Posts

• Schools need more money!

  Wednesday, 16 May 2012

  Schools need more than money

  By Melita Knight

   

  There has been much debate about funding for education and where more of it should go: public or private?  Those whose children attend public schools will of course argue that public schools should get more. There is no doubting that some schools desperately need funds and that educational resources will be much improved if government schools had more money. However, everyone has the right to a good and proper education. This includes private school students whose parents choose to send them there, parents who also pay taxes and should also have a say in where that money goes.

  We do need to make our public education system the best it can be though. There are more students at public schools than private schools, and they are not selective with who they allow in; anyone, regardless of religious beliefs, background, or income, can receive an education.

  Some people doubt the quality of public education, even though there is no solid data which proves that its students are, educationally, worse off than those with private education.

  To truly improve public education we need more than just funding. We need to create an environment that students actually want to go to. This does not just mean a place where they don't have to worry about being bullied, though this is very important. It also means a place where they are going to be engaged, where their interest will be captured by the content and presentation of the work. Not all students have a passion for learning, so we need to think of ways to get these kids interested in their work so that they can get the most out of their schooling.

  It is not just the school environment that is important, but also the home one. Importance needs to be placed on education and completing set work on time. Parents need to encourage and support their children's education, and create a space where they can get work done without distractions.

  Public schools need to be a place where intelligence and creativity can be nurtured. While those who struggle with their school work and who may be disadvantaged in other ways do need help and support, we cannot overlook those who are doing well academically or artistically. Private schools, with their smaller class sizes, are better equipped to give these students the attention they need to fulfil their potential. It is much harder in public schools to give students the attention they need, whether they are struggling or succeeding academically, or are somewhere in between, students will do much better if they get more attention.

  For students to get the best education they can, the government must also look at the quality of the content being taught. Schools in rural and regional areas have far less subjects to choose from than their metropolitan counterparts. Subjects such as history and geography which should be compulsory subjects are only available to some.

  Extra funding will always be needed and welcomed, but it is not the only thing that our public schools need.

  Are you a young person who wants their opinion heard? Lead On Ballarat is looking for young people to work with journalists to write on youth issues. For more information contact Lead On Ballarat: ballarat@leadonballarat.com.au

  By: sbutson | Not tagged | Leave comment

• Graffiti is often simply art in an inappropriate place

  Wednesday, 14 March 2012

  What constitutes art? This is a question that has plagued mankind for centuries, and will continue to do so for many more. Yet it is an important one for the Ballarat community. There has been much talk online, in the paper, and around the community in relation to graffiti, particularly tagging. Many view it as vandalism, pure and simple. No questions asked. Graffiti, however, encompasses more than just tagging. Street art is another form of graffiti, one that requires talent and may comment on social or political issues. Any person can scribble their name on a wall; it takes an artist to be able to create a piece which makes you feel something other than anger at someone defacing private or public property.

  Tagging decreases the city's beauty and harms its reputation. Comparatively, street art can enhance the city's look and add to its culture in a positive manner. Despite the difference between the two, both are still considered illegal.

  In other communities around the world, the subject of legalising graffiti has been raised. However, if we legalise graffiti, it would legalise all that it encompasses: tagging, street art, and everything in between.

  An alternative is to create a space where artists are allowed to express their creativity. Placing graffiti walls around the city which people can write, draw, or paint on will give artists and aspiring artists somewhere to practice and put their work without fear of repercussions. Even setting up a space where their work can be displayed, an exhibition centre of sorts, or where they can work with other artists to improve their skills may give theses graffiti artists another focus for their creativity and graffiti skills.

  This solution may not entirely eradicate Ballarat's graffiti problem, no solution probably will. It can, however, decrease the amount of vandalism seen around the city. Educating graffiti artists on which buildings are heritage listed, private property, and other buildings which are complete no-nos to put their art on will make people more aware of where they can and cannot put their art.

