Speaker's
Media Release
Parliament's Education Program goes Regional to Warrnambool
The Speaker of the Parliament of Victoria, the Hon Jenny Lindell, MP, announced today that Warrnambool will be the first regional city in Victoria to participate in the Parliament's Community Engagement Education Program for Primary School Students .
On Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 February 2008 , Parliamentary Attendants will take the Parliament to over 500 grade 5 and 6 students in over 6 different schools in Warrnambool. Students will participate in either a Parliament Information Talk or a Parliamentary Role Play .
The Community Engagement Education Program of the Parliament aims to reach out to people in an effort to foster a greater understanding of the role of the Parliament, the Speaker said.
The Role Play Program is designed specifically to be fun and to capture the attention of students by giving students a chance to pretend to be an MP and to pass their own law using dress ups and props from the Parliament, she said.
The Warrnambool City Council has generously offered the use of their offices to host the education sessions. The Role Plays will be conducted in the Council Chamber arranged like the Legislative Assembly Chamber with special placement for the students acting as the Speaker, the MPs, the Clerks and the Serjeant-at-Arms.
The Information Talks will teach students about the history of federation and the Parliament, how a law is made, representative democracy, and the role of a Member.
The Parliament is dedicated to strengthening our Education and Community Engagement programs. The more people understand what Parliament does the better participation and the better chance for the continuance of democracy in Victoria , Mrs Lindell said. We are looking forward to visiting other regional areas over the coming year including Benalla, Warragul, Stawell, Echuca and Sale.
The Parliament also runs daily tours and information sessions at Parliament House. Bookings can be made on 9651 8568.
Parliament Information Talks and Parliamentary Role Plays have been conducted at metropolitan schools since 2007.For further details, please call Anne Sargent, Assistant Clerk Procedure & Serjeant-at-Arms 9651 8555.