CommBank celebrates local small businesses - CommBank

“I’m always struck by the commitment each and every small business owner has to their business, and to their local community. Small businesses play a huge role in supporting and sustaining the social fabric of our communities — and what a great community it is in the Northern Beaches,” Mr Vacy-Lyle said.

“We all know a thriving small business sector is critical to our country’s economic success. Small businesses truly are the backbone of the Australian economy. But we also know it’s not easy running a small business. Our team is here to help — through every stage of the business journey — whether starting up, growing, or managing through current challenges, we want to help more local small businesses reach their goals.”

Northern Beaches local Vicki Clare-Geluk, a CommBank small business customer and owner of Pliè Groove’n’Shuffle (PGNS) dance school took the night’s win in the Performing Arts category. Established 25 years ago, PGNS now has studios in four locations, with over 1000 students and 30 staff members.

On her motivation behind starting her business, Ms Clare-Geluk said that she wanted to make dancing inclusive, affordable and accessible for everybody. 

“I’m a very proud Northern Beaches resident and I love that I’m able to provide classes for our local community, and I’m proud that I’m able to offer opportunities for local people to be working in my business.”

Like many small business owners, Ms Clare-Geluk has faced significant hurdles over the last several years as strict Covid restrictions made it almost impossible to run her business.

“It was definitely the hardest time I’ve had as a business owner, much harder than being 21 and signing my first commercial lease,” said Ms Clare-Geluk. “I for the first time in my whole life, t made me feel like I didn’t want to run a business anymore.” .”

But with business slowly returning to normal, albeit while still feeling the aftermath of lockdowns, PGNS’s award was a timely recognition of the positive contribution the dance school has made in the community.  

“After feeling quite deflated for the last two years due to Covid, winning an award makes you remember why you do it, and that all the hard work is actually worth it. It felt extra special because it’s my 25th year of business this year,” said Ms Clare-Geluk.  

The local awards nights come ahead of the Australian Small Business Champion Awards, which celebrate outstanding small businesses across the nation. This year, the program expanded to 100 industry categories, giving more small businesses the opportunity to be recognised for their hard work and success.

The National Presentation Evening will be held over two nights at the Star in Sydney, with the Trade and B2B Award categories held this Friday 2 September and the Retail Award category on Saturday 3 September.

With over 10,000 small businesses anticipated to have applied for the Champion Awards, the judges will choose finalists based on the business’s achievements, staff training initiatives, business and environmental sustainability, and demonstrations of contributing to the local community.

The Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards, aims to celebrate the significant contribution women have in the small business community, will be held in November, with government members, senior business leaders and inspiring small business owners set to attend.

Learn more about the Champion Awards and finalists.

Learn more about the Women’s Champion Awards.

Banner image (left to right): Shaun Stevens, Fiona Cutler , Vicki Clare-Geluk and Mike Vacy-Lyle

Adblock test (Why?)

CommBank celebrates local small businesses - CommBank
Read More

More renewable energy for mine sites using local solutions. - Government of Western Australia

Today at the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia’s (MRIWA), Net Zero Emission Mining conference, Energy Minister Bill Johnston announced the launch of a Guide for Hybrid Power Purchase Agreements for mine onsite renewable energy and the Energy Industry Development team’s webpage.

Energy Policy WA’s Energy Industry Development team works with the mining industry and local manufacturers to accelerate renewable energy uptake and support the growth of local industry.

The team is working to support mining projects increase use of renewable energy and to connect miners with local suppliers of renewable energy solutions.

Find out what the Energy Industry Development team is doing on the Mining and renewable energy page. 

Adblock test (Why?)

More renewable energy for mine sites using local solutions. - Government of Western Australia
Read More

COVID-19 vaccination – Local Government Area (LGA) – Indigenous population – 31 August 2022 - Australian Government Department of Health

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

COVID-19 vaccination – Local Government Area (LGA) – Indigenous population – 31 August 2022  Australian Government Department of Health
COVID-19 vaccination – Local Government Area (LGA) – Indigenous population – 31 August 2022 - Australian Government Department of Health
Read More

COVID-19 vaccination – Local Government Area (LGA) – 5-11 years old – 29 August 2022 - Australian Government Department of Health

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

COVID-19 vaccination – Local Government Area (LGA) – 5-11 years old – 29 August 2022  Australian Government Department of Health
COVID-19 vaccination – Local Government Area (LGA) – 5-11 years old – 29 August 2022 - Australian Government Department of Health
Read More

Think local for ring road - Central Queensland Today - CQ Today

Senator Matthew Canavan, MP Colin Boyce, MP Michelle Landry and Senator Paul Scarr want Australian steel to be used for the Rockhampton ring road project.

by Khrysti Balanay

Local LNP politicians have called for Australian steel to be used for the Rockhampton ring road project to support the nation’s manufacturing industry.

Senators Matthew Canavan and Paul Scarr and MPs Michelle Landry and Colin Boyce made the push at North Rockhampton steel business Manuplex on Monday.

“With high energy prices and global insecurity, now is the time to start ensuring that the government can do what they can to keep critical manufacturing here in Australia,” Mr Canavan said.

“It can easily be achieved by putting Australian manufacturing first in government projects.

“When the third bridge is built across the Fitzroy River, it would need 460 tonnes of steel, and we want to ensure the steel comes from Australia.”

Ms Landry congratulated businesses like Manuplex, which is currently working on a Shoalwater Bay Training area and has supported local industry and employed people across Central Queensland.

“As the shadow minister for manufacturing, I believe it is important that Australian steel is used as much as possible in local construction projects, especially when government funding helps the project come to fruition.

“As we know, we have a billion-dollar ring road project starting at the end of this year, and we are pushing for the Queensland Government to get as many locals and local produce on board to complete the project.

“Local businesses often compete on the world stage with overseas businesses, and they deserve more recognition from governments of all levels to support their efforts.”

Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said Labor was committed to maximising opportunities for local suppliers and services to gain work on the project.

