Correction: Its is stated in this blog that Jodie Rimmer was the creator of the Horsham Floods Community Information Sharing Page. Jodie has informed me that it was not her that created the page that she in fact created the Victorian Floods page on Facebook. I will attempt to find the real creator and attribute the credit accordingly.  However Jodie was very active to the Horsham Page. Sorry for any confusions.  

As a student of the internet it has been a fascinating week of events. As the East coast of Australia has been hit with flood from North Queensland  to Northern Tasmania there  many affected by the rapid rise in water into their homes and businesses.

Past technology relied on broadcast technology to inform people what was happening with the crisis involving themselves, family and

friends.  Often confusing to those who consume the broadcast media and a need to know more about how their love ones are coping in time of crisis. However many of the news reports are somewhat hyped to make the story interesting by the broadcasters and as results causes anxieties among the communities?  It seems that the experts “Police, SES and Emergency Agencies” involved in the crisis will place conservative warning out that gets transposed into life threatening drama by the broadcasters.  Victoria unlike Queensland who had an inland tsunami caught many people unaware Victoria was more in control and experts where able to predict in ample time where the water is heading and at what levels they will rise. Concerns’ over risks of levies not holding and defences not holding was considered well in advance of the water reaching the crisis point.

I live in the town of Horsham Victoria where the Wimmera river reached a one in 200 hundred year high( So it to be said but locals will contest this.) The river was expected to peak at 3.8 meters however the Walma Gauge was showing more like 4.5 meters. This raised concerns for the “Media Circus” of the broadcast media.   What infract happen was the the gauge had fallen over giving them an inaccurate reading. Experts still maintained the the reading was wrong. (Source: BOM). But one in 200 was news worthy.

So how do you get accurate information?

Unless you are a researcher who wanted to know what is going on then the media frenzy was all you had to go on.  Conversation in the street where based on media frenzy. 

Twitter is a wealth of recourse for the flood information as many used Twitter to communicate the information. but also Twitter had a lot of noise and mixed data about what was the real stories of the floods. Although the Queensland and Victorian Police quickly picked up the hash tags #qldfloods and #vicfloods their where plenty who where there as spammers and self promoting their profile based on the feeds of others. This made it difficult unless you filtered for Queensland Police or Victoria Police. 

Centre for Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation (CCI) posted an interesting blog SOCIAL MEDIA VS THE FLOODS on how Social media played its role in communicating flood information.

But Facebook provided a totally different experience.  My Facebook friend Jodie Rimmer started a page on Facebook for locals to communicate about the floods. Jodie who is social media savvy and seems to have a real touch with the community of Horsham quickly gather  2,716 followers to her page Horsham Floods Community Information Sharing Page. Been pedantic on getting good information out to the community Jodie posted all the official bulletins on the pages so as people where in the know what was coming from the central command. These where all official and not rewritten by Jodie. 

I first met Jodie online when the Bushfires came through Horsham 2 Years ago where she first started Facebook Community pages for the Bushfires.  Interesting at the time it has became more interesting to me now on how this page operated.

But the wall is the most interesting part of the Horsham Floods Community Information Sharing Page. Those who had questions had some quick answers from those who where in the know.

An example of what people wanted to know.

( XXXX is hiding the names of the participants for privacy reason)

Does anyone know can you get from horsham to melb? Or horsham to ballarat?

10 hours ago · Like · Comment

·

 XXXXX just checked, the highway is open straight through now just down to 1 lane in some areas

10 hours ago · Like ·

o

XXXXX Ok thank you
scott needs to go to melb so just wanted to check b4 hand

10 hours ago via Facebook Mobile · Like ·

___________________________________________________________

Katie  Hi to all the families in Horsham, I was wondering if anyone could tell me if Albert St horsham was effected in anyway PLZ….. xxoo Thinking of you all xxoo

Wednesday at 11:48pm · Like · Comment

·

o Tanya  No… All good there:)

Wednesday at 11:52pm · Like ·

o

Katie Oh thank you Tanya…..your a sweetheart….xxoo

Wednesday at 11:54pm · Like ·

o

Deano Good luck Tanya with the town hall thing, id never been in it til the flood thing, pity they couldnt keep it and build one somewhere else, horsham is growing and could use if for something else. I can see why locals want to keep it the way it is. its kinda got that ole country feel. and this has only added to the appeal, huge fire and flood now in its history.

Wednesday at 11:59pm · Like ·

o

Sharon No Albert Street was good, as was most of our area. If I hadnt moved out of my street at all I would not have known there was a problem.

Yesterday at 6:42am · Like ·

These posts are personal. Information not available anywhere else on the web. Asking after specific details of information. Yes they could call the already busy command centre set up by authorities using the old methods of communications “The telephone” and get the information they need but Jodie’s Horsham Floods Community Information Sharing Page bought collaborations to local community members unlike I have seen before.

Apart from the hundreds of request about pacific local details( Does any one know about the street my mum lives in)  The community not only banded together to get sandbags out but also those on Social Media where there to help those who were desperate for local accurate information.

