Businesses profiting from the care of children removed from their parents need to be banished and the system returned to the public sector after the release of a new report, said the union which represents child protection caseworkers. Media reports outline a range of ways for-profit providers are gouging the system to make money out of vulnerable children including a scheme where real estate owned by directors was leased back to their own provider at above-market rent.Other providers have created for-profit legal entities within their business structure, allowing them to subcontract services to themselves at inflated costs.It’s time to return child protection to the public sector, says Stewart Little, General Secretary of the Public Service Association.  “Care of children removed from their parents should never have been outsourced by the former liberal government, it was always a bad idea, and now that has been proved,” said Mr Little.“Kids deserve to be in family-like environments, like with foster parents, not placed with for-profit entities which spend their whole time trying to wring as much cash as they can out of each child.“This was never a place where privatisation should have been tried, but the former liberal government was obsessed with it and now we have to clean up their mess. “Our members, child protection caseworkers, have been yelling this from the rooftops for years but the former liberal government was obsessed with bringing the free market into the care of vulnerable kids, they just put their hands over their ears."I applaud Minister Washington for identifying what’s been happening in this sector and for beginning the process of returning care of vulnerable kids back into the public sector. “The experiment has failed, the former liberal government’s outsourcing of the care of the most vulnerable kids in the state to for-profit providers has now been shown to be bad for kids and to have cost taxpayers more."

An information session for those considering running as a Central Darling candidate will be held this week.The session will be held at the Council Office between 11am and 4pm in Menindee tomorrow (December 3) at the Civic Hall, Ivanhoe on Wednesday December 4 at the Council office and in Wilcannia on Thursday December 5 at the Council office.The Managing Director at the ATSI ICT Aboriginal Corporation Russel Styche will be available to answer questions residents of Central Darling Shire who are interested in becoming a councillor at next year’s council election. Russell is a Tubba-Gah man from the Wiradjuri Nation and has lived his life mainly within the Ngunnawal area. Russell has been a director and member of Aboriginal organisations for 30 years. He has developed and delivered governance training packages to regional and remote organisations nationwide for the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations.

Bendigo Bank’s 2025 Scholarship Program is now open. One of the largest and longest-running private scholarship programs in the country has opened for applications for the 2025 academic year and close on January 31. For nearly two decades, Bendigo Bank’s scholarship program has empowered thousands of students across the nation by providing financial support, mentorship, and access to life changing educational opportunities.“We are incredibly proud to support the program and continue this tradition,” Chair of Bendigo Bank, Vicki Carter said.“Since 2006, this program has provided more than $13.3 million in funding to more than 1900 students from across Australia, helping to address the employment and skills challenges faced by young people, particularly in regional and remote areas.“The range of scholarships on offer through the program will help students realise their full potential while supporting the next generation of leaders for our community.”If you, or someone you know is interested in applying, 2025 scholarships on offer include:  Bendigo Bank Uni Scholarship for rural and regional students - 12 scholarships of $6,500 per student, per year, for two years.  Bendigo Bank TAFE Scholarship for rural and regional students - Five scholarships of $5,000 per student, per year, for two years.  Robert Johanson Bendigo Bank Board Scholarship – One scholarship of $8,000 per year for two years.  Bendigo Bank Indigenous Scholarship Program – Four scholarships on offer for either University or TAFE. University scholarships of $6,500 per student, per year, for two years. $5,000 TAFE scholarships per year, for two years.  Bendigo Bank Agribusiness Scholarship – Six University scholarships of $6,000 per student, per year, for two years. Two $3,000 TAFE scholarship awarded to for one year. Students must demonstrate a desire to contribute to the Australian agricultural sector.  Plus, hundreds of Community Bank scholarship programs run across the country. For more information about Bendigo Bank’s Scholarship program, including eligibility requirements, application instructions and deadlines please visit: Scholarships Bendigo Bank.