“We consistently support contractors to engage local workforces, apprentices and trainees and utilise Queensland, Australian-made materials as part of the build,” he said.

“No construction contracts have been awarded yet for the Rockhampton ring road.

“The two shortlisted contractors are developing tendering submissions, and to do this, they engage with suppliers locally and across Queensland.

“All submitted offers will be subject to the local benefits test as part of the evaluation criteria.”

The Department of Transport and Main Roads announced in November 2021 that the project would be split into two packages, expected to be awarded in mid to late 2022.

The project was first announced in November 2018, with the Federal Government contributing $852 million and the Queensland Government adding an extra $213 million.

The $1.065 billion project will link the Bruce Highway through Rockhampton, extending from the Capricorn Highway (Nelson Street) to the Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road/Bruce Highway intersection, and will include a new crossing of the Fitzroy River at Pink Lily.

Adblock test (Why?)

Think local for ring road - Central Queensland Today - CQ Today
Read More

Focus on local defence production endangers Australia’s security, report warns - Sydney Morning Herald

Australia will not be able to afford all the high-tech weaponry it needs to defend itself unless the federal government ends its fixation on building defence equipment locally, a former senior Defence official argues.

With the federal budget deep in deficit, former Department of Defence economic adviser Rob Bourke warns that a misguided focus on “sovereignty” and “nation-building” could have disastrous consequences for national security.

Construction of a fleet of frigates for the Royal Australian Navy has been plagued by cost blowouts and delays.

Pointing to delays and cost blowouts with the planned fleet of nine Navy frigates set to be manufactured in South Australia, Bourke argues the government should prioritise value for money by buying more military equipment directly from overseas.

However, this would risk a backlash from unions and limit politicians’ ability to chase votes in key electorates by promising to create well-paying local manufacturing jobs.

“Linking an updated defence capability plan to an outdated defence industry policy is, at best, a high-risk venture,” Bourke writes in a report for the Australian Strategic Policy Institute to be released on Tuesday.

“More realistically, it represents a path to disappointment on both fronts.”

Bourke says recent troubles – including ill-fated attempts to find a viable replacement for the Collins-class submarines – demonstrate how “an errant defence industry policy, based on vague notions of sovereignty, has the potential to bring defence capability planning to its knees, especially in a challenging security and fiscal environment”.

He says domestic assembly of equipment such as submarines can be extraordinarily expensive, coming at a price premium of between $500,000 and $23 million a year to create a single net job.

Buying more equipment directly from overseas “could facilitate an increase in military spending now by demonstrating to taxpayers the enduring importance placed by Defence on avoiding waste”, he argues.

The money saved could be used to buy B-21 bombers from the United States, long-range missiles and drones, as well as helping to pay for nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement.

In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age last week, Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia must turn itself into a “porcupine” island fortified with enough lethal weaponry to deter an attack from a hostile rival.

In July, Marles assured Australian defence industry leaders that local manufacturers would have a key role to play in building the future submarine fleet.

Bourke says new conventionally powered submarines, warships and military vehicles are obvious examples where Defence could rely on overseas builds rather than assembling the equipment locally.

“Given the size of the projects involved, even modest percentage reductions in the price of preferring domestic over foreign supply could translate into significant dollar gains,” he writes in his report, Budgets, the Economy and the Defence Strategic Review.

“There’s little evidence to suggest that overseas builds would increase long-term sustainment costs.”

Local production should be limited to areas in which Australian industry has a demonstrable competitive advantage or is required for national security reasons, he argues.

The federal government has commissioned former Labor defence minister Stephen Smith and former Defence Force chief Sir Angus Houston to conduct a sweeping review of the Australian Defence Force that is due to report by March.

The review will examine whether planned acquisitions should be scrapped and may suggest new equipment purchases to boost the nation’s fighting capabilities.

Bourke says the review offers a perfect opportunity to shift Australia’s defence industry policy away from one designed for a benign strategic environment and favourable fiscal climate.

Rather than destroy the local defence industry, he says reprioritising defence expenditure would be a net positive for domestic jobs and economic growth.

“Australia should gain more jobs faster across a larger, more efficient, and increasingly diverse advanced manufacturing base,” Bourke writes.

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here.

Most Viewed in Politics

Adblock test (Why?)

Focus on local defence production endangers Australia’s security, report warns - Sydney Morning Herald
Read More

Local news - Texas Department of Transportation

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

Local news  Texas Department of Transportation
Local news - Texas Department of Transportation
Read More

Funding for local libraries - bay 93.9 Geelong - Bay 93.9

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

Funding for local libraries - bay 93.9 Geelong  Bay 93.9
Funding for local libraries - bay 93.9 Geelong - Bay 93.9
Read More

Channel 7 confirms launch date for local reality series EXTREME WEDDINGS - TV Blackbox

A wedding is a significant event in a couple’s life, but when the time comes to say “I do,” an ordinary wedding just won’t do.

Channel 7 has confirmed a premiere date for the locally produced observational reality series, Extreme Weddings. The series was first announced at the networks Upfronts event in 2019 but has failed to make it to the screen until now.

Extreme Weddings follows couples who have opted for something different for their special day, such as unusual locations, wild themes, or extreme activities to leap, dive, or fly into married life.

Whether they spend millions or keep costs low, one thing is certain: these Extreme Weddings are a once-in-a-lifetime wild ride!

In the premiere episode, Sydney couple Luke and Damien won’t settle for anything but the best of the best and for them, there is no such thing as over the top.

They will have a four-day wedding celebration, with dozens of Swarovski crystal chandeliers, millions of imported blooms that will require an army of florists to arrange, and jewel-encrusted wedding gowns.

That’s just the beginning of this extravagant million-dollar wedding.

Meanwhile, Jenny and Scott’s Rock n Roll themed wedding will touch hearts as these two love birds finally tie the knot after 30 years.

There will be no frills in this wedding; Jenny will wear a bargain op-shop wedding gown and Scott will wear a $12 tux.

It all promises to be an emotional roller coaster of an episode!

Extreme Weddings – Season 1, Episode 1 airs Tuesday 6 September at 9:00PM on Channel 7 and 7Plus

Adblock test (Why?)

Channel 7 confirms launch date for local reality series EXTREME WEDDINGS - TV Blackbox
Read More

Local businessman stands up to 'bullish' Google - Sky News Australia

Doltone House owner Paul Signorelli is celebrating a win against tech giant Google after forcing the company to move its new building in Sydney by 1.2 metres.

Mr Signorelli forced Google to move its new $80 million office in Sydney after concerns the building would obstruct natural light for the Doltone House venue in Pyrmont.

He said Google was a bit “bullish” in the negotiations.

“I think now they’ve realised it’s a better outcome for both parties,” he told Sky News host Chris Smith.

Adblock test (Why?)

Local businessman stands up to 'bullish' Google - Sky News Australia
Read More

smoothfm to go national with local content expansion on DAB+ - Mediaweek

10 years after launching smoothfm Sydney and Melbourne, Nova Entertainment has announced that it is taking the brand national with live and local content in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, supported by a multi-million dollar marketing campaign. The new stations and advertising campaign will start on 5 September 2022.

Mediaweek spoke with Nova Entertainment’s chief growth officer, Adam Johnson, about why now was the right time to expand the smoothfm brand.

“There is this feeling that unless you’ve got an AM or FM licence you can’t exist in people’s lives which has been debunked,” said Johnson. “When you look at the growth of listening via DAB+ and digital the product has clearly got appeal. It’s not appeal based on it being a Sydney station or a Melbourne station, it’s a genuine human need to feel good and listen to the music that evokes the best memories and the greatest feelings from presenters that you know and love.

“The product is good and the brand is strong having grown so strongly over the last 10 years in Sydney and Melbourne. If you can listen to these stations in other cities, why would we not tell people about it? That was the penny drop moment.”

Adam Johnson

smoothfm: The message to advertisers

This move will now provide advertisers with a national platform to reach more listeners, and Johnson said that it will give access to localised advertising across the whole Nova Entertainment network.

“When we announced this to the wider business there were literally cheers in the Perth boardroom from the sales team because they were so excited to have another brand they can take to market. At a local level, more options for advertisers can only be a good thing. Particularly in Brisbane with 4KQ winding down, another music-based commercial radio station with great local personality is only a good thing for advertisers.

“We have a genuine national sell now. We will build audiences in Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth but we’re starting from a pretty good base already. Therefore having the ability to do a smooth five station buy or dare I say a Nova Entertainment 10 station buy across the country is compelling given the kind of demographic spread of Nova and smooth when combined can deliver.”

smoothfm originals still on air: Richard Wilkins, Mel Doyle, David Campbell and Cameron Daddo

smoothfm: The appeal to listeners

smoothfm has attracted a highly engaged audience across broadcast with 2.4 million listeners in Sydney and Melbourne, a 291% increase in cumulative broadcast listeners since launching in May 2012, and a further 76% increase in audiences accessing the station via streaming from March 2020 to July 2022.

smoothfm is programmed based on a mood rather than an era or genre. smoothfm’s playlist is curated to make listeners ‘feel good’ with announcers picked to complement the music format. The new markets will now have live breakfast shows hosted by broadcasters, Kate Mac in Perth, Nick Michaels in Brisbane and Kellie Golding in Adelaide, providing a local connection and content for listeners in these states.

Nick Michaels has worked across multiple radio stations in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane including 2Day FM, TTFM, Gold 104 and Mix 101.1 and most recently spent 15 years with 4KQ in Brisbane.

Nick Michaels

Kellie Golding has over a decade in commercial radio, Golding got her start in radio as an announcer at 3HA in Hamilton before moving to Fox FM in Melbourne. Following a stint overseas she returned to Adelaide to work for SAFM and Mix 102.3. 

Kate Mac spent nearly 10 years with Nova 93.7 Perth, was heard on Nova 96.9’s Fitzy & Wippa breakfast show in 2015 and hosted Nova’s national Summer Breakfast that same year. Mac also has TV experience and is currently a presenter for Destinations WA and the new series Everything Outdoors for Channel Nine In Perth.

Johnson said that there was an internal debate on how local this expansion needed to be, but Nova’s research helped them make the final decision.

“We went around the house on this, if I’m completely honest, on what is the right level of local news for these stations. We did a lot of work and a lot of research in these three markets. I did a lap of the map, doing focus groups, both with people that were aware of smooth in those markets and people that had never heard of it to understand what would they want from a new radio station in their market. The most important thing was what is your expectation around localness? And what came back to us was that from a utility point of view they expect weather, traffic and travel to be localised.

“The good news is that we’ve got a great foundation there to deliver that with journalists on the ground and partnerships with news and weather networks along with the technology to deliver that in the stream. From a feeling point of view, people want to feel the person talking to them is from where they live. You can’t fake this stuff. That means a greater investment for us in terms of not just the marketing, but also the presenters, the producers, the studios, those kinds of things.”

Partnering with Amazon

Smooth is partnering with Amazon Alexa to assist listeners in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in discovering the brand. An integrated partnership will see the smooth stars promotion delivered nationally for the first time and with Alexa on air, listeners will learn how to engage with their Amazon device whilst listening to the station. Johnson said that this fits in with Nova’s distribution approach of being everywhere.

“We are hitching the success of smooth outside of Sydney and Melbourne on the growth of DAB+. From a listening point of view from an availability point of view but beyond that, the level of comfort our audience has with listening over a connected device. You’d be forgiven for thinking that the smooth listener might be more reticent, we actually see as much uptake of our smooth player app as much as our Nova player app. Smart speakers are also a huge growth area for us. We want to be available everywhere and assuming that we won’t ever get an extra FM licence because I’m not even sure we could from a regulatory point of view, it comes back to if the product and the brand are strong enough people will find it. DAB+ gives a lot of people a way to find us.”

