AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS
CONGRATULATIONS to the Upper Hunter electorate’s recipients of Australia Day Honours for this year.
Geoffrey Sharrock of Fordwich becomes a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to the mining industry and the community through various organisations including the Broke Fordwich Private Irrigation District.
Singleton’s Gerard McMillan received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community and to business through Singleton Returned Servicemen’s Club, now Singleton Diggers, as well as Rotary and the Catholic Church.
I also acknowledge all Australia Day Award recipients, who were recognised by our local councils across the weekend for their dedication and service to community.
DECLARATION EXTENDED
Upper Hunter, Singleton, Dungog, Mid Coast and Cessnock council areas are now eligible for disaster recovery support following the severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall that impacted the Hunter region from 15 January.
Assistance measures may now be provided to these communities under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
It includes support for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation as well as grants for low income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items and to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a safe and habitable condition.
Support is available to affected local councils and other agencies to help with the costs of cleaning up, keeping the community safe and restoring damaged essential public assets.
More information on disaster assistance can be found at: www.disasterassist.gov.au
CBP, APPLY NOW!
Applications for the 2025 round of the Community Building Partnership (CBP) open this week with $450,000 in grant funding available for the Upper Hunter electorate.
The program guidelines have changed for this year, including that the minimum grant funding is $10,000 and the maximum $100,000.
For capital works projects, applicants must provide the property/landowner’s consent for works to be undertaken at the project location at the time of application.
Applicants can apply for an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) package up to $3,000 per application per project location, however, applications for more than one AED package at the same project location will be ineligible.
Applicants will be required to complete their project within 12 months of approval by August 2026.
Applications close at 5pm on Friday 21 February with more details on the CBP website: www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/community-building-partnership
REZ DISCUSSION
The Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (HCC REZ) will be the talking point when community drop-in sessions are held this week.
Ausgrid has been selected by EnergyCo as the network operator to deliver the infrastructure works required to support the REZ.
It is keen to hear community feedback and understand the potential impacts of the project as the Ausgrid Upper Hunter network is upgraded to more efficiently integrate renewables into the electricity grid.
Drop-in sessions are at Singleton Senior Citizens Centre on Friday 31 January, 2-6pm and Muswellbrook Library, 9am-2pm on Saturday 1 February.
Two online webinars are scheduled for Thursday 6 February, 12.30-1.15pm and 7-7.45pm.
More information at: www.ausgrid.com.au/About-Us/Future-Grid/Hunter-Central-Coast-Renewable-Energy-Zone and www.facebook.com/Ausgrid
ATTENTION, HOLIDAY ENDING!
The countdown is underway to the first day back at school for Day 1, Term 1 2025 and motorists will have to be switched-on before the end of this week.
NSW Department of Education has public school development days for Term 1 scheduled from Friday 31 January to Wednesday 5 February.
Development days are used by schools to build on the knowledge and skills of teachers, school leaders and school administrative support staff through a targeted professional learning program.
For drivers that means get ready for the return of flashing lights for 40km/h school zones which are in force on all notified school days.
School zone days do include school development days also known as or pupil-free days, and for Term 1 this year it begins this Friday, 31 January.
First day for students is Thursday 6 February, with NSW Education offering five tips for the opening day of school.
They include preparing uniforms, lunches and school bags, letting your children dress themselves, make sure they wear a hat and sunscreen, confirm pick up details and, most importantly, discuss road safety with your child.
TAFE PREPARATIONS
A big week for TAFE NSW ahead of Semester 1 classes which commence from Monday 3 February.
Essential student information will be available during two live virtual orientation sessions.
Session 1 is being held 8-9am Wednesday 29 January and Session 2 on Thursday 30 January, Noon-1pm.
The sessions are run online and you will be sent a link to your chosen email prior to the event: https://tafenswevents.eventsair.com/ksys/ksys25/site/register
If you want to prepare for a policing career, the Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD) is available at the Dubbo and Kurri Kurri TAFE campuses.
IPROWD aims to engage Aboriginal people in training that prepares them for career opportunities in the NSW Police Force, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) or other Justice agencies, by offering a safe, supportive learning environment.
Applications are open for the flexible delivery of IPROWD at Dubbo TAFE between 17 March and 5 September with Kurri TAFE offering full-time delivery 25 August-28 November:
MEN, TO THE TABLE!
The invitation is out for Singleton and Maitland to gather at The Men’s Table next month.
An ‘entrée’ is being held in both towns to create a unique, safe environment for men to share openly about their lives, their challenges, their highs and lows.
