A MENTONE teacher has won a $15,000 grant to undertake research on the integration of artificial intelligence into English classes. Bridget Forster is a VCE literature teacher at Mentone Girls Grammar. She has been handed $15,000 through the Reading Australia Fellowship to complete a project in the education sector. The project will see AI generated texts used to interrogate the idea of an “Australian literary voice”. Her research will look into biases and ethical issues associated with the use of AI in schools. Forster says her project will “explore the fate of the Australian written voice in the age of…
Author: Bayside News
CONSTRUCTION on the planned community battery in Carrum Downs is expected to begin next year. The battery will be installed by United Energy, which was handed a $500,000 grant from the federal government to undertake the project. It says construction on the 120kW/360kWh begins next year, and that it will be operational by early 2025. United Energy electricity networks general manager Mark Clarke said the battery would produce enough power to supply 23 average Australian homes for 12 months. “The battery will help keep locally generated solar power local,” he said. “It will allow more homes and businesses to connect…
HARD waste pickups can now be booked on-demand with Kingston Council. The new system will allow Kingston residents to book two free hard waste collections a year whenever they please. Previously, Kingston Council would collect hard rubbish once per year. E-waste, white goods, furniture, and mattresses can be disposed of in hard waste. Kingston mayor Hadi Saab said the expansion of hard waste pickups was a response to resident demand. “Our community expressed a strong desire for more flexibility and the new service has been developed to meet this clear need,” he said. “While the hard waste disposal and recycling…
BILLS from South East Water are expected to increase this financial year. South East Water has announced changes to its billing system, which are expected to increase the average cost of a household bill by nearly three per cent. South East Water is removing its fixed sewage disposal charge, and incorporating its sewage disposal into a new water usage tariff. The change is effective from 1 July. South East Water managing director Lara Olsen said the change would make billing “simpler” for customers, “making it easier for them to budget, and continuing our digital metering rollout across the south-east.” “Our…
SUBMISSIONS on Frankston Council’s proposed electoral structure changes will open this week. Frankston Council is undergoing an electoral structure review – it will change to a single-member ward structure at the next election. The reviews are held by panels appointed by the state government’s local government minister. Two online information sessions will be held on the proposed change. The first was scheduled for 10 July, and the second will be at 6pm on 11 July. The preliminary report will be published on 12 July. Acting electoral commissioner Dana Fleming said the preliminary report will “consider the appropriate number of councillors…