2020 Jan Cathcart Scholarship

Jan Cathcart Scholarship - Investing in the Future of the Australian Rice Industry

2020 Applications Now Open – Up to $30,000 Available to Fund Tertiary Studies

Applications for the 2020 Jan Cathcart Scholarship are now open for women involved in the Australian rice industry, offering financial assistance valued at $10,000 a year for up to three years of tertiary study.

The scholarship, which honours the memory of long-term SunRice employee Jan Cathcart and her 43 years with the rice industry, provides numerous opportunities for recipients, from financial support, to work experience and employment placements with SunRice, and professional and personal growth.

SunRice Chairman Laurie Arthur encouraged women in the rice industry to apply, saying:

“The recipients of the Jan Cathcart Scholarship have all shown a desire to contribute to the rice industry, as well as agriculture as a whole, and we’re looking to support the professional development of women in these industries. This scholarship pays tribute to Jan’s enormous commitment to the rice industry by helping recipients in their studies and with employment options.”

Rural Aid - 10 Towns Makeover Initiative

10 TOWNS MAKEOVER INITIATIVE

Would your town like a makeover? Then Rural Aid and our Farm Army volunteers can help!

Rural Aid, our Farm Army volunteers and Corporate Partners can help.

As the worst drought in history continues to take its toll, Rural Aid is launching a campaign aimed at providing 10 country towns impacted by drought, with a makeover.

Established within Rural Aid’s ongoing Sustainable Community program, the 10 Towns will receive a minimum of $100,000 each over five years.

Working with town leaders the money will be spent developing plans, through facilitated workshops, to support the long-term sustainability of the town and local community. Rural Aid will partner with experts in rural/regional town renewal who will work with town leaders to develop the long-term renewal strategy.

Rural Aid’s Farm Army of volunteers (usually between 50 – 100) will also spend a week in the town undertaking a range of infrastructure projects which town leaders identify as important to the town and community.

NSW Small Business Month

NSW Small Business Month 2019 is coming!

NSW Government has announced their line-up of spectacular events kicking off on 1 October designed to support small businesses to start and grow in NSW. This year’s program includes a variety of free activities including webinars, business breakfasts, social media workshops, networking sessions and much more.

This year’s official sponsors of NSW Small Business Month include Facebook, DELL, NAB and Service NSW. Each sponsor is hosting a range of free events across the state that includes:

·         How to protect your business against cyber threats brought to you by Dell and hosted by David Koch from Sunrise, and will feature a panel discussion with Cybersecurity experts from industry and government.

·         Boost with Facebook workshops across the state offering free digital skills modules tailored to help you build your online brand.

·         A Parramatta Small Business Breakfast Forum brought to you by NAB, featuring local entrepreneurs sharing their journey and the challenges they faced when starting their business.

·         Networking events supported by Service NSW covering topics from women business leaders in Port Macquarie, to startups in Newcastle, and inspirational Indigenous business thought leaders in Tamworth.

So what are you waiting for? Register for an event in your local area today and get your business going and growing!

Inland Rail Scholarships Program

The Inland Rail Scholarships Program aims to provide real world education opportunities for regional students considering an undergraduate degree at University of Southern Queensland, Charles Sturt University and La Trobe University.

Students commencing study in 2020 and 2021 can apply for 20 Inland Rail Scholarships, each valued at up to $20,000, or $5,000 for every year of study.

Inland Rail Scholarships are a great opportunity for students to launch their career paths in industries which directly contribute to their region’s prosperity and social cohesion.

Indigenous people and those experiencing financial hardship are particularly encouraged to apply.

The Scholarships Program is part of the Inland Rail Skills Academy, which is creating value for communities along the Inland Rail alignment by offering education and training programs which increase the number of skilled local residents.

Power infrastructure upgrade help available for regional businesses

Does your business need an electrical infrastructure upgrade to maximise growth? Help is available from the NSW Government.

Applications are open for the pilot NSW Regional Business Power Infrastructure Upgrade Program (RBPIUP) to help businesses to overcome electrical infrastructure impediments and boost growth.

The pilot program is targeted at regional businesses with projects that have the potential to result in substantial job growth and that will benefit the local economy and other businesses in their area. 

Who can apply?

To apply, businesses must:

• have a Australian Business Number (ABN)

• be registered for GST

• be located in Regional NSW, which excludes metropolitan Sydney and suburbs, Newcastle and Wollongong

• employ at least three full-time or part-time employees, who can include owners

• have been trading for at least two years.

What information is required?

A key component of the RBPIUP is that companies must be able to demonstrate that:

• there is an electrical infrastructure impediment to growth

• the proposed infrastructure has the potential to benefit more than one business

• the project will result in job growth

• the business has provided evidence that an energy efficiency options(external link) review has been conducted or they have registered for the Introduction to Energy Management course(external link) through Office of Environment & Heritage.

Which businesses will not be considered?

Businesses will not be eligible to apply if:

• the projects that require an electrical infrastructure upgrade compromise competitive neutrality

• suppliers of services for delivery of infrastructure have common ownership or control with the company applying for funds

• you need financial support for internal project costs – this fund is only available for external third-party costs.

Types of assistance

Applicants must contribute at least 50 per cent of the cost of a project and financial assistance of up to $100,000 (ex. GST) is available.

Applications are open

Application forms will only be provided following a discussion between a Department of Premier and Cabinet regional business development manager and a company principal. 

For more information call 1300 679 673 or email regionalnsw.business@dpc.nsw.gov.au. 

Completed applications should be supported by at least two years of financial statements for the business, projections for the next three years and evidence that an energy efficiency options review has been conducted.

