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Australian Research Council (ARC) Grants
The Australian Research Council (ARC) plays a key role in the Australian Government's investment in the future prosperity and well-being of the Australian community. The ARC's mission is to advance Australia's capacity to undertake quality research that brings economic, social and cultural benefit to the Australian community.
This page contains a listing of all ARC grants awarded within the faculty for first year funding 2006 - 2013. In addition to the many projects undertaken through successful external funding, faculty staff are also engaged on research activity funded by Deakin internal grants. These activities are detailed on the relevant Strategic Research Centres and Schools web pages.
Projects do not end at the completion of the funding timeframe. The project team consolidates the research material into publication format and this process normally commences prior to funding completion and continues after funding ceases. Therefore many of the projects below where funding has ceased, will still be current.
2014 ARC Grants
Coming Soon
2013 ARC Grants
Faculty of Arts and Education research projects funded by ARC (first year funding 2013)
Social justice dispositions informing teachers' pedagogy in advantaged and disadvantaged secondary schools
Prof Trevor Gale; Dr Russell Cross; Dr Carmen E Mills
2013, 2014, 2015
Administering Organisation: Deakin University, School of Education
Project Summary: This project studies the different perspectives that teachers have towards social justice and how these differently influence their teaching in advantaged and disadvantaged secondary schools. It will produce new concepts and methods for researching educational inequalities and to better enable teachers to act in more socially just ways
Islamic religiosity and challenge of political engagement and national belonging in multicultural western cities Prof Fethi Mansouri; Dr Michele A Lobo; Prof Bryan S Turner
2013, 2014, 2015
Administering Organisation: Deakin University, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Project Summary: This project will investigate how participation in Islamic religious practices strengthens attachments to the western cities where Muslims have chosen to live. It will contribute to global, national and local policy outcomes that focus on the challenges of accommodating minority religions in diverse western cities
The legacy of Tim Winton
Prof Lyn M McCredden
2013, 2014, 2015
Administering Organisation: Deakin University, School of Communication and Creative Arts
Project Summary: While Tim Winton's fiction has received many prizes and has a wide readership, yet it has not received sustained critical attention. It is important that Winton's legacy is assessed and valued, acknowledging both his national and international popularity and the literary power of his writing.
Shared belonging in Australia: public space and intercultural relations in suburban Darwin
Dr Michele A Lobo 2013, 2014, 2015
Funded Participant: Dr Michele A Lobo, Centre for Citizenship and Globalisation
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: This project aims to develop a multi-layered and multidimensional understanding of public spaces in suburban Darwin, a Larrakian city. In particular it seeks to respect and value insights from people who have experienced dispossession and displacement such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and racialised migrants.
Projects with Faculty of Arts and Education personnel but led by another faculty
Intangible cultural heritage across borders: laws, structures and strategies in China and its Association of Southeast Asian Nations neighbours
Prof Christoph Antons; Prof William S Logan; A/Prof Carol Warren; Prof Jianfu Chen
2013, 2014, 2015
Administering Organisation: Deakin University, Faculty of Business and Law Project Summary:This project explores the way selected Asian countries have implemented international concepts regarding intangible cultural heritage and how cross-border conflicts about heritage have resulted from different interpretations of related 'rights'. This project develops proposals for international reconciliation and cooperation in heritage protection
2012 ARC Grants
Faculty of Arts and Education research projects funded by ARC (first year funding 2012)
Investigating the dynamics of migration and health in Australia: a longitudinal study
Dr S Jatrana
2012, 2013, 2014
Administering Organisation: Deakin University, Alfred Deakin Research Institute
Project Summary:This project will investigate the dynamics of changes in health and the factors that moderate or otherwise influence those changes over time among immigrants relative to non-immigrants in Australia. This understanding will contribute to several areas of policy formulation, in turn allowing the question 'how can we best intervene' to be answered.
Towards better multidimensional well-being measurement
Prof M McGillivray 2012, 2013, 2014
Administering Organisation: Deakin University, Alfred Deakin Research Institute
Project Summary
The research will develop enhanced multidimensional measures of well-being and provide guidance that will significantly improve their use and interpretation. It will provide insights that will better inform policies aimed at higher well-being levels.
Enhancing the quality of science learning through a representation-intensive pedagogy
Prof R Tytler; Prof V Prain; A/Prof G Hoban; A/Prof P Aubusson; Dr P Hubber; Dr G Chittleborough
2012, 2013, 2014
Administering Organisation: Deakin University, School of Education
Project Summary: This project will investigate the quality of science learning occurring through an approach to teaching that involves students generating, negotiating and evaluating representations of scientific concepts. Students will generate multi- modal representations using digital technologies, linking to the new Australian science curriculum.
Only at the movies: mapping the contemporary Australian cinema market
Prof D Verhoeven; Prof R Maltby; A/Prof C Arrowsmith; Dr K Bowles; Dr B Coate
2012, 2013, 2014
Administering Organisation: Deakin University, School of Communication and Creative Arts
Project Summary: Only at the movies? is a three-year project that asks: What is the enduring appeal of cinema going and how is it changing? It will provide detailed analyses of formal film exhibition and distribution in Australia by combining economic, cultural and geospatial research with industry expertise.
Building innovative capacity in Australian dance through new visualization technologies A/Prof K Vincs 2012, 2013, 2014
Administering Organisation: Deakin University, School of Communication and Creative Arts
Project Summary: Innovation is a core value of contemporary dance and a key driver of dance companies' artistic and economic growth. This project will enhance the innovative capacity of Australian dance by providing new methods for creating dance that integrates dance artistry with new technological advances in digital imagery.
Collecting institutions: cultural diversity and the making of citizenship in Australia since the 1970s
A/Prof A Witcomb; Dr K Message; Dr I McShane; Prof S Knell; Prof Amundsen
2012, 2013, 2014
Administering Organisation: Deakin University, School of history, Heritage and Society
Project Summary: This project will develop the first comprehensive history of the engagement of the Australian collecting sector with cultural diversity. It aims to understand the role of the sector in the management and promotion of culturally diverse societies, including the formation of citizens and to identify Australian innovation in this regard.
Measuring the destruction of heritage and spikes of violence in Iraq
Dr B Isakhan
2012, 2013, 2014
Administering Organisation: Deakin University, Centre for Citizenship and Globalisation
Project Summary: This project addresses the relationship between heritage destruction and violence in Iraq since 2003. Employing an innovative methodological approach,the project is expected to generate new understandings of the complex inter- relationship that exists between the destruction of cultural heritage and sharp upsurges in terror and violence.
Intercultural understanding in primary and secondary schools
Prof C Halse, Prof F Mansouri, Assoc Prof C A Arrowsmith, Assoc Prof J Moss, Dr R E Arber, Dr N Denson, Dr N Priest, Dr R S Webster
2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Partner Organisation(s): Together for Humanity Foundation Ltd, Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Pukunui Technology, Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: What facilitates or impedes intercultural understanding in children, adolescents and schools? How can this be addressed? How can we know what makes a difference? This project answers these questions at the individual, school and national level using a novel cultural systems approach and methodological and technological innovations.
Using Museums to Counter Racism and Increase Acceptance of Diversity Among Young People
Assoc Prof Y Paradies, Dr N Priest, Dr E Kowal, Assoc Prof Marg Kelaher, Prof F Mansouri, Dr M McFadzean, Ms C Meehan, Ms Sproul
2012, 2013, 2014
Partner Organisation(s): Museum of Victoria, Victorian Health Promotion Foundation
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: Although little is known about the topic, racism is a significant issue for young Australians. This project will reveal how high school students and their teachers understand racism, diversity and identity. It will also determine how museum programs can reduce racism and increase acceptance of diversity among high school students and their teachers.
Non-DU led projects
Religion and Political Thought A/Prof M Maddox; A/Prof R T Boer; Dr C Hartney; Dr G Boucher; Dr M J Sharpe
2012, 2013, 2014
Administering Organisation: Macquarie University
Project Summary: Why do so many Australian political leaders increasingly profess religious belief, while the public becomes more secular? What does this mean for our politics? Religion and Political Thought (RAPT's) interdisciplinary, rigorous analysis contributes both to a large international project (Asia, Europe and North America), and to developing an Australian tradition of political theory.
Design and Art Australia Online: Sustainable data sharing for Australian researchers and collections
Prof R R Harley; Prof J Bennett ; Prof J L Anderson; Prof A M Ledbury; Prof D Verhoeven; Prof P K McNeil; Prof H Edquist; Prof H W Schmidt; Prof K Friedman; Prof M A Sierra; A/Prof C M Speck;A/Prof J Mendelssohn; A/Prof P Thomas; Dr J L Biddle; Dr A G White; Dr C M De Lorenzo; Dr A J Callaway; Mr S R Chan
Administering Organisation: The University of New South Wales
Project Summary: This project will produce a comprehensive and authorative research facility of national and international significance. The enhanced Design and Art Australia Online facility will provide crucial information pertaining to Australia's art and design heritage that will be open for researchers of all levels, from school students through to higher-education researchers.
Innovative partnerships for youth engagement in education and work
Prof J Polesel; Prof J P Keating; Prof K E Starr; Dr D M Blake; Mr David J Gallagher; Mr D S Michaels
2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Partner Organisation(s): Catholic Education Office (SA), Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Catholic Education Commission of Victoria, Catholic Education Commission of NSW, SA Department of Education and Children's Services, NSW Department of Education and Communities, Association of Independent Schools of New South Wales
Administering Organisation: The University of Melbourne
Project Summary: The project is a partnership between two universities and eight school system agencies across three states. The project will examine how collaboration between schools system, employers and other providers can enhance applied learning in secondary schools and build youth engagement with education and work.
