Wednesday 31 October 2007

Week 11

Lecture: This week we learned about Data, Information and Knowledge. There are some definition we were taught that are important which are: Datum - a fact or proposition, Information - a collection of facts or data, Knowledge - learned information. These 3 definitions also have characteristics which are: Data - factual, non-judgemental, non-inferential, transient, has no meaning and has no value. Information - summative, relational, dimensional, permanent, has meaning and uncertain value. Knowledge - inferential, experimental, judgemental, subjective and is very valuable. Also the definitions have importance like: data - must be quantitative and representative, information - must be inform, relational and meaningful, and knowledge - origins should be clear, must have a logical conclusion and have justification of data. Some examples of these are: data - price, shares, weather and census data. Information - tables of census data, almanacs and budgets. Knowledge - white pages, press release and marketing strategies. they all have relationships to each other which starts with data and then moves to information to where it can be stored as knowledge.

Workshop: We were given some tasks to do which are: to visit some dictionary websites to find the definitions of data, information and knowledge.
Data - raw facts and figures which is turned into information.
Information - is a collection of raw data but can also be data itself.
Knowledge - there was no term for knowledge as it is only what the person knows.

The relationship between data, information and knowledge is, raw data is recorded and transferred into readable accessible information and then we learn the information to which it becomes knowledge.

5 organisations that collect information are Bureau of Statistics, Australian Medical Association, City of Gosnells, Westpac Bank, Health Department of Australia, and Census of Australia.
They all collect information to produce statistic data so it can be analysed.

as posted on Jud's Blog

Monday 29 October 2007

Deadlock over vote for Mayor ....

You really need to take the effort and check out the minutes for the "Meetings" held on the night of 22nd October, these can be found on the COG site, it appears that two meetings were held that night to resolve the issue of a deadlocked vote in the first meeting ... all was resolved after the councilors had an adjournment of 30 minutes ... after which a new meeting started and Cr Searle was elected Mayor.

So one must say that during the adjournment - some councilor(s) changed their vote, the vote still went down to second preferences again but with a new result, unfortunately it was not reported how the votes were cast ... one can only guess, but then again I should of been their to witness it, but I wonder why it was not reported in the local press ...

Saturday 27 October 2007

Don't forget to wind the clocks forward

IF it feels harder than usual to get up tomorrow, it's probably because you've missed out on an hour of sleep.

It's that time of the year again - the start of daylight saving -- with the clocks jumping forward one hour at 2am tomorrow. Daylight saving is scheduled to end on March 30 but there is a Bill before State Parliament (NSW??) to extend it until April 6.

The ACT, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia will join NSW in starting daylight saving tomorrow while Tasmanians wound their clocks forward an hour on Sunday, October 7.

as posted on news.com.au

Friday 26 October 2007

Meeting Minutes ...

usually the minutes for meetings are posted on COG site on Thursday, but as yet they have not been posted, hopefully they will be posted early next week, updates on the website have been very slack lately, and the coverage of the election was very poor to say the least ...

New era for City

The City of Gosnells has entered a new era with the election of Councillor Olwen Searle as Mayor and the arrival of new Chief Executive Officer Daniel Simms.

Cr Searle was elected Mayor by Councillors at Special Council Meeting.

“It is an enormous honour to be elected Mayor and it brings great responsibility,” said Mayor Searle.

“The City has taken great strides in recent years and we need to maintain that pace of development and improvement.

“Having worked as a Councillor for over 20 years, I will look to bring that experience to the position of Mayor.

“We have a wonderfully diverse community and we need to ensure our City provides a great environment where people can live, work and relax.

“Fortunately we have a great team of Councillors and staff who work well together for the good of the City. I sincerely welcome those who are new to the Council and look forward to working with the group.

“My predecessor as Mayor, Cr Patricia Morris, worked tirelessly for the City and the Council and I will build on those efforts,” Cr Searle said.

“I am also delighted to welcome Daniel Simms as CEO,” said Mayor Searle. His reputation for strategic planning expertise will be of great value to a City which has an enviable reputation in local government for its award winning financial management and commitment to long-term planning.”

This is Mayor Searle’s second term of office as Mayor. Cr Searle’s served previously from 1993 to 1996 and becomes the 22nd leader of the City since 1907.

