ANZAC DAY 2022
ANZAC Day commemorations across NSW will proceed as normal for the first time in three years with veterans honoured at dawn services and marches across the Upper Hunter Electorate on 25 April.
Whilst there is no requirement for QR code check-in, you are encouraged to wear a mask if you are unable to stay physically distanced from others, especially indoors, when you attend Anzac Day events.
Public transport will be free for all veterans, families, and individuals attending Anzac Day reunions, marches and commemorative events across the Hunter, Central Coast, Sydney, Blue Mountains and Illawarra areas.
As a special one-off, local clubs and pubs can hold games of two-up across all three days of the Anzac Day long weekend from 23 to 25 April.
FLOOD SUBMISSION TIMETABLE
The submission period is now open for the 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry lead by Professor Mary O’Kane AC and Michael Fuller APM.
The six-month independent inquiry, will review the preparation for, causes of, response to and recovery from the 2022 catastrophic flood event across the state of NSW.
Submissions from all flood-affected residents, emergency and support personnel, organisations and the general public will be accepted until Friday 20 May, however the Inquiry will accept and consider late submissions made by people directly impacted by the floods.
The Inquiry is required to report to the Premier on causation, land use planning and management and related matters by 30 June, and on all other matters by 30 September 2022.
For more information, please visit: www.nsw.gov.au/floodinquiry
INTEREST SOUGHT IN MINISTERIAL ADVISORY PANEL
Applications are now being inviting from people interested in becoming a member of the NSW Government’s Regional Health Ministerial Advisory Panel.
The panel will give people working in rural and regional healthcare as well as those living in regional areas the opportunity to be directly involved in shaping the future of their healthcare system.
Members of the community who have a strong interest in the future of regional health need to lodge an Expression of Interest indicating your skills and experience by Tuesday 26 April 2022.
Following selection by the Minister for Regional Health and approval by Cabinet, the inaugural appointments will be appointed for a period of up to three years.
The Regional Health Ministerial Advisory Panel will meet at least every three months.
More information on the panel and EOI process are available at: www.health.nsw.gov.au/ministers/Pages/regional-health-ministerial-advisory-panel.aspx
RECONNECTING COMMUNTIES GRANTS
Eligible NSW regional councils can now apply for funding from the $25 million Reconnecting Regional NSW - Community Events Program.
The NSW Government initiative will help councils host events and activities that bring residents together and reconnect communities to support the economic and social recovery of the regions following the recent challenging times.
Eligible applicants must be local councils which are encouraged to work with local community and business groups to identify priority events including potential project partnerships.
This funding will help stage shows, festivals, picnics and recovery events that will reinvigorate communities, while also supporting local job creation and injecting cash into local economies for events held over the next 12 months.
Applications close Friday 24 June with further information, including eligibility criteria and program guidelines, available at: www.nsw.gov.au/communityevents
COMMUNITY CONNECTION AND WELLBEING GRANTS
Applications are also open for the COVID-19 Community Connection and Wellbeing Program to support projects that promote social connection, resilience and wellbeing in a sustainable, embedded way.
Community wellbeing-focused events and initiatives are eligible for a share of $5 million in grants, as part of the NSW Government’s $130 million COVID-19 mental health recovery package.
Aboriginal community organisations, unincorporated community groups, charitable and not-for-profit organisations, councils and joint organisations are encouraged to apply for grants of up to $300,000 with applications open until 2 May.
For more information and to submit online applications visit Resilience NSW at: www.nsw.gov.au/resilience-nsw.
EDDIE DOES SPEEDING NUMBERS
One of Australia’s most prominent maths teachers, Eddie Woo, is using his love of numbers to explain the potentially devastating impact of speeding.
His explanation of driving simulations in three short videos demonstrate just how crucial it is to stick to the speed limit.
The simple message – the faster you go, the longer it takes to stop.
The two-week campaign now underway urges motorists to stay safe and slow down on the state’s roads as Transport for NSW rolls out its latest version of the ‘Toward Zero’ road safety campaign.
See Eddie at: https://towardszero.nsw.gov.au/campaigns/casual-speeding
NEW GAMBLING HELP APPS
Two mobile telephone apps to encourage people to gamble responsibly and access support for problem gambling have been developed by the NSW Government in partnership with Deakin University and the University of Auckland.
Designed by experienced gambling clinicians, the ‘GamblingLess: In-the-Moment’ app helps people who want to quit or gamble less by acting as a counsellor in their pocket.
The ‘Gambling Habit Hacker’ app helps people who want to reduce the time and money they spend gambling.
If you or someone you know is affected by gambling, call GambleAware on 1800 858 858 for free, confidential support.
To learn more about using the apps visit: www.gambleaware.nsw.gov.au/i-need-support/i-want-to-help-myself
TERM TWO AT NSW PARLIAMENT
Primary and secondary school teachers are invited to book ahead for next term to tour the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council chambers of the NSW Parliament.
Visit the oldest legislature in Australia to learn about the emergence of democracy in NSW and our Westminster System of Government.
Students have the opportunity to learn about our governance and parliamentary democracy in NSW by taking part in role play, debating important issues, asking our presenters questions and more.
School tour bookings for Term 2 are available to Primary school tours for Stage 3 History, Civics and Citizenship as well as Secondary school tours for Stage 5 and 6 Commerce, Legal Studies, Civics and Citizenship.
Visit Parliament’s education and engagement team for more information: www.education.parliament.nsw.gov.au/tour-parliament/