2021 BACKPAGE TEACH IN Teach For Australia acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands across Australia and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. GUIDE TO VICTORIAN PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

GRASSLANDS, WITH NATIONAL PARK (GARIWERD) IN THE DISTANCE CONTENTS 04 05 06-07 08 09 10

OUR REGIONS COUNTRY OR CITY? NORTH-WEST REGION NORTH-EAST REGION SOUTH-WEST REGION SOUTH-EAST REGION

Teach For Australia places Associates may be placed Incorporates the Murray High country and farm Covers a huge area of the Takes in from Phillip Island Associates in the four DET in regional cities, regional River region, deserts and country destinations state from to the along the coast regional areas, as well as towns or metro . the historic Goldfields area spanning the South Australia border and hinterland to the NSW the Melbourne Metro area Highway border

2 / he state offers excellent opportuni- VICTORIA ties to make a difference in the class- Troom from day one, while you enjoy connecting to your community, working alongside new colleagues and enjoying a lifestyle change the envy of many. WELCOME Teach For Australia partners with schools right across Victoria. So whether you’re VICTORIA IS A GREAT PLACE TO after a tree change or a sea change, want TEACH, TO LEAD, AND TO LIVE to raise your family on a big block of flat land, have a hunkering for the hills, or you’re keen to really connect with a small (or large) community, then choosing a

Victorian placement with Teach For Aus- are often shorter than in the big smoke, Victoria might be one COASTAL , IN VICTORIA’S SOUTH-WESTERN tralia is the key to unlocking a satisfying so thank goodness Victorian country of the smaller of DET REGION IS A BEAUTIFUL career and a great standard of living. town cafes and bakeries often offer great Australia’s states TOWNSHIP WHERE TFA CURRENTLY PLACES ASSOCIATES coffee and big brekkies because you’ll and territo- Associates are often co-located at the have time for both before the school day ries but it is same school, or work close to other starts. bursting with members of the TFA family, meaning opportuni- car-pooling is frequently an option. That In school, you might be inspired to start ties. Make it means you can connect with your TFA programs for the performing arts, or sup- your colleagues, go over the day, chat about port student groups to enhance oppor- choice. what worked and didn’t work in the tunities for their learning and leadership. classroom, and of course plan epic week- You could find yourself helping out or end getaways. heading up environmental programs, TIPS & coaching sports teams or learning about While car-pooling with TFA colleagues ADVICE Country, while on Country. ASSOCIATE & has many benefits, country commutes ALUMNI INSIGHTS P11

3 / VICTORIA’S PLACEMENT REGIONS Teach For Australia places Associates in regional cities and regional towns in each of the Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET) regional areas, as well as in the broader Melbourne Metro area which takes in all of Melbourne’s DET regions.

4 / VICTORIA’S PLACEMENT REGIONS Regional City REGIONAL CITY, TOWN, OR METRO? Metro Melbourne Placements Placements

very year we place Associates (return). Examples of regional cities and could be placed include the South-West e partner with a number of in regional cities and nearby their surrounds where Associates could Coast, the , High Country and East schools in the Melbourne Etowns right across Victoria. These be placed include , Geelong, Gippsland. Wmetropolitan area, and placements provide a great mix of Horsham, , and surrounding suburbs. With a population Schools in these regions vary greatly in country living, access to beautiful natural Warrnambool. Working and living in of five million, long commutes are to their size and community need, with settings and outdoor recreational these regional communities provides be expected in Melbourne, with many lack of access to opportunities being a pursuits. A number of these regional you with the opportunity to see what schools not easily accessible via public significant common issue for all students. cities have thriving Alumni communities educational inequity looks like first-hand. transport. A placement in Melbourne Associates placed in these schools as Associates have chosen to remain after could see you teaching out towards become part of the local community, completing the Leadership Development Hoppers Crossing and Melton in the west, Regional Town joining local recreation clubs and Program and as more Alumni have Craigieburn and Whittlesea in the north, groups. They get to know their students moved to the region. We also place in a Placements Narre Warren in the south–east or along and their parents as wider community number of schools in towns surrounding the Mornington Peninsula to the south. e work with a number of schools members, beyond the walls of their each regional city. that are more than 60 minutes classrooms. While these placements Many Associates placed in Melbourne Many Associates choose to live in these Waway from a regional city. These can be challenging due to their isolated work in multi-cultural schools with a towns so they can become part of their schools are spread right across Victoria in locations, the opportunity to have impact high proportion of students from recent local community; others choose to base towns of all sizes (populations range from and to develop as a teacher and leader is migrant families. Working in these schools themselves in the regional city, with less than 100 up to 10,000). Examples significant. gives Associates the opportunity to access a daily commute of up to two hours of the where you everything Melbourne has to offer.

5 / REGIONAL CASE STUDIES NORTH-WEST

ssociates living in river cities, rural The Murray River town is located near the townships and agricultural centres edge of the north-east DET region, and Aright around Victoria have traded in boasts activities such as paddlesteamers, their ‘big city’ commutes for easy living. golf courses, wineries, world-class water skiing and major skiing events such as Echuca, located in the Loddon the Southern 80; the biggest water ski Campaspe area, sits on the NSW border race in the world. The Murray River is opposite its twin city, Moama, and is central to life in Echuca, helping to turn symbolic of the sort of lifestyle change the city into a powerhouse of regional that Victorian regional living affords TFA commerce following white settlement. Associates.

EAT & DRINK DO & SEE

Stock your cellar at the many wineries of Paddle the mighty Murray River the wine region, which is Enjoy the Port of Echuca’s Discovery Centre the oldest continuously producing Victorian & Heritage Walk, Billabong Ranch, silo art at wine region, with Shiraz plantings dating nearby Rochester and more from 1860. Big bold Marsanne, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are also widely Explore Aussie automotive history at the planted, while the region is also famed for its ECHUCA, LOCATED ON National Holden Museum, which boasts THE MURRAY IN fortified wines. vehicles from the car giant’s every era NORTHERN VICTORIA

6 / REGIONAL CASE STUDIES NORTH-WEST MARYBOROUGH

esert landscapes, big skies and of Melbourne offers a thriving arts and friendly country towns top the list dining scene with abundant day spas Dof reasons Associates have chosen and festivals. The goldfields township of to call the Mallee home. Significant Maryborough, with a population of nearly population centres include Mildura, 8000, punches well above its weight in Ouyen, Robinvale, Swan Hill and Kerang. terms of 1800s era history and things to see and do. The Maryborough Education The Loddon Campaspe area takes in Centre has been hosting Associates for townships on the Murray River including the last several years, allowing for the Echuca, south to the goldfields area on development of a thriving network of the northern fringe of Melbourne. Ever- dedicated educators. popular Kyneton around an hour north READ MORE DO & SEE

Click here | Partner school Maryborough Gold Rush era architecture including Education Centre: welcoming Associates into Maryborough’s fire station, which now serves the community – 14 May, 2019 as the Central Goldfields Art Gallery

EAT & DRINK Bull Gully Rock Wells, arguably the best example of Aboriginal rock wells in Victoria, Maryborough offers an abundance of are a hand-crafted catchment for falling rain dining options, including cafes, hotels and LAKE VICTORIA, restaurants, many showcasing local produce Do a lap of beautiful Lake Victoria MARYBOROUGH

7 / REGIONAL CASE STUDIES NORTH-EAST SHEPPARTON

he north-eastern region’s change opportunities. mountains, valleys, rivers and The Goulburn region is one of Victoria’s national parks provide endless T main food bowls. The heart of the district scope for enjoying life when the school is the rural centre of Shepparton, where day ends. Population centres such as Teach For Australia has been working Seymour, Euroa and are for several years. A newly merged ‘mega’ dotted along the Hume Highway, while school promises significant educational and a number of other centres change for the young people of Greater sit along the banks of the Murray River. Shepparton. Associates have the High Country centres such as Bright and It is very cheap and fun to opportunity to make big impacts in this Mansfield offer the ultimate in tree- live with other people here. evolving environment. There are a lot of student teachers and younger READ MORE DO & SEE teachers in the area. This Click here | Shepparton students inspired by Tour the Aboriginal Street Art Project which makes for a good social 1.5km trek, a 20kg weight and Double Denim showcases local Aboriginal leaders netball team. – 8 September 2016 Cycle and walk the many trails that run EAT & DRINK throughout the Goulburn Valley and mean that a safe cycle commute is on the cards Shepparton is food growing country! Local markets, farm gate sales and country fairs Kidstown is Australia’s largest adventure abound. Plus, you can buy direct from SPC. playground