MASP partners with Mildura Toyota to serve the community Mallee Accommodation and Support Program (MASP) is proud to announce Mildura Toyota as the agency’s new fleet partner. For the past 30 years MASP has supported some of the most vulnerable in the Mallee region of Victoria as well as Far West New South Wales. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Mildura Toyota and cannot wait for the opportunities working together with such a recognisable and reputable international brand such as Toyota will bring,” MASP Acting CEO Charmaine Calis said. “Our service area encompasses hundreds of kilometres so our staff need reliable transport to be able to meet the needs of our clients across the region, which Mildura Toyota will provide exclusively for all the organisation’s new vehicles.” MASP has picked up an initial three vehicles from Mildura Toyota and will continue to transition its current fleet over time. Mildura Toyota General Sales Manager Kyle Williams said Mildura Toyota was pleased to form this partnership. “We are thrilled to be partnering with MASP and providing them with the vehicles they need to continue their important work in the community,” he said. “Supporting local organisations like MASP is at the heart of what we do, and we're excited to see the positive impact this partnership will have.”

Break and enter for homes have risen by around 10% in the past two years from July 2021 to June 2023*. With homes full of Christmas presents and the chance homeowners will be holidaying away, this time of year is attractive for burglars and the reason why break and enter crimes increase.Keeping your family and your home safe is as important as ever.Crime Stoppers is providing the community with a caution for this time of the year and putting burglars on notice.“We want everyone to enjoy their well-earned downtime without the worry of whether their home or family will be safe,” NSW Crime Stoppers CEO, Peter Price AM said.Targeting break and enter crimes, Crime Stoppers is working with Nextdoor to provide communities with information on how they can protect their home and family from opportunistic thieves. They are also encouraging the community to share information with each other about crimes in the area and what to look out for and reporting anything suspicious to Crime Stoppers or Police.“Our collaboration with Nextdoor has been hugely successful to date in helping to spread awareness, education, prevention and encourage reporting of crime. Using this same platform for a dedicated campaign to help the community keep their homes and families safe these holidays will prove valuable to everyone and take community safety to the next level.”Nextdoor, the world’s largest neighbourhood network is providing a free, online platform to connect neighbours to trusted people, business and public services based on location. It is an ideal way to find a lost pet, share a recommendation for a local business or hire, buy and swap goods. Crime Stoppers has been collaborating with Nextdoor for several years with the sole aim of making the NSW community safer.The Nextdoor built-in community is already using this platform to help warn neighbours of suspicious behaviour and crime. Crime Stoppers and Nextdoor want to see this ramped up to help prevent further crime.Information is available on the Crime Stoppers website but will also be shared on Nextdoor and across social media channels. Here are some ways you can keep your home and family safe.Secure your homeBurglars go for the easy targets – an unlocked window or door, poor lighting so they can hide from view and the absence of security. By ensuring your home is fitted with quality security doors and windows, good lighting, alarms and security cameras you are making your home less appealing for opportunistic criminals.Check your homeEnsure your street number is visible.Keep trees and shrubs trimmed to improve visibility around your home.Pack away ladders and gardening tools.Don’t leave valuables in clear view.Never leave spare keys outside your home.When you are away from homeUse a timer to activate an internal light or radio to give the impression someone is home.Have a family member, trusted neighbour or friend check your home. Let them know of your travel plans and ask if they can collect your mail, put out your bins and even park their car in your driveway sometimes.As tempting as it is to tell everyone your travel plans, we recommend you don’t promote your plans on social media. It’s too easy for criminals to put information together to find out where you live and when you will be away.If you have older children at home during the holidays while you are at work make sure they lock up properly when they leave and check for anything suspicious when they return. If they suspect their home has been broken into, advise them to go to a trusted neighbour and call the Police. The safety of a life is far more valuable than material possessions. Keeping your loved ones safe is the highest priority.Reduce your curb appeal! With packaging at an all-time high after Christmas Day, there is nothing more appealing to a criminal than seeing the new smart TV carton sitting proudly on your front lawn for collection. Chop up your cardboard cartons and put them inside your recycling bin.Two-way communication between Crime Stoppers and the community has historically played a significant role in making those communities safer.“We fully understand the value the community plays in helping to prevent and solve crime. Encouraging the Nextdoor community to share information in their immediate neighbourhoods may just stop another crime from occurring. Reporting to Crime Stoppers will help solve a crime which has occurred. We want to encourage the community to share anything they know, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. Every piece of information helps”, said Mr Price.However, neighbours can also help share local crime and safety updates so that their fellow residents can make informed decisions to keep their families and property safe.By partnering in this pilot with Nextdoor, Crime Stoppers joins thousands of Police/Community Policing organisations globally which use Nextdoor to distribute relevant crime and safety updates, information about community events, and tips for staying safe in your community.Jennie Sager, Managing Director of Nextdoor Australia said, “Nextdoor is truly your hyper local network. When you post on Nextdoor you’re sending a message to the neighbours in your very community, not to other parts of the country or globe, which makes it a great way to stay informed of what’s happening nearby.”“Every day neighbours on Nextdoor make their neighbourhood safer by warning others to stay vigilant. That’s why this partnership with NSW Crime Stoppers is so important. We know the value of real time messaging when it comes to combating crime and with Nextdoor and Crime Stoppers NSW that alert is instant.”Crime Stoppers will be distributing valuable messages for NSW residents through Nextdoor and its social media networks. Nextdoor allows Crime Stoppers to communicate at a neighbourhood level with residents across NSW.Source*NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research – NSW Recorded Crime Statistics July 2018-June 2023. 

