NSW WOMEN’S WEEK 2022
CONGRATULATIONS to the Upper Hunter Electorate’s Joss Davies and Elle Purvis for the recognition they are receiving during NSW Women’s Week.
Singleton’s Joss Davies has been selected as a finalist for the 2022 One to Watch Award which is a category in the NSW Women of the Year Awards.
One to Watch recognises girls and young women aged seven to seventeen, who demonstrate a single act or ongoing acts of courage, strength, determination and/or kindness to help and support those around them.
Scone-based charter pilot and flight instructor Elle Purvis will participate in the Future Women Rural Scholarship Program and attend the Future Women Leadership Summit this week to celebrate International Women’s Day
WOMEN’S WEEK WORKSHOP
Ride Dungog's Bike Maintenance Workshop for Women is one of the local events taking place this week to promote and support women’s education, employment and wellbeing during NSW Women’s Week.
The interactive and social workshop provides a safe and supportive
environment for women and girls to develop their knowledge and skills of bikes.
Four bike maintenance workshop stations will address issues relating to bikes, including fixing a flat tyre, safe set-up, chain repairs and how to clean and maintain a bike.
The Ride Dungog event aligns with the NSW Women's strategy of social networks, access to information and building confidence with further details at:
SMALL BUSINESS MONTH
‘Rebuild, Recharge, Renew’ is the theme of this year’s NSW Small Business Month.
The festival features events focused on helping small business owners rebuild following the COVID-19 pandemic and will include local councils, business chambers, industry associations and not-for-profit organisations.
More than 220 Small Business Month grant recipients and 165 collaboration partners are hosting over 360 in-person and online events and activities throughout March.
Last week’s official launch featuring Small Business Month champion Kate Carnell, new Minister for Small Business Eleni Petinos and NSW Small Business Commissioner Chris Lamont was recorded and will be available for later viewing.
Further information on Small Business Month is available at: https://www.smallbusinessmonth.nsw.gov.au
BUSINESS REGISTRATION FOR NSW VOUCHERS
One way the NSW Government is currently assisting small business to boost business income and promote services is through the dine, discover and stay voucher programs.
Dining, arts, entertainment and recreation businesses can register for Dine & Discover NSW with the scheme extended until 30 June.
Eligible accommodation providers can register for the recently introduced Stay NSW initiative to accept $50 Stay NSW vouchers and $50 Parents NSW vouchers.
Find out if your business is eligible to participate and register at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/vouchers-and-support/vouchers-for-business
FLOOD DONATION ADVICE
People wanting to donate goods or financial support to Northern NSW flood victims are being asked to take advantage of the established arrangements between the NSW Government and national not-for-profit organisation GIVIT.
The State Government and GIVIT will work together alongside charities to assess and advise what critical and immediate material support is needed.
They will also assist with managing donated money and offers of goods and services.
Resilience NSW Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has asked that people don’t take or send unrequested items into storm and flood-impacted areas.
The best way people can help communities in times of need is via the official donations channels such as making financial donations to the Red Cross flood appeal.
For the latest advice on how you assist please visit: https://www.givit.org.au/storms-and-flooding & https://www.redcross.org.au/floodsappeal/.
BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE VOUCHERS
The NSW Government’s Before and After School Care (BASC) voucher program is now live for parents and carers of children enrolled in a NSW primary school.
The $500 vouchers are available to use at participating providers to assist families with access to BASC services by covering a parent gap fee component of their session fees.
Every family with children at a NSW primary school is eligible for one voucher per child, which will provide each child with approximately 60 sessions of free BASC.
Similar to Dine & Discover, First Lap, and other voucher programs, eligible parents and carers will be able to store and re-use their Proof of Identity documents, such as Medicare Card and Driver’s Licence, to speed up the application process.
Families can access the vouchers by visiting the nearest Service Centre and online via MyServiceNSW account, in the app, or https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/basc-voucher.
GROUNDWATER REVIEW
The NSW Department of Planning and Environment will hold a public information session next week on a report into groundwater levels in the Upper Namoi groundwater source.
Monitoring bore data and maps on groundwater levels for Zone 8, Mooki Valley (Quirindi - Pine Ridge Road to Breeza) and groundwater management options to address current trends will be discussed at the meeting.
There is ongoing decline in recovered water levels across the whole of Zone 8 with the most significant declining water level trend being east of Caroona.
The information session is being held Thursday 17 March, 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm at Quirindi Library with more information available at: