They took out the big stump. The age-old stump at Carrathool has been removed and is now taking up residence at the home of Allan Woods on Tabbita Road, in the round yard arena. A plaque will be placed with the stump. The stump had been in Carrathool a very long time, so long people aren’t exactly sure why it was there or how it got there. The fate of the stump came into question when Sean Mealing of the Carrathool Pub bought the land on which the stump was squatting. “We knew it was only going to deteriorate further, so we decided to figure out what to do with it,” Sean told The Grazier. True Aussies can create fun out of anything. The pub frequenters began to have a weight guessing competition. Nobody knows how, but district legend and pub regular ‘Froggy’ from Goolgowi guessed the correct weight of the stump. The behemoth hunk of wood weighed in at an impressive 5680 kilograms. “Deciding what to do with the stump took a little while, but once it was all sorted, the actual work happened quite fast, which was impressive given the size of the stump,” Sean said. “Woodcutters on Howlong Station had a loader they brought into town, and someone had a telehandler, and they managed to lift the stump and take it out.” Sean is just delighted the iconic piece of timber will be put to good use. Locals are now putting their heads together, and delving into the research, to get to the bottom of the mystery of the Carrathool Stump.

More than $100,000 in cash was located in a vehicle after it crashed with a cow near the Carrathool turnoff last Friday. Officers attached to Hay Highway Patrol were made aware of a driver who had collided with a mob of cattle on the Sturt Highway east of Hay, and had failed to stop. This caused one cow needing to be euthanised due to the extent of its injuries sustained from the collision. Officers located the vehicle a short time later where they stopped and spoke to the driver, a 24-year-old man from South Australia. Following enquiries police had cause to search the vehicle where they located $142,350 cash within the vehicle. The driver was arrested and conveyed to Hay police station where he was charged with a number of offences: Driver of vehicle injuring animal fail to alleviate pain, recklessly deal with proceeds of crime and goods in custody suspected of being stolen or otherwise unlawfully obtained. He was granted bail to appear at Hay local court on March 3.

It can happen to anyone; you swipe right on Tinder, or match with someone on a dating site. You get to chatting, and it turns out you get along really well. The conversation is flowing like crazy, and they ask you to take the conversation off Tinder, using some sort of excuse like, “I don’t check my Tinder often enough, and I’d love to keep on chatting to you,” or, “This site/app is really glitchy, can I grab your Snapchat?”Think twice before you oblige, and remember just because you felt a momentary spark, it doesn’t mean you owe anyone anything, or won’t find someone else to talk to where the conversation flows equally well.Police officers from the Murrumbidgee Police District Griffith unit have advised the public a local man was blackmailed after exposing his genitals in a video chat on Snapchat.This happened after having enough conversation to feel comfortable, with a woman who claimed to be from Griffith and worked for a business on Banna Avenue. They interacted over a video chat, which the man did not realise the woman had recorded.The woman then exits the call.Minutes later, the man received a video of him revealing his privates, which had been uploaded to a YouTube account belonging to the woman.The man was told the video had not yet been made available for public viewing but if he did not pay $500, it would be. He said no, and then the woman handed over a list of the man’s Facebook friends and told him she would send the video to everyone he knew on Facebook if he did not pay.The man transferred the money to the woman via Wise, a cash transference app. After the handover, the target deleted the woman extortionist from all modes of contact.This poor man just thought he was having a private interaction with a willing participant. Issues like this can prove to be really embarrassing to talk about, but if he hadn’t come across an absolute low life, he would have been doing what lord knows how many singles do when they come across what they feel is a good prospect on the internet.It can be so easy to forget it’s the internet, can’t it?People need to know they are not alone.According to recent data, around 40 per cent of Australian online dating users report being targeted by some form of dating scam, with romance scams being the most common type, accounting for 47 per cent of all online dating scams; victims in Australia are reported to lose nearly $12,000 on average when targeted by such scams. People can be so slick, so insidious. But it is important to try and keep in mind the importance of your safety.Never share personal information or photos with someone you don’t know and trust, especially photos or webcam calls of a private nature. If an online match wants to communicate with you outside the dating website, such as through a private email address or over the phone, be wary.They could be trying to avoid detection, and if a prospect is genuine, they will not care if you take steps to protect yourself.If you are considering meeting in person, choose a public place and let family or friends know where you are at all times.Break out your inner detective and run a Google Image search to check the authenticity of any photos provided. Scammers often don’t stop at extortion, often they’ve pinched some poor innocent person's photos they’ve found online.Don’t fork over money to someone you’ve met online, especially via money order, wire transfer or international funds transfer – it’s rare to recover money sent this way.If you gave your account details to a scammer, contact your bank straight away.If you have fallen victim to this type of thing, know you are not alone. The best thing you can do ids to stop the chat and take screenshots of the text and profile. Do not save or share intimate, illegal, or restricted content with anyone under 18.Block the account, report the offence to both the social media platform and to police.Has this happened to you, or someone you know? Have you got news of any kind to share? We want to hear from you! Get in touch via [email protected]

