Editors Picks
17 May 2023
$7M SUPPORT FOR DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS
THE NSW Government has allocated over $7M to support disadvantaged students in vocational training.
The funding will remove the cap on needs-based loadings for Smart and Skilled approved training providers, benefiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, students with disabilities, and the long-term unemployed.
Previously, providers could only receive one loading per enrolment, but the removal of the cap acknowledges that students may have multiple needs, allowing for additional loadings.
The decision is based on a report titled "Disadvantage, Disability, and Vocational Education and Training" commissioned by the NSW Department of Education, which found that disadvantaged students have a 15% lower completion rate.
TAFE NSW, known for training a higher proportion of disadvantaged students, will receive the majority of the additional funding.
The Department of Education will also establish a community of practice to share best practices and learnings among training providers.
17 May 2023
AUSSIE GREYHOUNDS OFF TO AMERICA
IN a historic partnership, retired Australian greyhounds will be sent to the United States to serve as companion animals for law enforcement officers.
The Pacific Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Greyhounds Australasia, Greyhound Racing NSW, and the US Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).
The FOP, with over 367,000 members across 3,000 lodges nationwide, aims to provide greyhounds as PTSD dogs and pets for its officers.
The initiative is inspired by successful programs in Australia with the Australian Federal Police Association and Police Association of NSW.
The partnership is seen as a merging of human and animal welfare, providing comfort to officers exposed to traumatic incidents. The initiative has attracted widespread support in the Australian greyhound industry.
17 May 2023
GET YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKED
CARDIOVASCULAR disease (CVD) is a major health issue in Australia, leading to the hospitalization of over 600,000 people annually.
World Hypertension Day, which was on May 17, aimed to increase awareness of the significance of knowing and maintaining a healthy blood pressure level.
About 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 worldwide suffer from high blood pressure, with 46% of adults unaware of their condition and only one in five having their blood pressure under control.
Blooms The Chemist, a leading community pharmacy network, supports their local communities by promoting blood pressure monitoring and encouraging individuals to visit their pharmacy for a blood pressure test.
This initiative aims to combat low awareness rates, particularly in low to middle-income areas.
Blooms The Chemist provides free blood pressure evaluation tests as a core health service across their pharmacy network, aiming to prevent future health issues through early detection and intervention
17 May 2023
NEW SETTLEMENT OFFICE IN FAIRFEILD
SETTLEMENT Services International (SSI), a major refugee resettlement provider in Australia, is investing in the Fairfield area by launching a new local location.
SSI supports around 20,000 refugees annually, with a considerable number residing in western Sydney.
The new office space in Fairfield reflects SSI's commitment to the community and its history of welcoming newcomers.
SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis praised Australia's approach to settlement, which allows refugees to live close to family, friends, and their diaspora community upon arrival.
The investment in Fairfield aligns with the incoming NSW Labor Government's funding commitments for infrastructure upgrades and support services.
The new office will house over 45 SSI staff, who will provide essential human services to various groups, including single parents, people with disabilities, refugees, and asylum seekers.
SSI aims to strengthen partnerships and ensure that all members of the Fairfield community have opportunities to thrive.
02 May 2023
APPLICATIONS FOR CLUBGRANTS OPEN AT PENRITH
PENRITH ClubGRANTS application period is open once again for Penrith not-for-profit organisations and charities to apply. The application period closes Friday 19 May 2023.
The funding program provides financial support for projects focused on increasing community wellbeing and offering support to a diverse range of groups across the community.
Penrith ClubGRANTS enables Registered Clubs across Penrith to provide financial support to local community organisations and charities that make a difference in the City.
In 2022, clubs across Penrith committed over $578,000 across 34 organisations and charities to deliver 38 projects across the community, targeting priority groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disability including children, families and carers, and older people.
Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen strongly encourages local organisations and charities to apply for the funding program.
"It’s great to see this program delivering help and support to our local organisations and charities. The financial contribution of the grants program assists them to continue to provide targeted projects across the community,” Cr Hitchen said.
“Directed towards priority groups in the community who will benefit the most from these projects, it’s great that our local organisations and charities are committed to delivering a diverse range of projects across the City.”
To be eligible, applicants must be a not-for-profit organisation with projects that address specific community welfare and social services, community development, health services and employment assistance activities, as well as projects aimed at improving the living standards of low income and disadvantaged people.
Applications are submitted online. To apply, go to www.penrith.city/grants
30 April 2023
CALL FOR CCTV IN ABATTOIRS
THE Australian Alliance for Animals has called on the country's pork and meat processing industries to support the mandatory use of CCTV in abattoirs to ensure animal welfare standards are upheld.
The open letter, jointly signed by the alliance's member organisations and addressed to Australian Pork Limited and the Australian Meat Industry Council, comes in the wake of footage aired on the ABC’s 7.30 program showing pigs being lowered into CO2 gas chambers.
The UK, Israel, Spain and several local jurisdictions in Europe have introduced CCTV as a regulatory requirement, while it is already mandatory in Queensland for facilities that slaughter horses.
20 April 2023
GOVERNMENT MOVES TO FIX CEMETERIES
THE NSW Government started addressing the challenges around cemeteries and crematoria policy inherited from the previous government.
As a first step, the Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper announced a nationwide search to conduct an open recruitment process for a shared Administrator for four of Sydney’s Crown cemetery operators, collectively known as OneCrown.
The future of these four cemetery operators – Northern Metropolitan Cemeteries, Rookwood General Cemeteries, Rookwood Necropolis and Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries – has been in limbo for years due to the failure of the former government to decide their future.
Executive recruitment firm Meritos will undertake the open recruitment process for the Administrator.
“We’re looking for someone with commercial acumen and solid experience in people leadership, governance, financial and risk management to help us take the sector forward,” Mr Kamper said.
“In a return to more normal government practices, the role will be advertised nationally so the market can be properly tested and the best available candidate identified. The current administrator has been invited to apply.”
“For two years this process has been marred by procrastination and infighting, while the supply of available grave sites dwindled to alarming levels.”