This banded together a community spirit in a country community through the use of Social Media. As one post puts it.

Suzanne  Once the flood crisis has passed, can we convert this into a Stay Connected with Horsham page? I’m going to miss you guys!

Wednesday at 9:52pm · Like · Comment

· 8 people like this.

·

o

Horsham Floods Community Information Sharing Page That’s a great idea. When the time comes I will ask for ideas on what to do with this page and the community we have created. Prior to that this page should serve to assist with recovery and finding assistance while things return to normal.

Wednesday at 10:21pm · Like · 5 people ·

o Jenni  This has been incredible watching the comnunity being so concerned and responding to each other. Its so much better than following over or under rated media reports. The pics added have helped loved ones see for the selfs. thankyou for making this site for the residents in AND out of horsham

Wednesday at 11:50pm · Like · 1 person ·

I am convinced that Jodie’s Social Media skills will create a great community page from this that other will use and respect. 

To conclude on this topic there was people who wrote on the wall where all genuine people who wanted to know about pacific issues and those who had answers. Almost all post where answered by someone who had local knowledge (Those that lived nearby) with incredible accuracy. Those (and very few) who posted misinformation where quickly corrected by other contributors. An example on how close the page was followed. The social and community was not only with the on ground volunteers but also on Facebook.

Well done Jodie and the Horsham Community who participated in Horsham Floods Community Information Sharing Page.

The Chriso

I am a student At Curtin University studying Internet Communications.

Bellingen

ACA reporter Kate Donnison claimed that the lack of Police has a town out of control. The youth of the town run havoc on the streets, breaking into shops and looting stock while there is nobody there to stop them.  A vigilante group was formed in the town to do  the work of the police.

This has angered the youth of Bellingen as they say the report  is a distorted view of the young people of the the Town.

Luke Franklin of Bellingen was upset by the report and posted on a  chat site after the story went to air:

“Oh bugger! Bello as just on A Current Affair!
And it was about the youth breakins here, made us look like bogan ville
bloody hell, ACA made all the youth here look like delinquents”

One Youth of the town  Ty Leech created  a Facebook Group Youth of Bellingen coming together to make this place better. The group now has 97 members and are now pushing to start a youth club. All the youth are contributing ideas on how to raise funds and create activities for them.

According to the Facebook Group Cr Kerry Child (Deputy Mayor) is meeting with the youth to help form a working committee.

Bellingen is a small tourist town in NSW with a population of 2170 and the Bellingen Shire Council support many youth initiatives.

Feb 7^th 2009 black Saturday is a day that all Victorian will never forget

This weekend brings the anniversary to the devastating fires storm swept Victoria Killing 173 people. Church services were held throughout the state remembering those who died and give faith to those who survived.

No one could prepare themselves to what happened that day and moves to help re establish whole communities that vanished in the fire.

Many who lost their homes and business are still trying to re build and get their life back to normal despite the heroic efforts of volunteers and charities.

Strong winds of more than 100klm played havoc on those who were sent to fight the fires.

Despite all efforts by fire crews to contain the fire, this is seen as the worst bushfire in Victorian History.

This day is also important to remember the CFA crews who risked their lives to battle the blaze.

Good new travel the world.

We now will take you back to the story of.

One fireman stopped to help a koala that survived the fire. The Koala had no hesitation to seek help from the fireman how kindly accepted a drink. This now has become a symbol of the Country Fire Authority of Victoria.

It’s showed how the CFA has a commitment to its task and the Kindness and unconditional help they provide the community.

Federal Court judge Justice Dennis Cowdroy today found that iiNet was not liable to stop users from obtaining illegal content from the internet.

"It is impossible to conclude that iiNet has authorised copyright infringement… (it) did not have relevant power to prevent infringements occurring," Justice Cowdroy said in his judgment.

This is an important decision for the internet user in Australia. If the decision had gone the other way then we may have seen people been denied access to the internet because of alleged illegal download of content from the the internet. 

The 1/2 inch thin device with a 9.7 inch screen is the latest offering from Apple to lure customer towards their successful iTunes and iStore.

On the surface it seem to be an overgrown iPhone but one of the revealing features is the new iBook. The iBook is aimed at Amazon Kindle market and of course you need to purchase your books through iTunes with an iTune account.  Apple has aligned itself with several well known publishers to supply online book purchases through an bookcase type interface.

Pricing for the new device starts a $499us for an 16gbto $699us for a 64gb. To add WiFi and GSM (Accessed through AT&T) capability you need to add another $149 us. The pricing is pitched at the gadget market and more expensive than a kindle.  For those who want a netbook plus an ebook and a iPhone may find it of value but for the rest of us who do not want a iTunes account and a life long mortgage to Apple may find it of no value.

Connection to the iPad is via it proprietary iConnector to usb. This again limits the use of the device to Apple accessories that can only be produced and distributed under Apple licences.