LP120200115 Cyber-Racism and Community Resilience
Prof A Jakubowicz, Assoc Prof G Mason, Dr A Bliuc, Dr Y C Paradies, Dr N Bahfen, Prof K Dunn, Ms V Erlichster, Ms A Henry.
2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Partner Organisation(s): Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, Australian Human Rights Commission, Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia
Administering Organisation: University of Technology, Sydney
Project Summary: Racism has become a significant source of social stress, facilitated through the internet, undermining community cohesion. This project will document perpetrators' creation of racist content, internet users' exposure to cyberracism, the capacity of regulation to manage the impact, and how social media can help communities to resist cyberracism.
2011 ARC Grants
Faculty of Arts and Education research projects funded by ARC (first year funding 2011)
Leadership in entrepreneurial universities: cross‑national investigations of engagement and diversity
Prof J A Blackmore, Prof S A Wright, Prof N Stromquist, Asst Prof P C Chen, A/Prof H Macha
2011 2012 2013
Administering Organisation: Deakin University, School of Education
Project Summary: Attracting and retaining academics in leadership is critical to developing twenty‑first century universities that promote innovative and creative economies and inclusive civil societies. This comparative study will provide policy makers and universities with empirical evidence and policy options to build leadership capacity and increase diversity in leadership.
Exploring quality primary education in different cultures: a cross‑national study of teaching and learning in primary science classrooms
Prof R W Tytler, Prof M W Hackling, Dr P J Hubber, Dr G D Chittleborough, Dr K J Murcia, Prof Dr J Ramseger, Prof H S Chen, Prof C J Hsiung
2011 2012 2013
Administering Organisation: Deakin University, School of Education
Project Summary: This project uses video studies of primary science classrooms in Australia, Taiwan, and Germany to explore teaching and learning practices, situated in diverse cultures, which provide opportunities for quality reasoning and learning in science. The findings will inform primary science teacher education to improve student achievement.
Moments in time: investigating a national history curriculum in early childhood settings and primary classrooms
A/Prof M Dixon, Dr P F Reitano, Dr K A Senior, Dr N C Green, A/Prof A I Taylor
2011 2012 2013
Partner/Collaborating Organisation(s)
> History Teachers Association of Victoria ,
> New South Wales Board of Studies,
> New South Wales History Teachers Association,
> Queensland History Teachers Association ,
> Queensland Studies Authority,
> Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
Administering Organisation: Deakin University , School of Education
Project Summary: The focus of this project will be the teaching and the learning of History in early childhood settings and primary classrooms located in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Findings from the project will provide evidence‑based curricular and pedagogical theorising of effective and productive teaching and learning of History in those contexts
Investigating the effectiveness of teacher education for early career teachers in diverse settings: a longitudinal study
Prof Diane E Mayer, Prof Brenton Doecke, A/Prof Mary Dixon, A/Prof Alex Kostogriz, A/Prof Andrea C Allard, A/Prof Simone J White, Dr Bernadette M Walker‑Gibbs, Dr Leonie O Rowan, Prof Claire M Wyatt‑Smith, Prof R J Bates
2011 2012 2013
Partner/Collaborating Organisation(s)
> Queensland College of Teachers,
> Queensland Department of Education and Training ,
> Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development,
> Victorian Institute of Teaching
Administering Organisation: Deakin University, School of Education
Project Summary: This project investigates the effectiveness of teacher education programs in Victoria and Queensland in preparing teachers for the variety of school settings in which they begin their careers. The findings will inform state and national policy, as well as the work of professional regulation authorities and teacher education providers.
Supporting pacific development
Prof M A McGillivray, Dr D B Carpenter
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014,
Partner/Collaborating Organisation(s)
>Sustineo Pty Limited
Administering Organisation: Deakin University, Alfred Deakin Research Institute
Project Summary: The research looks at the extent to which twenty two of the world's richest countries support development in the Pacific Islands region through their efforts with respect to aid, trade, migration, private investment, security, technology and environmental sustainability. It will develop an index that will rank these countries on the basis of these efforts.
Non-DU lead projects
From colonial to modern: transnational girlhood in Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian print cultures (1840 1940)
Dr Michelle Smith, Prof Clare M Bradford, Dr Kristine Moruzi
2011 2012 2013
APD Dr Michelle Smith
Administering Organisation: The University of Melbourne
Project Summary: This project will produce new histories of girlhood through the examination of Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian print culture. It will shed new light on how colonial girlhood reflected transitional ideals and how Australia related to fellow colonies through its print culture and developed unique national ideals for girls in the modern period.
Exploring the middle ground: new histories of cross cultural encounters in Australian maritime and land exploration
Dr Shino A Konishi, Dr Maria L Nugent, Dr Tiffany S Shellam
2011 2012 2013
Administering Organisation: The Australian National University
Project Summary: This project seeks to reinvigorate Australian exploration history by examining it through the lens of cross cultural encounters and relations. This will bring to the fore the experience of Aboriginal people who came into contact with explorers, as well as the experience of Aboriginal people who participated in exploration parties.
Minutes of Evidence project: promoting new and collaborative ways of understanding Australia's past and engaging with structural justice
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Dr Julie Evans, Dr Jennifer Balint, Dr Nesam McMillan, Dr Joanna R Cruickshank, Prof Patricia A Grimshaw, Ms Rachael Z Maza Long, Dr Elizabeth M Jones, Dr Jennifer L Bates, Prof Alan Lester, Dr Zoe Laidlaw, Miss Erin A Birch
Administering Organisation: The University of Melbourne
Project Summary: Bringing together researchers, theatre performers and education experts, this project heightens awareness of Australian history and sparks public conversations within, and between, Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, placing Australia at the forefront of international ways of addressing the questions of structural justice and reconciliation.
Serious play: using digital games in school to promote literacy and learning in the twenty first century2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Prof. Catherine A Beavis, Dr Michael L Dezuanni, Dr Joanne A O'Mara, Dr Sarah Prestridge, Dr Leonie O Rowan, Prof Claire M Wyatt-Smith, Dr Jason A Zagami, Prof Yam San Chee
Administering Organisation: Griffith University
Project Summary: Young Australian's social and cultural experiences are increasingly digital. This project will offer leadership to schools seeking to use and create games to improve student outcomes across subject areas, and will generate new knowledge about how students and teachers approach digital games and the kinds of literacy, learning and pedagogy they entail.
Collaborative Research Networks (CRN) 2011
Self-sustaining Regions Research and Innovation Initiative
(University of Ballarat, Deakin University, University of Melbourne, Monash University).
This initiative is aimed at strengthening regional "well-being" and driving regional rejuvenation through an alliance of research excellence in regional landscape change; regional social connectedness and health; and regional information use and systems optimisation. Deakin University will contribute expertise modelling and optimisation, visualisation and material research through the Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (Professors Peter Hodgson and Saeid Nahavandi).
Education, active living and water: Leveraging Victoria University's research investment
(Victoria University, Melbourne University, Deakin University, Edith Cowan University, CSIRO)
This CRN will grow capacity in Clinical Exercise Science and Active Living; Water Management; and Education in Low SES, Diverse and Underrepresented Communities. Deakin's contribution will be in two areas relevant to water management: socioeconomic and policy issues around water regulation, and materials for novel filtration and membrane systems through ITRI and the Alfred Deakin Research Institute (Professors Lingxue Kong and David Lowe).
Growing research excellence at Edith Cowan University through partnership and engagement (Edith Cowan University, University of Adelaide, Deakin
University, Flinders University, University of Melbourne, University of
Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, University of
South Australia, University of Sydney, University of Western
This CRN will create world class capacity in a range of areas of national strategic importance including Advanced Technologies for Leading Teaching and Education Practice. Deakin will contribute expertise in the use of technology in leading teaching practice through its Centre for Research in Educational Futures and Innovation (Professor Jill Blackmore).
Government & Industry Research
LIVE the future: Agenda 2020 defines the course of faculty research into the near future. In working to this commitment, faculty staff engage with industry and government (at all levels). The research interests of faculty staff are extremely varied reflected in the nature of grants awarded and exemplifying the faculty's commitment to integrating practice and theory in research that "makes a difference".
This page contains a listing of Gov't & Industry grants (Cat. 2 & 3 plus Cat. 1 non-ARC) awarded within the faculty for first year funding 2007 - 2013. (Projects receiving funds from ARC Linkage partners do not appear in this list - see ARC funding). In addition to the many projects undertaken through successful external funding, faculty staff are also engaged on research activity funded by Deakin internal grants. These activities are detailed on the relevant Strategic Research Centres and Schools web pages.
Projects do not end at the completion of the funding time-frame. The project team consolidates the research material into publication format and this process normally continues well past the funding cessation date, therefore many of the projects below where funding has ceased, will still be current.
Faculty of Arts and Education research projects with first year funding 2013
2013 Primary Science Specialist Professional Learning Program.
Prof R Tytler, Assoc Prof. P Hubber, Dr C Campbell, Dr L Hobbs, Dr L Barraza, Dr W Jobling, Dr J C Clark.
