GECPA Term 3

Here we go again – an extension to restrictions. I’m tired and I’m cranky. It can’t be just me, can it? We all know that we need to take care of ourselves as well as our family and friends during times of uncertainty. So, I went looking for inspiration. I found the video, below. I really enjoyed watching and re-watching it. And…it’s not just me!

Tips for parents and carers during lockdown – Vikki Ryall, Executive Director of Clinical Practice - YouTube

Last week (or was it the one before?) was the Susan McLean: Growing up Online – Parent Information Session. What a wealth of information! My husband attempted to share what he had learnt with our 11 year old the next day. He was informed by said 11 year old that he was old and knew nothing of the internet. I’m looking forward to hubby sharing his newfound knowledge with Mr Year 8. What fun awaits!

In other news, Nick Hamer-Smith attended part of our last committee meeting. He provided us with an update on the new build process and lead a great discussion about the importance of effective communication with parents and carers. A range of strategies were discussed. From my perspective, Nick taking the time to attend a meeting that started at 8pm (after a full day at work) was a demonstration of what GEC thinks of their parent community. Thank you, Nick for taking the time to attend! Any teachers and staff at GEC or parents and carers are welcome to attend. Meeting details are included in Key Dates and on Xuno.

I wanted to reiterate what we relayed to Nick at our meeting. We as parents and carers are very grateful to all the teachers and staff at GEC. Hat’s off to you! Your professionalism and dedication is clear for all to see. We couldn’t have got this far without you.

While most of the fundraising activities we had planned for this year have been put on hold, there is still so much happening in Term 3, albeit online. To remain in ‘the know’, make sure you are on our email list: click here to subscribe

For more information about the Glen Eira College Parents Association, to attend our meetings or to contact us: gecpa@gec.vic.edu.au

Nicole Bishop

Convenor, Glen Eira College Parents’ Association

E-cigarettes and Vaping

Vaping and e-cigarettes have become more popular amongst young Australians because they believe it is the harmless alternative to smoking. According to the Lung Foundation, the research published last year shows that there are serious concerns about the safety of vaping on our respiratory health.

What is vaping?

Vaping is when the person inhales a vapor created by an e-cigarette or any other vaping device. These devices are battery-powered and are filled with liquid cartridges which contain nicotine flavouring, and chemicals. The liquid is heated into a vapor, which is then inhaled. These e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco, but they still contain other chemicals and nicotine which is highly addictive.

The Research

Researchers at the Curtin University tested the chemicals and the toxicity of the 52 flavoured e-liquids on sale over the counter in Australia. They found that these vaping liquids were harmful and labelled incorrectly. E-liquids containing nicotine are illegal in all Australian states and territories yet, 21% of those e-liquids contained nicotine or nicotyrine.

Read more here

How many local wildlife species can your see on your local walks?

Glen Eira Biodiversity map shows some of the fascinating local wildlife to be found in our parks like the 2 lakes in the middle of Caulfield Racecourse, Boyd Park, Ripponlea, Mallanbool Reserve, East Malvern Urban Forest, Gardiners Creek and Elsternwick Park/Elwood Canal new urban forest – hope some in your 5km.

biodiversity-map_front-and-back.pdf (gleneira.vic.gov.au)

Nature Next Door Citizen Science program

Map and learn more about the wildlife you see on your local walks.

Nature Next Door - Citizen Science | Glen Eira City Council

Spring approaching at Glen Eira College

Wattles, flowering pear and witch hazel are blooming at GEC - enjoy!

The latest UN Climate IPCC Report

Released on 9th August – a very sad birthday gift for me and our planet. In writing the report, 234 scientists from 66 countries evaluated more than 14,000 recent climate change research papers and 78,007 technical queries.

Key findings of the report are:

Climate change now affects every place on earth
Greenhouse gas emissions are the highest they’ve ever been- Carbon Dioxide levels are the highest for 2 million years, and Methane and Nitrous Oxide the highest for 800,000 years
The world is warmer than any time in the past 125,000 years, impacting ecosystems and weather extremes
The rate of warming is accelerating - expecting a 2.1-3.5 degree increase above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century based on national pledges to 2030
All the climate models assessed exceed the Paris Agreement 1.5degree target in the early 2030s; and will exceed 2 degree this century if we don’t act fast
We need immediate, rapid and large scale cuts to greenhouse emissions and also removing greenhouse gases from our atmosphere
The scientists have worked hard to give us their best cautious advice – we need to listen and act fast in our schools, communities, workplaces and governments; and switch our savings to climate caring banks and superannuation.