Over dinner, the proven format creates a sense of belonging, community, peer support and camaraderie that is lacking for many men, even for some who already have a group of mates.
The entrée nights are information nights where men can find out if The Men’s Table is for them and space is limited to 16 spots at the table.
Maitland’s gathering is at The Kitchen at Waterford, Chisholm on Tuesday 18 February, whilst the upstairs function room of The Albion Hotel is the venue for Singleton on Wednesday 19 February with both events being held 6.30-9pm.
Further details at The Men’s Table website: www.themenstable.org make bookings at:
https://themenstable.org/entree-nsw/ and contact Dave Robinson on 0435 171 509 or email: dave.robinson@themenstable.org
SENIORS CELEBRATIONS
Free tickets are available early next month for the 2025 Premier’s Gala Concerts at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Darling Harbour, Sydney.
Todd McKenney, Rob Mills, Tarryn Stokes and Prinnie Stevens will entertain thousands of NSW Seniors on Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 March with two performances each day.
Seniors who are unable to attend in person will be able to view a livestream of the concerts.
The Premier’s Gala Concerts are a highlight of the annual NSW Seniors Festival between Monday 3 March to Sunday 16 March.
Free tickets for the performances will be available from 9am on Tuesday 4 February on the NSW Seniors Festival website: https://www.nsw.gov.au/arts-and-culture/seniors-festival/whats-on/premiers-concert.
RECRUITMENT UNDERWAY
Board members are currently being recruited by Crown Lands to help manage three recreation reserves in the Upper Hunter.
Applications close next month for the Moonan Flat, Main Camp (Rouchel Brook) and Bunnan Recreation Reserves.
Appointment of board members is a voluntary role for a period not exceeding five years.
People with a variety of skills are required, however, sound business and financial management skills and objective decision-making expertise would be a distinct advantage.
All recommended board members must complete the member induction program before their appointment is finalised.
More information from Joanne Muddle on 49379364, email: reserves@crownland.nsw.gov.au or visit the Crown Land website: https://reservemanager.crownland.nsw.gov.au/who-we-are/get-involved-in-crown-land-management
READY TO CLEAN UP?
Clean Up Australia wants 2025 is to be a special one as it celebrates 35 years and aims to make this year’s event the biggest and best one yet.
The Upper Hunter electorate is being encouraged to start rolling up its sleeves and register local activities.
Business Clean Up day is scheduled for Tuesday 25 February with preschools, primary and secondary schools to clean up on Friday 28 February.
Sunday 2 March is the celebration of 35 years of Clean Up so check out the How-To Videos! which are designed to assist with each step of planning your own event.
Register for Clean Up Australia Day at: www.register.cleanup.org.au
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Transgrid has opened applications to upskill Australians to fill critical jobs across NSW as it builds a clean energy workforce.
The Transgrid Engineering Scholarship, supports 100 Charles Sturt University (CSU) engineering students over four-years and provides $20,000 each to put towards the cost of their study.
Applications close on 7 March: www.csu.edu.au/engineering/transgrid-scholarship
Expressions of interest for Transgrid’s 2026 Apprenticeship Program are also open: www.transgrid.com.au/careers/apprentice-program
Expressions of interest have recently opened for Transgrid’s 2026 Graduate Program, with applications to formally open on 1 March.
This two-year development program provides graduates with four rotations in their chosen area, offering exposure to diverse and challenging responsibilities.
Prospective participants can register interest at: www.transgrid.com.au/careers/graduate-program
ESSENTIAL TO APPLY
Dungog, Stroud and Gloucester will soon have their opportunity to put forward local projects which could receive support from the Essential Grants program.
Applications open Monday, 3 February for charities, not-for-profit/non-profit organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations or community groups/events to spark positive change in their community.
The program supports community-based initiatives that align with the categories of Environment, Energy Transition, Education and Resilience.
Essential Grants offer up to $15,000 with applications to close on Monday, 31 March.
Further information at: www.essentialenergy.com.au/about-us/community-support/Essential-Grants
AFL GRANTS
Councils and community AFL clubs can lodge applications from next week for the
AFL NSW/ACT Facility Fund.
Applications for up to $50,000 funding can be made towards infrastructure projects that improve the experience of participants or increase the use of a playing field.
Through the fund, councils and community AFL clubs are able to fund changeroom upgrades for women and girls, field lighting upgrades or drainage and irrigation improvements.
Applications close Wednesday 12 March, with a second round of grants for the NSW Facilities Fund to open in July.
You can find more details at: https://play.afl/nswact/news/NSW-facilties-fund
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