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) funding 2013
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project summary: This project is a funded by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) and is the continuation of the 2011-2012 Primary Science Specialists Professional Learning program. The final five day program (2013) will support primary science specialists with further professional learning through engagement with university science specialists, new information and heightened pedagogical practice. The program will build teacher capacity and boost primary students' engagement and achievement in science. This initiative is designed to promote sustained improvement in schools beyond the life of the initiative. An important aspect of the program will be ongoing monitoring and discussion of participants' ideas and experience, which will form the basis of research into the nature and effectiveness of this innovative project. It is anticipated that data collected will be used to explore research questions around the expectations and perspectives of participants, the contexts within which they will be working, and the relevance and impact of particular aspects of the program on participants' confidence and their perceptions of their roles. The findings will inform not only the ongoing program but also future initiatives in supporting teachers of primary science.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program:
Alignment with the Australian Curriculum and Australian Qualifications
Dr C Charles, Assoc Prof. M Dixon, Assoc Prof. J Moss, Assoc Prof. P Hubber
International Baccalaureate (IB) International Organisation (Singapore) funding 2013, 2014
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: The research explores the extent to which the IB Diploma Programme: i) aligns with the 'Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians; ii) meets the principles and practices outlined in the 'Shape of the Australian Curriculum'; iii) provides for students to learn curriculum content (knowledge, skills and understandings), and achieve the standards described in the Senior Secondary Australian Curriculum documents for English, Mathematics, Science and History as well as other learning areas; and iv) meets the specifications for 'Senior Secondary Certificate of Education' outlined in the Australian Qualifications Framework (Second Edition).
Early Years Education in the Primary Years Program PYP: Implementation Strategies and Program Outcomes
Dr A M Morrissey, Dr B Doig, Dr L Rouse
International Baccalaureate (IB) International Organisation (Singapore) funding: 2013
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: This project explores school implementation strategies and learning outcomes associated with the early years stage of the IB Primary Years Program, and compares the principles and practices of the early years stage of the PYP with national standards and research-based findings regarding quality early childhood education .
Science Literacy in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP): NAP-SL Outcomes
Dr C Campbell, Dr G Chittleborough, Dr B Doig, Dr Wendy Jobling
International Baccalaureate (IB) International Organisation (Singapore) funding: 2013
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary:This project examines the performance of Year 6 students enrolled in the Primary Years Program (PYP) against the Australian Proficiency Standards for Science Literacy (ACARA 2003) and results from the 2012 National Sample Assessment in Science Literacy.
A techno-historical trail of Peek Whuurong historical sites created by local students.
Dr J Lynch and Ms T Redpath
Telematrics Trust funding 2013
National Bank of Australia co-funding 2013
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Partners: Gunditjmara Community, Brauer College
Project Summary: Representatives of the Gunditjmara Community, Deakin University and Brauer College are exploring how mobile technologies might offer a way to teach young people about significant sites and Gunditjmara oral history. Secondary school students will be supported to develop a digital heritage trail, navigable using the geo-tracking capabilities of mobile devices. The heritage trail will be presented as a game that provides audiovisual information about the significant sites in the local area and will be made available to the general public. This work will contribute to the preservation and dissemination of indigenous oral culture by leveraging the affordances of mobile devices and geo-tracking social networking apps. It targets secondary school students as producers and users of digital oral history. The work done will be linked to the new Australian Curriculum in the domains of History and Geography, and the pilot will develop a model that will be transferrable to other educational and cultural contexts.
Increasing demand for maternal, neonatal and child health services in rural and pastoralist Ethiopia: a peer ethnography study
Dr R E Jackson
AusAID (Australian Development Research Awards) funding 2013, 2014
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: Improvements in maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH) services beyond the reach of government remain a challenge in Ethiopia. This research will develop the Participatory Ethnographic Evaluation and Research (PEER) ethnographic approach to 1) train Health Extension Workers (HEWs) and Non-government Organisations (NGOs) to conduct their own research and data analysis; to identify key issues; and incorporate lessons learnt into their practice; and 2) to build NGO capacity by refining and developing a communications and behaviour change programme. The goal of the research is to increase demand for MNCH services in pastoralist and rural communities.
Investigating the impact for disadvantaged learners of
TAFE Institutes and other VET providers delivering bachelor and
associate degree qualifications.
Prof T Gale, Dr S Rawolle, Dr A Skourdoumbis, Dr Emma Charlton, Dr S Parker, Dr P Rodd, (Dr S Hodge: University of Ballarat)
Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIICSTRE) NVEAC funding 2013
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: This project is a National VET Equity Advisory Council bid and investigates the impact for disadvantaged learners of TAFE Institutes and other VET providers delivering bachelor and associate degree qualifications. Specifically, the study will look at how successfully these providers are able to offer a more supported pathway for disadvantaged students to access higher education and meet industry needs through their applied orientation.
School-based pedagogies and partnerships in primary science teacher education
Dr Linda Hobbs, Dr Coral Campbell, Dr Gail Chittleborough Dr Sandra Herbert, Dr John Kenny, Dr Mellita Jones, Dr Christine Redman and Dr Jeffrey King
Office of Learning and Teaching (OLT) grants often contain a research component and are highly sought after grants within the faculty's School of Education. This project is OLT funded for 2013 - 2014
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Other Universities involved: University of Tasmania, Australian Catholic University, University of Melbourne, RMIT University.
Project Summary: This project responds to international concern about primary teachers' lack of science knowledge and confidence to teach science, and recent questioning of the effectiveness of traditional approaches to teacher education. It will review and build on established, innovative and successful practices at five universities, to develop and promote a framework supporting school-based approaches to pre-service teacher education. The models involve partnerships between universities and primary schools to engage pre-service primary teachers in classroom teaching and learning that effectively connects theory with practice. Through critical appraisal of these and similar models, the project will identify key features of the approach and the critical success factors required to establish and maintain strong working relationships with schools and build student capacity. The principles, framework, and resources together with exemplifying case studies, will be designed and disseminated to promote uptake of these innovative practices in the sector.
Evaluation of Regional Participation Project
Assoc Prof D Ben-Moshe, Assoc Prof Y Paradies, Dr A Halafoff, Dr D Joseph Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) funding 2013, 2014, 2015
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: This project will evaluate two new Centres for Multicultural Youth (CMY) offices established in Ballarat and Gippsland in regional Victoria from 2013-2016. It will assess how CMY's regional presence is contributing to improving young people from migrant and refugee background's participation in work, school, family and community and contributing to their sense of wellbeing and belonging. It will also investigate to what extent CMY's regional presence is contributing to the ability of local communities and services to manage and develop an inclusive environment for young people from diverse backgrounds. This project will contribute new knowledge and understanding regarding migrant and refugee youth participation in regional areas, in this way it will assist in improving social welfare and individual wellbeing of young people living in regional areas. It will also assist service providers in regional areas, including CMY and its partners, to understand the needs of migrant and refugee youth and to improve their service provisions. While focused on Ballarat and Gippsland, the findings of this project can also inform and improve service provision for youth from migrant and refugee backgrounds youth in other regional areas.
Literacy and Numeracy Strategy: Literature Review
Assoc Prof A Kostogriz, Assoc Prof C Vale, Assoc Prof D Blake, Dr T Ollis, Dr L Paatsch, Dr L Bragg, Dr G Williams, Dr G Auld, Dr J O'Mara, Dr S Ohi
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) funding 2013
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: The Deakin team has been commissioned to conduct a Literature Review that will identify the best practice systems and processes from Australia and overseas, that deliver effective literacy and numeracy outcomes. The Literature Review will cover all education sectors including early childhood education and care settings, schools, post compulsory and adult education. It is expected that this paper will inform the government's reform agenda which places a strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy.
Between a rock and hard place? Exploring how ministers for the environment view their work
Dr B Coffey
Public Administration Australia/ University of Canberra Research Trust Fund funding 2013
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: Ministers for the environment are at the heart of the heated and contentious debates regarding environmental issues in Australia, and can be considered as often being between a rock and a hard place. They are responsible for upholding environmental law, are members of government (and sometimes Cabinet), and are often for focus for intense political lobbying. However, surprisingly little is known about them, how they understand environmental policy issues and the challenges and opportunities associated with dealing with them. Drawing on a series of semi-structured interviews, this exploratory research will generate new insights into the intricacies of environmental policy work.
Identifying the needs and priorities of children with disabilities in Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea
Prof M Clarke, Mr K Murfitt, Dr E Wilson
AusAID (Australian Development Research Awards) funding 2013
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: This project will establish a method of data collection to determine the self-reported needs and priorities of children living with disabilities in Vanuatu and PNG. It includes a focus on service delivery and policy actions in response to the findings.
50 years of Papua New Guinean and Indonesian tertiary
scholarships in Australia: an assessment of post-scholarship leadership,
networks and linkages with Australia
Prof D Lowe, Dr J Ritchie
AusAID (Australian Development Research Awards) funding 2013
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: The project will examine some of the longer term impacts of government scholarships for university study in Australia for men and women from Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, and will include in its scope:
- the value of scholarships, as understood in Australia, Indonesia and PNG;
- the nexus between tertiary training and leadership;
- balancing specific, country-identified development needs with the promotion of opportunity for all;
- the extent to which education in Australia leads to enduring and beneficial connections with Australians;
- allowing alumni to inform future scholarship strategies; and
- effectively encouraging and nurturing alumni networks.
The project will examine cohorts of students from Indonesia and PNG who have studied in Australia over the past five decades and as such, it clearly demonstrates the benefit of taking a humanities-based approach to an issue of contemporary development policy. It is being undertaken in collaboration with institutions in PNG and Indonesia.
