National Renewables in Agriculture Conference and Expo

This unique event invites you to find out everything you need to know about renewables, including;

> What options are right for me?

> What steps should I take?

> Who do I work with to make it happen?

Hear from farmers successfully using renewables, why they did it, and what they’ve learnt. Industry experts will discuss:

> Feasibility and working out the business case for renewables.

> Understanding grid connections.

> What’s on the horizon for energy and agriculture.

On-farm renewables are a valuable opportunity for farmers to cut costs and emissions.

The Expo offers farmers the chance to speak to credible renewable energy suppliers about opportunities for their property. Post Conference, network with a glass of red or white produced by SeeSaw Winery using solar.

Date: 14th November 2019

Location: The Range Function Centre, 308 Copland Street, Wagga Wagga

Time: 9am - 4.30pm / Networking drinks 4.30pm - 6pm

Cost: $75 p.p. (lunch provided)

2019 Community Building Partnership Program

The NSW Government is investing in infrastructure projects that deliver positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes while promoting community participation, inclusion and cohesion.

More than $300 million has been awarded to over 13,800 projects through the Community Building Partnership (CBP) program since 2009.

In 2019, there is a maximum of $300,000 to allocate in each electorate. Incorporated not-for-profit community organisations and local councils are eligible to apply for grants of between $2500 and $300,000. Funding requests over the maximum amount will not be considered. As a guide, the average grant awarded is around $20,000.

CBP supports projects involving the:

• construction of new community infrastructure

• refurbishment, repair and maintenance of existing community infrastructure

• purchase of capital equipment with a minimum individual asset value of more than $2500.

Projects with contributions from their own or other sources will be considered favourably. Local councils, including their section 355 committees, are required to provide matched funding to the CBP grants.

As total funding will be divided equally among the state electorates of NSW, applications will be assessed against other proposed projects within the same electorate.

Applications to the Community Building Partnerships program closes on 27th September 2019.

Fixing country roads to better connect communities

Primary producers and regional communities will benefit from a $150 million upgrade to regional roads, bridges and truck washes across NSW.

Through the Fixing Country Roads program, the NSW Government is delivering better, safer roads infrastructure across the state.

The NSW Government has invested a total of $386 million into 302 projects across regional communities. These projects have helped to:

• reduce the cost of getting goods to market for local businesses

• keep communities connected

• unlock greater economic opportunities.

The 2019 investment in fixing country roads is part of a $543 million commitment for Restart NSW Fixing Country Roads.

Local councils are encouraged to apply by 10 October 2019. Councils are encouraged to apply in partnership with other local government areas for large-scale projects.

Short-term Rental Accommodation

The NSW Government is seeking feedback on the draft instruments and Regulations that will introduce the state-wide planning framework and mandatory Code of Conduct for short-term rental accommodation (STRA).

What's this about?

The proposed changes are outlined in a Discussion Paper(external link), which also seeks feedback about introducing a new industry-led STRA property register.

The discussion paper:

• reviews community feedback from the October 2018 consultation

• explains proposed changes in the draft Regulation

• outlines the mandatory Code of Conduct

• introduces an industry-led property register.

These proposed changes aim to support the economic value of short-term rental accommodation while managing social and environmental impacts.

Coolamon Fire Engine Muster

FEATURE FILM DEVELOPMENT LAB WITH NASH EDGERTON: CALLING FOR APPLICATIONS FROM REGIONAL AUSTRALIA

Pictured: Director Nash Edgerton directing lead actor Scott Ryan on Mr Inbetween.

Acclaimed director Nash Edgerton is joining forces with Christiaan and Connor Van Vuuren as part of the creative team to deliver a 4.5 day Screenworks Development Lab for a new feature film Croak. The genre-twisting, science-fiction comedy feature sees a gang of teenagers discover that their biology teacher is harbouring a dark secret with dire consequences.