Rankins Springs' Brett Parsons has taken to social media to offer a reward for informationImage: Brett Parsons"In the last couple weeks someone has been at the Sport and Rec and tried to kick in the new canteen roller door," Mr Parsons posted on the Rankins Springs community Facebook page. According to Mr Parsons toilet doors have also been damaged, with "a word" scratched into the surface.Mr Parsons shared that the incident has been reported to NSW Police, who have attended the scene and taken fingerprint evidence."Any information please let me know," Mr Parsons said.Anyone wishing to supply anonymous information should contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or ONLINE.

Incidental sun exposure adds up. We’re encouraging all readers to make sun protection a daily habit to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer.With the warmer days quickly approaching, it's more important now than ever that we look after our skin. We’re encouraging all readers to make sun protection a daily habit to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer.Two out of three Australians will be diagnosed with some form of sun cancer in their lifetime. Fortunately, most skin cancers are treatable when detected early enough. Key Tips for Sun Protection:Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide: Slip on sun-protective clothing, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade, and slide on sunglasses.Choose Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen: Opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply this every morning regardless of whether you'll be outside. Reapply Sunscreen Regularly: Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if you're swimming or sweating.Avoid Peak Sun Hours: Limit sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm.Check Your Skin Regularly: Perform regular self-skin checks, paying attention to any new moles, spots, or changes in existing ones.If you notice any changes in your skin, such as:A new mole or spotA change in the size, shape, or colour of an existing moleA sore that doesn't healA change in sensation, such as itching or bleedingIt's essential to consult a dermatologist for a professional skin check. Early detection and treatment can significantly improve outcomes.By taking proactive steps to protect your skin and seeking regular skin checks, you can enjoy a healthy and sun-safe lifestyle.Conquering Skin Cancer is a documentary and campaign aimed at reducing skin cancer rates and deaths. Through compelling interviews with survivors, experts, and celebrities, it advocates for enhanced prevention, early detection, equitable treatment access and innovative research.

Call Santa, and let him know you've been good this year!Until Christmas Eve, kids across the country will be able to dial # HO HO HO (# 46 46 46) and speak to Santa! Telstra's Free Calls to Santa hotline is completely free and accessible, so no one misses out on the magic of Christmas The Santa hotline is now available at any Telstra payphone in Australia.Anyone visiting Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, should keep an eye out for kid-sized payphones, designed specially for little callers.If you've called Santa, let us know! [email protected]