Abbott's Bakery Motion Capture Project
Prof K Vincs
Alt.Vfx Trust funding 2013
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: n/a
Victorian Opera: An Afternoon in the Park with George
Prof K Vincs
Victorian Opera Company Ltd. funding 2013
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: n/a
Faculty of Arts and Education research projects with first year funding 2012
Evaluation of the Languages Start Up Grants
Dr A Vongalis-Macrow, Dr M Weinmann, Assoc Prof A Kostogriz, Dr R Arber, Assoc Prof I Fanany
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) funding 2012, 2013
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project summary The DEECD commissioned the Deakin team to evaluate the Languages Start Up Grants program, which was introduced in 2012 to support the Victorian Government's commitment to extend and support language education is schools. The evaluation will focus on how the initiative is working, for whom and in what circumstances, including a final report on the benefits and outcomes of the initiative.
Resource Booklet for Early Childhood Professionals: Talented and Gifted Children
Dr A M Morrissey, Dr A Grant (University of Melbourne)
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) funding 2012
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project summary: This project will research and develop a resource booklet used by and for the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to support the practice of a range of early childhood professionals. The project's aim is to address the gap in Departmental information dealing with young gifted and talented children and will demonstrate strong association with current reforms such as the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and the implementation of the Australian Curriculum and the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (AusVELS).
Asia Literacy Project
Prof C Halse, Dr A Cloonan, Assoc Prof A Kostogriz, Dr D Toe, Ms J Dyer Asia Education Foundation (AEF) funding 2012
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: The Asia Education Foundation (AEF) in partnership with the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) is examining teaching practices and curriculum resources that support an Asia literate teaching workforce, from funding by DEEWR. Deakin University has been commissioned by AEF to explore current practices and resources and provide an outline of measures required to build an Asia Literate teaching workforce that actively engages students in becoming Asia Literate. This will be achieved with a review of existing resources, an on-line survey and undertaking case studies.
Networked Infrastructure (HuNI) Virtual Laboratory
Prof. D Verhoeven with project partners from- University of Western Australia; ANU; University of Queensland; University of Melbourne; University of Sydney; VeRSI; Intersect Aust Ltd; UNSW; Flinders University; Macquarie University; RMIT University; AIATSIS NecTAR funding 2012, 2013
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: The Humanities Networked Infrastructure (HuNI) Virtual Laboratory is a two-year project that will provide researchers around the world with access to the combined resources of Australia's major cultural datasets and information assets. For the first time, Australian researchers will be able to work with linked data from Australia's most significant cultural datasets across the fields of literature, art and design, theatre, film and visual media, history, biography, music and archaeology. It will be specifically designed for future growth and expansion, with the addition of more datasets and the contribution of additional information.
Student aspirations in Central Queensland: (Re)imagining higher education in low SES student futures
Prof T Gale, Dr S. Parker, Dr B Doig, Dr T Moore (CQ University)
Central Queensland University funding 2012, 2013 (Fed Government HEPPP funding)
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: The project investigates the aspirations of middle school students in Central Queensland, including their aspirations for higher education. It explores how students reconcile differences between desire and possibility, and the resources that capacitate their aspirations, and how these align with students' different socioeconomic circumstances and their participation in university outreach programs.
Maribyrnong City Arts and Cultural Framework
Dr K Johanson, Ms A Kershaw, Dr H Glow
Maribyrnong City Council funding 2012
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: The western suburbs of Maribyrnong are experiencing dramatic demographic change. The major production sites of the manufacturing industry in Melbourne are replaced by residential development. These changes represent both opportunities and threats to the local arts sector. The gentrification of some parts of the City of Maribyrnong bring residents and visitors with substantial cultural capital and an omnivorous appetite for diverse arts and cultural experiences, whilst rising property costs risk making living and working in Maribyrnong prohibitive for artists. Furthermore, demographic change has occurred unevenly throughout the municipality, so that Maribyrnong is increasingly the home of parallel communities with very different levels of income and education and different cultural needs. This research is a collaboration with local council, residents, artists and arts organisations to identify the major arts and cultural needs in the municipality and strategies to meet these needs.
Moonee Valley City Building Arts Audiences: Arts Participation and Barriers report
Ms A Kershaw, Dr K Johanson, Dr H Glow
Moonee Valley City Council funding 2012
Administering Organisation: Faculty of Business and Law, Deakin University
Project Summary: Moonee Valley houses high quality arts facilities, including the Clocktower Centre and the Incinerator Gallery, through which Council presents professional and community-based arts opportunities across the visual and performing arts. Council also supports community festivals that provide important opportunities for local gathering and celebration. This research project investigates the level of arts participation in Moonee Valley and the barriers that local residents face in experiencing and accessing the arts. It provides recommendations on how Moonee Valley City Council can broaden, deepen and diversify its audiences and maximise the benefits of participating in the arts for all residents.
Training for a new (Northern) Future
Assoc Prof. L Johnson
Committee for Geelong - Northern Futures funding 2012
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: In the context of a Geelong region variously regarded as "disadvantaged" this research aims to critically assess the successes and limitations of the Northern Futures Training and Work Placement Program (NFTWP) which takes groups of long term unemployed, multiply disadvantaged people, trains them up to Certificate III level in either Aged Care, Hospitality or Transport and Logistics and seeks to place them into employment. This project evaluates the program to improve its effectiveness.
The project involves research with students, educators and employers in mapping the strengths and weaknesses of the NFTWP. Insights into the program have already been used to better inform its key stakeholders, especially Northern Futures, G21, employer groups and the Gordon Institute. The overall objective is to produce more responsive and effective training programs in meeting the needs of students and employers.
Foundational principles and approaches to building better suburbs (Wyndham City Council)
Prof. L Johnson, Dr F Andrews, Dr P Connors, Prof H Elkadi, Dr J Rollo, Dr I Warren.
Wyndham City Council funding 2012
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: This research project is tasked with developing a set of Principles and Approaches for building a better suburb on a large block of land owned by the City of Wyndham at Tarneit in western Melbourne. A wealth of academic and planning literature exists on the Australian suburb, primarily critiquing its current form, governance, ecological sustainability, quality of life, affordability and servicing. Additional literature and guidelines exist for planning good suburbs emanating from organisations such as VicUrban and international literature which, in some instances, is relevant in presenting world's best practice in the design and delivery of good suburban environments. This literature will be distilled to formulate principles and approaches which might inform the development of a model suburb. In addition, the project will locate these possibilities into the City of Wyndham planning scheme and the area's demographic and environmental profile, by way of collation of existing data and workshops involving key stakeholders in the planning of the City with Deakin academics having expertise in: urban ecologies, healthy cities, social infrastructure, safety, governance, urban design, community development and urban geography to research alternative models. They along with their rationales would be assessed via a focus group of residents from adjacent communities. The team will report to the City of Wyndham in Dec. 2012, outlining a set of Principles and Approaches to the development at Tarneit.
ICT in Everyday Learning: Teacher Online Toolkit
Dr P Hubber, Dr M Cavanagh (Macquarie University)
DEEWR funding 2012
Administering Organisation: Education Services Australia
Project Summary: Education Services Australia was engaged by DEEWR to lead a project in partnership with the Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association, the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers, the History Teachers' Association of Australia, Deakin University and Macquarie University. The project involved the production and trialling of online professional support designed to enhance P-12 Australian teachers' capacity to incorporate varied digital technologies into their classroom practice. An evaluation of the school trials of the information and communication technology resources produced by the project was a DEEWR requirement and this component was undertaken by Deakin and Macquarie Universities.
Exploring socio-scientific issues through digital technology: the impact of context and culture Prof R Tytler, Dr L Barraza
Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) funding 2012
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: This project funded collaboration between Deakin and the Grande Ecole Agronomique Toulouse and the University of Lyon. The research involved cross national exchanges between pre service teachers in Australia and France, reasoning about local and global socio scientific sustainability issues through the development of wikis and an online international forum. The team developed an epistemological framework to analyse reasoning in the wikis and forum. The results indicate that the negotiation of difference in cultural perspectives enhances the level of reasoning, and validated the framework as a tool through which the contextual and cultural factors influencing this reasoning can be understood and analysed.
Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
Dr B Coffey
Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade funding 2012
Administering Organisation: ADRI, Deakin University
Project Summary: This travel grant will be used to research the ways that different forms of knowledge inform the complex and contested field of regional development planning, and the consequences this has for the way in which regional sustainable development is understood. In addition to the opportunity to visit Memorial University Newfoundland (MUN), in St John's, undertaking the project will provide the opportunity to trial an analytical framework (being developed as part of a CSIRO funded research project) in a comparative setting and identify insights into regional development research, policy and practice. It will also strengthen the links between researchers at Deakin and MUN fostered by Associate Professor Kevin O'Toole (a theme leader in the CSIRO project) during a previous visit to Canada.
Literature Review
Dr Kate Fitz-Gibbon
Peninsula Health funding 2012
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: This project examined international literature on incidences of adolescent violence in the home and the law's response. The Background Report (the project outcome) included a review of the nature of adolescent violence in the home as well as police and court responses to adolescents charged with the perpetration of violence in this context. The Report included recommendations relating to the need for greater understanding as to how adolescent violence can best be dealt with by members of the criminal justice system and what lessons can be learnt from other comparable international jurisdictions.