Screenworks is now calling for applications from early career, regionally-based director/writers who want to participate in the lab which will be held in Gladstone, Queensland from the 4th to 8th November.

The lab promises to provide insight into the filmmaking process. “Writing something that doesn’t suck isn’t as easy as it sounds” said Christiaan Van Vuuren, who is one half of the Van Vuuren Bros, “directing something that doesn’t suck isn’t as easy as it sounds either” quipped Connor Van Vuuren. “As well as being lots of laughs, Croak tackles important environmental questions through the eyes of teenagers in regional Australia,” says producer Chloe Rickard.

Screenworks has partnered with Jungle Entertainment and Midwinter Films for the Croak Feature Development Lab, which received funding through Screen Australia’s Enterprise Ideas program and investment support from Screen Queensland. A total of five regional early career writer/directors from across Australia will be selected to participate in the lab, including at least two from regional Queensland. Each selected participant will be paid a fee of $4,500 in addition to having travel to Gladstone and accommodation expenses covered.

Screenworks CEO Ken Crouch explained, “we all want more diverse, quality stories – but they can’t come from a vacuum. It’s critical that new career pathways are available to people living outside the main production hubs, as the peak industry body for the regional screen industry we’re excited to be creating these opportunities”

This development lab will be the second of three development labs being delivered by Screenworks as part of its Regional Script Lab X Initiative which is being supported by Screen Australia Enterprise Ideas funding. Screenworks wants to connect talented writers and directors living outside the major production cities in Australia and bring unique and authentic perspectives to the development of regionally-based projects.

Screen Queensland has invested in the development of the Croak feature film as well as the Development Lab which will take part in Gladstone, Queensland.

Tracey Vieira, CEO of Screen Queensland said that Screen Queensland (SQ) is delighted to partner with Screenworks to support this paid opportunity in Central Queensland.

 “In addition to SQ investing in the development of Croak set in regional Australia, this Screenworks lab highlights our commitment to investing in the skills of our regionally-based emerging writers and directors, by providing financial and geographic accessibility to renowned expertise.

“The participants will leave the workshop with experience in developing a feature film which will assist in building their careers, and greater industry insight to guide their creative practice overall.”  

Jungle Entertainment is well-known for producing premium comedy and drama for worldwide audiences and has a history of delivering successful and innovative productions. Jungle Entertainment produced the highly-acclaimed Logie winning Australian television drama Mr Inbetween commissioned by FX US, the first ever Australian SVOD commission No Activity, which went on to be remade by CBSAA in the US and is in its third season, the first scripted comedy commissioned by any Australian commercial network in 15 years and the highest rating new program in 2016 Here Come The Habibs and ABC2’s first ever comedy Review With Myles Barlow.

“We do everything we possibly can to support the creator's vision” said Jungle Entertainment Development Executive, Features, Bridget Callow-Wright, “the Croak Development Lab is all about making spaces for innovative creators to do what they do best – tell stories that matter, take risks, and push the industry in a new direction.”

To be considered for the Croak Development Lab, applicants must be able to demonstrate previous experience in screen directing and writing and be living in regional, rural or remote Australia. Applicants also need to be available to travel to Gladstone in November (travel and accommodation expenses will be covered by Screenworks). 

 Applications are now open and will close at 9am on the 26th August 2019.

Croak is an original concept written by Shane Brady and co-written by Priscilla Cameron for Jungle Entertainment and Midwinter Films with Christiaan Van Vuuren and Connor Van Vuuren as directors and developed with investment from Screen Queensland and Screen Australia.

Croak is a science fiction comedy with a big heart and green tinge. When coal-seam gas fracking forces Josh and Stacy’s family off their farm, their Mum takes a job in Galston, a booming coal and gas port. Josh, a sensitive nature boy, and Stacy, a knockabout country girl, are pitched into a new school in a new town amidst strange goings-on: pets vanishing and cars mysteriously crushed in the night.

