Achievement and Community Awards.
“These awards recognise the magnificent work done by individuals and groups and acknowledge their commitment and dedication to making a difference to their communities,” Mr Walsh said.
“As I travel throughout my electorate I see many examples of the wonderful and innovative work done by these people who carry out their work so selflessly and with no thought of personal reward and this is an opportunity for the rest of us to recognise all that they do.”
There are eight awards for which individuals or groups can be nominated. They are:
• Regional Development Victoria Business Achievement Award
• Parks Victoria Environment and Sustainability Award
• RACV free2go Youth Community Involvement Award
• Fonterra Dairy Leadership Award
• Regional Development Victoria Trade & Career Achievement Award
• Parks Victoria Regional Achiever Award
• Prime Super Community Group of the Year Award
• Blue Scope Distribution Leadership and Innovation Award
“Although this work to improve our communities is done without thought of reward, there are great prizes on offer and I urge everyone to take the opportunity to nominate someone who they think is a worthy winner of one of these awards,” Mr Walsh said.
Nominations close July 14 and winners will be announced at a Gala Awards Presentation Dinner held on October 16 at the Mercure Ballarat.
“Nomination forms and guidelines are available from my office at 274 Campbell Street, Swan Hill or can be downloaded at www.awardsaustralia.com,” Mr Walsh said.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, was today pleased to learn that the Australian Communications and Media Authority has announced the ‘Do Not Call Register’ has been expanded to include registration of fax numbers.
The amended legislation came in to effect on 30 May 2010 and has also increased the registration period from three to five years.
“I am very pleased by the amendments to this legislation as I personally have experienced the large volume of marketing material tying up my fax machine.
“Likewise I have had a number of constituents contact my office asking how they can prevent such material being sent through.”
There are currently more than 4.9 million phone numbers on the register. To register log on to www.donotcall.gov.au or call 1300 792 958. Fax numbers can only be registered online.

Bulldogs supporters Joseph (from Birchip) and Emily (from Sea Lake) were presented with their complementary Bulldogs memberships and supporters caps by Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh today.
Both diehard Bulldogs supporters, they will now be able to attend any Bulldogs home game in Victoria simply by swiping their Membership cards at the gate.
“This is a great community gesture by the Bulldogs and both supporters wrote excellent letters to me saying why they should receive the memberships,” Mr Walsh said.
“Joseph already attends the Bulldogs games when he gets the chance and Emily is Bulldog Matthew Boyd’s number 1 fan so I’m sure these memberships will mean that there are lots more trips to Melbourne coming up for their families so they can cheer on the Doggies.”

In Parliament last week, Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh called for an ambulance service to be based in Wedderburn.
In calling for the service Mr Walsh detailed the excellent work the Wedderburn Community Response Team (CERT) performs throughout the district.
When the team was established in 2005 it was told that they would only receive an estimated 3 to 4 callouts per month however, this figure blew out to 120 callouts in its first year of operation.
“The Wedderburn CERT callout rate is now the equal highest in the State,” Mr Walsh said in Parliament.
“They were called to 216 incidents involving fatal drug overdoses, suicides and car accidents last year.
“With only 10 volunteers now available for the 24/7 roster and the extremely demanding requirements for training of new recruits, I fully support the move by the Wedderburn Lions Club to campaign for an ambulance service to be based in Wedderburn,” Mr Walsh said.
“In the meantime, I urge authorities to support the Wedderburn CERT team and its recruitment program by providing a training program for new volunteers to be held in Wedderburn rather than requiring them to travel to Bendigo for the six weekend training course,” he said.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, had great delight this week in watching his National Party colleague, Hugh Delahunty from Horsham, don a Central Murray Football League jumper in Parliament House following the local league’s win over Wimmera last weekend.
A friendly dare over the result of the match will now see the Wimmera’s local Member parade down Firebrace St in Horsham wearing the CMFL jumper.
“I was very confident our boys would do us proud,” Mr Walsh said.
“It was a very young team we sent to Horsham and they played a fantastic game.
“Hugh was very humble when I presented him with our jumper and I’m looking forward to seeing a photo of him walking down Horsham’s main street promoting our league,” he said.








Hugh Delahunty wearing the CMFL jumper with Peter Walsh soaring above the former Essendon and Wimmera League star.

Cheer on the Doggies for free - Walsh
Two lucky Western Bulldogs supporters will cheer on their team live at the game for free for the remainder of the AFL Season.
Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, said he would put aside his support for rival, Geelong Cats, to give away the memberships, in conjunction with the Western Bulldogs Football Club.
Mr Walsh said it followed a similar competition he ran with the club several years ago.
“The Western Bulldogs prides itself on its strong community involvement and links, and I’m happy to join with them in offering country supporters an opportunity to be a part of their 2010 AFL premiership bid,” he said.
“It can be quite expensive for country supporters to attend footy matches in Melbourne, with the travel, entrance and accommodation costs,” Mr Walsh said.
“These generous memberships are worth $180 each and will make going to the game more affordable for the lucky winners by saving them the cost of an entry ticket when they get there.”
Mr Walsh said the competition was restricted to primary school-aged children in his Swan Hill electorate and entrants should write to him explaining in 25 words or less why they deserved to win a membership with the Doggies.
Entries should also include a name, address and phone number.
Entries close on May 28 and can be sent to Mr Walsh at 274 Campbell Street, Swan Hill or by emailing peter.walsh@parliament.vic.gov.au
Winners will be notified by telephone and Mr Walsh will present the lucky pair with a membership certificate and cap at the conclusion of the draw.