Central Darling Shire has announced the Far West Regional Drought Resilience Plan has been officially released. The plan has been formulated to plan for broader community impacts and utilisations of the opportunity to learn from previous droughts.In March last year Central Darling Shire Council, Broken Hill City Council and the Regional Development Australia Far West NSW Unincorporated Area started working together to produce the plan for drought resilience. This plan is relevant to far west communities whilst also acknowledging the differences between the involved areas. The comprehensive 65 page plan offers a holistic view of the multifaceted issue and impacts of drought.These include issues faced during drought by primary producers, families, First Nations people, towns and villages, economic and social impacts.People can view the plan via this link https://lnkd.in/gAcQBmvy

This Blue-green algal (BGA) alert report is based on routine monitoring at sites in the Murrumbidgee Algae Reporting Area. The sites are monitored by WaterNSW and local councils. Satellite imagery may be used to supplement the monitoring data.RED ALERTS: • Lake Wallace Dam, Nimmitabel.AMBER ALERTS: • Burrinjuck Good Hope • Burrinjuck Woolgarlo • Burrinjuck Dam Wall (Station 1) • Murrumbidgee River at Hay Weir Buoy • Yanga Lake at Regatta Beach • Lake Albert – For more information: Wagga City Council Green Alerts • Murrumbidgee River at Mittagang Crossing (Cooma) • Burrinjuck Waters State Park • Murrumbidgee River downstream of Wagga (Roaches Road) • Murrumbidgee River downstream of Hay Weir • Murrumbidgee River at Maude Weir Buoy General Notes: Amber Alerts have been raised at Good Hope, Woolgarlo and Burrinjuck Dam Wall following recent sampling. Burrinjuck will continue to be closely monitored, with all dam and downstream sites to be sampled again next week. Yanga Lake remains on Amber Alert, with recent sampling indicating an increase in cyanobacteria. Water users in areas under Amber Alerts are advised to exercise caution. Weather Forecast: For February, there remains a likely chance the region will experience above average rainfall. Maximum temperatures are likely to exceed the average across the region, whilst minimum temperatures are very likely (greater than 80% chance) to exceed the average. (Source: Bureau of Meteorology (BoM)) Algae Outlook: Based on the forecast, the current risk for algal growth is high due to the recent heatwave, increasing water temperatures and hence creating very favourable conditions for algae growth.

There are a slew of nursing and midwifery scholarships and financial assistance options open.Visit https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/nursing/scholarship/Pages/default.aspx?fbclid=IwY2xjawISKGlleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHXAQ81LtARQQTPkn9C9VoGL5mq6gaE_cOOxFA0An-Vq2n582OgCgHVh93Q_aem_eXmDcg4_14WZYnxHXBNwiQ to take a look at options including the Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Cadetship Program, Aboriginal and Undergraduate scholarships and undergraduate clinical placement grants. There are also postgraduate and career development scholarship options, including Aboriginal postgraduate scholarships and Rhodanthe Lipsett Midwifery Postgraduate Scholarship.There are also options for assistance for those reentering the nursing and midwifery fields. New South Wales has been experiencing a chronic shortage of nurses since the COVID-19 pandemic. The shortage is expected to worsen in the coming years. NSW Government has introduced programs to attract new nurses, such as the Tertiary Health Study Subsidy Program. New South Wales currently has around 70,000 full-time equivalent registered nurses and midwives. Modelling figures show that by the year 2030 there will be a shortfall of around 8,000 nursing staff. The gap will be larger for enrolled nurses with an expected shortfall of around 13,000 by the year 2030.

Do you have a load of things you no longer use or need? Remember that old saying – if it does not spark joy get rid of it.Balranald has the right idea; they are having a whole town garage sale!It’s on Saturday March 8, kicking off at 8.30am. When you think about it, it has a dual benefit, you set someone up at your own house to sell your unwanted items, and you go on a tour of all the other houses to have a look at what’s on offer. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, someone else’s goods might spark you joy!A booking fee of $10 is payable when you register your site for inclusion on the map and promotions at The Gallery. Registrations close Friday February 28.Call into The Gallery at 51 Mayall Street or call 0414563005.

Project EnergyConnect is enabling energy sharing between NSW, South Australia and Victoria. Elecnor Australia and our client Transgrid are committed to engaging with communities on this nation-critical transmission infrastructure.Elecnor Australia would like to advise that stringing works will be occurring on Euston Prungle Road, near Euston, NSW on Thursday, 6 February for approximately three weeks.As part of the work, and to help motorists, traffic control will be in place as our team undertakes this activity.Motorists may experience delays with their road trip so please factor this in when planning your travelling.

Louie Zaffina is the first mayor of Balranald Shire since the region exited its period of administration.Experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly and approachable to boot, he is the strong head of a dynamic new council.A second-generation Italian immigrant, Louie’s parents came to Australia from Italy in the 1950’s. They settled in the Euston area, and purchased land to make a farm.They ran market gardens, before foraying into the realm of table grape growing.Louie was born in Robinvale Hospital, and enjoyed a happy childhood on the farm.“We were poor, we didn’t have much, but we were happy,” said Louie. “My childhood was really good, surrounded by a lot of friends.”When Louie started his education at Euston Public School, he spoke both English and Italian.“My parents largely spoke Italian and broken English with a heavy accent,” he recalled. “I learnt a lot of English from my older sisters.“I remember often knowing the Italian word for different things, but didn’t automatically know the English word.”After completing his secondary education at Robinvale High School, Louie completed an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic at the local Ford dealership.He worked successfully in the sector until his father fell ill. Louie then went to run the family farm. “My father actively encouraged me to learn a trade in case,” he said. “Having grown up on the farm I knew what to do, and since my return my focus and passion has been producing quality table grapes.”Louie and his wife Kylie attended the same high school, Robinvale High School, but got to know each other after they attended the school.They were married and have five beautiful children ranging in age from 35 to 21. They also have eight grandchildren, ranging from age six to two.Louie always had a passion for trying to help in the community however he can, and helping to discover and implement solutions to community issues. Louie has been a member of the Euston Co-Operative Rural Society since 1998 and chair since 2005. The Co-Op is made up of around 60 table grape growers covering 1,600 acres at Euston. The Co-op’s primary function is to deliver water from the River Murray via high-pressure pipeline to the growers for irrigation purposes. The Co-Op has affected positive and significant changes for farmers in the area.In his role, he has been a capable advocate for the members he represents, and has had to confer with and assist council in many instances, during its time of administration.He was appointed to the EPAC (Euston Progressive Advisory Committee), and has been very active in advocating for and uplifting the profile of Euston on many fronts.Although he is a staunch advocate for all things Euston, Louie is also an emphatic advocate for equality throughout the entirety of Balranald Shire. “It is understandable the way Euston may have been considered to be under the wing of Robinvale, a larger town very close,” Louie said. “It has therefore been an area of Balranald Shire which may have not always received the attention it has needed in the past.“It is clear to me, however, none of Balranald Shire has received the attention it has needed. Where other Shires have been proactive in seeking out funding, grants and opportunities for improvement, Balranald Shire seems to have been stagnating in the past, not adequately represented in previous decades.“I want what is fair for the whole of Balranald Shire; Euston, Balranald, Kyalite, Clare and all other parts.“We are really lucky coming out of administration, we have a varied and motivated representation of the whole shire on board.”“The Shire has a slew of opportunities walking through the door, including the mines, renewables, and more. We need to make the most of these good opportunities.”The Sturt Highway and its subpar condition is an issue of which Louie is incredibly passionate. “I have repeatedly sought but have had no answer from the Minister of Transport for NSW, Helen Dalton, and Sussan Ley among others, as to why the segment of the Sturt Highway which is in the worst state is the part which runs through Balranald Shire.”Louie understands other councils have the specific funding and contractual agreement needed to maintain and improve the roads in their LGA, but Balranald has not.“This is another issue which needs to be looked into; why we do not have that when other shires do, and what it will take for Balranald shire to get this,” he said.“As soon as you cross from Balranald Shire to another Shire, the change is clear.”While Louie was reasonably confident he would do well in the election, he was happily surprised when elected mayor. He will assess whether he would like to throw his hat in the ring to remain mayor in two years’ time (mayors are voted in every two years in Local Government), he is certainly keen on remaining on council for as long as possible.His other major passions are continuing to farm high quality table grapes and spending time with his family.Louie was a talented and enthusiastic table tennis player for 30 years, and still gets the gear out now and again for a game with the family.When he gets the time, he likes to fish and visit his grandchildren.“We are really lucky, all of our children and grandchildren are located close by,” Louie said. “They are all here in Euston except for two who live near Mildura.”