To apply, visit www.screenworks.com.au

Screenworks, Jungle Entertainment and Midwinter Films’ Croak Feature Development Lab is supported by Screen Australia’s Enterprise Ideas funding program with investment from Screen Queensland

Stronger Communities Program, Round 5

The Stronger Communities Program supports the Government’s commitment to deliver social benefits in communities across Australia. Round 5 of the program will provide $22.65 million to fund small capital projects in each of the 151 federal electorates. The program’s intended outcomes are to improve local community participation and contribute to vibrant and viable communities.
 
Community consultation is a critical element of the program. In consultation with their community, each MP must identify potential applicants and projects in their electorate and invite them to apply for a grant. Invited applications will be assessed against the program’s eligibility criteria through a closed non-competitive process.
 
Each electorate has total funding of up to $150,000 that can be allocated to successful applications. A maximum of 20 projects will be funded in each electorate.
 
The grant amount will be up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs (grant percentage).

• The minimum grant amount is $2,500.

• The maximum grant amount is $20,000.

Total funding for the project from the Commonwealth cannot exceed 50 per cent of the total eligible project expenditure. Applicants can fund their share of eligible project costs from any source including from state and local government. Their contribution can be either cash or in-kind. Where they provide in-kind contributions, they must calculate the dollar value.

Applications Open – Monday 5th August 2019
Expressions of Interest Forms Due – Friday 6th September
Applications Close – Thursday 10th October 2019

Defence Innovation Network Pilot Project Grants

DIN PILOT PROJECT GRANTS 2019-20

Call for proposals

NSW Defence Innovation Network is pleased to call for submissions to its 2019-20 Pilot Project Grant Scheme. Up to $200,000 of funding is available to support collaboration between DIN member universities, industry and Defence.

The Defence Innovation Network has received support from the NSW Government to fund projects with direct industry and defence focus.

DIN Pilot Project Funding Scheme aims to conduct a rapid feasibility study on new ideas for Defence and develop these ideas into concept or technology that can attract further investment from the government or industry.

DIN will provide funding for proposals which directly address problem statements, submitted by Defence end-users, and demonstrate the best team fit and inter-university collaboration.

Project proposals, scoped to be completed within 6-12 months, should be submitted to info@defenceinovationnetwork.com by 2nd September 2019.

Influential Women in Science and Agriculture

Riverina businesses win top awards in Dubbo

Image by PDPics from Pixabay

Riverina businesses from Darlington Point to Wagga Wagga and West Wyalong have taken home awards in the 2019 Destination Country and Outback and Destination Riverina Murray Regional Tourism Awards. The awards were held in Dubbo, Saturday 27 July.

Wagga Wagga winners Bundyi Cultural Tours and Food I Am took out Gold Awards in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism and Excellence in Food Tourism, respectively.

Belisi Farm Stay, also from Wagga, took out Silver in the New Tourism Business category.

Altina Wildlife Park of Darlington Point were presented with an Encouragement Award in the Tourist Attraction category.

Congratulations to all of our Riverina winners, and to the finalists Courabyra Wines of Tumbarumba and the Cameo Inn Motel of West Wyalong.

NSW Farmer of the Year Awards

The NSW Farmer of the Year and the NSW Young Farmer of the Year awards are designed to recognise excellence in the state’s agricultural sector.

The awards are a joint initiative between NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and NSW Farmers’, with support from SafeWork NSW and The Land.

The NSW Farmer of the Year Award is open to all farmers in NSW, while the NSW Young Farmer of the Year Award is open to NSW farmers aged between 18 and 35.

Farmer is a general term that can include fishers, foresters or any primary industries enterprise. We support diversity and encourage everyone in the farming community to apply.

Awards criteria includes farming businesses or enterprises that can demonstrate:

• great techniques being used to boost productivity and yield

• effective tools and approaches used to streamline businesses

• innovative ways to prepare for the future

• initiatives made to keep themselves, and their staff, safe and well.

The winner of each category will receive $4,000 prize money while runners up receive $2,000.

Nominations Open: 23rd July 2019

Nominations Close: 23rd September 2019

Awards Presentation: 10 December 2019 (Sydney)

For more information or to apply, visit https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/events/nsw-foty 

Past Winners: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/events/nsw-foty/past-winners

TAFE NSW offers free courses in Health and Community Services

TAFE NSW is offering free courses in Health and Community Services at campuses across the riverina. The following courses are available, with the first commencing next Thursday:

900-80794V01 Introduction to Disability Work (Connected Classroom Delivery)

This short course is for people interested in working in the Health and Community Services Industry. The course will run every Thursday from 10am to 2.30pm for 7 weeks, commencing Thursday 1st of August.

Delivery is available at the following Riverina campus locations: Griffith, Hay, Leeton, Narrandera, Temora, Tumut, Wagga Wagga, and West Wyalong.

900-80687V01 Introduction to Health & Community Services (Connected Classroom Delivery)

This short course is for people interested in working in the Health and Community Services Industry. The course will run every Friday from 10am to 2.30pm for 7 weeks, commencing Friday 9th of August.

Delivery is available at the following Riverina campus locations: Griffith, Hay, Leeton, Narrandera, Temora, Tumut, Wagga Wagga, and West Wyalong.

900-80793V01 Introduction to Home and Community Care (Connected Classroom Delivery)

This short course is for people interested in working in the Health and Community Services Industry, caring for people in their home. The course will run every Tuesday from 1pm to 5pm for 7 weeks, commencing Tuesday 10th of October.

Delivery is available at the following Riverina campus locations: Griffith, Hay, Leeton, Narrandera, Temora, Tumut, Wagga Wagga, and West Wyalong.

900-80687V01 Introduction to Health & Community Services (Connected Classroom Delivery)

This short course is for people interested in working in the Health and Community Services Industry. The course will run every Friday from 10am to 2.30pm for 7 weeks, commencing Friday 25th of October.

Delivery is available at the following Riverina campus locations: Griffith, Hay, Leeton, Narrandera, Temora, Tumut, Wagga Wagga, and West Wyalong.

Australian Regional Development Innovation Awards

The Australian Regional Development Innovation Awards submission deadline has been extended to 31st July 2019

Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay

o   The Australian Regional Development Innovation Awards celebrate the dedication and skill of those involved in making a difference to regional Australia. Organisations active in regional development across Australia, including councils, shires, rural and regional organisations, NGOs and branches of government agencies that aim to better serve their communities across Australia can apply.

o   Click here to find out more and nominate today!

The early bird registration deadline for the conference is coming up.

Save $100 if you register before 9th August.

Your registration includes:

o   2 Day Conference Admission

o   All keynotes, panels and concurrent sessions

o   Handbook (Hard copy)

o   Book of Proceedings (Digital Copy)

o   Book of Abstracts (Digital Copy)

o   Access to Presenter Podcasts

o   Meals; Morning & Afternoon tea, Lunch

o   Ticket to Networking Function which includes drinks and canapes

o   Click here to register today!

NSW Youth Drought Summit

Are you a young person impacted by the NSW drought?

UNICEF Australia invites you to apply for the first NSW Youth Summit on Living with Drought

Image by sandid from Pixabay

UNICEF Australia, with the support of the NSW Government, is hosting the first Youth Summit for young people living with drought in NSW.

At the Summit, children and young people will come together with decision-makers and one another to discuss the challenges they face living with drought in NSW and how responses can be improved.

The Summit will explore the ways decision-makers can best support children and young people to build resilience and become better prepared to reduce the negative impacts of ongoing and future drought.

The Summit also presents an opportunity for young people living with drought to have a break from the land, work with their peers who are going through similar struggles, and have an opportunity to connect, engage and reflect, surrounded by beautiful Lake Macquarie.

If you’re aged 14-24 years and are impacted by drought, participating in the NSW Youth Drought Summit is a unique and exciting opportunity to speak up for drought-affected children and young people.

Applications close on Friday, 30 August at 11:59pm AEST.

Call for Expressions of Interest

Regional Events Conference

Dubbo, 4-6 September 2019 

RDA Riverina is proud to announce its support for this year's Regional Events Conference. We are now calling for expressions of interest from young people (aged 18-35 years) working or volunteering at regional business, industry, community, arts & culture events and residing in the RDA Riverina Region to be involved in this event. 

A quality 3 day program will be presented blended with networking opportunities and thought-provoking discussions.
 

RDA Riverina is offering to sponsor two delegates to attend the conference. 

 

RDA Riverina will cover the following incurred costs:

• Event registration (includes sessions and all activities)

• Travel to and from the conference

• Accommodation

To be considered for this fantastic opportunity, interested applicants will be required to submit an expression of interest form, available here. 

Expressions of interest are to be emailed to ceo@rdariverina.org.au by COB Friday, 9 August 2019.

Learn More

Sydney FC to bring pre-season matches to the Riverina

Image by Jonny Lindner from Pixabay

Sydney FC to bring pre-season matches to Wagga Wagga

Wagga Wagga is set to host another top level national league football match this year following a partnership with Sydney FC to play A-League and W-League pre-season games in the city.

Wagga City Council resolved at its Monday 8 July Ordinary Meeting to enter into an agreement with Sydney FC to play a W-League (women) pre-season game this year and an A-League (men) trial match in 2020.

Both matches are expected to be against Newcastle Jets at McDonald’s Park – the same ground which hosted more than 10,000 fans at the highly-successful NRL Raiders-Penrith match in Wagga earlier this year.

NAIDOC 2019: Voice. Treaty. Truth.

Voice. Treaty. Truth. were three key elements to the reforms set out in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. These reforms represent the unified position of First Nations Australians.

National NAIDOC Co-Chair Pat Thompson says that for generations, Indigenous Australians have sought recognition of their unique place in Australian history and society today.

“For generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have looked for significant and lasting change. We need our fellow Australians to join us on this journey – to finish the unfinished business of this country.”

“The 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart built on generations of consultation and discussions among Indigenous people - we need to be the architects of our lives and futures,” she concluded.

National NAIDOC Co Chair John Paul Janke believes 2019 is also a unique opportunity to hear this nation’s Indigenous voice with the year being celebrated as the UN’s International Year of Indigenous Languages.

“It’s time for our knowledge to be heard through our voice. – an Indigenous voice of this country that is over 65,000 plus years old.”

“They are the first words spoken on this continent. Languages that passed down lore, culture and knowledge for over millennia.”

“They are precious to our nation and need to be celebrated but it’s our voice that needs to be listened too,” he said.

The 2019 theme acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have always wanted an enhanced role in decision-making in Australia’s democracy.

The theme also aims at highlighting our various First Nations’ desires for lasting and effective agreements such as Treaties- which cannot be achieved unless we have a shared, truthful understanding of the nature of the dispute, of the history, of how we got to where we stand.

“The history of our First Peoples is the history of all of us, of all of Australia, and we need to own it - hearing this history is necessary before we can come to some true reconciliation, some genuine healing for both sides.”

“Then we can move forward together.”

“So, Let’s work together for a shared future,” the Co-Chairs concluded.

Find out more about the 2019 theme on the NAIDOC website.

Box Office Hit Director to tutor early career regional screen directors

Pictured: Kriv Stenders

Kriv Stenders (Danger Close, Red Dog), one of Australia’s most renowned and critically acclaimed Screen Directors will be a guest tutor at Screenworks Directing Intensive in Byron Bay on 24th and 25th August 2019. Along with a leading Australian Documentary Directory who is yet to be announced, the two Directors will advise selected early career regional screen directors on technique, skills and project development for drama and documentary film and television.