Evidence of an energy efficiency options review should be in the form of a letter from a source independent to the business.

2020 Charity Brunch Community Grants

Does your community need financial assistance for a project that will help make a difference? 2020 Charity Brunch Community Grant Applications now open - https://www.eastershow.com.au/charity-brunch/

Established in 2009, the Charity Brunch is an annual fundraiser held during the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Hosted by Suzanne Ryan, funds raised at the brunch go toward a selected grass roots project in country NSW that will have a positive social and economic impact on the broader community around it.

The mission of the Charity Brunch is to support rural communities with the infrastructure to better the overall emotional, health and general well-being of the community.

To date, the Charity Brunch has raised over $255,000, with proceeds going to support communities including Parkes, Baradine, Inverell, Young, Bobadah, Condobolin, Binalong, Kempsey and Armidale with a variety of infrastructure and education needs.

The aim of the project is to bring together community and district rural residents at events that share information, offer social inclusion and provide physical and mental health education in an informal setting to help enhance farmer resilience and strengthen community connection.

Any questions regarding the Grant Application should be directed via email to: Charitybrunch@rasnsw.com.au

Charity Brunch Community Grant applications will close at 5pm on Friday 25 October 2019.

Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Grants Scheme (CPTIGS)

Providing subsidies for the construction or upgrade of bus stops in country NSW.

The Transport for NSW 2019/21 round of the Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Grant Scheme (CPTIGS) is now open.

** Applications close at midday on 30 September 2019 **

The Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Grants Scheme (CPTIGS) provides subsidies to support the construction or upgrade of bus stop infrastructure (generally owned and maintained by local councils) across country NSW. The Scheme aims to maximise benefits to country passengers through supporting:

• more accessible passenger transport, focusing on better connections between bus stops and surrounding communities;

• an increase in the use of passenger transport in country areas through improved awareness of bus stop locations, kerbside information and improved security (e.g. tactile ground indicators and lighting); and

• the development of minor infrastructure to complement passenger service development.

Funding is allocated regionally to facilitate an equitable distribution of the grant support and projects.

Communities Environment Program

Expressions of Interest are now open for the Communities Environment Program.

Australians care deeply about their communities and are passionate about protecting our local flora and fauna, our threatened species, and our beautiful natural environment.

The Communities Environment Program will harness that passion by helping grassroots community organisations to deliver practical local projects that build environmental awareness and re-connect Australians with their local environment.

The Communities Environment Program seeks to support community-led environmental projects that address local environmental issues and priorities. Each federal electorate has been allocated up to $150,000 in 2019-20 for up to 20 projects.

Grants can range from $2,500 to $20,000 per project. No matching funding by proponents is necessary under this program’s guidelines.

Please find below an Expression of Interest form, which you can be completed and returned to the office of Sussan Ley, Member for Farrer. If you have any questions or require further information, please contact Sussan Ley’s office who will be happy to assist.

Applications close 27th September 2019.

Jobs and tourism benefit from national park investment

The NSW Government is calling for construction workers and businesses to register their interest in working on the state's iconic parks as part of a $149.5 million investment commitment.

Recent figures reveal a 16.6% increase on visitors to national parks across NSW last year. This included 60 million visitors to NSW national parks in 2018, compared to 51.77 million in 2016.

NSW Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean said, "We've got some of the world's best and most significant national parks right here in NSW and I'm inviting the best of the construction industry to help make them even better.

"This will create local jobs, support local business and boost regional economies."

Successful applicants will renew walking tracks, enhance visitor information and experiences, facilities and accessibility at national parks across the state.

Register online to express your interest in improving NSW's iconic parks.

Learning from regional migration success stories

A federal parliamentary committee is hitting the road to find out what can be done to increase the number of migrants moving to regional areas to fill gaps in smaller cities and regional areas and ease the pressure on our major capital cities.

Joint Standing Committee on Migration Chair Julian Leeser MP says the inquiry has been prompted by recent trends indicating declining population growth in some regional areas of Australia.

While approximately 187,000 international migrants settled in regional areas between 2006 and 20011, this accounts for only 20 per cent of arrivals in that period, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

‘What we know is that some areas of Australia are having success attracting new migrants, while other areas are struggling to both attract and retain migrants and address skill shortages,’ Mr Leeser said.

‘The answers to how to attract new settlers won’t be found in our big cities - so we’re going to travel to areas where migration settlement is and isn’t working, and talk to the people best placed to know why and why not.’

Mr Leeser is encouraging people to contribute to the process. Submissions to the inquiry will be accepted until 20 September 2019.

The Committee intends to hold public hearings at various locations, which will be announced in due course on the inquiry website.

The terms of reference for the inquiry are as follows:

The Joint Standing Committee on Migration shall inquire into and report on the breadth of migrant settlement strategies and migration settings - including for skilled and humanitarian migrants - in regional Australia, with reference to:

• National and international best practice strategies to encourage people to settle and stay in regional areas;

• Strategies to develop regional skilled migration;

• Strategies to develop regional humanitarian migration;

• Key local, state and federal initiatives for successful regional settlement outcomes;

• Local volunteers, employers and community organisations and their role in facilitating regional settlement';

• Relevant migration policy, including administration and state specific migration mechanisms;

• Related infrastructure matters; and

• Any other related matter.

The Committee shall give particular consideration to how communities and settlement services can best assist migrants to gain successful employment outcomes in regional Australia, including local work experience opportunities, skills certification and training, knowledge of Australian workforce regulations, accommodation and travel to and from the workplace.

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.