Recommended for you

Adblock test (Why?)

smoothfm to go national with local content expansion on DAB+ - Mediaweek
Read More

Grants for local community groups available - Gippsland Times

Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, with A Better Life for Foster Kids founder Heather Baird, whose group received funding through a previous round of Volunteers Grants. Photo: Contributed

FEDERAL Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is calling for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from local community groups for the latest round of volunteer grants.

Mr Chester encouraged local volunteer organisations to apply for funding to support the work of volunteers.

“Throughout Gippsland we have thousands of volunteers who dedicate their time and support the community,” Mr Chester said.

“This funding is designed to assist organisations to ensure they can continue to provide for and support the community safely and appropriately.”

Mr Chester said local organisations can apply for grants of between $1000 and $5000.

“These grants can help pay for equipment, reimburse fuel costs, expenses associated with training and transport or for promoting awareness and increasing participation in volunteering,” he said.

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of our community and by continuing to help each other and work together, we are building a stronger and safer Gippsland.”

Interested organisations must submit an EOI to be considered for a grant.

Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 5pm, Friday September 23, 2022.

Successful applicants will then be invited to complete a full submission.

Volunteer organisations can submit an EOI form via Mr Chester’s website.

Completed forms must be submitted by 5pm, Friday September 23, 2022.

For grant program details visit grants.gov.au

Adblock test (Why?)

Grants for local community groups available - Gippsland Times
Read More

Latest News - Latest News - NSW Police Public Site

Friday, 26 August 2022 11:40:29 AM

Criminal Groups Squad detectives have charged four people over their alleged roles in the importation of more than $155 million of illicit drugs, which were located inside a vintage Bentley from overseas.

Acting on intelligence, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers examined a shipping container consignment, which arrived via sea cargo into Port Botany from Canada earlier this month.

The container, which was declared to contain a 1960 vintage Bentley S2, underwent an X-ray and examination, which identified anomalies.

Further examinations of the Bentley revealed a large quantity of methylamphetamine concealed behind the headlights of the vehicle.

The matter was referred to the NSW Police Force and the vehicle was subsequently partially dismantled by specialist police, during which a total of 161kg of methylamphetamine and 30kg of cocaine was located.

Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad – with assistance from ABF officers, Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) – established Strike Force Chime to investigate the import.

Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives, assisted by the Public Order and Riot Squad and Mount Druitt Police Area Command, executed a search warrant at a home at Rooty Hill, about 3.30pm yesterday (Thursday 25 August 2022).

During the search, police seized the Bentley and a Ford Focus, along with mobile phones and a computer.

A number of tools, including an angle grinder, were forensically examined at the scene.

Two men – aged 22 and 23 – were arrested and taken to Mt Druitt Police Station.

The 23-year-old Rooty Hill man was charged with seven offences, including import commercial quantity border-controlled drug, deal with property proceeds of crime, large commercial drug supply, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

The 22-year-old Botany man was charged with six offences, including import commercial quantity border-controlled drug, large commercial drug supply, deal with property proceeds of crime, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

They have been refused bail to appear at Mt Druitt Local Court today (Friday 26 August 2022).

As part of additional inquiries, officers attached to the Far North Traffic and Highway Patrol and Richmond Police District Drug Unit stopped a Toyota Prado on M1 at Ballina about 2.30pm yesterday.

During a search of the vehicle, 2.2kg of methylamphetamine and more than $1.1 million cash were located hidden beneath the cargo area, with a male driver and a female passenger – both aged 25 – arrested and taken to Ballina Police Station.

The 25-year-old Homebush West man was charged with eight offences, including import commercial quantity border-controlled drug, large commercial drug supply, deal with property proceeds of crime, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

The 25-year-old Plumpton woman was charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and deal with property proceeds of crime.

Both were refused bail to appear at Ballina Local Court today.

In total, the drugs have an estimated potential street value of approximately $155 million.

Investigations under Strike Force Chime are ongoing.

Anyone with information about the importation and supply of prohibited drugs is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

Adblock test (Why?)

Latest News - Latest News - NSW Police Public Site
Read More

ClubGRANTS – Sharks supporting the local community - Cronulla Sharks

Thanks to the support and patronage of loyal members and their guests, Sharks at Kareela has bounced back strongly after a couple of challenging Covid-affected years for clubs and the hospitality industry.

As a result of the successful trading period and in a continuation of the ClubGRANTS program, Sharks at Kareela, in partnership with Sharks Have Heart, have combined to support three extremely worthy and significant community initiatives.

Earlier today at an event conducted to highlight the ClubGRANTS program, registered clubs from around the region gathered to formalise their financial support of various organisations.

The Sharks presented grants to Wheelchair Rugby League Australia, funds in the amount of $3240 for a Come and Try day at Menai, $10,000, accepted by Garry Morris of the Morris Children’s Fund, to provide Bates Drive School students with music therapy, while $6000 was handed out to Sarah Stanton from Skillz4me to go towards supporting the free weekly sport program for children with disability.

Jessica Macartney was at Cronulla RSL Club to present representatives of the three organisations with their Sharks ClubGRANTS.

“The Sutherland Shire gives so much support to our football and leagues clubs throughout the year. It is fantastic to be able to give back to worthy organisations impacting the lives of our residents, especially during Sharks Have Heart Round” Ms Macartney said.

In relation to these Sharks supported programs, while the Club has consistently assisted the local Wheelchair Rugby League with jerseys and apparel, this was the first opportunity to offer financial backing to the Come and Try day, an event conducted in an effort to continue to grow awareness around the sport.

Liam Luff accepted the Sharks ClubGRANTS on behalf of Wheelchair Rugby League Australia. Through its media channels, the Sharks will communicate information as to the Come and Try Day when it becomes available

Also a long-time supporter of the Bates Drive School at Kareela, the Sharks were excited to be able to contribute to the vital music therapy classes, while SKillz4Me, a not for profit centre offering opportunities to children with a disability or developmental delay to learn vital social skills in a fun, supportive and inclusive environment, will also continue to benefit from the ClubGRANTS funding.

