Pictured L-R: Duncan Brooks (DSE), George Havakis (SIBA), & Rod Flynn (ISB)

The Spatial Industries Business Association (SIBA) and the Department of Sustainability (DSE) recently announced that they will be providing funding from the 32nd Newtech – to be held in Colac, Victoria on 21 March 2013 – to support industry education groups.

Kellee Ireland, General Manager SIBA, in conjunction with Duncan Brooks, Manager Spatial Services Information Services Branch DSE, announced that they will continue to support education and pathways to industry, and have invited local schools in the Colac area to attend the 32nd Newtech exhibit.

Newtech rural and regional conferences are designed to provide accessible, stimulating and valuable learning and business opportunities for people involved in the use and development of land and spatial information in Victoria.  The aim is to provide a forum for people to keep abreast of government policies and directions, to stimulate professional development and promote new technologies.

“We have been working with the Geography Teachers’ Association Victoria (GTAV) to organise buses and students to attend during the morning.” Ms Ireland said. “Support and feedback from GTAV has been very positive and they are pleased to be involved in such a high profile industry event. “

Mr Stephan Latham, Education Officer added “We are excited to be working with the business community, as well as spatial support groups, such as Destination Spatial, Geography Teachers’ Association Victoria, Ballarat University, local councils and state government. The new Australian Curriculum recognises Geography as the place to teach about Spatial Technologies from primary school through to senior secondary.”

This time around Newtech has been supported by SIBA, and the program will focus on local issues:

1. Emergency services response, location and cross agency integration.
2. How the business community can work better with spatial educators such as Destination Spatial, Geographic Teachers Association Victoria, Ballarat University, local councils and state government.
3. In the afternoon, 4 x 20 minute rapid fire presentations focusing on spatial issues which affect the region followed by (early) informal question time and networking in the trade area.

For more information on Newtech Colac, please visit the NewTech conference website.