Decker, the eight-year-old bay gelding trained by Jerilderie’s Ross Purcell took out the Elders Hay Cup at the annual spring race day on Saturday.Josh Curtis, son of racing royalty Allan Curtis and Lisa Gee, is part of the Purcell stable of trainers and was at the track on Saturday. Decker passed the post ahead of Nathan Hobson trained King and King, in the 1400 metre race.It was the second win of the day for Purcell trained racers, with Lady Rozay taking line honours in the first race of the day the Lugsdin Toyota, Auto Go Hay and Australian Food and Fibre Class 2 Handicap.The gelding was ridden by jockey Sarah McDonough, who rode to three wins on the day – Decker, Lady Rozay and Tough James.Well-known local trainer John Cooper was also in Hay for race day, with his Just One Look running fourth in the Hay Cup.Results:Race 1 (Lugsdin Toyota, Auto Go Hay and Australian Food and Fibre Class 2 Handicap) – First Lady Rozay, second Starsheena, third A Tender Lady.Race 2 (DG Harrison Engineering Doug Comb Memorial and Friends of the Hay Jockey Club Maiden Handicap) – First Rowdy Shebang, second Paulsin, third Watiki Bull.Race 3 (Community Bank Hay Hillston and Coleambally Benchmark 58 Handicap) – First Dancing with Kitty, second Toojay, third Classy Rebel.Race 4 (Elders Hay Cup) – First Decker, second King and King, third Smooth Flight.Race 5 (Australian Food and Agriculture Benchmark 45 Handicap) – First Tough James, second Arachidi, third Parnassus.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has joined hundreds of people in the annual walk against domestic violence last Friday.The walk was part of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls.Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison, joined Commissioner Webb at the annual Step Out Speak Out walk, organised by Randwick Council and Eastern Beaches Police Area Command, today.They were also joined by members of Rotary and Randwick Council, Mayor Dylan Parker, at High Cross Park in Randwick, walking to Grant Reserve in South Coogee.The walk asks the community to come together, stand up and say no to domestic violence.Commissioner Webb has also launched NSW Police’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign, which is held in partnership with Rotary South Pacific, to increase awareness, prompt advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations to end violence against women and girls.The campaign is held from Monday 25 November 2024 – which is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – until Tuesday 10 December 2024, which is Human Rights Day. The campaign was first launched in 1991 and has since become a United Nations-led movement.This year NSW Police’s campaign is focused on raising awareness of the link between domestic violence and animal abuse.Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said everyone had a role to play when it came to preventing violence against women."Police are on the frontline of domestic and family violence, responding at the point of crisis to protect victims and hold perpetrators to account,” Ms Catley said.“One woman’s death from violence is too many and in the past few months alone there have been an alarming number of deaths as a result of male violence.“The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence is an opportunity to highlight the work that is happening all year around to prevent violence before it occurs.”Commissioner Webb said domestic violence and coercive control was not acceptable and would not be tolerated in the community.“We know that pets are an important part of the family and in some domestic violence situations, they can be used to coerce victims to keep them in a relationship, lure them back home, or punish them for leaving,” Commissioner Webb said.“In many cases, offenders will also target pets by threatening, harming or even killing them. Offenders can also neglect or prevent victims from providing food, water, shelter, grooming and veterinary care.”Australian and international studies estimate pets are likely to be present in around 70 per cent of domestic and family violence cases.Commissioner Webb has encouraged people to get involved in campaign events, which are held in partnership with police area commands and districts, Rotary and local councils throughout the state, including walks, vigils, barbeques and fundraising for support services.“We hope people, groups and businesses participate in the campaign, by attending events, sharing messages on social media, promoting the campaign with posters in local businesses; sharing support organisations, and having conversations with loved ones,” Commissioner Webb said.Information about the NSW Police Force response to domestic and family violence, can be found online: https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/crime/domestic_and_family_violence.Victims of domestic and family violence can find information about support services by contacting 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or online.Reports of domestic and family-related crime or abuse can be made by contacting or attending your local police station. In an emergency, contact Triple Zero (000).Anyone with information relating to domestic and family-related violence is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or online. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

Every year, in November the world unites to commemorate White Ribbon Day, an international campaign aimed at ending men’s violence against women. This day serves as a powerful reminder that violence against women is a pervasive issue that requires collective action.The White Ribbon movement encourages men and boys to stand up against violence against women and girls. By wearing a white ribbon, participants symbolize their commitment to creating a safer, more respectful world for all. This simple act can spark meaningful conversations and inspire positive change.The White Ribbon Foundation plays a crucial role in driving this movement forward. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, the foundation works to prevent violence before it happens. They provide resources and training to empower individuals and communities to challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours.To make a difference, we must all take responsibility. Here are some ways you can get involved:Wear a White Ribbon: Show your support for gender equality and a violence-free future.Educate Yourself: Learn about the causes and consequences of violence against women.Speak Out: Challenge harmful stereotypes and sexist jokes.Support Organizations: Donate to or volunteer with organizations working to end violence against women.Be an Ally: Stand up for women and girls and call out abusive behaviour.Let's work together to create a world where everyone feels safe and respected. By breaking the silence and taking action, we can build a future free from violence.If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please know that help is available. Here are some resources:National Helpline:1800RESPECT: 1800 737 73224/7 national sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling serviceMen's Referral Service1300 766 491This service from No to Violence offers assistance, information and counselling to help men who use family violence.Lifeline13 11 14Anyone across Australia experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide can call, or text 0477 13 11 14 at night (6pm-midnight AEDT). Someone will help put you in contact with a crisis service in your state or territory.Beyond Blue1300 224 636Information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.Regardless of the situation you are going through, it is important to remember, you're not alone.