Apart from the Apples well designed user interface there really is not all that much to be excited about. The technology used has been about  for some time and all been placed in a larger device. The iPad clearly has netbooks and Amazon in mind but the market for netbooks is dwindling as the devices fall short of a real notebook.

Apple will see success with this product but will not replace a notebook for real computing.  Considering the design it will become popular with the Apple fan base and give the netbook market a fierce competitor.

Benefits

• Thin single tablet
• Mutitouch Screen
• User Interface
• iStore Applications
• 10 hours on Battery

Cons

• iTunes
• iStores
• iBooks
• Apple Connector
• AT &T (Maybe Telstra in Australia?)
• Limited Bluetooth
• Screen Size

Conclusion

The iPad is not all things to all people but could become the next must have gadget. I do not see it as a device that will change the world.

Images sourced from http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/

She spoke to the audience about the her role as a Doctor with the Australian Swimming team and that the role was not only that of been a doctor but a team player who had many jobs to do. Been a doctor was only a small part of her job  along with many other staff who support the team. 

Cr Michael Ryan preformed his duty to declare Mrs Moushumee Mahmood and Australian citizen.

Lynton Brown received an Australian day Award on behalf of the Committee who organised 50 Years of Rock event held in November.

The Australia Day Celebration was hosted by the Horsham Rural City Council and provided breakfast for the crowd of about 200 while been entertained by the Horsham Rural City Brass Band and Sing Australia Choir.

Miss Maddie Ostapiw open the formalities with Advance Australia Fair.

If a family’s income is $80,000 per year, under the old system the parental income test was too low.

Under new arrangements for the Youth Allowance, the maximum rate threshold will be aligned with the Family Tax Benefit A income test (currently $42,559) with support tapered down after this. The changes will have variable impact depending on family income.

In the past student would become independent from parents  and claim youth allowance so they can attend TAFE or University.  Changes to youth allowances  will now require students to live away from their parents for 18 month prior to starting studies to be classed as independent. 

Low income families will still be able to apply for youth allowance and enrol in courses but for those on higher combined incomes the student will have to fund themselves.

Leah Johnson finished her VCE this year. Her entry score was not high enough to attend the university she was wanting to attend. Her option was to wait 18 month and she would then be able to enrol in her chosen course. Under the new rule Leah needs to work 18 months to prove she is independent of her parents.

A job offer was made to Leah if she completed a TAFE certificate course. The course cost $5000 plus the cost of material, book, and travel.

Most student would find this impossible to achieve without the help of parents but some parent claim they cannot afford to pay these types of fees.

The key concern of Government has been to redress the current inequities of the Youth Allowance.

if a family’s income is $80,000 per year, under the old system the parental income test was too low for this family to receive any support.

Under new arrangements for the Youth Allowance, the maximum rate threshold will be aligned with the Family Tax Benefit A income test (currently $42,559) with support tapered down after this. The changes will have variable impact depending on family income.

According to  the Victorian Police Annual report, Crime Statistics 2008-2009. you are more likely to be murdered in a residential property(58) followed by a motor vehicle(47) than by any other forms of murder.

“There were 181 homicide offences recorded in 2008/2009, an increase of 9.0% on the 166 offences recorded in 2007/2008. The main offence within homicide is murder, which increased 2.0% to 100 in 2008/2009 from the 98 recorded offences in 2007/2008. After murder, culpable driving is the next largest contributor to homicide offences. There were 47 culpable driving offences recorded in 2008/2009; the
same as in 2007/2008” (Victorian Police,2009)

Of the 100 murders 58 where residential.

The police region 1 seen 27 murders, the same count for the previous year but with the increase in population the rate per 100,000 has decreased from 3.8 to 3.7 per 100,000.

“For all assaults, there has been a 3.7% decrease in offenders who are under 18.
Adult victims aged between 18 and 59 have increased by 5.9% and juvenile victims increased by 4.9%.
There has also been a 15.5% increase in victims who are aged over 60.
Looking at where these crimes occur, 39.2% of assault offences occurred in residential premises. During 2008/2009 there were 1,601 assault offences occurring at licensed premises, 0.9% higher than the previous period.
There have also been increases in assaults occurring at street / lane / footpath locations (4.5%).
Offences at these locations make up 28.7% of all assaults.” (Victorian Police,2009)

The report also states that Since 2000/2001 the crime rate per 100,000 population has decreased by 25.5%.The Victorian Police argue that the increase in population is the reason for the rise.

A close study of the facts shows that although there has been an increase violence in Victoria, A close look shows that increased concerns about racial violence is not supported by the figures. This would support the Victorian and Government rejects the statement that there is an increase in racial violence on the streets of Melbourne.(Victorian Police,2009) 

Reference

Victorian Police. (2009). Crime Statistics 2008-2009.

(Crime Statistics 2008/2009. All figures were extracted from the LEAP database on 18 July 2009 and are subject to variation.)

Dr Warburton says their results show that although disadvantages exist, they are overcome by a strong sense of community.

Read the full story here

Image source:http://www.latrobe.edu.au/jri/staff/jeni_warburton.html