Creating a mentally healthy workplace is the responsibility of all employers, leaders and workers in NSW.Make your workplace safer and healthier by learning about how to manage mental health, registering for free training and coaching and completing the Workplace Wellbeing Assessment.The NSW Government website has free training and coaching which can help you create a mentally healthy workplace.Our experts can train your workforce on how and why to protect psychological health at work.They can also work with employers and leaders one-on-one to fine tune your mental health initiatives, or confidentially coach leaders on how to manage issues that may be affecting your employees’ mental health at work.Eligible businesses can access one or both programs, in the order that suits you.Programs include: How to create a mentally healthy workplaceManaging mental health in your workplaceMental health at work resourcesLegal obligations and rightsCreating mentally healthy workplaces case studiesOne in five Australians have taken time off work in the past 12 months because they felt stressed, anxious, depressed or mentally unhealthy. This statistic is more than twice as high among those who consider their workplace mentally unhealthy.Australian workplaces are trying hard to make workplaces more mentally healthy but let's all take every step we can to keep that momentum going.For more information visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/employment/mental-health-at-work?fbclid=IwY2xjawIQ9edleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHdnP7sOxS-2c25T8WuaLYpXIAC7b39SGDJETOGQKYnNOFxtpa9HGvYoCBQ_aem_g_Sq7W1TOgPlTfjxpj0MCQ

NSW Police are re-appealing for information after the body of 56-year-old Broken Hill man Ian Lacey was found near Wentworth on January 16.Police were called to Log Bridge Road at Wentworth about 9am, following reports of a scrub fire. During the search of the area, they located a body, and a crime scene was established and forensically examined.Detectives commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, which has been deemed suspicious.As enquiries continue, police are asking anyone who was in the vicinity of Wentworth and Log Bridge Road in the week leading up to the 16th, and who may have information, CCTV, and/or dashcam vision to contact Crime Stoppers.