Applications are now open for early career screen directors living in regional NSW, regional Queensland and Western Australia to apply for Screenworks Directing Intensive.  This two-day program is delivered in partnership with the Australian Directors’ Guild (ADG), Linnaeus Estate Education Fund and with support from Create NSW, as well as support for individual participants from Screen Queensland and Screenwest. The deadline for applications is 22nd July 2019.

Twelve early career screen directors will be selected to develop their skills under the tutelage of two of Australia’s most respected screen directors. The guest tutors will address creative process and techniques for directing documentary and drama for film and television. This is a supportive environment where the participants can develop their skills and test ideas under the guidance of highly experienced industry professionals

“We are looking forward to connecting Kriv Stenders with our 2019 participants,” explained Screenworks CEO, Ken Crouch.  “His talent is legendary; with the success of his feature film Red Dog putting him the top10 all time box office hits for Australian feature films and the release of his highly anticipated new feature Danger Close: The Battle for Long Tan we believe he will bring extraordinary advice to the twelve regional screen directors.  We are very grateful to the ADG for sourcing him for this workshop.”

 To be eligible for Screenworks Directing Intensive, applicants must demonstrate some experience directing content for screen and must be living in regional NSW, regional Queensland or Western Australia (preference will be given to regional Western Australian applicants).

2019 Regional Tourism Awards Finalists Announced

One hundred and one leading tourism businesses, events, and visitor experiences have this week been announced as finalists in the 2019 Regional Tourism Awards, including six businesses from the Riverina.

Regional Tourism Awards Chair, Jane Barnes, announced the final contenders that include destinations, events, restaurants, wineries and accommodation providers among an impressive cohort.

“This year’s finalists showcase the best of the regional New South Wales’ tourism industry and some amazing individuals and operators. Each of these finalists is now in the running to be named a winner at our four award celebrations to be held in a few weeks’ time”, said Ms. Barnes.

“The Regional Tourism Awards are an invaluable opportunity for the industry to come together and celebrate business excellence across the sector”.

A key program on the regional tourism industry calendar, these awards have been credited for elevating regional tourism businesses to achieve state-wide and national acclaim.

Winners of the Regional Tourism Awards gain finalist status upon entering the NSW Tourism Awards, and if successful, go onto the Australian Tourism Awards.

Each region will be hosting an event to celebrate the finalists and award winners in each category in late July and early August.

Congratulations to the following Riverina businesses who are now in the running to win at the gala awards ceremony in Dubbo on July 27th:

Altina Wildlife Park - Darlington Point

Belisi Farmstay Tours – Wagga Wagga

Bundyi Cultural Tours – Wagga Wagga

Cameo Inn Motel – West Wyalong

Couraybyra Wines – Tumbarumba

Food I Am – Wagga Wagga

Special congratulations go to Couraybyra Wines who were part of RDA Riverina’s first Tourism Accelerator program.

Charles Sturt University Cyber Security Conversations

Charles Sturt University and NSW Cyber Security Network invite you to free information session on Cyber Security for your business and home!

Cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly common and pose one of the major risks that a business can face these days. With an increase in the number and frequency of attacks on small businesses, cyber-attacks are now a serious issue for businesses of all sizes and failure to report data breaches may result in serious consequences.

Charles Sturt University is the first regional University to join the NSW Cyber Security Network. Through joining, Charles Sturt University is looking to facilitate the growth of cyber-capability in regional NSW by collaborating with the local industry and businesses.

Come along to a free information session to learn more about cyber security, the threats facing small to medium enterprises and how to protect your business!

Date: Tuesday 16 July 2019

Time: 6:00pm start

Venue: Agritech Incubator, Carpark 11, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga Campus, NSW, 2678

Light Refreshments will be provided.