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General Newsletter - 16 August 2024


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In this Issue

 

Welcome from the Chair

Russell Stewart - Chair

Dear Northern Inlanders,

It’s hard to believe we are already halfway through 20-24. The weather is getting warmer, and we are on the downhill run to Christmas!

As you get older, the years seem to go by faster, and you start to think more about the difference you make to those around you. We have an exciting opportunity for two special people looking to do something unique that will truly make a difference in people’s lives and in their communities.

We are currently seeking two Local Connectors, one based in Armidale to serve the Armidale Regional and Uralla Shire Local Government Areas and one in Tamworth to serve the Tamworth Regional Council Local Government Area. As a Local Connector, you will provide a community concierge service for new NSW Government employees, their partners and families moving to the region. The role would suit a sociable, creative, empathetic, and organised person with excellent knowledge of their community. This is a great opportunity to try something new and make a positive contribution through your work. Further details are available below, and applications close at 12-noon on Monday, the 19th of August.

Another great way to make a difference not just in your community but also in communities all around the country is to take part in the annual Heywire competition. Competition winners receive an all-expenses paid trip to Canberra to participate in the Heywire Summit, where they work together to develop ideas that are then shared and used as the basis for the Heywire Youth Innovation Grants. I encourage anyone in our region aged between 16-22 to share their story.

Regards,

Russell Stewart
Chair

Would You Like to Help Others as Your Job?

We are seeking two full-time motivated and community-minded Local Connectors to expand the Community Concierge Program into the Armidale, Uralla and Tamworth areas.

This is a highly rewarding and unique opportunity to help shape the future of our region. As a Local Connector, you will provide a community concierge service for new NSW Government employees, their partners and families moving to the region. This role would suit a sociable, creative, empathetic, organised person with great knowledge of their community. You will support key workers, their partners and families to move and settle into their new community and make them feel welcome by facilitating new and positive social connections.

In addition to knowledge of your local communities and regional life experiences, desirable attributes include effective communication, the ability to work flexibly, collaboratively and creatively, solve problems, plan and prioritise and be customer-service orientated. As part of the role, you must be able to work flexibly and be available to work outside normal business hours and on some weekends to meet the needs and conveniences of key workers. You will work as part of a network of Local Connectors across NSW and collaborate with key stakeholders, community groups and other parties to enhance key employee attraction, recruitment and retention.

We are seeking two local connectors, one based in Armidale for Armidale Regional and Uralla Shire Local Government Areas and another in Tamworth for the Tamworth Regional Local Government Area. Both Local Connectors are Full-Time roles (37.5 hours per week) for an initial 2-year contract, with the potential to extend the position depending on the outcomes and continued funding of the program.

For a full Position Description and How to Apply, visit our website https://www.rdani.org.au/about-us/join-our-team.php or email rdani@rdani.org.au. For confidential enquires please contact Nathan Axelsson on 0412 308 114.

Applications close 12-noon on Monday the 19th of August 2024. Send your application to rdani@rdani.org.au.

Share Your Story and Inspire Change

Young people living in regional Australia can now share their voices and together celebrate the unique stories of life outside the cities. 

Heywire has a proud 26-year history and has been an opportunity to amplify voices from across regional Australia about issues that are unique to them.

The national broadcaster is calling on young people aged 16-22 to share their experiences of living outside the capital cities for the opportunity to have their stories featured on the ABC.

For Kenneth who is from Burringurrah in the Mid-West & Gascoyne region in Western Australia. Winning the Heywire Competition gave him an eye-opening experience showing his own power and influence in his community.

Sharing his story has given him the confidence to advocate for a sustainable solution. Moreover, Heywire has given him the skills to step into a leadership role for other young people in his community. 

“I didn’t realise the impact that sharing my story would have on my community. The other kids have been watching me, have seen what I have done, that I got my Year 12 certificate, have applied to the police cadets and am now working. They are now coming to school. They want to do the same.”