8 / VICTORIA PARK LAKE, SHEPPARTON REGIONAL CASE STUDIES NORTH-EAST SOUTH-WEST HORSHAM

he south-western Victoria placement Horsham is a particularly strong centre region takes in a huge part of the for Teach For Australia, with Horsham Tstate and includes cities and towns College hosting Associates yearly since as far afield as Geelong in the east and the Leadership Development Program Warracknabeal in the . commenced in 2010. A number of the school’s mentors came through the Along the coast, the regional cities of program. This, plus great support from Warrnambool and Portland offer plenty school leadership and the wider Teach of recreation including surfing, fishing, For Australia community makes Horsham camping, hiking and more. Further a smart choice for those looking for a north, you’ll find plenty to do and see in lifestyle change in Victoria’s west. , Ararat, Stawell and Horsham. READ MORE DO & SEE

Click here | Impact Case Study: Horsham Visit the Botanic Gardens, designed by College, Northwest Victoria – 12 April, 2016 William Guilfoyle, who designed Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens EAT & DRINK Horsham Golf Course is rated in the top Horsham is home to 17 restaurants and 16 100 in Australia, with a pro shop and dining cafes. You won’t go hungry, even if its at the available end of a long day exploring the south-west of the state’s many attractions. Swim in the new Horsham Aquatic Centre

9 / REGIONAL CASE STUDIES SOUTH-EAST TRARALGON

he Gippsland coast, growing Teach For Australia community. The regional cities and rural hamlets regional city has a population of nearly Tprovide plenty of scope for moving 26,000 and is the fastest growing city in to the country for a lifestyle the envy the . The region’s transition of many. Population centres such as from coal production will have significant LAKE NARRACAN , Wonthaggi, Sale, effects on the area’s community so AND YALLOURN and Orbost offer the benefits of larger Associates and Alumni have the capacity townships with easy access to the coast to play a leading role in supporting the and mountains that define the region’s community and its young people through southern and northern borders. this period of change.

Traralgon sits at the heart of Gippsland’s READ MORE DO & SEE

Click here | Top of the class: accolades for Walk the wide tree-lined streets and explore Latrobe Valley educators – 31 May, 2021 the city’s attractive gardens

EAT & DRINK Take in many of the region’s scenic tourist drive routes Traralgon boasts a thriving pub and club scene, plenty of outdoor dining options, Pedal the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail while country drives often reveal farm-fresh from Traralgon to Stratford via a series of produce being sold at farm gates. beautiful country towns

10 / MOVING TO REGIONAL VICTORIA? SOUTH-EAST TIPS & ADVICE ASSOCIATE & ALUMNI INSIGHTS hinking of moving to regional volunteers to do the score keeping, run Be prepared for a big change. Change RESEARCH LINKS Victoria to join Teach For Australia? water for the players, volunteer in the always comes with challenges. Be ABORIGINAL VICTORIA – Want to learn THere’s some handy tips and advice. canteen or do a million other tasks. prepared and “want to” become a part more about language groups in Victoria. of the community. It won’t work for ANTaR’s website is a great place to start. you if you return home every weekend, It’s been fairly easy to get to know the You will run into students, their families especially considering the work load of VICROADS – If you’re moving from area and other Associates. I wish I had and your colleagues at the shops! the TFA program. interstate, information on registering an moved down sooner to give myself more interstate vehicle in Victoria can be found time to get set up before diving into TFA here, with additonal info on changing to and school commitments. Consider whether you’ll need a car. Look into the area as much as you a Victorian Drivers Licence here. Public transport in regional areas is not can, reach out to any Teaching and DISCOVER - Here’s the official Tourism as frequent as in major cities. Leadership Advisers and Alumni that you guide to Victoria’s amazing regions. Finding a preferred doctor, dentist and can; we are all here to give advice. OUTDOOR OPPORTUNITIES – Love other allied health professionals can be the great outdoors? Here’s your Parks tougher than in the city. Expecting visitors? Australia’s states Victoria guide to getting out and about. and territories can have different school Find at least one hobby within the holiday periods. Check the dates if you’re community outside of school to give PUBLIC TRANSPORT – Public Transport Get involved with local sporting groups to planning to have interstate family/friends yourself a break from all the teacher talk. Victoria has information on public make friends outside school. You could visit you during your breaks from school. Get involved with the school as much as transport across Victoria, including route play, or if playing is not your thing there’s possible, but ensure weekends are for maps, planning and schedules for local, not a country club that doesn’t need you. intrastate and interstate transport.

11 / MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN VICTORIA CONTACT TEACH FOR AUSTRALIA TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT TEACHING IN VICTORIA

WIMMERA RIVER, HORSHAM

Teach For Australia acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands across Australia and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Level 1, 103 Flinders Lane TEACHFORAUSTRALIA.ORG Melbourne VIC 3000