Brave students take Australia’s Environment Minister to Court

In May the Federal Court of Australia found that Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley has a duty of care to avoid causing young people harm from the impacts of climate change. This is the first time a court, anywhere in the world, has recognised that a government minister has such a duty of care. The Minister for Environment Sussan Key is appealing this decision. The young people in these court cases are inspiring and hopeful.

Glen Eira Council Climate Emergency Response Strategy

DHUMBALI WURRUNGI-BIIK PARBIN-ATA was adopted by council in June after declaring a climate emergency in 2020. Some 1,900 local governments in 34 countries have declared climate emergencies following Darebin’s lead in 2016. As a member of the Glen Eira Climate Action Network and previously on Council’s Sustainable Transport and Advisory Committees, I advocated for both the declaration and this plan and support its goals

'Embed climate change action in everything that we do
Our community is active and mobilised on climate action
Council-owned buildings and infrastructure are resilient and safe for our staff and community
Our community is protected from the worst impacts of climate change
Net zero council emissions by 2025 (already achieved by several other councils)
Net zero community emissions by 2030.’

Well done Glen Eira Council and community and you can also be more ambitious in reducing transport emissions, and planting more trees to cool our neighbourhoods.

Our Climate Emergency Response Strategy 2021–2025 (gleneira.vic.gov.au)

Job readiness for 15-25 year old workshop

Wednesday, 1 Sept 4- 5PM

City of Glen Eira Living and Life Skills: Active in Lockdown 15-25 year olds

Living and Life Skills series | Glen Eira City Council

Anita Hess, Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray, Author talk

Tuesday, 7 Sept 7-8pm online, free

Especially relevant to year 10 students studying the play Stolen

Join author, Dr Anita Heiss, award-winning author of non-fiction, historical fiction, commercial women’s fiction, children’s novels and poetry and proud member of the Wiradjuri Nation. Set on timeless Wiradyuri country, where the life-giving waters of the rivers can make or break dreams, and based on devastating true events, Anita’s latest book, Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray (River of Dreams) is an epic story of love, loss and belonging. Suitable for adults and teens aged 14 and over.

Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray | Glen Eira Library

Daughter of the River Country Dianne O'Brien author talk

Online Thursday, 2 Sept 7- 8PM

Join local writer, Claire Halliday as she talks with author and Aboriginal activist, Dianne O'Brien, about her powerful new memoir of survival and, ultimately, hope.

Dianne was taken from her Aboriginal mother at birth and grew up, in the era of the White Australia policy, believing her adoptive Irish mother, Val, was her birth mother.

Val promised Dianne that, one day, they will take a trip and she would 'tell her a secret'. But before they got the chance, Val tragically died.

At the age of 36, whilst raising six kids on her own, Dianne learned of her true cultural heritage - and that her great-grandfather was William Cooper, a famous Aboriginal activist.

In Daughter of The River Country, Dianne shares her journey of resilience - to forgive her traumatic past and becomes a leader in her own right, vowing to help other stolen people just like her. Suitable for adults.

Daughter of the River Country | Glen Eira Librar

Other library events

Events calendar - Glen Eira Libraries | Glen Eira Library

Discover Creative Journalling Sunday, 19 Sept 10-11am
Alexandria – The Quest for the Lost City Tuesday, 21 Sept 7-8pm
The Nazis Knew My Name Thursday, 23 Sept 7-8pm Maya Lee - daughter of Australian Slovakian Holocaust survivor Magda Hellinger, who saved an untold number of lives at Auschwitz through everyday acts of courage, kindness and ingenuity.

2021 Glen Eira Municipality Youth Survey

The annual Glen Eira Youth Survey is now open for 2021. Council would like to hear from all young people aged 10 to 25 with a connection to the City of Glen Eira.

Youth Services provides support to young people who may be struggling with a range of issues, including mental health, stress, loneliness, relationships and employment.

Council provides the best programs, support and events so all young people in Glen Eira can reach their full potential. This is your chance to tell us what issues are important to you and what services are needed by young people in Glen Eira.

By participating in the Survey, you will go into the running to win one of five $50 Westfield gift cards.

The survey takes less than five minutes and can be completed from your phone’s browser by visiting https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2021ys

Catherine McNaughton: Editor, GECPA Newsletter

Contributors: Nicole Bishop

Tessa Spanneberg

Food Technology

Remote Cooking