Pilot Tech Next Mid-Year intake - selection, recruitment
& placement of participants (Phase 1) & course delivery (Phase
A/Prof C Hickey, A/Prof A Kostogriz, Dr D Blake, Prof R Tytler, Dr P Hubber ,Prof B Doecke, Dr G Williams, Dr G Chittleborough
DEEWR funding 2012
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: n/a
Australian and Canadian public service broadcasting: an
investigation of international newsgathering capabilities on restricted
budgets Dr C Murrell
Journalism Education Association of Australia funding 2012
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: n/a
Training in research methodologies for analysis of healthcare services in Laos
Assoc Prof L Eckermann
AusAid ALA Fellowship funding 2012
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: n/a
Staying healthy: Industry organisations' influence on behaviours and services used by fishers
Dr T King
Fisheries Research & Development Corporation funding 2012, 2013, 2014
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: n/a
Non-DU led projects
Too Big To Ignore: Global Partnership for the Future of Small-Scale Fisheries Dr R Chuenpagdee (Lead Investigator) with 60 collaborators (Dr T King from Deakin)
Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council funding 2012
Administering Organisation: Memorial University of Newfoundland
Project Summary: This is a world-wide project that aims to get a better understanding of the environmental, political, economic and social factors involved in small-scale fishing communities around the world. A lack of detailed information about small-scale fisheries has resulted in systematic underestimation of their importance in addressing global crises, including food security, poverty and biodiversity loss. Dr King will be involved in looking at small-scale fishing communities in the Asia Pacific region, including Australia-South Pacific.
Faculty of Arts and Education research projects with first year funding 2011
DEEWR Longitudinal Teacher Education Workforce Study
The Longitudinal Teacher Education Workforce Study is being funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) under the Teacher Quality National Partnership.
DEEWR funding 2011, 2012, 2013
Deakin Team: Prof D Mayer, Prof R Bates, Prof B Doecke, Assoc Prof J Moss, Assoc Prof B Walker-Gibbs, Assoc Prof A Kostogriz, Dr J Kline, Subcontracted researcher: Dr S North (Melbourne Graduate School of Education), Centre for Research on Education Systems. Project Manager: Pauline Ho. RA: Phillipa Hodder.
Project Summary: This study provides a research framework to track teacher education graduates and capture workforce data. The framework derives from an existing longitudinal study (an ARC Linkage Project), involving surveys of 2010 teacher education graduates and principals in Victoria and Queensland. This will be replicated with appropriate modifications and implemented in the other states and territories in 2011 in order to capture 2011 graduates. The proposed LTEWS will track all 2011 teacher education graduates in Australia through a series of surveys over a two-year period, collecting data on the impact of pre-service and in-service education and experiences on teacher quality, supply and distribution. It will generate data relating to teacher shortages, career trajectories and aspirations, and the impact of significant social and economic events on teacher labour markets. The analyses of the data is likely to inform national teacher reforms being developed and implemented under the National Partnerships program.
Preparing our pre-service teachers to teach sexuality education: research and development module Dr D Ollis, Assoc Prof L Harrison Department of Health (Vic) funding 2011, 2012
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: This project will research and develop a module for The Department of Health. The study will look at policy, practices and strategies for meeting the needs of pre-service teachers who are delivering sexuality health education in schools and will develop a module that will meet the needs of key stakeholders and that can be readily used and adapted by any university that is preparing pre-service teachers to teach sexuality education.
Evaluation of National Partnership (Teacher Quality, Supply and Retention) Initiatives
Prof B Doecke, Dr M Wells, Prof R Tytler, Prof C Halse, Assoc Prof J Moss, Assoc Prof B Walker Gibbs, Assoc Prof P Hubber, Assoc Prof D Blake, Assoc Prof C Campbell, Dr W Kortman, Dr J Kline, Dr B Doig, Dr L Hobbs, Dr G Auld, Mr A Marshall, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, Centre for Research on Education Systems, Mr M Long and external consultant Ms B Preston. RAs: Ms K Tregenza, Ms R Haselden and Ms S Nailer.
DEECD funding 2011, 2012, 2013
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary:This project will evaluate National Partnership and Victorian government initiatives to improve teacher quality, supply and retention. The evaluation will result in advice and recommendations that will inform the Victorian Government's future teacher workforce strategies and policy agenda. The initiatives to be evaluated are: DEECD initiatives to improve the availability of teachers (a) in selected subject areas; and (b) in some rural schools that have proved difficult to staff, and initiatives currently being trialled as part of the National Partnership Agreement on Improving Teaching Quality (TQNP). Collectively these initiatives are designed to strengthen the Victorian schools' workforce through attracting and retaining high quality teachers. Their effectiveness will be assessed over the next two years.
Evaluation of the professional learning flagship program: leading curriculum change
Prof B Doecke, Dr J Lynch, Assoc Prof J Moss, Dr M Wells, Dr J O'Mara,
Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) funding 2011
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: The evaluation will advise on the efficiency of the professional learning flagship program in terms of development and delivery and how well AITSL has managed (a) the contract with UQ, including the close engagement with UQ to develop and implement round 1 of the program, and (b) the stakeholder engagement and communications strategies including the associated contracts AITSL has entered into. Importantly the evaluation will provide a credible public assessment of AITSL's provision of national 'flagship professional learning' and how it could be improved.
Researching leadership protocols, communication and decision making in school improvement
Dr Shaun Rawolle, Prof Russell Tytler, Dr Louise Paatsch, Dr Carol Campbell, Dr Muriel Wells
DEECD (Barwon South Network) funding 2011, 2012
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: The research involves a study of a short term School Improvement Cycle model being adopted across 23 schools in the Barwon South Network, focussing on the links between the web of decision making processes around each individual school improvement plan, and classroom practices. The research is designed to contribute to the network, to the broader public and to the researchers in specific and strategic ways. First, the research focuses on the process of school improvement as it is happening in the regional network. The network and principals will be better placed to understand how well these change processes are functioning and will have data and advice to inform future school improvement cycles. This is increasingly important in light of high stakes testing and comparisons between schools. For the broader public the research will produce benefits in providing a research model to support data-driven changes in classroom practice linked to school improvement, which will impact on the learning of students in schools. The ultimate benefits will therefore be research that enhances improvements in network and school performance based on student learning.
Evaluation of the Yached Accelerated Learning Program YALP
Prof. B Doecke, Assoc/Prof. S Groves, Dr M Wells;, Mr B Doig
DEECD funding 2011
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: Evaluation of a 10 minute one on one accelerated learning program for at risk students (including indigenous and non-indigenous students) at 8 schools in the Shepparton and Benalla areas
Enriched Relations: Cultural Diplomacy in Australian-Indian relations, past and presentProf. D Lowe,
Australia India Institute funding 2011
Administering Organisation: Deakin University
Project Summary: This project was funded subsequent to an ADRI convened 2010 workshop in New Delhi. In the wake of the workshop, the Australia India Institute awarded a research grant for a large conference on public diplomacy and Australian-Indian relations. The event entitled Public Diplomacy in Theory and Practice: Culture, Information and Interpretation in Australian-India Relation was held in New Delhi on 8-9 April, 2011 and convened jointly with the University of Delhi.
An investigation of the role of text-based computer-mediated conversations in facilitating peer relationships.
Dr L Paatsch, Dr D Toe,
Telematics Trust funding 2011-2012
Administering Organisation: Deakin UniversityProject Summary: Real time text based computer mediated (TBCM) conversations (applications such as Instant Messenger, Facebook Chat) have become a popular method of one-to-one communication among young people. Media attention has focused on cyber bullying but there is some research that suggests this form of conversation is positive, even liberating, and can promote friendship and build self esteem. TBCM conversations may play an important role in facilitating peer relationships for students with hearing loss, who find face-to-face conversation with hearing peers challenging. Research is needed to investigate the similarities and differences between face-to-face and TBCM conversation for hearing and deaf students and to explore how the text based computer medium might facilitate the formation of peer relationships. In addition, the impact of literacy skills on the interpretation of text based conversation is unknown and may impact on how these conversations facilitate friendship. The findings from this research will help teachers to capitalise on the use of this medium for promoting social skills, finetuning pragmatic skills, and purposeful development of literacy skills using the vehicle of TBCM conversation, with a particular focus on the middle years of schooling
Non-DU led projects
Pilot State-wide Professional Mentoring Program for Early Childhood Teachers
Assoc Prof. Andrea Nolan, Ms Catherine Hamm, Ms Jan Hunt, Ms Jenny Aitken, Mr John McCartin, Mr Brian Doig, Ms Louise Laskey, Dr Anne-Marie Morrissey, Dr Sarah Ohi, Ms Liz Rouse,
DEECD funding 2011, 2012
Administering Organisation: Victoria University
Project Summary: This project involves the delivery and evaluation of a pilot mentoring program for 360 beginning or professionally isolated early childhood teachers and training of 72 mentors. It involves a substantial research component to inform the Department and other stakeholder about the range and effectiveness of mentoring provisions for early childhood teachers in Victoria, including the Pilot Study. The outcomes of this project will inform the development of future mentoring programs for early childhood teachers in this state, in the context of the expected transition of the registration of early childhood teachers from Early Childhood Australia to the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). The findings will support effective planning by VIT and the Department, for the future mentoring of teachers in the unique contexts of early childhood education and care settings.


text:
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RTD & his Global Connection
Forgive me if this is being discussed in another forum.
I was watching The End of Time (Part 2) again and all of a sudden it struck me. RTD did it again!! RTD has a fancination for the global connection...
Season 3 Finale: Everyone on Earth thinks the same word... "Doctor".