ClubGRANTS is one of Australia’s largest grant programs, providing more than $100 million in cash each year to a variety of worthy causes across NSW. Charities, sporting organisations and not-for-profit community groups are among tens-of-thousands of worthy causes funded by registered clubs throughout NSW through the program each year.

Garry Morris OAM (right) on behalf of Bates Drive School at Kareela accepts the Sharks ClubsGRANT from Jess Macartney from Sharks Have Heart

Liam Luff accepted the Sharks ClubGRANTS on behalf of Wheelchair Rugby League Australia

Jessica Macartney from Sharks Have Heart (left) with Sarah Stanton from Skillz4Me

Clubs from all over the local region assembled at Cronulla RSL to distribute their annual ClubGRANTS to worthy community and charitable organisations

Adblock test (Why?)

ClubGRANTS – Sharks supporting the local community - Cronulla Sharks
Read More

'Stressed' shire CEO who used local government cash for paid sex jailed for two years - WAtoday

When Gavin Pollock, 44, signed off on a fake invoice for thousands of dollars of executive officer support services it was not for the administration of the Shire of Ravensthorpe but for sexual services for himself, the local government’s chief executive officer.

The now ex-boss of the shire was jailed for two years on Friday for creating purchase orders on seven occasions, worth $54,850 combined, that came out of the local government’s budget and landed in a sex worker’s bank account which he could use for future visits.

Former Ravensthorpe chief executive Gavin Pollock.

The scheme ran for 404 days from March 8, 2020, until April 16, 2021, and involved Pollock creating purchase orders for a range of made-up administrative services varying in payment size from a few thousands dollars to more than $10,000.

Pollock’s co-accused, who has worked in the sex industry for 12 years and whose name was suppressed by the District Court as she continues to face her own charges related to the case, would then invoice the council with unwitting members of the local government paying her.

The sacked chief executive, fired from his job late last year as the Corruption and Crime Commission began to investigate the offending, had fraudulently set up the sex worker’s business through the council’s supplier software to help facilitate the payments.

The business address was for a brothel.

Pollock’s explanation for the offending, as told to the court by his defence lawyer Kylie Ferridge, was because of work stress and learned behaviours from his childhood to not bother other people with problems and keep them to yourself.

“He was spending an exorbitant amount of hours a day working. He would keep a tally [of work] that didn’t necessarily fall under his purview as CEO and they would formulate the hours spent on the invoice,” Ferridge said.

“Nineteen to 20 hours a day was what was expected of him.

Adblock test (Why?)

'Stressed' shire CEO who used local government cash for paid sex jailed for two years - WAtoday
Read More

Coles Liquor focuses on local as sales grow - Australian Brews News

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

Coles Liquor focuses on local as sales grow  Australian Brews News
Coles Liquor focuses on local as sales grow - Australian Brews News
Read More

Local students learn road skills – Bundaberg Now - Bundaberg Now

Year 10 students at the RYDA program.

Year 10 students from a number of local schools have been given the opportunity to prepare themselves for situations they may face on the road at Rotary Youth Driver Awareness sessions.

The students were this week given the opportunity to hear from a number of presenters, learning everything from driving around trucks to stopping times and distances and hearing firsthand from a crash victim.

While the program had previously been held in Maryborough, this was the first time it had been hosted in Bundaberg, as an initiative that Rotary and the local police were looking forward to continuing.

Senior Constable Brittany Duncan said with the Bundaberg Wide Bay region having the highest fatality rate last year, programs like RYDA were an opportunity for young drivers to develop their road skills and understand the risks of being behind the wheel.

“Sadly, last year Bundaberg and Wide Bay had the highest fatalities in the state,” she said.

“Being in the crime prevention unit, I did some research on how we can manage the fatalities and I stumbled across this program, reached out to Rotary’s Matt Griffiths and he came on board and here we are after a year of planning.

“So far the feedback has been very positive from the schools that have attended.”

Brittany said they looked forward to seeing the program continue into the future, with the community support greatly appreciated.

“We want this program to continue, but we will need sponsorship for next year as road safety education helped us this year to get the program running,” she said.

“We are very lucky to have had Bundaberg Regional Council allow us to use the Bundaberg Recreational Precinct free of charge for the week, and De Gunst trucks for lending us a truck to use at one of the stations.

“We really want to keep this program running as it is great for the students and if we can save just one life out of it, then it is a win.”

Mayor Jack Dempsey celebrates RYDA with program organisers.

RYDA Day Manager and Rotary member Matt Griffiths said the idea was to capture all of the year 10 students and teach them road skills, driver awareness and safety, ensuring they realised the choices they made on the road do not just impact them, but others as well.

“One crash affects so many different people,” Matt said.

“It affects you, your family, the people who have to pick you up off the road and those who help with rehabilitation to name a few.

“It is a very important program to teach students road skills and I am glad we are able to bring something like this to Bundaberg.”

Matt said the sessions covered a diverse range of topics with everything coming back to one common theme.

“The sessions include everything from a drive so you can survive session to one on different speeds and their stopping distances and then hearing from a road accident survivor who is in a wheelchair,” he said.

“We cover a lot of different areas, but they all link back to one common theme about choices.”

RYDA is described as more than a program, it is partnership which supports teachers on the journey as they teach students road skills, and also help them to understand they need to see themselves as active, responsible road citizens.

You can find to more about RYDA here.

Other stories: Drivers urged to change behaviour on the road

Adblock test (Why?)

Local students learn road skills – Bundaberg Now - Bundaberg Now
Read More

Supporting more Tasmanians to stand in Local Government Elections - Premier of Tasmania

25 August 2022

Nic Street, Minister for Local Government

The Tasmanian Government is a strong supporter of our Local Government sector and our local elected representatives.

That’s why we are working with the Local Government Association of Tasmania to develop an ongoing learning and professional development framework for candidates and councillors.