  We must monitor graffiti hotspots and enforce punishments for those caught vandalising public and private property. They need to realise that graffiti is illegal, and that their actions have consequences.

  Some citizens of Ballarat also need to be educated about graffiti artists. There are people who say that graffitists need to stay in school or get a job. Yet it is not just youth who tag and do graffiti art. There are many adults who also do it, many which work as graphic designers during the day.  Type-casting graffitists will not help to solve the problem.

  We need to understand graffiti artists and why they do what they do so that we can find more and better ways to decrease the amount of graffiti seen in the city. By working with graffiti artists, we can find or create places where they can put their work without angering residents and vandalising property.

  By: sbutson | Not tagged | Leave comment

• Youth Homelessness in Ballarat

  Thursday, 22 December 2011

  By Stephanie Jensen

  Homelessness is a persisting problem in the city of Ballarat. Events such as Christmas in July and the National Homeless Persons' Week in August have been established as permanent fixtures on the calendar to promote awareness and concern for those who consistently go unnoticed. As we leave the harsh winter months behind, those left still standing find themselves warmer, yet no better off. The Ballarat Soup Bus sees a consistent amount of homeless attendance, who are sustained by a nightly meal they have no hope of providing for themselves. These people are well below the poverty line, and are kept alive by hand-outs, foraging and occasional free meals. For most people, notions of homelessness will conjure up images of an elderly man, raving in the street, on his last bottle and paying the price for an irresponsible lifestyle and addictive personality.

  This stereotype has been irrevocably shattered, however, by the increasing problem of youth homelessness, showing that although so much has been achieved through the Salvation Army and donations, the problem of homelessness has nonetheless managed to traverse generations. And how couldn't it? The social, political and economic environment our youths face today is undeniably formidable; in an age where one would need a degree just to get a job in the mailroom at a law firm, what happens to those who can't afford (through lack of familial support or funds) a university education? There are many who are encouraged by unemployment rates, which haven't risen above five per cent for quite some time; yet a more qualitative perusal of such stats will inevitably paint a less positive picture: full-time positions, enough for a person to live on, are scarcer than ever, with a trend towards part-time, casual and relief work. Many of the jobs that offer such limited hours are also notorious for their lack of permanence and consistency, further limiting the choices that youth have today.

  But joblessness doesn't guarantee homelessness. Rather, it is one of the factors which contribute significantly to the economic slippery slope that leads to stretched household budgets and unstable home lives. While Ballarat residents are being constantly informed of the significant homeless presence in their own backyard, it becomes an issue of turning public concern into public action. We all know what homelessness looks like, but what are the causes? These can be as varied as they are damaging; this variety has the potential to muddy what we think we know about the homeless population. The face of homelessness has changed: the spectrum can include both employed and unemployed, students and professionals, PhDs and freelancers. What these unlikely victims lack is a solution that addresses the roots of the problems that led to their homelessness; whether they are on the street or couch-surfing, it creates a vicious cycle that is self-perpetuating often unbreakable. The denial of one of the basic constituents to human life, shelter, is both the result of devastation, and is devastating. Unless true actions are taken to make sustainable differences to these people's lives, this social problem may persist to reach an ever-more tragic end.

   

  Are you a young person who wants their opinion heard? Lead On Ballarat is looking for young people to work with journalists to write on youth issues. For more information contact Lead On Ballarat: ballarat@leadon.com.au

  By: sbutson | Tagged: homelessness | Leave comment

• Searching for a home

  Thursday, 22 December 2011

  By Melita Knight

  People have four basic needs: food, water, clothing, and shelter. Unfortunately for 105 000 Australians, these necessities are non-existent.

  There are just over 400 people in Ballarat who are homeless, this is 47 in 10 000 people homeless compared to the state average of 42 per 10 000.

  Homelessness is not simply living without a home. It is living without safety, and security. Rough sleepers, couch surfers (people staying temporarily with friends), and people staying in emergency shelter are all regarded as homeless.

