What's On Around Town

The final few weeks of summer are already upon us and there is plenty of local attractions to entertain the entire family.

The Diamond Valley Miniature Railway

The Diamond Valley Miniature Railway is a long time favourite of local residents.

Have a great day out as you ride the miniature railway through tunnels and native parklands at Eltham Lower Park.

It's open every Sunday throughout the year, 11am - 5pm, $3 per passenger, children under 3 ride for free.

Reconciliation Banyule Film Night

Reconciliation Banyule will be showing a documentary film that recreates the life of the legendary Bunuba hero who led the resistance against European settlers in the Kimberly in the late 19th century. Jandamarra's stand continued until his death at Tunnel Creek in 1897.

Monday 6 February, 7:30pm, Ivanhoe Uniting Church, Seddon St, Ivanhoe. 

Eltham Community Craft and Produce Market

The Eltham Community Craft and Produce Market is a place where locals can purchase fresh local produce, buy handcrafted ornaments all in a vibrant community setting.

Sunday 9th February 8:30am - 1pm, Alistair Knox Park.

Eltham Jazz Food and Wine Festival

Now in its tenth year the Eltham Jazz Food and Wine Festival has quickly become one of Melbourne's premier jazz festivals.

Musicians will perform across three stages and also features an art exhibition, activities for children and great mix of food and wine. 

Sat 25 & Sun 26 February, visit elthamtown.com.au for more details.

The work carers do in our community makes an extraordinary difference to the lives of people with disability and their families.

Last year, the Australian Government asked the Productivity Commission to look into the long-term care and support of people with disability. The Prime Minister and I released the Productivity Commission's final report in August 2011.

The Productivity Commission has recommended that, like Medicare, Australians should be insured against significant disability.

The Gillard Labor Government agrees that transformational reform of disability services is desperately needed to provide the kind of care and support Australians expect of people with disability, and to give Australians who might acquire a disability the confidence there'll be a helping hand when they need it most.

The Federal Government will be working with the State and Territory Governments, people with disability, their families, carers and community groups to achieve this vision.

Transcript of interview