GeordieBarker.com

So a brief break from the travel blog to bring up something that has been on the cards for a long time…

Photo of a recent dance work @ VCA

As you may know, I have just finished my studies at the Victorian College of the Arts, which I undertook over 4 years. During my time at the college I was exposed to a wide range of artists, giving industry connections and a skillset that I will be eternally greatful for. Recently, the college has been struggling for money, and as such (just before I started), it merged with Melbourne University. This was not much more than a firming up of the finances of the college and was not seen as much of a threat.

Doorway @ VCA

Last year, the college started to bleed; it was renamed the FACULTY OF THE VICTORIAN COLLEGE OF THE ARTS. The Victorian College of the Arts, as an instution did not exist anymore. Recently, the University of Melbourne 2010 Business Plan was released, stating that the Schools of Dance, Drama and Production will be condensed into the “School of Performance” while the Schools of Film and Television and Visual Arts will be diluted into the “School of Exhibition”. (The School of Music has already been amalgamated with the University’s music department as reflected in the College’s recent rebranding as the V.C.A.M.)

This is the first direct hit for the college. You can read more about the changes and cuts to this wonderful arts college at www.savevca.org

Iron gates of the Art School @ VCA

WE NEED YOUR HELP

- Head over to www.savevca.org and take 5 minutes to write to the politicians that could save the VCA.
- Follow the campaign on twitter at www.twitter.com/savevca
- Join the campaign page on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/o8jxwl
- Join the mailing list by visiting http://tinyurl.com/rcsqte
- Write to the media outlining your contact with the college and reference the site (savevca.org)
- Talk to your friends about the changes and spread the word

Together, we can force the state and federal governments to fund this amazing arts college.

If you would like further information, please feel free to contact me.

Thanks for your time!

Geordie

A quick break from the travel for a moment…

A while back, in fact in April of last year, I wrote about my frustration at my local council for a parking fine I recieved in error. See the original post HERE! I just received an email yesterday from my local members stating that the Parking Infringement Notice will be revoked and all monies paid will be reimbursed.

Here is what I did…

1. Wrote to my local member of council
2. Included all my previous appeal information
3. Begged him to have someone with half a brain look at it

So in the most professional way possible…

I WIN, I WIN, I WIN!!!!! DAMN MONEY MAKING PARKING INSPECTORS….

We now return you to your regulary scheduled program…

January 27th 2009
Please let me know if you have had a similar experience, I am currently still fighting this battle, I have won one round, and now its onto round two. I may be able to assist you. Please use the comments box below!
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April 1st 2009
I received an email today, (see post) informing me that the notice will be withdrawn and that all costs associated with this notice will be refunded as soon as possible. What did I do? Contacted my local member and appealed for some sanity. Please feel free to contact me for advice in this matter. Public: 1 Parking Inspectors (Revenue Rasers): 0
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Now we are all trying to do our bit for the environment, and increasingly people are leaving their car at home and taking public transport to work/uni/school. I would like to class me as one of those people, who is committed to reducing the amount i use my car. If I am going into uni, i try not to drive anymore. I either walk to the station and catch the train in, or if I am very late, I drive to the station and then catch the train in. (more…)