A key reason for this new framework is to encourage more Tasmanians from all walks of life to feel supported in putting their hands up for a seat at their local Council table.

The framework is also an important step to promote a positive culture within Local Government, to support greater awareness about the role of councillors, and to give people a strong understanding of what to expect if elected.

The framework extends from information for those thinking about putting their hand up in Local Government elections through to a comprehensive post-election module to ensure councillors have a deep understanding of their role, obligations and responsibilities.

Over the last four months I have met with nearly every Mayor and Council in the state and received the consistent message for improved and ongoing training for local government candidates and elected members.

This year’s Local Government elections will have more Tasmanians than ever before casting their vote, and as Minister I am committed to ensuring our Local Government representatives have all the skills and development opportunities available to help them deliver on the issues that matter to their local communities.

People interested in completing the training online can register via https://forms.office.com/r/jh4dNEDQZw

More Media Releases from Nic Street

More Media Releases from the Minister for Local Government

Adblock test (Why?)

Supporting more Tasmanians to stand in Local Government Elections - Premier of Tasmania
Read More

Peacebuilding Need Local Partners — But How Do You Define 'Local'? - United States Institute of Peace

The April announcement of the GFA’s priority countries has kicked-off a flurry of consultations and strategic planning to operationalize this goal. While these efforts are a step in the right direction, they currently lack a definition for what "local" means in the peacebuilding context. Without it, policymakers and practitioners will face immense challenges in designing effective localized policy and programs, raising the risk that current efforts will repeat the previous shortcomings of state-centric peacebuilding.

A ‘Local Turn’ for Peacebuilding

In recent years, the peacebuilding field has taken what is often referred to as a “local turn.” This shift toward prioritizing local-level conflict dynamics comes in response to the shortcomings of more traditional peacebuilding methods.

Historically, peacebuilders have employed a state-centric or top-down approach to resolve conflict and create stability. In this model, an international partner typically works with the government of a conflict-affected country to create peace through national-level mechanisms, such as elections or a negotiated power-sharing agreement. These types of interventions can strengthen democracies and help create pathways out of political conflict.

However, this approach can often overlook the local dimensions of a conflict, where violence may be driven by actors and motivations that are distinct from those found at the national level. And when local dimensions are excluded, they can subtly derail efforts to establish peace and stability — or develop into a more serious problem.

By shifting attention and resources to the local level, policymakers and practitioners hope to address this flaw in top-down peacebuilding. There’s already been progress made toward mainstreaming this idea, but there is still work to be done.

Right now, “local” is often treated as the missing piece in the top-down model — by adding it, you can neatly complete and legitimize the work as a whole. But without a proper, shared understanding of what “local” means in the context of peacebuilding work, this perspective risks reproducing the original problems of the top-down model, just with a slightly larger group of people. To truly address the gaps in the state-centric approach, the peacebuilding field will need to build a consensus on what “local” means and critically evaluate the most effective ways to address the local dimensions of conflict. 

Competing Definitions of Local: Place vs. Perspectives

As it stands, there’s not much consensus in the peacebuilding field on what “local” actually means.

In our research, there tend to be two distinct groups. The first group understands “local” to mean spatial — a physical place that is sub-national, regional or community-sited as opposed to national. For them, building local peace means relocating from the capital to the places where the conflict had occurred and engaging there.

The advantage of this approach is that it helps us to see how “national” conflicts are rarely monolithic, and vary in their causes, drivers and consequences from community to community. These differences can determine whether or not a particular peacebuilding initiative succeeds or backfires — and knowing where to look is an important first step. Unfortunately, however, this approach on its own does little to tell us which “local” social spaces and actors are the most important to engage with to better understand or address local conflict drivers, or how precisely to best partner with or empower them.

By contrast, the second group starts with the claim that “local peacebuilding” is by definition about a specific set of social spaces and actors. Drawing on research on “everyday peace,” this perspective argues that what makes local peacebuilding unique is a commitment to working from the bottom-up, centering and empowering “authentic” grassroots voices in communities and letting them, rather than international donors or program staff, define what peace means.

The challenge here is that by starting with a value judgement about who the most important and legitimate peace actors are, this approach can paper over who can speak for or represent particular groups or communities, as well as draw attention away from larger or more distant actors and forces that impact the possibility of peace.

Regardless of whether we define “local” as a place, perspective or a combination of the two, the actors that we look to engage at the local level are inevitably embedded in networks that extend beyond their own communities. They are connected to conflict and peace actors at the regional, national and even international level, which shapes their goals and interests.

So rather than seeing “local peace” as something easily separated — whether physically or organizationally — from efforts to address conflict drivers at other levels, donors and practitioners will be most effective when they see the local as a place where individuals and communities have their own complicated goals and interests, but often lack the access, resources or sense of efficacy to build and protect peace where they live.

Local Peacebuilding is an Ongoing Commitment

What does this mean for policymakers and practitioners? While the “local turn” in peacebuilding is a welcome change from previous top-down, one-size-fits-all approaches, it’s also not a panacea, or a magical solution to thorny conflicts.

Nor is engaging with “the local” a theory of change in its own right, or a guarantee of finding legitimate, capable representatives of community needs. The pivot to local peacebuilding requires the same kind of careful conflict analysis and commitment to monitoring and assessment that any development project would — including moving beyond counting the activity and attendance of local stakeholders and participants as a useful proxy for deeper empowerment and engagement.

Practitioners should also keep in mind that effective peacebuilding at the local level will likely create winners and losers, or at least some community members who feel that the process did not lead to their preferred result. Even local contexts are diverse and populated by people with their own complicated interests and connections to other levels within the conflict ecosystem. And there are hardly ever representatives who can speak on behalf of an entire community or guarantee that a program or intervention will make everyone happy.

Taking a page from the work of “everyday peace” theorists, we observe that effective local peacebuilding is not a guarantee that everyone tolerates or even respects each other. But it does require working towards ensuring communities have the resources and skills they need to mitigate potential sources of renewed conflict in daily community life.

