On Sunday 27^th February Lara Giddings travelled to New Norfolk High School to attend her first community forum as Premier.

Many thanks go to the Derwent Valley Youth Future Action Team who provided the Community BBQ that ensured everyone had plenty of energy to get through the busy afternoon of discussions.

Members of the local community discussed, a range of issues with Ministers and heads of agencies such as the future of Willow court, permanent policing, Education, Health.

On Monday 28^th February the Premier and Cabinet met with the Derwent Valley council where many of the issues raised by individuals of the community were highlighted by the mayor and councillors.

On Sunday the Premier and Minister for Education and Skills, Lin Thorp also went on a tour of New Norfolk High School to look at the new Science and Language Centre.  The Centre contains radio station facilities which will soon be used by the local community radio group Tyga FM.

 “Schools play such an integral role in our communities - they can foster the next generation of political, business and community leaders,” Ms Giddings said.

 

“But they can also play a far greater role in bringing the community together, by hosting various community and sporting groups.”.

 

In the past issues of public liability insurance have deterred community groups from using departmental facilities for fear of being liable if someone was injured.

 

In response the State Government introduced a two-year trial in July 2009 where community, not for profit organisations and sporting groups which aren’t already insured using Education Department facilities are protected by third party insurance.

 

The arrangement between New Norfolk High School and Tyga FM is win-win situation as it allows the radio station access to broadcast via a new boosted transmission system and provides the students with the opportunity to learn how to operate a radio station.

Ms Giddings said that, thanks to the completion of projects such as this new Science and Language centre, under the Commonwealth’s Building the Education Revolution, more Tasmanian community and sporting groups will have access to new facilities.