  Homeless youth from rural towns and cities tend to stay in their area rather than going to larger, more urban areas to seek help. Therefore it is even more important to try to help and reduce the amount of homeless in Ballarat.

  Services like the Uniting Care, Centacare and Peplow House provide people with short-term accommodation, and the Soup Bus provide a small meal after-dark to those who cannot afford it. But if we really want to help get people off the streets, we need to do more.

  There are many buildings around Ballarat which are simply sitting there collecting dust. If the council were to purchase one of these buildings and convert it into a housing and educating facility for the homeless, then it would go a long way to solving Ballarat's homeless problem.

  The old civic hall is one such building which the Ballarat Council already owns and are planning to redevelop anyway. If they redeveloped the old civic hall for homelessness purposes it would solve more than one problem.

  A centre for the homeless could not only provide shelter for those who have none, but it could provide educational services to help homeless people get back on their feet. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, only 51 per cent of homeless youth in Victoria stay within the school system.  This is a worryingly low percent, and one we can change if we give them the chance to learn and study even if they can't afford it.

  By combining a homeless shelter with an education facility, the community would also be able to provide homeless and disadvantaged people with skills and knowledge to help turn their lives around. Cooking skills, business skills, social skills, and life skills, could all be taught in workshops throughout the week. The facility could also house a psychiatrist or therapist to help people deal with abuse-physical, emotional, drug and alcohol-which is one of the leading causes of homelessness.

  Everyone has the right to feel safe, secure, and to have access to basic human needs. When there are people who do not have these, not always through fault of themselves, the council and the community has the responsibility to help provide these.

  If we were to create a combined homeless shelter and education facility, then we will not only provide the citizens of Ballarat with more jobs and better access to education, but we can help to end the homeless problem.

  By: sbutson | Tagged: homelessness | Leave comment

• Mair St Redevelopment

  Wednesday, 16 November 2011

  Mair Street redevelopment

  By Georgie Hudson

   

  The redesign of 300-304 Mair Street is intended to stimulate Ballarat's economy for business and to help develop the community's growth, as well providing new office accommodation for over 1,500 office based jobs in the heart of the city. This may be beneficial for business development, but should business development be Ballarat's number one priority for the next few years?
  
  300-304 Mair Street is one of Ballarat's most memorable historic structures and is sadly also the most neglected. It was built in the 1950s after the Royal Prince Alfred Hall (which was built on Grenville Street in 1867) which was burnt down in 1953, which was suspected to be caused by arson.
  
  During its opening year in 1956 the hall was used as a venue for celebrations during the Summer Olympics for events hosted by Ballarat - rowing and kayaking. It was in the 1960s when the two sculptural bronze statues made themselves an addition to the site. A depiction of William Shakespeare as an actor/director was sculpted in 1960, and Sir Walter Scott was sculpted in 1961.
  
  For decades, 300-304 Mair Street was a major social venue in Ballarat, a venue for numerous concerts, balls, dances and graduations, as well as school examinations and exhibitions. It's a shame that such a memorable building in Ballarat is being torn down and replaced by office buildings when it could be used to benefit the community.
  
  The redevelopment of 300-304 Mair Street will provide the community of Ballarat with 270 new car parks as well as new meeting spaces within the new building for the community which is great, but what about the people who don't have the opportunity to own a car, or don't have the opportunity to be a part of company meetings, or don't even have the opportunity to read this article?

  This $40 million project should be rethought for the sake of the people in this community who don't have the opportunity for their voice to be heard. If this memorable hall is going to be torn down, it should at least be substituted with a place which supports the people in the community.
  
  In Ballarat alone, there are approximately 400 people living homeless every night, which may not seem that many compared to our population of approximately 96,000, but this is still well exceeding the state average. Forty million dollars could easily provide a place for these people to feel safe and welcome, and could help with providing education and job opportunities for these people who for whatever reason, didn't get that opportunity.
  