Get onto it girlies, and book in for your breast screening.Call 132050 to book in.Women aged 50–74 are invited to screen every two years.Women in their 40s and over 75 are also welcome, but BreastScreen NSW recommend you speak with your doctor first. BreastScreen NSW is a free health service for women from all cultures and language groups. Women under 40 are not eligible to attend BreastScreen NSW, but don't let this stop you from being proactive about your health.If you’re aged under 40 and are concerned about your risk of breast cancer (including family history) you should discuss this with your doctor. Women under 40 are at a much lower risk of developing breast cancer.Breast screening can be less effective for women under 40 due to higher breast density, which can make it harder to see small cancers on an x-ray. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are recommended to screen from age 40. More than 75 per cent of breast cancers are found in women aged over 50. While cancer can occur in younger women aged 40-50, it is less common.  It’s important to note that breast screening can be less effective for women in this age group. This is because higher breast density can make it more difficult to see a cancer on the x-ray. More than 75 per cent of breast cancers occur in women over 50. Regular breast screens are the best way to find breast cancer early.  You will no longer receive invitations from age 75 however you can contact us to make a booking. Please talk to your doctor to find out if breast screening is right for you. 

Safety should never take a holiday, but as school is just around the corner, it is a timely reminder for all of us to slow down for the school zones. Class may not be in session, but there will be school zones in place as some children may still attend school on these days, so when driving through a school zone remember to stay under the 40km/h speed limit.Ever heard of informal bus stops?In rural and regional areas, school children may be dropped off and picked up at temporary bus stops that don't have any signage or infrastructure - they're often just the end of a driveway or residenceWhen driving on country roads remember to keep a look out for children who may be waiting for their bus or crossing the road to get to their stop.If your child gets the bus from an informal stop, go with them if you can and hold their hand when crossing the road. If they're old enough, have a conversation with them about how to cross safely.And slow down to 40kph when passing a bus, with flashing lights, on your side of the road.Emphasize the importance of always using a pedestrian crossing, looking both ways carefully before stepping into the road, waiting for a safe gap in traffic, and never running across the road; always hold an adult's hand when crossing if you are young, and make sure to make eye contact with drivers before stepping out into the road. If you're taking a nap in the passenger seat this summer, make sure your belt stays low across your hips with the sash firmly across your chest and mid shoulder.We all know it's tempting to recline your seat on a long drive, but doing so can mean your seatbelt isn't adjusted properly.Did you know it is in fact legal to sleep in your car in New South Wales as long as you park legally. However, some councils have introduced laws to prevent people from sleeping in their cars for long periods of time. When sleeping in your car, safety should always be a top priority. One of the biggest hazards to be aware of is carbon monoxide poisoning, so be sure to crack a window for fresh air circulation. Additionally, bright lights can disrupt your sleep, so consider investing in window coverings for privacy and light blockage.

Vehicles which are used to respond to an emergency bush fire incident may not need to be registered under a Farm Fire Fighting Vehicles (FFFV) Trial running until March 31. This trial follows an initial trial which occurred between December 2023 and March 2024. The new trial will enable more feedback to be obtained to inform future options for a longer-term solution. Participants in the first trial need to nominate FFFVs again to participate in the second trial.A vehicle nominated for the FFFV trial must be declared suitable for safe use and in thoroughly serviceable condition by the owner and can be used only in connection with emergency bush fire incidents on road or road related areas within a 100 kilometre radius of the storage address.To ensure that the FFFV is suitable for the trial, owners should refer to the safety guidance included in the Farm Fire Fighting Vehicles Trial factsheet before nominating their vehicle, in addition to consulting the NSW Rural Fire Service Operational Guide.To nominate a FFFV for the trial, submit the digital Farm Fire Fighting Vehicle Nomination and include the required photographsOnce the form is submitted, you will receive an acknowledgement with a copy of the nomination by email. These must be produced to Police or Authorised Officers upon request.The nomination is valid from the time you receive the acknowledgment until the trial ends on March 31, after which the exemption will no longer apply. Transport will review nominations and contact customers if there are any safety concerns with a FFFV or if it must be withdrawn from the trial for safety reasons.Vehicles in the trial are exempt from registration and number plates are not required. Any old number plates on the vehicle should be removed and returned to a Service NSW service centre. To view the Farm Fire Fighting Vehicles Trial factsheet visitchrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/noindex/2024-12/Farm-Fire-Fighting-Vehicle-factsheet-December-2024.pdfNSW Rural Fire Service Operational Guide visitchrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/242713/FFU-Operational-Guide.pdfTo view the Farm Fire Fighting Vehicle Nomination visithttps://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/farm-fire-fighting-vehicle-nomination