Applications are now open for the 2025 ABC Heywire Competition. Entries can be in any format—writing, video, photos or audio—on the Heywire entry form by Sunday 1 September 2024.  Further information about the competition, including the stories of previous winners is available on the Heywire section of the ABC website.

Share Your Opinion on Regional Migration with Home Affairs

The Australian Government has committed to a range of complementary measures to support development in Regional Australia. This includes reforming the migration system through implementing the Migration Strategy.

The Migration Strategy outlines the Australian Government’s commitment to building a migration system that matches the needs of the nation regions, delivering for Australia and migrants and is underpinned by strengthened integrity. Actions that are already being taken under the Migration Strategy include:

  • Prioritising visa processing for migrants sponsored by employers in Regional Australia.
  • An evaluation of the current regional migration settings suitability.
  • An evaluation of the Working Holiday Maker program to ensure it is supporting Regional Australia and not exploiting migrant workers.

The Department of Home Affairs is holding multiple in-person sessions throughout Regional Australia to directly hear from stakeholders on matters associated with regional migration settings. These sessions will allow local businesses and civil society representatives from both the city and broader region to attend. This is an opportunity for Regional Australia’s stakeholders to have their say in-person. The Department will collate and incorporate all your views into the policy advice to the Government.

The Department of Home Affairs will be holding a session in Tamworth on Tuesday the 20th of August at 11am-12-noon at the Passchendaele Room of the Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall.

Any Stakeholders with an interest in migration settings in Regional Australia are welcome to attend. Attendance is free of charge, but registration is required.

Narrabri Shire Council Shines at Local Government Awards

Narrabri Shire Council has claimed top honours at this year’s LGNSW Local Government Week Awards, walking away as the state’s most successful Council - taking home three awards and receiving a Highly Commended recognition. The highly coveted awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements made by Councils and individuals within local government.

Narrabri Shire Council’s community-facing online flood management portal was one of the big winners on the night, claiming the LGNSW Planning Award before receiving Highly Commended in the RH Dougherty Events and Communications Award; Reporting to Your Community.

The awards continued to flow as the Council-led Good Talk Great Mate podcast took out the RH Dougherty Events and Communications Award for Excellence in Communication before Small Business Liaison Officer Gillian Goddard was recognised for her remarkable contributions to local government, taking out the Outstanding Individual Contributions award.

Speaking after the awards, Narrabri Shire Mayor Darrell Tiemens congratulated Council staff on their achievements. “Gilly’s dedication and tireless efforts have made a significant impact on local initiatives, and she continues to demonstrate exemplary leadership and commitment to the Narrabri Shire,” said Mayor Tiemens. “These achievements at the LGNSW Local Government Week Awards highlight Council’s dedication to innovation, effective communication, and community service. The recognition is a testament to the hard work and passion of Council staff and establish Narrabri Shire Council as an employer of quality and choice.”

Tenterfield Shire Council also received the award for the Most Innovative Youth Week Program, and Gunnedah Shire Council was Highly Commended for the Gunnedah Crime Prevention and Community Safety Conference.

More information about the awards, and a list of all the winners is available on the Local Government NSW website.

Help Shape the Future of Art in Our Community

Arts North West facilitates the development of arts and cultural projects and initiatives across our region, building a rich cultural landscape and increasing participation in arts and cultural activities. They are thrilled to announce the launch of their 2025-2029 Strategic Plan and are seeking input from community members to make it a success.

Whether you're an artist, an art enthusiast, or someone who values cultural activities, your input is crucial. By sharing your thoughts, you'll help them create a vibrant and inclusive cultural ecology that reflects and celebrates the unique character and creativity of the New England North West.

You can share your feedback through their face-to-face and online consultations, or the online survey. The insights, ideas and feedback will directly influence their future projects and initiatives.

Their short survey will take only 10 minutes to complete, and while the Gunnedah community session has already been held, events will be held in Tenterfield, Glen Innes and Armidale will be held next week. Full details are available on the Arts North West website.