  This new building has forced Ballarat to borrow $30 million of the total cost. If the site were instead a project for the community itself, the cost could have been much lower. If the Ballarat community were building a place for our less fortunate and homeless citizens to take shelter, be provided with education and assistance with job employment opportunities, we would have been much more inspired to assist with the project, thus meaning there would be an extensive amount of community involvement, which would make us a much more coherent community as well as lowering the cost for the project.
  
  The hall should be used as a support site for the community, for the people who don't have the opportunities that some of us do have. To submit your ideas and suggestions, simply visit the City of Ballarat's website, head to the project pages and directly to the Community Advisory Panel, or email directly to ballcity@ballarat.vic.gov.au.

  By: sbutson | Tagged: Civic Hall | Leave comment

• The Civic Hall

  Wednesday, 16 November 2011

  The Civic Hall

  -Samuel H. Crombie

  Well as most of us are aware the council has revealed plans over time which involves the redevelopment of the Civic Hall that will cost 27 million dollars not including the car park facility estimated at another 13 million dollars. The idea is currently aimed at the production of a mass office space complex to provide space for 1500 office-based jobs.

  The project is aimed at furthering Ballarat's ever growing economy/community to encourage its growth, meaning more people and a bigger town. This will perhaps to help turn it into more of a city, like Melbourne for example. Statistically and money-wise, for Ballarat's economy, it is a great idea though myself personally, I put the health, quality of life of our children and future generation before any dollar bill.

  However, in saying this, not everyone will agree and no one can expect this of any town that everyone will agree with the council at all times. The same can be said in my case and in the interest of debate, I would suggest the use of the Civic Hall for the arts, youth services, functions, council events and anything which may bring and/or improve the quality of living in Ballarat for citizens of all ages. Transforming the Civic Hall into something like Ballarat Learning Exchange (BLX) in Camp Street would be amazing, as the problems today's youth are facing are growing as is the economic problems which suggests perhaps a happy medium could be had to solve both our problems?

  By: sbutson | Tagged: Civic Hall | Leave comment

• Civic Hall Opinion

  Wednesday, 16 November 2011

  Civic Hall Opinion

   

   

  By: Melita Knight

  The old civic hall has been sitting vacant since 2002, waiting for someone to come along and return it to its former glory. It has a lot of potential, and there are a myriad of possibilities as to what it could be transformed into.

  The council have finally decided to demolish it and create an ultra-modern administrative base for the City of Ballarat. Not everyone is happy with this decision however, and the estimated price tag of $40 million is doing nothing to swing public favour.

  Yet why should the public be in favour of the council's plan? The old civic hall was the community's. It was there for them to use whenever they needed. And now it is going to be replaced by office space; office space which the council already has. There are many other buildings the council could use if they need more space, so why not use the old civic hall for what it was originally intended: a place for the community.

  Whilst there is a need for more parking spaces, there is enough room to build them on the existing site without having to demolish anything. If we renovate and refurbish the existing civic hall, the price can be reduced while keeping the charm and integrity of the original building.

  Instead of relocating from the Town Hall, and giving that space to the community, why not simply stay in the Town Hall and let the community use the old civic hall? It could be so much more than another corporate space. It could be a creative, multi-purpose, community hub.

  After renovation, it would be the ideal place for performances. Bands, theatre groups, dancing troupes, and the like, could all use this space to showcase their talents. Artists could use it to display their work and it could be used for meetings and functions by community groups, and as a place to hold various markets.

  There would also be enough space to turn part of it into a place for parents and their children. Put in some cute tables and chairs, maybe some bean bags, and you would have a great place for children to do arts and crafts, or for a place to go read after visiting the library. Incorporate a coffee shop and it will be transformed into a haven for adults and children alike.

  If we renovate rather than demolish the existing building, we will also be able to keep the skate park intact. Though Ballarat has a new one, the one near the old civic hall is still used, particularly by younger skaters, and allows more people to skate at the one time.