$5.1 million for new health worker accommodation in Far Western NSW Communities in Broken Hill, Tibooburra, Wentworth, Buronga and Dareton are set to benefit from new Key Worker Accommodation which will help attract, recruit and retain more healthcare workers in Far West NSW. “As we get one step closer to a new health service in Wentworth, it is welcome news that the government is boosting its investment in rural healthcare services and infrastructure," Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, said. “The new accommodation units will be an opportunity to fill desperately needed vacant health care positions and support communities that are currently begging for quality health services.” The Minns Labor Government will invest $5.1 million in health worker housing in Far Western NSW as part of the Key Health Worker Accommodation program. The $200 million program supports more than 20 projects across rural, regional and remote NSW. “It is critical we attract and keep health workers not just in Far West NSW, but across the whole of rural and remote NSW," Mrs. Dalton said. "This investment will hopefully draw medical professionals to the bush.” The funding will secure approximately 120 dwellings across regional NSW. This includes building new accommodation, refurbishment of existing living quarters and the purchase of properties such as residential units. The four-year program will support the recruitment and retention of more than 500 health workers and their families by providing a range of accommodation options. “It is essential that health in rural and remote NSW is not neglected and people in the bush receive the same level of care as their city cousins," Mrs. Dalton said. The program is one of a number of investments the Minns Labor Government is making to strengthen the regional, rural and remote health workforce and builds on the success of the NSW Government's $73.2 million investment in key health worker accommodation across five regional local health districts (Far West, Murrumbidgee, Southern NSW, Hunter New England and Western NSW).

The latest news and views from Member for Parkes Mark CoultonChange needed to address crimeThe Moree, Narrabri and Gunnedah communities are still reeling from the tragic death of a man after the motorcycle he was riding collided with a vehicle allegedly stolen by three 14-year-olds from Moree.Sadly, this incident is just the tip of the iceberg. Communities throughout my electorate have been dealing with youth crime for years, but over the past year it seems to have escalated and now it’s resulted in the death of an innocent man.It should never have come to this, but enough is enough and our communities deserve to see some action to tackle this issue and help them feel safe.I’m backing my state Nationals colleague, Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan in his calls for the NSW Government to take immediate action and deliver major legislative reforms to address this issue. In particular, bail laws need to change so that courts cannot grant bail to repeat serious offenders, regardless of their age.We can’t keep throwing money at the issue and funding the same services that are currently not making a difference. Something needs to change if we want to see real, tangible outcomes on the ground.Back to school costs hit families hardMost children across the Parkes electorate will be returning to the classroom this week, however new data has revealed that back-to-school costs are further burdening many families that are already struggling with the basics as a result of Labor’s cost-of-living crisis.Under the Labor Government, education costs have risen an alarming 11 per cent and parents are being forced to make impossible choices. Many families are unable to afford basic school supplies, uniforms or digital devices.According to The Smith Family’s recent Pulse survey, 87 per cent of parents worried about affording back-to-school costs. The findings reveal more than half of parents fear their children will miss out on essential digital devices, and nearly 60 per cent said 2024 was harder than ever to cover school costs due to skyrocketing everyday expenses like groceries, rent, and petrol.Education is a fundamental right; yet under Labor, it is becoming increasingly out of reach for many Australian families. Children cannot reach their best potential if they cannot access the basics to succeed in the classroom. Only a Coalition government will fight cost-of-living pressures, build a stronger economy and get Australia back on track.Australia Day honoursI'd like to congratulate the eight people from the Parkes electorate who were named in the Australia Day 2025 Honours List, including Shanna Whan from Narrabri who received a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), Dennis Lowder from Wee Waa who received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), Patricia Hadley from Narrabri who received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), Rodney Towney from Dubbo who received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), Kim Vodic from Broken Hill who received an Australian Corrections Medal (ACM), Inspector Helen McWilliam from Moree who received an Australian Police Medal (APM), Anthony Battam from Narrabri who received an Emergency Services Medal (ESM), and William Birch from Narrabri who received a Public Service Medal (PSM).An incredible honour for each of these well-deserving individuals who contribute so much to our wonderful electorate!Community groups in the Parkes electorate have until this Friday 7 February to submit their Expressions of Interest (EOI) for Round 9 of the Stronger Communities Programme.Grants of up to $20,000 are available for community organisations and local governing bodies for infrastructure projects that deliver social benefits for local communities. Dozens of community groups have benefitted from this funding over the years, and I look forward to seeing some great projects go ahead under this latest round.If your community group has a suitable project in mind, I encourage you to check the guidelines and submit an Expression of Interest to my office by 5pm AEDT on Friday 7 February. For more information and to download an EOI form, visit my website HERE