Featured Grants and Funding Opportunities

Below are some featured grants and funding opportunities from the multitude of open grants listed in the Grants and Funding Opportunities area of our website. Our website is updated weekly with new listings and updates and all are applicable to our region, so it is a great resource if you are looking for funding for a specific project.

You can also sign up to our Business and Infrastructure Funding Opportunities and the Community Grants and Award Programs newsletters through the simple form located on the left-hand side of our website: www.rdani.org.au, to receive monthly summaries of currently open grants.

 

Sporting Schools
Closes: 23rd of August 2024 - 5:00 pm
Value: $1,000 to $3,600
Run By: Australian Sports Commission

Sporting Schools offers grant opportunities for primary schools, and targeted grant opportunities for secondary schools in relation to year 7 and 8 students. Grants support the delivery of sport-based programs to help students build the confidence and capability to be active for life. Sporting Schools has partnered with more than 35 national sporting organisations (NSOs) and national sporting organisations for people with disability (NSODs) to facilitate delivery of Sporting Schools programs.

The objectives of Sporting Schools are to:

  • engage primary school students in free, high-quality sport programs at school
  • engage secondary school students (Years 7-8) in free, high-quality sport programs at school, particularly inactive students, girls, and students attending schools in disadvantaged areas
  • establish partnerships between sporting organisations and schools to promote involvement in sport outside of school
  • develop the capability of schools and teachers to provide students with positive sport experiences
  • build the capability of coaches and the sport workforce
  • support life-long involvement in sport and physical activity to enhance health and wellbeing.

 

National Shed Development Programme
Closes: 23rd of August 2024
Value: Up to $8,000
Run By: Australian Men's Shed Association

The NSDP is a competitive grants programme and applications are open to all Men’s Sheds across Australia regardless of location or AMSA membership.

The NSDP provides direct financial assistance to address the health and wellbeing of the shed members within the shed environment; support health education for shed members, deliver appropriate activities and programmes, improve facilities and the sustainability of Men’s Sheds across Australia.

To reflect Government policy, priority is given to:

  • those Sheds in areas of greatest need e.g. regional, rural and remote and those that engage and meet the needs of members from the designated Priority Groups
  • applications requesting events/improvements/equipment with a strong health, wellbeing or safety emphasis, in acknowledgement of the impact of COVID-19 and the needs of sheds in the recovery period (and beyond).
  • IT equipment and training to facilitate connectivity.
  • Defibrillators

 

Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Grants Scheme - 2024
Closes: 31st of August 2024
Value: Up to $20,000
Run By: Transport for NSW

CPTIGS provides subsidies to support the construction or upgrade of bus stop infrastructure (generally owned and maintained by local councils) across country NSW. The Scheme aims to maximise benefits to country passengers through supporting:

  • more accessible passenger transport, focusing on better connections between bus stops and surrounding communities;
  • an increase in the use of passenger transport in country areas through improved awareness of bus stop locations, kerbside information and improved security (e.g. tactile ground indicators and lighting); and
  • the development of minor infrastructure  to complement passenger service development.

Funding is allocated regionally to facilitate an equitable distribution of the grant support and projects.

All Northern Inland LGAs are eligible for this program.

 

Aged Care Capital Assistance Program Residential–based Aged Care Services
Closes: 29th of August 2024 - 2:00 pm
Value: Up to $200 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

The Aged Care Capital Assistance Program provides aged care infrastructure grants aimed at maintaining or increasing access to quality aged care services in thin market settings for people:

  • from First Nations communities
  • living in regional, rural, and remote areas
  • who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless
  • with other complex and diverse needs, including dementia.
  • improve viability and sustainability of service offerings.

 

Community Acheivement Awards
Closes: 21st of August 2024
Run By: Awards Australia

The Regional Achievement and Community Awards, and are designed to encourage, acknowledge and reward the valuable contributions that individuals, communities and businesses make throughout regional and rural NSW & The ACT. These awards aim to recognise their success and achievements, which contribute to making regional NSW & The ACT a better place.