Gary Davis, a former farmer from Lismore turned banker turned lawyer, recently toured the Riverina to promote his first book, Pitt Street Bankers. The novel is a fictionalised account of how, in the 1980s, financial institutions harmed families through a foreign currency loan scheme. During his time in banking, Davis learnt the industry's inner workings. This knowledge proved invaluable when he later became a lawyer and assisted those who had been victims of unethical financial practices. He encountered five Australian families caught in a banking scheme that had gone awry. Due to strict lending restrictions imposed by the Reserve Bank in the 1980s, Australian banks began offering loans in foreign currencies to farmers and small business owners as a way to bypass these limitations. Interest rates at the time were very high, ranging from 18 to 24 percent. To make these foreign currency loans more enticing, banks offered them at a significantly lower interest rate, such as six percent for a Swiss Franc loan. The banks actively promoted these loans to their customers. However, the banks failed to disclose the risks associated with exchange rate fluctuations. Initially, one Australian dollar could buy two Swiss Francs, but at its highest point, the exchange rate reached parity. This meant that borrowers who had taken out a $1 million loan now owed the banks $2 million. Davis asserts that the banks were eager to offload their Swiss Franc holdings and therefore targeted vulnerable borrowers with these loans. These loans had devastating financial consequences for the borrowers. One of Davis's clients, a third-generation dairy farmer, found himself in dire straits as a result of this scheme. He was facing foreclosure by the National Bank. In 1987, Davis, representing the farmer, decided to sue the National Bank in the Supreme Court in Sydney. Davis' small, local law firm took on the formidable task of challenging the bank. The experience of this case and the foreign loan scheme as a whole stayed with Davis throughout his career. It inspired him to write Pitt Street Bankers. Davis had always enjoyed writing, and this story had been on his to-do list for 40 years. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic provided him with the opportunity to finally pursue this long-held ambition. At the age of 70, he began writing his first novel. Gary Davis' story is an inspiring one. It shows that it is never too late to chase your dreams and demonstrates the power of sharing stories that need to be told. BUY NOW

To Celebrate another festive season and support shopping local this Christmas, the Hay Shire Council has organinised another Shop Local Campaign.From November 18 to December 18, winners can take home a total of $1500 in Love Hay Gift Cards.Participating businesses will have a red box (pictured) for you to place your purchasing receipts into.The winner will be drawn at the lighting of the Christmas Tree in Witcombe Place (Lachlan St) on Wednesday 18th December, between 5-7pm, local businesses will also be invited to hold a late night shopping, or stall at the event, where Santa will be making a visit.Shopping locally this Christmas isn't just to benefit the Customer, but the local economy of Hay.By supporting the businesses of our friends and families, we’re keeping the town thriving, we’re supporting schools, boosting employment opportunities and we’re strengthening Hay’s future.

The Hay Jockey Club is thrilled to announce another fantastic Hay Races event, set to take place at the Hay Showgrounds on Saturday, 22nd.With temperatures soaring into the mid-30s, it's crucial to stay hydrated. Remember, being the one who can't handle the heat isn't a fun position to be in! Thankfully, the event organizers have you covered. There will be two bars providing water throughout the day, and numerous shaded areas to escape the sun. Don't forget to slather on the sunscreen to protect your skin.To make your journey to the showgrounds as smooth as possible, a bus service will operate hourly, starting at 12:30 PM.What to Bring:Comfortable ShoesCash (ATM services won't be available on-site)Event Schedule:Gates Open: 11:00 AMFirst Race: 2:00 PMFashions on the Field: Approximately 1:20 PMFor more info: https://www.hayraces.com.au/