  Renovating and refurbishing the old civic hall makes much more sense than spending $40 million on a misplaced building which a majority of the community doesn't even want. Rather than an unnecessary, ultra-modern, corporate space, let us instead renovate, refurbish and reinvigorate the hall. Let us transform it into a space which the whole community can use and enjoy.

  By: sbutson | Tagged: Civic Hall | Leave comment

• Redevelopment of Civic Hall

  Wednesday, 16 November 2011

  Redevelopment of Civic Hall

  By Paul

  There are plans to build more office space and further the economy of Ballarat. The Civic Hall project will deliver a 6,500m2 council administrative facility at a cost of 27 million dollars. By developing a single council facility, they will also free up 2,675m2 of valuable commercial office space in the city which is currently occupied by Council. Furthering this investment is 13 million dollars to be put towards creating more car park space.

  I personally am all for the fact that a community such as Ballarat would want to prosper. If more office space is the ingredient to reach that goal, then that's the decision of professional community official and should be respected.

  My concern, however, is the issue of youth in Ballarat. Sure, there are various facilities which nurture the younger generations of this town in a positive way, and large amounts of money have been put through to support this issue already, but more has to be done. There are, in my opinion too many neglected youths who need another outlet that can appeal to as much a majority as possible.

  The Civic Hall is an ideal venue to fuel that prior mentioned majority. Skate parks for instance are all well and good for social gathering and bringing the community together, but it does have its flaws. The subject of crime in various forms is an unneeded set back. A large "vote" of some kind involving the aforementioned youth could be a possibility. Bringing those kids together in a supervised and professionally overlooked environment could only be a good thing.

  By: sbutson | Tagged: Civic Hall | Leave comment

• Kaleidoscope

  Monday, 13 June 2011

  Sponsored by: CITY OF BALLARAT (Free: entry/concert) Launch of Refugee Week! ...Check out our website: http://kaleidoscopeballarat.webs.com/ LOOKING FOR ARTISTS / STALL HOLDERS Supported by University of Ballarat Cert.III Event Management students, Ballarat Youth Services, Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council, Little PR Company, Pilkinton Productions. A fun night including concert, local performances, a chance for local artists (photographers, painters, drawers, graphic designers, clothing designers etc) to come together on one night, with free food and live performances to celebrate the 17 different cultures we have living in Ballarat. It will be a vibrant, funfilled night. ALL ages. Drug, Smoke and Alcohol free event. Auslan interpreter present on the night. The program for the night: 6pm: Official Start 'Acknowledgements to the land owners.' 9.00: Jam sesh to conclude We will have four performances alongside Three passionate speakers, featuring Dollard Dimitri (Ballarat African Assosciation President), Erum Naqvi (6years old) and an Afghani speaker. The performers will include; The Indigo Children (Headlining), BCMA African Percussions, Bollywood dancers, BLX Koori Youth Group and Ballarat African Assossication Youth Dance Group. Food available on the night; Share Africa, Masala Valley As well as activities such as African hairbraiding and Henna (More to come!) Intercultural event Contact: Jemma Mathers - kaleidoscopeballarat@hotmail.com See More

  By: test | Not tagged | Leave comment

• A poem shared with me

  Friday, 6 May 2011

  There was a light, and in that light there was me and you. Now that has slowly turned into a sad shade of grey. Where did that light go? That brightness that lit my heart? Is it burning somewhere that no one will ever see? When the distance has crept between us will u ever stop to remember that I was your reason for living? Will u forget that everything is so empty without your presents? I didn't want to ever seem so weak but as the blood continues to corse through my veins I wonder when the time will come, to plug it. Where are you? Where is my reason now? Your 500 miles away and I'm looking to the stars and wondering if your there to looking and thinking back at me. By the time the sky lights back with the sun, that's where I may be. Another star just shining to brighten your night. And wherever your journey may take you, I'll stay there waiting in the sky for the one night we can be forever.

  By: test | Not tagged | Leave comment