Applications are now open for Essential Energy’s Essential Grants ProgramThe program aims to support eligible community groups that contribute towards positive outcomes for regional communities.Grants up to $15,000 are available for community-based initiatives supporting the environment, education, resilience or related to the energy transition.Eligible groups, including not-for-profit organizations, charities and community groups located within Essential Energy’s network area, are urged to apply.For more information and how to apply, please visit: https://www.essentialenergy.com.au/essentialgrantsTo find out if you are in Essential Energy’s network area, please visit: https://www.essentialenergy.com.au/about-us/our-network-areaNominations will close on Monday March 31.

An invitation from the NSW Independent Commission Against CorruptionThe NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is visiting Broken Hill in February as part of its Rural and Regional Outreach Program. The Outreach visit will be a week of activities for public officials and community members.Outreach visits aim to raise understanding of corruption risks, provide practical corruption prevention information, and give advice on how to report suspected corrupt conduct.An interactive public forum for the Broken Hill community will be held on Thursday morning 20 February 2025. This is an opportunity for you to engage and discuss corruption and integrity issues with the ICAC and other integrity agencies in person.There will be a variety of panel discussion members including the Hon John Hatzistergos AM, Chief Commissioner, NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption, Anina Johnson, Commissioner, Law Enforcement Conduct CommissionNicole Rose PSM, Deputy Commissioner, National Anti-Corruption Commission, and Jacqueline Fredman, NSW Deputy Ombudsman.The event is on February 20 from 9:30 am to 10:00 am for registration and refreshments. From 10:00 am to 11:00 am there will be a panel discussion and question and answer session. It is The event is free and you are welcome to bring a guest.If you have any questions, please email: [email protected]

The Community Building Partnership (CBP) 2025 grants provide funding for community projects that enhance social, environmental, and recreational outcomes. Eligible organizations, including not-for-profits, local councils, and Indigenous corporations, can apply for grants between $10,000 and $100,000 for infrastructure, equipment, and vehicle purchases.Each NSW electorate has $450,000 in available funding. MPs assess applications in their electorates and make recommendations to the Deputy Secretary, Corporate Services, Premier’s Department, who will make the final decisions.Applications opened on January 28 and close February 21 at 5 pm.MP merit assessment will take place between May 5 and 30, and approval and announcements will take place between July and August.For more information visit the link:https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/community-building-partnership-2025To apply, visit:https://www.smartygrants.com.au/