Stand up to be counted

YARRA Ranges residents are once again being asked to ‘stand up and be counted’.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics will be conducting the 2011 Census on 9 August and they want everyone to fill in their form.
Paul Lowe, Head of the Census Population Program, said the Census sought to count every Australian resident, regardless of their location.
‘If you can’t fill out a Census form on the night of 9 August, fill it out as soon as possible and answer the questions as if it were Census night,’ Mr. Lowe said.
The Census is a snapshot of the nation at a given time so it is important that the form is filled out with each person’s location on Census night.
If you are staying with friends or family during Census night, you should record where you are staying on the form, and you should be included on your host’s Census form.
Hotels, motels and other accommodation providers should also offer services for visitors to complete their Census form online.
“Filling out the Census forms properly will ensure an accurate picture of Australia,” Mr Lowe said.
Visit www.abs.gov.au/censushelp for further information, or if you don’t receive a Census pack, or phone the Census Inquiry Service on 1300 338 776.