Season 4 Finale: Every phone on Earth dials Martha's cell number.
The End of Time Part 2: Every person (Master) on Earth listens for the signal.
Wow. He really does like the global connection, huh?

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Top Definition
what you say when you dont care what people are saying to you
mom: "do you want to got to the store with me to buy a walnut?"
*meanwhile you are saying* "bla bla bla" (said over moms voice)
*meanwhile you are saying* "bla bla bla" (said over moms voice)
作者 mai13 2005年9月15日
Trending Now
Can you define these popular missing words?
One of the basic meanings of this phrase is simply: "etc."
The teacher told us to go over the chapter, do the exercise questions, bla bla bla.
作者 Wordjealous 2015年6月09日
The phrase bla bla bla is generally used in response to someone that has said one of the following things: something that is not interesting to you, something very close to the truth but you have no intention of admitting to, or just random comments of bullshit and sarcasim (most popular.) This phrase is commonly used in text messages and very popular in the town of Weert, Holland.
You are just the most wonderful man in the world, I'm going to be searching for the second best forever because for sure you are number one! Typical response.....bla bla bla.
作者 Miss Bla bla bla 2010年1月11日
something you might say when you're not intersssed in whats said.
-something you might say when you're not inte...
-sure! blablabla!
-sure! blablabla!
作者 steingrim 2005年6月03日
Said as one word. A response to doubts/critisms of others.
Tag-along:Why are we doing this, it isn't going to work...
Main Schemer: Blablabla. Of course it will.
Main Schemer: Blablabla. Of course it will.
作者 sucked in by the masses 2009年4月25日


text:
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Payments can be made:
Specific questions on student account balances should be directed to the Student Accounts Representative.


text:
Top Definition
Being so skint that you resort to emptying your penny pot and cashing in your coppers in order to make it until the end of the month.
Sorry mate, I can't make it to the pub tonight I'm Penny Pot Poor.
додав SnugglebumTheDestroyer 17 Жовтня 2010
Trending Now
Can you define these popular missing words?


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text:
DailyTech previously
reported that Verizon stores should soon be getting shipments of
HTC's latest and greatest Android smartphone, the
Incredible. Now more leaks reinforce the tip we got from
Verizon techs. AndroidForums has
posted a leaked
manual and the forum also has a
post showing the HTC Incredible in Verizon's CellBrite
machine, which transfers phone numbers between handsets.The
HTC Incredible brings some powerful hardware to America's largest
network, Verizon, and should help Android continue its campaign of
rampant growth.The phone, according to the manual and
multiple sources, packs a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor from Qualcomm
and is powered by Google's multi-touch and multitasking capable
Android 2.1 OS. The phone will have an 8-megapixel camera with
autofocus and dual LED flash. It offers 8 GB of internal
memory, but one-ups the iPhone by offering up to 32 GB of swappable
microSD storage.There's support for push email via Gmail and
Microsoft Exchange, support for Flash Lite 4.0 (with Flash 10.1
support coming soon), and access to the Android
Marketplace's 42,000+ apps.The phone reportedly measures
117.5 mm (4.63 in) (h) x
58.5 mm (2.30 in) (w) x
11.9 mm (0.47 in) (d),
and weighs 130 g (4.59 oz). To put that in perspective, the
iPhone is slightly thicker and heavier, coming in at 115.5 mm
(4.55 in) (h) x
62.1 mm (2.44 in) (w) x
12.3 mm (0.48 in) (d),
and 135 g (4.8 oz).Despite its sleek footprint, it
still manages to pack an ample 480 × 800 pixel, 3.7-in. WVGA AMOLED
display.For now the HTC Incredible may enjoy a short run as
the top handset in the market in terms of hardware. The fourth
generation iPhone, coming this summer (likely on June 22) is
expected to fall close to the Incredible in terms of hardware.
Its rumored to pack a higher resolution screen, a faster processor
and more. Ultimately, the phones will likely be pretty evenly
matched, with each having some minor advantages. However, HTC's
Incredible will likely have one major advantage over the iPhone 4 --
it will be released two months earlier.Apple is obviously
pretty nervous about the HTC's Android army -- the Nexus One, Hero,
and Incredible. It has filed a lawsuit claiming HTC ripped
off over 20 of its iPhone patents. It is trying to block
all imports and sales of HTC Android handsets in the U.S., an
ambitious, but unlikely legal goal.
quote: Is this guy serious?
quote: WiMAX dead on arrival? Last time I checked it's the only 4G network that actually HAS arrived, so that right there shows how far out of the loop you are...
quote: Also, The HTC EVO is by far the most tech advanced phone there is, quit denying that fact as it's pretty much undeniable just by looking at the specs.
quote: Also, please quit bashing technology when you don't understand the premise. The EVO and Nexus One are completely different phones, that also, shows how far out of the loop you are.
quote: I hate to break it to you buddy, but there will be lines of thousands of people outside Spritn stores antionwide when the EVO 4G launches, a lot of those people will be coming from Verizon and AT&T. I know that because I'll be one of them, my contract with AT&T is up in June and I'm making the switch. And while true, HSPA networks are faster then EVDO, currently, they are honestly rare. If you look at Sprint's and Verizon's CDMA networks with EVDO, they blanket most of the country. HSPA is lucky to be in a few cities at best...


text:
From the players to the coaches to the ownership, everyone says and does all the expected things. Sports radio thrives on conflict and controversy. They're just isn't any with the Wings.
That has a lot of truth to it. The Red Wings don't make headlines because they put their head down and do their job.
They don't f*** around, they don't do stupid s*** like athletes in other sports do. Blame ESPN (and the media today) who just likes to talk about talk. They don't talk about the actual games as much as they talk about the s*** that happens between them.


text:
Special Olympics CEO Timothy Shriver on how to turn the tide on rising obesity in special needs kids
I learned so much talking with Tim Shriver, the CEO of Special Olympics, about the growing crisis of obesity among kids with special needs. Yes, that's right. While kids overall are facing a crisis of obesity, special needs kids are having it worse because too many of them are left out of recess and school sports. The mom of Lauren Potter, the 21-year-old actress with Down syndrome who plays a cheerleader on Glee, says her daughter was devastated when she was rejected from her real-life high school cheerleading team.
Actually one thing that Tim said that really got to me even though it didn't end up making it in the story was that he believes that there is a problem with school sports that's even bigger than its failure to include kids with special needs. With the heavy emphasis on winning, "it's a bust" he says for average kids, too. Why do we field 10 kids on a basketball team in a school of 2,000, he asked me. Why don't we have enough teams, grouped according to ability, so that everyone can play?
I couldn't agree more. But it was heartening at least to find one school where they're doing something very cool. At J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson, Coach Randy Robertson and the football team welcomed Davis Hartley, 18, who has Down syndrome. And by all accounts, it's been wonderful not only for Davis but for the coach and for the team, which rallied to get him successfully elected Homecoming King. You can read all about it in my KidFit column here.
PHOTO: Davis Hartley, 18, a senior at Pearce High School in Richardson, is doing everything right to help combat the rising tide of obesity in special needs youth. He stays active and he stretches before basketball practice for Special Olympics. Photo by DMN Special Contributor Ron Heflin


text:
Search Database
Smart Search
There were no results matching your criteria.
Attack Database
This is the Legendary Pokémon Attack Database. It contains all the attacks that exist in Diamond & Pearl versions. You can either search for a specific attack (it doesn't matter if you don't know the exact spelling) or list all the attacks that match your criteria and then click on the move you want to check for more detailed information.
- Pw. stands for Power. It is the base power of the attack.
- Acc. stands for Accuracy %. An accuracy of 0 (shown as -- here) means that it never fails.
- Eff.% stands for Effect Accuracy %. It is the possibility of the attack's effect happening.
- Max PP. is the attacks maximum possible PPs.
- Affects shows whom the attack affects (useful for 2VS2 battles).
- Speed is a value that determines if an attack hits first or last; the higher the value, the faster the attack hits.
- Physical Contact determines whether there is physical contact during the attack or not (for abilities like Static or Rough Skin).
- K.R. stands for King's Rock, it determines whether the attack has the possibility to Flinch the opponent or not.
- B.P. stands for Bright Powder, it determines whether the attack has the possibility to miss if the opponent is holding Bright Powder.
This Pokédex is a work in progress and some things may appear wrong or lacking. Feel free to contact us for requests and corrections.


text:
on January 2, 2013 - 10:31 PM
With the hindsight of 20 years, how important was the Bills' comeback game against the Houston Oilers?
On a scale of 1 to 10, Van Miller would probably write in an 11.
"It meant a lot to everybody," the former Voice of the Bills said in an interview at his Town of Tonawanda home. "It got some people into the Hall of Fame.
"Maybe including me. I'm there in two places in Canton."
Miller, who retired from the Bills' booth at the end of 2003, never missed a single game in 55 years of broadcasting, whether it was high school, college or professional sports.
"I've done a lot of stuff, but nothing compared to that game. You know, it changed the lives of a lot of people."
Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas and Bruce Smith were all future Hall of Famers on that Bills team, though Kelly, of course, missed the game with an injury and Thomas departed in the third quarter after hurting a hip. Coach Marv Levy was also inducted to the Hall and there is one more person who will be there one day.
"One man who should go in the Hall of Fame is Bill Polian, because he put that team together," Miller said. "And they did everything but win the Super Bowl. You had Teddy Marchibroda as an offensive coordinator. And Kelly was a great quarterback. But Frank Reich was the man that day, no question about it."