Cr Julie Brown was elected Deputy Mayor.

as posted on COGsite

Tuesday 23 October 2007

October School Holiday Program - Climbing Wall


In October we ran a School Holiday program which included Circus Skills, Painting T-Shirts, Air Rifles and a climbing wall.

This is a video we shot on the day of our good amigo Fernando climbing the wall. He’s using the most difficult climb [which consisted of only the yellow grips].

The kids absolutely loved the climbing wall as well as the other activities we had with them. The food was raved about by the kids, especially the roast lunch that was cooked by our own Manager First Class Constable Kay Turner.

as posted on Gosnells Police and Community Youth Centre

New Mayor ...


The City of Gosnells has a new Mayor, Cr Olwen Searle JP and Deputy Mayor Cr Julie Brown, congratulations for their new positions.

as published on COGsite

Monday 22 October 2007

Nine injured in minibus, car crash

NINE people are in hospital after a crash involving a minibus and a Holden Commodore in Perth's south.

The vehicles collided at the corner of Hartley Street and Fremantle Road, in Gosnells, about 6.45pm (AWST) today, WA Police said.

Nine people were taken to Armadale Hospital with minor injuries, a St John Ambulance spokesman said.

as posted on News.com.au

Sunday 21 October 2007

Election Results ...

Gosnells Election Type Ordinary
Roll Close 31/08/2007 5:00:00 PM
Close of Nominations 13/09/2007 4:00:00 PM
Date of Election 20/10/2007
Returning Officer Shaun MAJOR
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Councillors - Bickley Ward
Expiry of term (2) 15 October 2011
Total electors 17443

MITCHELL, Ron
Elected 1st
15 October 2011

POTTER, Helen

WAINWRIGHT, Pauline

BARAIOLO, Sandra

STEVENS, Daniel

GRIFFITHS, Liz
Elected 2nd
15 October 2011

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Councillors - Canning Vale Ward
Expiry of term (2) 15 October 2011
Total electors 22874

BARRETT, Wayne
Elected 1st
15 October 2011

FERNANDEZ, Chris
Elected 2nd
15 October 2011

EVANS, Peter

HAWCHAR, Mahmoud (Dave)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Councillors - Gosnells Ward
Expiry of term (2) 15 October 2011
Total electors 18400

GRIFFITHS, Dave
Elected 1st
15 October 2011

WIFFEN, Bill
Elected 2nd
15 October 2011

CROFT, Rod

GEORGE, Brad

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

as posted here where you can obtain full results

That was an encouraging result and the system seems to work well, good luck to the successful candidates, having not campaigned in this election other than this website, I am left with nothing but encouragement and await the next election, with more experience than before, but hopefully we can lift the participation levels and exposure of the election process ... - Peter Evans

Friday 19 October 2007

Is your dog registered?

It’s dog registration time again and this year, dog owners are being reminded to notify the City of Gosnells if their details have changed.

Dog owners in the City of Gosnells should have received their renewal notices in the past week and renewals are due by Wednesday 31 October.

“Ensuring that your dog is registered is an essential part of being a responsible pet owner,” said Governance Director Trevor Perkins.

“It’s also important that people notify the City if they move house or their dog has been sterilised – and owning a sterilised dog qualifies residents for a big discount on their registration.”

It is a requirement under the WA Dog Act 1976 to register a dog over three months old and ensure that its registration tag is worn in public.

Information on payment and how to notify the City about changes is on the back of the renewal form.

as posted on COGsite

Thursday 18 October 2007

Body part case dismissed over legal loophole

A hospital refuse worker who recorded images of human body parts to keep as “memorabilia” has had a charge of interfering with a corpse dismissed after a Perth court ruled yesterday that body parts did not necessarily qualify as “human remains” under law.

The ruling sparked one health consumer group to call for a legislative review and the Australian Medical Association WA to reassure patients that medical staff were trained to treat body parts with respect.

Dwayne Lawrence Goff, 27, faced trial in the Perth Magistrate’s Court after he used his mobile phone to take a photo of human toes and footage of a human leg being manipulated by a co-worker while he was employed by a refuse company contracted to work at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

Police alleged that during the footage of the leg, which was played to Magistrate Elizabeth Woods but not the rest of the court, Mr Goff was heard to say “It’s a f…… knee-cap. Meaty”. Mr Goff claims he said “a bit of meat”, not “meaty”.