Brandon Kendhammer is an associate professor at Ohio University and a senior research advisor at the RESOLVE Network.

Adblock test (Why?)

Peacebuilding Need Local Partners — But How Do You Define 'Local'? - United States Institute of Peace
Read More

COVID-19 vaccination – Local Government Area (LGA) – Indigenous population – 24 August 2022 - Australian Government Department of Health

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

COVID-19 vaccination – Local Government Area (LGA) – Indigenous population – 24 August 2022  Australian Government Department of Health
COVID-19 vaccination – Local Government Area (LGA) – Indigenous population – 24 August 2022 - Australian Government Department of Health
Read More

Interested in how local land is managed? - Echonetdaily

Recruitment for LLS boards closes on Tuesday, 30 August.

Local Land Services (LLS) is one of the means that governments use to manage and direct how local land is utilised and managed and they are currently looking for locals to join their 11 regional boards. 

‘Our board members bring local views and experience to the table to help guide the strategic future of Local Land Services, helping to improve sustainable land and natural resource management for our customers and the environment,’ they stated in a media release this morning. 

‘Our board members bring a wealth of knowledge and ideas to our regional teams and help shape the priorities and goals for each region,’ said Steve Orr, LLS Chief Executive Officer.

‘We respect the experience and vision of our boards to help us innovate and deliver real outcomes for our landholders, and we are always keen to get new perspectives.

‘We understand the diversity of our boards need to reflect our modern industries and communities, so are encouraging anyone who is passionate about growing their community to apply before 30 August 2022.’

You can apply online via www.lls.nsw.gov.au/board-recruitment.

Local Land Services is currently looking for 23 ministerially appointed board members, including the Chair of the South East Board. Ideally all candidates will be over 18 and reside in the region they are applying for.

The North Coast board is currently looking for two members to join their LLS board and there are also positions available as listed:

• Central Tablelands – 2 Board Members
• Central West – 2 Board Members
• Greater Sydney – 2 Board Members
• Hunter – 2 Board Members
• Murray – 2 Board Members
• North Coast – 2 Board Members
• Northern Tablelands – 2 Board Members 
• North West – 2 Board Members 
• Riverina – 2 Board Members  
• South East – 1 Chair, 2 Board Members 
• Western – 2 Board Members        

If you want to know more, download the information pack via www.lls.nsw.gov.au/board-recruitment or call our team on 1300 795 299. Hurry, recruitment closes on Tuesday, 30 August.

Adblock test (Why?)

Interested in how local land is managed? - Echonetdaily
Read More

Local suburban business precincts to benefit from activations and beautification - City of Newcastle

23 Aug 2022

$150,000 is being shared amongst 10 successful projects aimed at activating key suburban business precincts in Hamilton, New Lambton and Wallsend, including an innovative self-guided op shop trail, vertical “smart” gardens installed on shopfront facades, and a series of community-based art initiatives.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Special Business Rate (SBR) program was integral in bringing people back to business precincts across the city following the impacts felt in recent years from the pandemic.

“Our latest suburban SBR round is set to see beautification in New Lambton, a fringe festival on Beaumont Street, and a fantastic initiative that supports sustainability by promoting shopping at Wallsend's eclectic op-shops among other great local projects", Cr Nelmes said.

"We'll see some exciting new activations like the Curious Legends Halloween celebration Wallsend Frights which will activate Nelson Street with live performance and interactive activities, while New Lambton Library is set to receive a stunning new mural delivered by Up & Up, drawing inspiration from the ideas of the local community".

Bianca Bartlett, co-founder of the Purple Card Project, said SBR suburban funding will help bring her Op Shop Trail concept to life by tapping into an increased interest in slow fashion and shopping sustainably.

“With SBR funding, in collaboration with the Wallsend Town Business Association, we are developing a self-guided digital trail map that shines a spotlight on Nelson Street's unique and diverse mix of op-op shops and cafes all in one convenient location,” Ms Bartlett said.

“The trail concept is designed to encourage visitors to spend time and money in the precinct on weekends, when op-shops are usually closed, starting with coffee at a local café, visiting all five op shops brimming with unique wares, and concluding with lunch."

Wallsend’s business precinct is also set to benefit this Halloween with Curious Legends awarded SBR funding to run Wallsend Frights: a two-day program of family-friendly events on Nelson Street featuring live roving performances, costume-making challenges, installations, interactive activities, and workshops.

More information about the program and funding opportunities can be found at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/special-business-rates.

Successful suburban SBR projects include:

HAMILTON

• Newcastle Fringe Festival, March 2023
  The project will build on the Fringe Festival's existing presence on Beaumont Street by expanding the number of shows with more family-friendly events and micro-performances in local businesses.

• Beautiful Beaumont Doors
  Six local female artists will beautify and transform six graffitied doorways in between shops along Beaumont Street.

• Herb Urban - Thriving Gardens
  The project involves the installation of standalone smart gardening systems, fixed to shopfront facades throughout Hamilton, connecting Newcastle with greenery throughout the suburbs and City Centre.

NEW LAMBTON

• New Lambton Library Community Mural
  The community mural project will be delivered by Up & Up Inspirations design on the exterior wall of New Lambton Library. The mural design will incorporate the ideas of the people who live, work and play in New Lambton.

• Herb Urban - Thriving Gardens
  The project involves the installation of standalone smart gardening systems, fixed to shopfront facades throughout New Lambton, connecting Newcastle with greenery throughout the suburbs and City Centre.

WALLSEND

• Wallsend Op Shop Trail to Revitalise Nelson Street
  In collaboration with Wallsend Town Business Association, Samaritans, and the other four Op Shops on Nelson Street, the Wallsend Op Shop Trail is designed to encourage visitors to Wallsend on weekends.

• And Then, They Were No Longer Invisible
  This is a photo-storytelling project that shines a spotlight on seniors in our communities. The project will include community workshops, local business engagement and a community art installation in the Wallsend Business Precinct that encourages social cohesion and visitation to the area.