Reich wasn't quite the toast of the town early in the third quarter when he threw an interception to Bubba McDowell, who ran it back 58 yards for a pick-six that made the score 35-3.
What was going through Miller's mind after the Bills fell into a 32-point hole?
"You can imagine what the attitude was in the broadcast booth and in the press box," Miller said. "You could hear a pin drop. … There's a cardinal sin – you don't ever cheer in the press box. Of course, I was in the broadcast booth, but in the press box, the writers from Houston and the PR guys, anyone associated with the Oilers, they wanted to get up and scream – whoopee! – because it looked like the [Bills'] run was over for the Super Bowl."
Miller shifted into his radio voice as he recalled how the game turned around:
"Nothing happened until the middle of the third quarter. And then Andre Reed put on his show. I think he scored three touchdowns in that third quarter. (Reed scored twice in the third quarter and again in the fourth.) He was amazing.
"There was Andre's completion on a fourth-down play. The onside kick [that was successful]. And the Oilers had to come back and kick a field goal to tie the game. That put it into overtime and then, of course, Nate Odomes intercepted Warren Moon's pass and that set up the field goal."
Miller will never forget the performance of the Bills' quarterback that day.
"Nobody ever had a better backup quarterback than Frank Reich," he said. "Well, look what he did at Maryland. You know his team was down there, 31-0, in the first quarter and the No. 1 quarterback was out of the game, and all he did was go in there and win it, 42-40."
Miller has not lost the sense of humor that endeared him to generations of Bills fans. He had some back surgery a few years ago that he said "makes me walk like Herman Munster."
"Of course, I'm 85," he said. "My Social Security number is 2."
He laughed while showing a visitor some merchandise in his home that came about because of his call at the end of the comeback game. A company called Pacific Direct contracted with Miller to use audio of his call on a beer-cap opener, a key chain and a barbecue fork. Miller picked up the fork in his den and out came his words from Jan. 3, 1993:
"Adam Lingner ready to snap it back. It's 38-all. Bills can win it here. Reich puts it down. The kick is on the way ... and it is good. And the Bills have won it! The Bills have won it! The Bills have won it, they win it 41-38. Incredible! What a comeback by the Bills. Absolutely incredible. This place is fandemonium."
Now that 20 years have passed, Miller sees that game as one of many special ones during the Bills' Super Bowl era.
"What they did in that game, especially in the second half on offense, I don't know if it will ever be duplicated," he said.
"They say that records are made to be broken, especially in sports. And it's inevitable in most cases – the 100-yard dash, the 220, the 400 – every year they break them. But there are two things that I think will be very, very hard to break. One would be the comeback game, and the Bills going to four Super Bowls in a row.
"I don't know, in this day of parity in the National Football League, or what they like to call parity, I don't know if anybody will ever do that again. I put that up there with Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting record, that's still holding good after all these years."
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Mr Ndzima is a small, quiet man, with kind eyes and a firm handshake. "When I was growing up my father used to beat me a lot," Mr Ndzima confided.
"I felt that I would not like to see a repeat of such an upbringing, not just for my own children, but for all children."
So he got involved and has become a "shoulder to cry on" volunteer. One of his most difficult cases has been Zandile.
Her parents died and she was forced to go to the city. When she tried to return home she found her own grandparents had given the land over to squatters.
Mr Ndzima has taken Zandile into his family while he negotiates to get the property back. This is a common problem in Swaziland.
"It's very fulfilling to try to help Zandile and help protect her rights, but it has been very challenging to do this work."
Some people in the community see the volunteers as interfering in their private family business.
"I have been threatened, I have been abused verbally", he explained.
Some of his fellow volunteers have given up, but he has continued believing that good will prevail over evil.
"I had even been threatened that I'll be chased from the community"
This is difficult for them, both he and Zandile begin to cry, very quietly. My translator asks me to step away for a moment.
After a pause Mr Ndzima regains his composure and assures me that he will continue, because he believes in the work he is doing.
He explains a plan he has. He wishes to buy a maize flour milling machine. He sees the business value in it, people could come with their crops and pay to use it. The money raised would then go to support children like Zandile.
"I have great dreams - I wish every child like Zandile could grow up and live a fulfilled life like any other child."
His fellow volunteer Henry has a deep voice and a strong laugh. He is burly and intense and carries a bible in his hand.
"As a child of God, I have that heart of caring for each other - it's like a calling to become a 'shoulder'. At the end of the day we get no pay," he explained.
Orphans he says are often at risk of sexual abuse.
"They live with their guardians - sometimes the guardians take advantage and rape them and they become victims," Henry said.
At the moment he is working with 'Cynthia'. She was raped by a stranger on her way to school.
He offers her counselling and support. "We try to motivate her, tell her that she must look to the future, we try to tell her this is not the end of her life."
But he and his team are also helping the police to trace her attacker. He says he now knows who did it and that he is willing to follow the man and give him to the police.
'Cynthia' is grateful for Henry's help and support. "Without him my life would be in danger, I'd have ended up a mess," she said.
This network of "shoulders" now work with traditional leaders and community groups across Swaziland. During my time there I heard only one criticism - a head teacher told me there simply are not enough volunteers doing this kind of work.
'Cynthia' hopes to train as a nurse when she grows up.
Asked if she might become a "shoulder to cry on", she replied simply "of course".


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In 2008, the Buckeye Central volleyball team made it all the way to the state semifinals. Since then however, the Buckettes have been blocked out of a return trip, reaching at least the district semifinal, but not claiming a title in each of the past three seasons.
That drought ended Thursday in Willard, as Buckeye Central dispatched of Norwalk St. Paul, the team the bounced the Buckettes each of the last two years, in three games.
Buckeye Central coach Bill Bonham said the difference this season comes down to one thing - "teamwork."
"That's all it comes down to. The camaraderie this group has and the love they have for each other," Bonham said. "And I use the word 'love' because these kids really do care about each other. They trust in each other and have a lot of faith in each other. They make things happen together. That's what it comes down to."
While none of the girls on the current Buckeye Central roster were in high school during the state year, two of its players did get to experience the run.
Outside hitter Sammi Marcum's sister Trenna, and setter Kilee Kimmel's sister Jenna each played on the 2008 team. Jordan is now Buckeye Central's JV coach. But Bonham says this is an opportunity for this year's team to forge its own name.
"We have our own identity now. We have no affiliation with that 2008 team," he said. "All those players are gone now. This group wanted to make a statement for themselves. They didn't want to be Trenna's sister or Jenna's sister. They want to be the ones that the next generation looks up to and points to."
The Buckettes (24-2) will play their first regional game since that 2008 season tonight at 6 p.m. in Elida against Oregon Cardinal Stritch.
The Cardinals come in 18-8, including losses to Midland Athletic League teams Hopewell-Loudon and St. Wendelin. Bonham, though, is familiar with some of the players and coaches, and knows the talent they possess.
"Their libero is Abby Mass, a former Calvert player who played several years at Black Swamp," Bonham said. "We know she's a good player and has some good training. We know some of their coaches involved in (Toledo Volleyball Club). So the knowledge and information is there.
"From talking to other coaches, we know they struggled against the MAL schools they've played this season. There haven't been any big standout players for them, but that's not all that dissimilar to us. "We're not getting overly confident, because that's our mentality. This is a group of kids that are just playing and playing very well right now. These are the dangerous teams. They're not ranked; you don't hear much about them. They're your typical Hoosier team."
Cardinal Stritch doesn't bring a great deal of size to the table. Their tallest player is 5-foot-10 Sara Turner-Smith. Other than that, most of the Cardinal hitters are in between 5-6 and 5-8. Bonham, though, isn't counting that as an advantage for his team, because athleticism can make up for size.
"It all depends on how athletic they are," he said. "We're not overly big. We have a big freshman in Jenna Delarber. Sammi Marcum and Maddie Williams, they just get in the air so high. Sierra Hanes, she only goes 5-8, but she has a big verticle. Our kids are athletic and quick on their feet. If Stritch is similar to that, it could be a great matchup. Sometimes the height you play at is not the height you stand at."
When asked to pinpoint a key to moving to the regional final, Bonham said it came down to self-discipline.
"That's all there is to it," he said. "We've been playing a certain style of ball all season. We haven't had any of those matches where we've played to the level of our competition in a downgrade. We're challenging ourself in a manner to make every play and limit our own mistakes and we've been doing that. Our girls have been taking care of the ball while staying aggressive. Ill put my girls up against any other team in the state."


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New York, New York – so good they named it twice! Definitely on the 'Bucket List' of most seasoned travellers, book a flight to New York with Qatar Airways and discover one of the most exciting, vibrant and extraordinary cities in the world. Flights to New York operate from all major international departure points, so ticking this particular must-visit location off your own personal bucket list has never been easier.
Take your pick – Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, The Brooklyn Bridge, The Empire State Building, world-class museums, Central Park, and much more – one trip to New York is never enough to see all the sites that the 'city that never sleeps' has to offer. The city is divided into five boroughs – Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, The Bronx and Staten Island. Each borough has its own selection of tourist attractions, so it's worth planning your time carefully so that you can see as much as possible. The iconic attraction is, of course, the 'Lady' herself – the Statue of Liberty. She features heavily on any tour of the city, and in fact a tour is probably the best way to see everything on offer.
