UTAS are running a “Dementia Knowledge and Education Needs” project and have invited West Coasters to participate.

The project involves surveying residents to see what we know about dementia, followed by focus groups to gather information about which areas of community education are important.  The project findings will help develop education to grow “dementia friendly” communities.  There is a desire within the community, as highlighted in the West Coast Community Plan 2025, to develop health and wellbeing services on the West Coast, this is an important project to be involved in.  There will be meetings in Zeehan and Queenstown on 26 September – contact UTAS on 62264289 for details.

Councillors and Council staff attended the launch of the new interpretive signage in Strahan last week.  The signs are a great initiative by Active Strahan and feature stories about Strahan history whilst encouraging exercising.  Council is pleased to have assisted Active Strahan in the installation of the signs. I encourage everyone to take a walk along the Strahan foreshore to learn a little more about Strahan’s past. 

Following on from Council’s recent meeting with UTAS around the potential for a major project on the West Coast, Deputy Premier and Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff will be meeting with Council, UTAS and other key stakeholders next week.  The intention of the project will be to enhance the opportunities available on the West Coast for education, including the potential for partnerships between local schools, UTAS, TAFE and local industry.  Just how this will look isn’t known however through the Education & Training Advisory Committee, which is in the final stages of being established, Council will be working with key people and the community to develop a strong model for consideration.

Phil Vickers

MAYOR