The macabre images were found by police after they seized Mr Goff’s phone during other enquiries at a Gosnells address he was staying at temporarily in May this year.

Mr Goff, who worked with the waste disposal company for about two years before leaving in 2006, was charged with interfering with and making indignant comments about human remains under a section of WA’s criminal code covering misconduct with corpses.

The section of the legislation used in Mr Goff’s case deals specifically with a “dead human body or human remains”.

Yesterday, Ms Woods agreed with a no-case-to-answer submission made by defence lawyer Nicholas Stevenson in which he argued “human remains” meant parts from a dead body, not a living one.

Mr Stevenson said because the limb and digits were amputated, it was likely the owners were still alive – possibly as a direct result of the surgery.

Police prosecutor Sgt Brett Spark argued that the “spirit” of the law meant it should apply.

But Mr Stevenson argued that the term “human remains” had to be kept tight, otherwise “the law could be open to cover even a baby’s tooth”.

“What else comes under the banner – donated blood, sewage?” Mr Stevenson asked in court.

Ms Woods decided police had not proven the charge against Mr Goff and dismissed the case.

“While what was done was probably tasteless, it does not constitute a criminal offence for the circumstances,” she said.

AMA State president Geoff Dobb said Mr Goff’s actions were ethically questionable but it was important patients still had confidence in the hospital system.

“I think it’s important that the public do have confidence that parts of bodies are treated with absolute respect. That is something that is absolutely drummed into medical students from day one and it’s important that everyone working in a hospital take the same approach,” he said.

Health Consumers Council executive director Michele Kosky labelled the case “bizarre”.

“As a general principle patients would expect that their bodies and body parts are always treated with the respect and dignity they should be whether they are alive or dead. Perhaps the legislation needs to be reviewed to reflect that,” she said.

Mr Goff, who was described by his former boss during the court proceedings as a good worker, admitted to the court his behaviour had been “stupid” and “juvenile”, saying he made the recordings to use as “memorabilia” and to show friends, if they could “stomach it”, what he dealt with in his job.

But he said he did not know the actions were illegal.

The court awarded Mr Goff $4500 in legal costs.

CHRISTIANA JONES

as posted on WestAustralian

Wednesday 17 October 2007

Minister launches trio of community integration projects

Multicultural Interests and Citizenship Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich today launched three projects that aim to support migrant and refugee families in the south-east metropolitan area. The combined launch was for two projects funded through the Community Relations Integrations Officer (CRIO) Grants Program, administered by the Office of Multicultural Interests, and one through Lotterywest.

(Media-Newswire.com) - Multicultural Interests and Citizenship Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich today launched three projects that aim to support migrant and refugee families in the south-east metropolitan area.

The combined launch was for two projects funded through the Community Relations Integrations Officer ( CRIO ) Grants Program, administered by the Office of Multicultural Interests, and one through Lotterywest.

The CRIO Program has been developed by the State Government, with funding assistance from the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship, to raise awareness of and facilitate access to services and programs for members of new and emerging communities.

The two CRIO projects launched today are The Gowrie and the Gosnells Women�s Health Service.

�I strongly support the CRIO projects as they are a practical community based strategy that aims to educate people about what local community services are available for them to offer support and assistance,� the Minister said.

�Newly arrived refugees and migrants are often unaware of the range of services and programs available to them.

�They also face barriers such as language, transport and the cultural appropriateness of services and information provision in gaining access to those services.�

Ms Ravlich said settlement was a highly complex process and its success was the responsibility of both the individual concerned and the community as a whole, particularly in its ability to support the integration of immigrants into Australian society.

�Community based projects such as these are vital in developing relationships between new and emerging communities and service providers so that members of these communities can better access services and programs,� she said.

�It also helps them build their capacity to identify and find solutions to their needs, which they know better than anybody else. �

The Gowrie�s CRIO project aims to establish networks and identify issues and service gaps for young people aged 12 to 17 from new and emerging communities.

The Gosnells Women�s Health Service CRIO project aims to provide support for refugee women and their children settling in the south east metropolitan corridor to access post and prenatal services available in the area, with a focus on parenting, pregnancy, childbirth and emotional health and wellbeing.