A good way to save money on a host of attractions is to purchase an Explorer Pass. This lets you visit up to seven attractions over a 30-day period, including the Museum of Modern Art, a Rockefeller Center Tour, a variety of tours and, of course, a trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. There are plenty of other tours to choose from, including helicopter tours of the Brooklyn bay, cruises and guided tours through the city itself.
New York is what you make of it, and whatever you want to do during your trip to New York is accessible, as long as you're prepared to keep pace with the frantic New York way of life! There's nothing 'relaxed and laid back' about New York, which is why most New Yorkers head out of the city at the weekend. You can find a respite from the insanely fast pace in Central Park, the city's only real green space.
If you want culture and the arts during your trip to New York, then you have plenty to choose from. The city is packed full of world-class museums and galleries. The must-sees are the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in addition to the Guggenheim and Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). It's also well worth taking a trip to The Cloisters, in Fort Tryon Park in Upper Manhattan. Part of the 'Met', this tucked-away gem is home to a magnificent collection of medieval art
Broadway is the heart of theatreland. Everything from small 'off-Broadway' productions (check the side streets for the smaller theatres) to the major shows is on offer. For classical music with internationally renowned performers, head to Carnegie Hall, and for outstanding opera, a visit to the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center is a must.
The New York City area is also host to several of the most popular professional teams and stadiums in the world. Located in midtown Manhattan, Madison Square Garden is home to both the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League and the New York Knicks of the NBA. During the summer, head to Queens to watch the New York Mets or to the Bronx to see the New York Yankees. Tennis fans can also visit the US Open Tennis Championships in August and September, also located in Queens. American football fans can watch both the New York Giants and New York Jets at nearby Metlife Stadium in New Jersey, just a short train ride away from downtown New York City.
From street vendors selling pretzels and Halal cuisine to internationally recognised restaurants, food is a New York obsession. A trip to New York has to include New York style pizza, a slice of New York cheesecake, and some of the best falafels outside the Middle East. From the middle of July to mid-August is New York Restaurant 'week' (it actually goes on for considerably longer than a week!) where visitors can try some of the best restaurants in the city for a greatly reduced price.
No matter what your preference – from African to Vietnamese, there's at least one restaurant in New York serving your favourite food. Vegetarians are well catered for, and there are also opportunities to experience the American twist on fine dining, particularly in the more up-market restaurants on and around 42nd street.
From credit-card busting luxury to 'thrift stores' and markets, anyone travelling to New York to hit the shops is not going to be disappointed. First stop, the department stores on 59th Street, where you'll find home-grown American produce alongside top designer brands, and the prices aren't as eye-wateringly expensive as you'd think. For top of the line designer fashion head to Fifth Avenue or Madison Avenue, and for the trendy and avante garde shopper it has to be the cobbled streets of SoHo.
Travel to New York and you need to hit the ground running, as this really is a 24-hour city. The pace of life is frantic, and New Yorkers do have a reputation for being brash and loud. However, you'll quickly discover that they are in fact incredibly friendly and happy to help. Tipping in restaurants is expected (the norm is 20%), and it's also customary to tip your taxi driver too.
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Santa Claus pulled up to the Montgomery American Legion Post 251 Sunday in a fire truck - much to the delight of Kate O'Brien.
When a man in a red suit and a white beard shows up, that usually means gifts, and old St. Nick didn't disappoint.
O'Brien, 15, sat between Mr. and Mrs. Claus in the basement of the Legion hall while gifts were handed to her.
Article Photos
RASHELLE CAREY/Sun-Gazette
Kate, daughter of Jim and Cathy O'Brien, of Montoursville, opens gifts with the help of Mrs. Claus. O'Brien was adopted by the American Legion Riders' Post 251 and received an early visit from Santa, gifts and snacks. Her family also received funds to help with bills.
RASHELLE CAREY/Sun-Gazette
Gail O'Brien, of South Williamsport talks to her granddaughter, Kate, and guides her over to a table of open gifts on Sunday.
RASHELLE CAREY/Sun-Gazette
Jim O'Brien helps readjust reindeer ears on his daughter's head on Sunday afternoon at a Christmas party held in her honor by the American Legion Riders of Post 251 in Montgomery.
Among her early Christmas presents were Uno cards, a Bean Bag Toss & Tic Tac Toe game, crayons, and a Jumbo Slot Savings bank.
"The gifts are so perfect for her," said her father, Jim O'Brien, of Montoursville. "They are exactly what she likes to do."
The presents came courtesy of the American Legion Riders Adopt-A-Child Program.
Each year, the group designates a child to be the recipient of their fundraising efforts.
All told, the group raised about $500 for gifts for O'Brien, a seventh-grade McCall Middle School student, who suffers from Lennox Gastaut Syndrome, a rare and severe form of of childhood onset epilepsy.
There is no cure for LGS, which is characterized by frequent seizures, behavior disturbances and moderate to severe cognitive dysfunctions.
Her father couldn't have been more grateful, not only for what Legion Riders did for his daughter but for his entire family, which includes his wife, Cathy.
The group raised money for the family, victimized by flooding along Route 87 last year.
"Our house was pretty much destroyed last September (2011)," he said.
Kate's grandmother, Gail, wiped away tears as the gifts were being handed out.
"I just can't believe it," she said. "They've done so much."
American Legion Riders Treasurer Donna Neitz said a steak cookout in September at the Legion attended by more than 100 people went a long way toward helping raise funds for the program this year.
A big challenge, she said, is finding a child to designate for the program.
American Legion Riders President Tim Ranck said the program started in 2008 and the hope is to continue with it.
"We are just really, really grateful," Jim O'Brien said.


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Many of you fans sat down with their families, friends, strangers at a bar (me); to watch the Detroit Red Wings take on the St. Louis Blues in the season opener. Despite the brutal beating that was generously provided by the home team, fans of the Red Wings need not judge, worry, nor watch the game through their fingers during the home opener tomorrow. Detroit is still the same Central Division powerhouse we all know and love.
- mfletch512 likes this


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Friday, September 27, 2013
Goose Creek residents should soon have more time to unload portable storage units. The change comes after Goose Creek City Council voted on Aug. 13 to amend the zoning ordinance to allow portable storage units, commonly PODS (Portable On Demand Storage), to stay at a residence for 30 days rather than 14 days.
The first reading of the motion passed unanimously.
"A military wife moving on her own may not have enough time to move over two weekends," Goose Creek Planning Director Sarah Hanson said. "The new ordinance will allow PODS to stay for 30 consecutive days."
During public comments citizen Joel Arenson, who also serves on the city Architectural Review Board, said PODS are not pleasing aesthetically.
"It's not good for the image," Arenson said. "I don't think extending time for PODS to 30 days is in the best interest of the community."
Goose Creek resident Mary Reilly supported the change.
"There are a lot of reasons people have those," Reilly said. "If somebody has a fire or water damage it takes more than 30 days to get that together.
"There are some situations where we have to have more respect and empathy for our neighbors."
"Almost no one knows you're supposed to get a permit for a POD," Hanson told The Gazette. "Only about five percent of the population knows about that. The POD company isn't going to tell you."
Permits cost $15.
Hanson said in some situations closing on a new home could not be complete on time and residents would need more days to load or unload their stored items.
Sometimes the PODS are used to store items if someone has flooring work done on their home, and Hanson said to expect a contractor to finish in 14 days in unrealistic.
"Looking at other municipalities, they give people 30 days," Hanson said.
Another new stipulation to the ordinance is that they cannot be placed in a right of way or easement.
The amendments do not allow portable storage units to hold solid waste, construction debris, demolition debris, recyclables, business inventory, commercial goods, or goods for property other than that of where the unit is located.
"We don't want people running a retail business out of the back of their house," Hanson said. "You can't store clothes, shoes, hazardous materials or illegal items. This gives us the ability to remove the POD if they do any of that.
"If they don't work with us, anybody who has a blatant violation can be cited. But we try to give ample opportunity to comply."
Council was expected to vote on a second and final reading at its Sept. 10 meeting.
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Danger of space rocks
February 16, 2013
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A space rock even bigger than the meteor that exploded like an atom bomb over Russia could drop out of the sky unannounced at any time and wreak havoc on a city....
Number of companies that have put humans into orbital space flight: = 0 Number of countries that have put humans into orbital space flight: = 3
You are either ignorant, willfully ignorant, or intellectually dishonest. I am going with the latter given you know how to use a computer. So, you could actually look things up instead of pulling them from the place you use "toilet napkins" or just lying.
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You said: "Just like we are gonna save the Polar Bear and save the fragile lil Earth that somehow miraculously managed to hang around for so very long. Ego."
Your own ego gives you the arrogance to believe that you in particular, and the human race in general, are being cared for by some almighty sky daddy who will make everything alright, no matter what happens.
Muslims might look at an approaching asteroid and say, "It is the will of Allah." You, apparently would join them in welcoming local disaster or planetary apocalypse, even though we may now have the technology to both detect and nudge dangerous objects out of our path.
Our race (human—not just white) has been on this planet only a short time, and only because of the asteroid impact 65Myr ago that allowed mammals to rise in place of dinosaurs. This most recent impact, and the much bigger 1908 Tunguska impact in Siberia, flattening over 800 sq miles of trees, remind us how vulnerable we are.
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Muslimtarian? The racists of America, otherwise known as the GOP, won't be supporting your "toilet napkin" spew anymore Major.
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"The racists of America, otherwise known as the GOP"
At least we know that Bdaddy is NO ROCKET SCIENTIST with that out of this world comment. What an airhead.
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