November is also known as “Movember” to raise awareness for men’s health topics such as testicular cancer, prostate Cancer and men’s mental health. Men’s health issues often go unnoticed or undiagnosed. Movember aims to change that by sparking conversations, challenging stereotypes, and encouraging men to prioritise their well-being. By growing a moustache, participants become walking billboards for the cause, prompting questions and discussions.You can get involved by growing your own ‘stache, get involved with any Movember movements, or donate. How to speak to a mate going through a tough time? Showing your support to someone who is struggling mentally with any diagnosis is hard, but giving your full attention, listening, validating their feelings, avoiding judgement and asking open ended questions such as “how are you feeling today?”, “what can I do to help?”, “what’s on your mind today?”. These questions can help more than you think. You could also offer services to help them, but be specific, “do you need me to help with dinner on Tuesday?”, “Do you need me to come to that appointment with you?” Other helpful jobs can be household tasks, and run errands, but be sure to respect boundaries and don’t push them to do more than they can handle. Remember Presence matters. Prostate cancer risks: If you have a prostate, your risks for cancer increase with age, however it is not only limited to people over the age of 50. Prostate cancer is more common in black men and men with African ancestry. The reasons still aren’t fully understood, but it’s likely due to a bunch of different genetic and biological factors. The genes from our parents and relatives play a part in prostate cancer risk. Your risk is higher if there’s a father, brother or uncle who had prostate cancer. It’s also higher if there’s a mother or sister who had breast or ovarian cancer. So, if there’s a family history like this, start talking to your doctor about prostate cancer when you’re 40. Once more, the recommended age varies by country.How to check your Testicles: Testicular Cancer is the number one risk in young men, it is important to regularly check for any irregularities and see a doctor if something doesn’t feel right. While in a warm shower, relax and feel each side one at a time using your thumb and finger and slightly roll one testicle at a time, repeat on the other side. Check for any sensitivities, lumps, or painful areas. This information is available on the Movember site. Please see a professional if you have any concerns.Image: https://au.movember.com/#

Last weekend, Hay transformed into a vibrant hub for the LGBTQI+ community as the annual Rainbow on the Plains festival unfolded.The festivities kicked off on Thursday night with an informative session hosted by ACON, followed by a dazzling night of Priscilla themed games and entertainment by the Queen of the Outback, Shelita Buffet, at the South Hay Hotel.Friday night marked the official launch of the glamorous weekend at the Hay Services Club. The evening commenced with a heartfelt Welcome to Country and a thank you to all supporters, followed by a family-friendly event, Rainbow on the Greens, featuring Joanne and Zoe Badwi. The night concluded with a spectacular fireworks display.Saturday was the highlight of the festival, with a vibrant parade down Lachlan Street that led into the ENGIE Fairday at The Hay Park, a bustling event filled with stalls, food, and entertainment. Unfortunately, the Pride Cup was cancelled due to extreme heat, allowing attendees ample time to prepare for the evening's main event at the Services Club, featuring pop artists Za!N, Joanne, and Zoe Badwi.Sunday morning offered a much-needed recovery brunch at Kinfolk and Co Café, where attendees bid farewell over coffee and enjoyed a final performance by Angel Cupcakes.You'd think the committee would be ready to put their feet up, but as of Sunday evening, the 2025 Save the Dates were released!! So mark your calendars, to do it all again next year 13th-16th November.Congratulations to everyone involved in making this year's Rainbow on the Plains a resounding success.

The Hay Shire Council has sent the invitation for citizens to nominate a local Australian to be appreciated at the Australia Day Awards.Do you know someone who has done countless volunteer hours for a service organisation, a local sporting or community group or an educational facility? Do you know someone who has an outstanding achievement in their work or studies?Nominations are invited for awards that recognise the contribution that many individuals and organisations make to their local community each year. Categories for 2025 Awards are:Hay Citizen of the Year Award - To recognise an individual who has had an outstanding achievement in their work or studies, done countless volunteer hours for community groups and organisations, local sporting groups or the quiet achiever.Young Citizen of the Year Award - The Hay Young Citizen of the Year Award recognises the achievements of an inspirational and outstanding person who makes Hay a better place to live. The recipient must be aged between 14 and 25 years of age.Gavin Johnston Vocational Award - The Gavin Johnston Vocational Award recognises the achievements of an individual in our community who exemplifies outstanding commitment to his or her business or profession over a number of years.Special Achievement Award - The Hay Special Achievement Award recognises the achievements of an inspirational and outstanding person who makes Hay a better place to live.Nominations close 5pm Friday 13 December 2024Nominations can be lodged via online here