The Gowrie�s innovative Multicultural Supported Playgroups project, funded by Lotterywest, is also being launched to assist migrant and newly arrived refugee families with young children in the south-east corridor.

The project aims to develop and strengthen parents� knowledge and understandings of young children's development and to facilitate their access to local community services and facilities. Weekly �family play and learning sessions� are provided at the creche facility at Gosnells Community Lotteries House.

�It�s very encouraging to see community agencies with shared visions working together address to issues and implement programs that have the potential to make such a difference,� the Minister said.

Minister's office - 9213 6800

as posted on media-newswire

Tuesday 16 October 2007

Book Review: Those Faraday Girls


BEST-SELLING Australian author Monica McInerney and her latest book, Those Faraday Girls, is the first featured writer in The Sunday Times Big Book Club.

She will tour WA libraries this week talking to readers about her work and new book.

Set in Tasmania, New York and Ireland, Those Faraday Girls, which has rocketed to No. 2 spot on the Dymocks bestseller list, centres on an eccentric grandfather, five charismatic sisters, the niece they’ve collectively raised – and a secret that could destroy everything these women have grown up believing.

It’s filled with McInerney’s trademark warmth and humour and will engage readers of all ages.

The Sunday Times Big Book Club aims to promote the love of reading, encourage readers to give other titles that they might not necessarily read a go, support emerging and established local and Australian authors and bring together authors, libraries, communities,and booksellers in both regional and metropolitan areas.

The Big Book Club is supported by the Australia Council for the Arts, the State Library of Western Australia, in association with WA public libraries, The Sunday Times, and participating booksellers.

MEET MONICA MCINERNEY AT THESE LITERARY EVENTS:
WEDNESDAY, 17th October


1.30pm-3pm. Knowledge Centre, 2232D Albany Highway, Gosnells. Free, with afternoon tea provided. Bookings, phone 9398 2551.

6pm for 6.30pm start. Official launch of The Sunday Times Big Book Club with Monica McInerney, hosted by the State Library of Western Australia. State Library of WA, Perth Cultural Centre. Free, with drinks and nibbles provided. Bookings, phone SLWA on 9427 3151.

Visit www.thebigbookclub.com.au or contact Sue Hill, national project manager, on 0402 000 472

as posted on PerthNow

Get into it! at Leisure World

Australia’s top Paralympian swimmers will take on members of Thornlie Swimming Club and Gosnells Aussi Masters for the Race of the Century, as part of Get Into It! at Leisure World in October.

Get Into It! is a City of Gosnells SafetyLynx event to be held on Saturday 27 October to encourage people with disabilities and their families to discover recreational opportunities in their community.

There’s free entry to Leisure World so everyone can catch the action between the Paralympians and local swimmers, who’ll compete in a series of races, including a novelty event where swimmers will don neck-to-knee togs to mark the City’s 100th anniversary.

City of Gosnells Mayor Patricia Morris AM JP said the event was a fun way for people with disabilities and their families to try new activities.

“Leisure World is a great place for the event. We have beach-entry to the pool and a pool hoist for people who use wheelchairs, as well as a spa with a ramp for wheelchair access.

“We would really like people with a disability who live in the City to come along and get involved.

“It’s important for everyone to enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle and this is a wonderful opportunity to have some fun too,” she said.

Get Into It! also features skate and break dancing demos at Thornlie Skate Park, children’s storytelling at Thornlie Library, Safe City and Neighbourhood Watch displays and ‘have a go’ in the gym for people with a disability.

The event is from 12.30pm to 3.30pm at Leisure World on Culross Avenue, Thornlie.

Bookings are essential. For more details or to book your place, call the City’s Disability Services office T: 9398 7327.

as posted on COGsite

Saturday 13 October 2007

from a Candidate running in Bickley

Yes it is sad that many voting packages have not been returned to date the Bickley ward has received 4005 votes, the Canning Vale ward has received 5138 and the Gosnells ward has received 3748.

I am running for election in the Bickley ward and the amount of comments that have been passed on to me by the ratepayers is not very encouraging. Many are totally dismayed at the number of trips that are being taken un-necessarily.

