This year the National Museum of Australia is running a national political cartooning competition for upper primary and secondary school students. The competition is run in conjunction with the annual exhibition Behind the Lines: The Year's Best Cartoons. Students must submit a black and white or colour cartoon, on A4 paper, dealing with a recent political issue of national significance. A selection of the best entries will be displayed on the National Museum's website. National Museum of Australia, June 2008.

Six e-learning priorities have emerged across states and territories as the national training system takes an innovative approach in responding to the challenges of a modern economy and the training needs of Australian businesses and workers. The national training system's e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework), has awarded funding to support more than 90 registered training organisations (RTOs) to deliver innovative e-learning solutions for the vocational education and training (VET) system. Although funding has been handed out via states and territories according to their local training priorities, some common themes have emerged across Australia. Flex e-News, 23 June 2008.

In an Australian first all teaching staff ay the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) will have access to use virtual classrooms, online study groups and other innovative educational tools from semester two this year. The tools are part of the Wimba suite of educational technologies that USQ will implement to further engage students studying via distance education. Manager of the Program Revitalisation Project Dr Michael Sankey said the University has adopted the suite to help bridge the gap between on and off campus students. USQ Media release, 25 June 2008

New services to support Indigenous families have been launched in eight locations around Australia as part of a $16.6 million Australian Government commitment to give Indigenous children a good start in life. The services - the Indigenous Parenting Support Services - will target families with children aged up to eight years old with a focus on children under the age of two. They will help Indigenous parents overcome barriers to good family relationships and support them through their children's transitions to child care, preschool and primary school. FaHCSIA, 24 June 2008.

A passionate writer, an aspiring graphic designer and a band of 15 year-old musicians are among the recently announced National Youth Week Talent Competition winners. The competition showcased the best creative work from talented emerging writers, film makers, photographers, designers and unsigned musicians. National Youth Week is the nation's biggest annual youth event, designed to celebrate all young people aged 12-25, their achievements, skills, talents and the contribution they make to their communities. Minister for Youth, 23 June 2008.

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Thamarrurr Catholic School at Wadeye, in the Northern Territory, has won the international Eni Schools Initiative competition for a film project based on a traditional creation story. The project has allowed them to share their values and customs with people from around the world. And the exchange will continue as the students from Wadeye travel to Italy on an all expenses paid holiday. NT Government, June 2008.

The first six Northern Territory locations to trial linking school attendance with welfare payments have been selected. Hermannsburg, Katherine, Katherine town camps, Wallace Rockhole, Wadeye and Tiwi Islands will be involved in the pilot to boost school enrolment and improve school attendance. Parents in these communities who are receiving income support will be required to tell Centrelink where their children are enrolled and to take reasonable measures to ensure their children attend school regularly. FaHCSIA, 20 June 2008.

Workers need 'to go to higher levels' and to develop their propensity for 'critical thinking, creativity, teamwork and self-learning', according to ministers throughout the Asia-Pacific. A Joint Statement issued by APEC Education Ministers anticipates rapid technological change and the need to transcend borders in accommodating them. 'In order to succeed in the future, students will need to be able to share their skills, to collaborate and to cooperate with others. They will need to adapt quickly to change and find solutions to problems that do not even yet exist.' APEC, 12 June 2008.

The national training system's e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework), has received international recognition for two of its innovative e-learning solutions. The LearnX Asia Pacific 2008 E-learning and Training Awards, held last week at the Melbourne Convention Centre, recognised the most effective and innovative projects and products in workplace learning and assessment today. Australian Flexible Learning Framework, 19 June 2008.

More than $2.5 million in gold mining royalties will flow to remote communities in northern Australia's Tanami Desert over the next three years in a deal intended to improve the education and employment prospects of hundreds of indigenous children. Mining company Newmont Asia-Pacific has negotiated the royalty deal with traditional owners from the Warlpiri communities of Yuendumu, Lajamanu, Nyirripi and Willowra. The royalties, to be delivered over three years, will go directly into an education and training trust. The Australian, 19 June 2008.