Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Local Government joins nationwide Centenary of Federation celebration
In 2001 Australia celebrates its 100th anniversary as a nation. The celebrations for the Centenary of Federation will feature activities and projects involving all Australians. Many of the celebrations will involve local Councils and Shires.

Flying our flag with pride
Townsville City Council will add colour to the celebrations for our Centenary of Federation with a number of events planned for next year. It was in Townsville on 16 September 1901 that the Australian flag was, for the first time, hoisted to a masthead by our inaugural Governor General, Lord Hopetoun.

Editorial
Since commencing publication in 1985, FOCUS has promoted best practice examples developed by Councils, large or small, urban or rural, as they endeavour to provide the best possible services for their community, at the same time making optimum use of available resources. Not only are communities looking to Local Government to deliver a range of services vital to their quality of life, they are also wanting Councils to demonstrate leadership and advocacy on their behalf.

President's comment
Each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor Jamie Edwards, President, Western Australian Municipal Association

Ten percent growth reverses trend
Warroo Shire Council in South Central Queensland is mindful of the population drift to larger urban communities that is occurring in many regional and rural parts of Australia. In answer to the rural downturn that has affected many areas, Council has successfully undertaken various projects designed to encourage tourism and assist other industries to flourish.

CEO wins major award
Chief Executive Officer of Perth's City of Wanneroo, Kath White, recently took out the Shell Corporate and Government Award in the 2000 Telstra Western Australian Business Women's Awards.

Focusing on service excellence
The City of Port Adelaide Enfield has developed a highly successful call centre that delivers quality customer outcomes. The call centre was set up on a trial basis in August 1997 and commenced operations on a proper footing on 1 January 1998. It operates from 8.00 am to 5.15 pm daily.

Getting off the sheep's back &endash; a Kiwi perspective
Keynote speaker at the 'Future of Country Towns' conference at Bendigo on 28-30 June, Ifor Williams' mission is to raise awareness of the role that clusters can apply in economic and community development .

Preventative health program a winner
Preventative health in Western Australia has been taken to a new level, with the launch of the Change for Life program. This is a unique Local Government initiative designed to improve productivity, reduce absenteeism and work related injuries, and save costs.

Renmark to highlight the economic potential of regional South Australia
The District Council of Renmark Paringa, in collaboration with the State Government of South Australia, is organising a National Conference titled 'Economic Potential of Regional South Australia and its Impact on the National Economy". To be staged on 18-20 October 2000, the theme is 'Regional Australia &endash; Shaping the 21st Century'.

Competitive Internet services for Orana
Councils and communities in the Orana region of New South Wales have combined forces to obtain excellent Internet Service Provision (ISP) at competitive prices.

SurfLink
SurfLink Corporate Services is a business unit of the Surf Coast Shire formed in 1995. SurfLink has developed software for its own application and now markets and distributes this throughout Australia. The software business unit is a strategic alliance between SurfLink and Icon Global Solutions P/L.

Big bang starts sporting reconciliation
The best way to initiate grassroots reconciliation and cross cultural participation in sport is with a bang. Crackers Keenan provided just that when he agreed to conduct a football coaching clinic organised by Mataranka Community Government Council through the Active Australia program.

Community response to drugs issue
'We've all got a drug problem, let's find a real solution' is the theme Brisbane City Council used in a broad based community awareness campaign. The campaign aimed to stimulate public debate and dispel some of the stereotypes surrounding illicit drugs.

Taking books to the outback
The Ali-Curung mobile library service is part of the Tennant Creek Public Library Service. It fulfils a long held desire of the remote community of Ali-Curung for greater access to reading material.

Over 50s return to school
There are more wise heads and grey hairs in the classrooms of Unley thanks to an innovative volunteer scheme. The successful program is a partnership between South Australia's City of Unley and seven local primary schools.

ACTIVE AUSTRALIA is a national initiative to encourage more Australians to be physically active and to create better places to be active. Within Active Australia, three networks have been developed to improve the delivery of sport and physical activity to the community.

• Local Councils are key providers of programs, services and facilities within the community, and many have sport and recreation officers who work with clubs and schools in their council regions.
• Clubs and organisations provide opportunities for sport and physical activity for members of the community.
• Schools provide the opportunities for young Australians to develop positive attitudes and behaviours to be active for life.

There have been many exciting developments for Active Australia over the last year. This supplement focuses on Active Australia in local Councils, outlining the opportunities available under this exciting national initiative. Also highlighted are some of the achievements and activities of the many local groups and organisations embracing Active Australia.

Active Australia Local Government Network
Councils in the Active Australia Local Government Network are committed to improving the quality of the sport, recreation and physical activity opportunities available to their communities. Over 400 councils in Australia have become members of the network or have registered their interest in the network. Many are instigating some interesting initiatives.

Opening doors at the City of Salisbury
The City of Salisbury's Growing for Gold program is central to helping sporting clubs and recreation centres achieve the goals of Active Australia. Growing for Gold encourages children and their parents to visit local clubs and to try sports free of charge.

Active Australia Local Government pilot projects
In recognition of the contribution Councils can make to Active Australia, the National Office of Local Government and the Australian Sports Commission funded 15 Active Australia Local Government Network members to carry out Active Australia projects.

Raising the money
When the Shire of Katanning in regional WA decided to develop a regional standard sport and recreation facility in 1994, it was faced with a difficulty familiar to most Councils &emdash; how to raise the $1.1 million needed to complete the project.

Councils feature in campaign to boost Active Australia
An extensive Active Australia promotional campaign to support the sport and recreation industry and to help build on the legacy of the Sydney Olympics has started. The year 2000 presents the sport and recreation sectors with possibly their best ever marketing opportunity to capture and retain public interest.

Proactive Council wins Active Australia Award
Salisbury City Council in South Australia, one of the most proactive Councils in the Active Australia Local Government Network, won the Local Government section of the 1999 Active Australia Awards.

Volunteers
The Volunteer Involvement Program was first released in 1993 aiming to encourage and support sport and recreation organisations to develop, promote and embrace excellence in volunteer management policies.

Active Australia Day
Sunday, 29 October 2000
Active Australia Day is part of the national Active Australia initiative. The Day provides a great opportunity for Councils to demonstrate their support for active communities by providing an avenue for sport and physical activity providers to link with potential members.

Harassment-free sport strategy
Unfortunately, no area of society is immune from the problems of harassment and abuse. That includes sport &endash; even sport at the community level.