Have your say on draft Murrumbidgee water sharing planThe draft Murrumbidgee Unregulated River water sharing plan is now on public display, and the NSW Government is inviting the community to have its say.The draft plan sets out clear rules for the fair and sustainable sharing of surface water among water users and the environment across the region for the next decade.This includes setting limits on how much water can be taken, protecting resources for the environment, ensuring basic landholder rights and social and cultural needs are met and providing secure and tradeable water access rights.    It also sets out how much, where and when water can be taken by licence holders."We’re inviting the Murrumbidgee community to read the draft plan and make a submission before the public exhibition period ends on Friday 13 December," a NSW Government spokesperson said."We’ll be holding a webinar on Tuesday 12 November at 12.30pm, where the community can learn more, ask questions and provide feedback."Face-to-face meetings will also be held on Thursday 21 November in Cooma from 3pm to 5pm and in Griffith on 19 November from 10am to 12pm.Online one-on-one sessions with a water planner are also available in the week of 11 November.“Water sharing plans are vital tools for managing our state’s water resources, and the Murrumbidgee Unregulated River water sharing plan is no exception." NSW DCCEEW Executive Director of Water Planning Giselle Howard said.“We want to hear your feedback on the draft now so we can continue to manage the region’s water fairly and sustainably over the next 10 years.“We want a plan that works to protect basic landholder rights, social and cultural needs and provides water for the environment. We need to set limits on how much water can be taken to help ensure our rivers, aquifers and waterways remain healthy and resilient.“This is about making sure everyone gets their fair share, while also protecting the long-term health of our water resources and the vibrant ecosystems that rely on them.“Submissions are open until 13 December, and we invite everyone to have their say.”"The draft uses the latest data and includes proposed changes to simplify the plan, make it clearer and easier for water users to understand and comply with requirements."In some areas, we have proposed changes to water access and trading rules. Other changes include additional protection for specific wetlands in the region."We want to hear the community’s views on these changes and will carefully consider all feedback before finalising the plan ahead of it going into effect on 1 July 2025."Plans are in place for 10 years and are audited after the first five years to ensure they are working effectively and appropriately."  Click to register for a session and make a submission.

The Minns Labor Government has opened the next round of Recreational Fishing Trust Grants, with $5 million available for fishing clubs, community groups and other organisations to run projects which improve and promote recreational fishing in their local area.For the first time, applicants in this round will be able to access the $2 million recreational fishing small infrastructure grants program announced by the NSW Government in August.This program will make it easier for local fishing clubs, community groups and other organisations to apply for funding for projects such as fishing platforms, fish cleaning tables, fishing access tracks, kayak launching platforms and other fishing facilities.Applicants are encouraged to contact dedicated Department staff to discuss their ideas and for assistance in applying your small infrastructure grants.As well as small infrastructure, funding is also available to promote participation in the sport and the mental health and well-being benefits of fishing, such as for free fishing events, fishing workshops, come and try fishing days, fishing for therapy initiatives, and the development of educational material to promote sustainable and responsible fishing practices.Grants are available for both large projects valued at more than $10,000 in funding and small projects involving less than $10,000.Applications will be open until 18 December 2024.“We want to make fishing accessible, enjoyable and safe for everyone, Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said."By streamlining the grant application process, we aim to provide every fishing group with a greater chance to secure funding for projects that improve the fishing experience in their local communities.“The $2 million infrastructure grants program will ensure more of the licence fees collected from recreational fishers are invested back into the infrastructure we know fishers want, such as fishing platforms, fish cleaning tables and other fishing facilities."This is an excellent example of how funds generated by the NSW Recreational Fishing Licence Fee are reinvested into projects that directly support the recreational fishing community.“If you have an idea on how to improve your local fishing spot or make fishing even better for your local community, I encourage you to contact our dedicated DPIRD staff to discuss your ideas.”Following the recent review of the Recreational Fishing Trust, the NSW Government will continue to provide greater support to the NSW recreational fishing community by:Strengthening communications with all fishers and organisations to encourage them to apply for grants to improve fishing in their local areas.Providing more support for applicants to discuss ideas for projects and assist with developing their applications through the dedicated Recreational Fishing Trust grants assistance phoneline.Making the grant application process clearer and simpler, so groups have the best opportunity to receive funding, including streamlining the application form.This round of funding follows the recent announcements of some $20 million in grants and program funding from the Recreational Fishing Trust to enhance recreational fishing across the State.Funding guidelines and online application form HERE   or you can email [email protected] or call the dedicated Recreational Fishing Trust phoneline on 02 4424 7428.