• Banner Art
  This project will involve local primary schools in the painting of images on 20x20 cm boards. 240 images will be chosen to be enlarged onto 80x200 cm banners for the proposed public banner sites in Wallsend business precinct.

• Wallsend Frights
  Curious Legends will produce two days of Halloween-themed activations such as roving performances and costume-making challenges to draw foot traffic to the Wallsend business precinct. The program will culminate with a family event with installations, performances, interactive activities and workshops with community groups and Wallsend businesses.

• Public Mural
  Play State Studio will deliver a mural in a main street of Wallsend with three local mural artists.

Adblock test (Why?)

Local suburban business precincts to benefit from activations and beautification - City of Newcastle
Read More

Local basketballers selected for state honours - South Coast Register

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

Local basketballers selected for state honours  South Coast Register
Local basketballers selected for state honours - South Coast Register
Read More

COVID-19 vaccination – Local Government Area (LGA) – 5-11 years old – 22 August 2022 - Australian Government Department of Health

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

COVID-19 vaccination – Local Government Area (LGA) – 5-11 years old – 22 August 2022  Australian Government Department of Health
COVID-19 vaccination – Local Government Area (LGA) – 5-11 years old – 22 August 2022 - Australian Government Department of Health
Read More

Local transmission of monkeypox confirmed in NSW - News - NSW Health

NSW Health is urging the community, particularly gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), to continue to be vigilant for the symptoms of monkeypox following local transmission of the virus in NSW.

Forty-two cases of monkeypox have now been identified in NSW residents. One case is confirmed to have acquired the infection in NSW, while two other cases acquired their infection within Australia.

NSW Health Executive Director of Health Protection Dr Richard Broome said the recently diagnosed case highlights the importance of people remaining vigilant for symptoms regardless of whether they have visited high-risk environments overseas.

“Men who have sex with men who are returning from overseas should contact their GP or local sexual health clinic for a check-up when they return as symptoms of monkeypox can be mild,” Dr Broome said.

“Symptoms usually begin seven to 14 days after exposure through skin-to-skin contact and can include fever, headache, body aches and a rash or lesions on the genital area.

“It is important that people with these symptoms avoid close contact with others, including sexual activity, as condoms are not effective at preventing the transmission of monkeypox.”

NSW Health has worked with doctors and community partners on the initial rollout of the JYNNEOS smallpox vaccination program focusing on the most high-risk groups in our communities.

A small stock holding of the JYNNEOS smallpox vaccine has been retained for post-exposure prophylaxis.

We continue to work with our community partners to formulate a plan to rollout the additional doses of the JYNNEOS smallpox vaccine expected to be delivered in early September and October.

If you have questions about monkeypox, contact the NSW Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624.

Further information on monkeypox is available at Monkeypox.

Adblock test (Why?)

Local transmission of monkeypox confirmed in NSW - News - NSW Health
Read More

Significant increase in local Monkeypox cases in Victoria - ABC News

This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced.

AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)

Adblock test (Why?)

Significant increase in local Monkeypox cases in Victoria - ABC News
Read More

Victorian health authorites chart significant increase in local monkeypox transmissions - ABC News

Health authorities have warned Victorians to stay alert, with the state leading the country in local transmission of monkeypox. 

Key points:

• Local transmission of monkeypox is increasing across Victoria
• Cases are predominantly centred around Melbourne within the gay and bisexual community
• Health authorities urge at-risk Victorians to monitor for symptoms

There have now been 40 cases of monkeypox in Victoria, with around 15 to 18 active cases.

The state recorded its first case of monkeypox on May 16, after a returned traveller from the United Kingdom tested positive for the virus.

Deputy Chief Health Officer for Communicable Disease Deborah Friedman said the past two weeks have shown a "significant increase" in locally acquired cases.

"Just about half of our 40 cases have been acquired within Victoria rather than overseas," she said.

"We are really the only state in Australia that's seeing such an increase of local transmission."

Victoria's cases have also been centred predominantly around Melbourne and health authorities believe cases will rise further.

At-risk communities urged to be on alert

She said that while monkeypox could spread from the close intimate contact of any two people, it had mainly been centred around LGBT communities.

"Where we're seeing it now is within the gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men community," Dr Friedman said.

A weekly nude event at a Melbourne nightclub went on hiatus last month following concerns about monkeypox transmission.

A regular queer party event in Fitzroy announced a hiatus last month due to monkeypox concerns.(Facebook: ADAM)

Dr Friedman said the cancelling of high-risk events made sense in the current health climate.

"From a public health perspective it's a reasonably sound choice to cancel some events, especially some events that are going to result in very close or intimate contact," Dr Friedman said.

Victorians are encouraged to self-monitor for symptoms including fever, sore throat, muscle aches, a rash and swollen lymph nodes, and keep contact details of those they have intimate contact with for contract tracing purposes.

Returning travellers from monkeypox hotspots such as North America and Europe are also strongly recommended to monitor for symptoms for at least three weeks.

The monkeypox strain that is infecting Australians is thought to have a mortality rate of around 3 per cent.

Deb Friedman says monkeypox case numbers are likely to rise.(ABC News)

Vaccines are here, but may have come too late

Dr Friedman said that while local transmission has been escalating in the past two and a half weeks, monkeypox vaccines only became available in the past 10 days.

"So we, unfortunately, missed a window of opportunity to potentially have been able to intervene earlier," she said.

Vaccines have been rolled out across sexual health clinics across Melbourne, with sex workers, HIV-positive people and those who have had direct contact with monkeypox cases eligible.

Victorians are warned that vaccine eligibility criteria and supply are limited during August and September while health services wait on further supply.

The government expects 20,000 doses to be available by September.

People who are eligible and reside in regional Victoria may access the vaccine via a regional local public health unit.

Adblock test (Why?)

Victorian health authorites chart significant increase in local monkeypox transmissions - ABC News
Read More