Awards are presented in the following categories:

  • Connecting Communities Award
  • Small Business Achiever Award
  • Council Crown Land Management Excellence Award
  • Crown Land Management Excellence Award
  • Individual Excellence in Crown Land Management Award
  • Customer Service Award
  • Leadership Award

 

What's On in the Northern Inland

Art Groupies
Saturday 17th of August
Moree

Gunnedah Monthly Markets
Saturday 17th of August
Gunnedah

Schools Orienteering Championships
Saturday 17th of August
Armidale

Armidale Dance Group
Saturday 17th of August
Armidale

Female Football Day
Saturday 17th of August
Tamworth

Le Pruneau Organic Markets
Saturday 17th of August
Tamworth

Tenterfield Farmers and Producers Market
Saturday 17th of August
Tenterfield

Miniature Railway Open Day
Sunday 18th of August
Tamworth

Motorkhana
Sunday 18th of August
Armidale

Motormania
Sunday 18th of August
Inverell

Peel Street Markets
Sunday 18th of August
Tamworth

Science Walk at Gara Gorge
Sunday 18th of August
Armidale

Sunday Funday - Play in the Art Studio
Sunday 18th of August
Tamworth

AgQuip
Tuesday 20th to Thursday 22nd of August
Gunnedah

Knitting, Crafting, Spinning Day
Tuesday 20th of August
Tamworth

Let's Make Art
Tuesday 20th of August
Tamworth

National Billy Boiling Championships
Tuesday 20th of August
Gunnedah

Historical Society Meeting
Wednesday 21st of August
Tamworth

Social Circle
Wednesday 21st of August
Tamworth

New Mums Group
Every Thursday
Moree

Armidale Lights Festival 2024
Friday 23rd of August
Armidale

Spring Birdwatching Campout
Friday 23rd of August
Inverell

Tamworth Antique Fair
Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th of August
Tamworth

Calala Markets
Saturday 24th of August
Tamworth

Inverell Men's Night
Saturday 24th of August
Inverell

Tamworth Community Markets
Saturday 24th of August
Tamworth

Markets Sunday Concert
Sunday 25th of August
Armidale

Markets in the Mall
Sunday 25th of August
Armidale

GLAM Open Night
Tuesday 27th of August
Tamworth

Young Drivers Expo
Tuesday 27th to Friday 30th of August
Tamworth

Grazing on the Gwydir
Saturday 31st of August
Bingara

Woolomin Monthly Markets
Saturday 31st of August
Woolomin

Narrabri Rotary Markets
Saturday 31st of August
Narrabri

Armidale Birdwatchers
Sunday 1st of September
Armidale

Border Railway Markets
Sunday 1st of September
Wallangarra

High Country Markets
Sunday 1st of September
Uralla

Junior Rugby Gala Day
Sunday 1st of September
Armidale

Kootingal Country Fair
Sunday 1st of September
Kootingal

Moree Markets
Sunday 1st of September
Moree

Sapphire City Markets
Sunday 1st of September
Inverell

Torrington Market Day
Sunday 1st of September
Torrington

Tough Guys Read Books
Wednesday 4th of September
Tamworth

Frost Over Barraba
Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th of September
Barraba

Bike and Car Night
Friday 6th of September
Uralla

Barraba Museum Markets
Saturday 7th of September
Barraba

CWA Spring Fair
Saturday 7th of September
Yallaroi

Shear 4 Life and Billy Boiling
Saturday 7th of September
Delungra

Tamworth Craft Markets
Saturday 7th of September
Tamworth

Unleash the Black Dog Ball
Saturday 7th of September
Bingara

Coffee and Chat Car Display
Sunday 8th of September
Armidale

Armidale Farmer's Market
Sunday 8th of September
Armidale

The Yarn Bombing Project
Sunday 8th of September
Tamworth

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