I am happy to listen to any one just call me on 0419 520 190 or email me at s.baraiolo@gmail.com

... this was a comment posted on my post about very view voting packages being returned this election, the reference to the number of trips I believe is referring to the trips that Councilors take to Conferences and such, if you question the council about these they will tell you that the money comes out of the budgeted amount for councilor training and conferences, it is wise to note that many staff attend these events to, and most are essential to build a bigger and better council, again the growth issue .... - Peter Evans

Wednesday 10 October 2007

From a recent comment ...

G'day Peter,

For what it's worth, my wife and I will both be voting for you (the first council election I ever actually voted in).

I think you'll have a hard fight unseating anyone (as is always the case) but I like your style - the blog and web access is something I can relate to.

It is a running joke with my friends how bad this council is - you only have to go down the road into the "other" area of Canning Vale to see the difference.

Hopefully you can do something about this sham of a council. They get money for nothing. Worst council I've ever lived in. They get good money and do nothing with it. - Anonymous

... Yes I probably don't have much chance against the other candidates, but my aim is to get my view out there, as is my democratic right, I'm not posting out flyers, or advertising, because I don't have the money, I'm not a well known business man in the area, I'm a battler like most of us, trying to pay my mortgage and keep my kids fed, I don't have any other financial interest in the area other than my family home which is mortgaged, and I wont vote for something, just so the other councilors can go home early, I will encourage discussion and will not stand for being forced to vote for the benefit of others ... Peter Evans

Tuesday 9 October 2007

Recycling in the City of Gosnells Council area


check out this page, for some recycling info for our area

Each link below will provide you with recycling information for the City of Gosnells Council area. Using any of these services can help reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and ensure you place the right thing in the right bin.

Saturday 6 October 2007

Celebrating 50 years in Thornlie

During its centenary year, the City of Gosnells will celebrate another important milestone next month with the 50th anniversary of the suburb of Thornlie.

On Wednesday 10 October, Dr Gil McDonald – author of The Gosnells Story – will talk about the area’s heritage and discuss how the Thornlie community evolved from an early farming settlement in 1884 to a suburb of almost 23,000 people.

Long-time Thornlie resident and City Mayor Patricia Morris AM JP will launch the celebrations, along with a new brochure on the suburb’s history.

The Mayor’s family was among the first to settle in the area when the post-World War II migration boom sparked a population explosion in Perth.

“The land soon had more value for residential use than farming and by the early-1950s, the former pastoral land known as Thornlie Park was sold and developed into the suburb we know today.

“I have loved living in Thornlie. Our house was the 107th one built in the area and I have watched the suburb grow and change over the years.

“In the early days, it was a bit like a country town. We were probably one of the first communities in Perth to have a P&C but no primary school – fortunately, that soon changed.

“I have very fond memories of my time with the Brownies and Guides groups and I’m still proudly involved with Thornlie’s sporting community.”

Thornlie has the honour of having the State’s first air-conditioned shopping mall at Thornlie Square, one of the first Muslim secondary schools in Australia and has been at the forefront of urban planning with the carefully planned and marketed residential developments of Crestwood and Forest Lakes estates.

The presentation at Thornlie Library is from 10.30am to 11.30am and includes morning tea. For more information and bookings, please call Thornlie Library T: 9459 2499.

as posted on COGsite

Friday 5 October 2007

Less than 3000 voters ...

... I'm dismayed to report that less than 3000 voting packages have been returned for the Canning Vale ward, and the trend is that less packages are returned each day from now on, having stood in the last election 2 years ago, I am amazed how different the election process was this time around.

the packages were sent out almost only a week after the close of calling for candidates, which really gave candidates little time to get their messages out, also last year a draw was held for the order on the voting slip, seems this year that the order was determined by who had the first appointment with the returning officer.

two years ago and at previous elections voters would of noticed that the garbage trucks had advertisement on them notifying us of the elections, this year it does not seem to have happened, and apart from the sparse ads in the local papers and the COG news that is delivered in one of the local papers, you would of been lucky to have even noticed this election and as I feared most people would not of even bothered to have opened their election packages, I feel the voting numbers will be well down this year.

the reforms to local government have changed the way the votes are counted and a recent report has called for less councilors and amalgamation of existing councils, but most people would not even notice ...

Day one ..

the following reply was given ...

Thankyou for your enquiry. Council meetings are conducted under the provisions of the City of Gosnells Standing Orders Local Law 2003, a co...