Beef Week 2006

Beef Week 2006

I had the honour of officially opening the 25th Beef Week, together with being the compere of the Beef Week Queen competition and working in the main street on Saturday. Everyone can be very proud of what was achieved at Beef Week 2006. I congratulate President Terry Serone, Co-ordinator Sue Serone, committee members, exhibitors and operators who contributed to the tremendous success of Beef Week 2006.

$100,000 for Casino Aboriginal Youth Program

Recently Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Milton Orkopoulos announced a new $100,000 program for Aboriginal youth in Casino. The Junbung Youth Activities program, funded by the Department of Community Services will provide Friday night sports, cultural and social activities for young people aged 9 to 18 years. The program has become a reality due to the work of the Aboriginal Child Youth and Family Strategy Working Party in Casino.

Local Athletes Receive Funding Boost

Twelve talented local athletes will share in $10,800 in funding under the 2006 Country Athletes Scheme. The successful applicants are as follows;

Karate


Softball

Canoeing



Gymnastics

Golf

 

Lauren Morgan
Joel Parrey
Benjamin Morgan
Brendan Shailes
Niki Clough
Rosalyn Lawrence
Kasandra Whitney
Emma Kate Williams
Chloe Byrnes
Emma Behan
Amy Behan
Latoya Cooper

This funding to assist with expenses incurred during representation at a State level is due recognition of these sporting representative's commitment and determination in their chosen sport. My congratulations to them all.

Working Carers Support Gateway

Many carers in the local community not only care for another person, but also work in casual, part-time or full-time work. This can mean they are very busy and may not have time to access financial, and practical information available to other carers. Consequently the Disability and Aged Information Service in partnership with NSW Health have created the Working Carers Support Gateway, an Internet site that provides information about services to assist working carers, financial planning and industrial relations advocacy. Working Carers with access to the Internet can visit the site at www.workingcarers.org.au

Petition Calling for More Police Resources Released

I recently released a petition calling for more police resources for the Richmond Area Command. This follows my repeated calls for extra police resources, particularly for areas like Goonellabah and Nimbin. NSW Leader of The Nationals Andrew Stoner has also launched a State-wide petition calling on the Carr-Iemma Labor Government to increase the number of police in local communities. Law and order continues as an issue that concerns local residents who want to see a safer community with more police resources.
Members of the local community have indicated to me they are tired of Premier Iemma and his police minister in Sydney reducing police resources without any regard for the impact it has on the safety of our communities. The petition aims to highlight the insufficient numbers of police in communities throughout the Lismore electorate and in other rural and regional areas throughout NSW. Signatures will then be presented to the NSW Parliament including those collected here in the Lismore electorate. I urge local residents concerned about law and order and the reduction in police numbers in our region to contact my office to obtain a copy of the petition.

Telstra Business Women's Awards

Local Women in Business are being invited to nominate for the Telstra Business Women of the Year Awards for 2006. I was impressed by the high standard of nominations for the Electorate Women of the Year and thereby encourage local businesswomen to nominate for the Telstra Awards. The awards showcase and celebrate the achievements of talented businesswomen. If you would like to nominate, or know someone who may be interested please contact my office for a nomination form.

Energy Matters

A number of constituents have contacted my office for advice and referral following recent visits to homes regarding alternative energy providers and agreements being signed. The Energy and Water Ombudsman (EWON) assists in resolving electricity, gas and water complaints. EWON provides an independent way of resolving customer complaints about such suppliers in NSW. Should people who are considering changing providers or have recently done so need independent advice, I suggest you contact EWON. Generally it is expected that people have tried to sort out a complaint/enquiry directly with the supplier before contacting EWON. On the website there are tips for dealing with your supplier as well as a complaint form. www.ewon.com.au or 1800 246 545.

Preschools Report Shows More Support Needed

A report conducted by well-respected Professor Tony Vinson is highly critical of the current level of funding for community preschools by the Iemma Labor Government. The report confirms what parents, teachers and experts in early education have been saying: the Iemma Labor Government's continued failure to adequately fund community preschools is having devastating results.

The report found children are ill prepared for school, and learning difficulties and problems with behaviour are not being picked up as early as they should. In addition, NSW has the lowest preschool participation rates in Australia with less than 60% of children attending preschool immediately prior to starting primary school. In other states this figure is around 90% or higher. A lack of funding to preschools has meant the cost of sending a child to preschool in NSW for the required number of days is just out of reach for many families.

At the recent Preschool's rally held in Lismore, speakers highlighted the unique and critical role of Preschools which is primarily to prepare children for school. As the Vinson Report indicates it is vital the Iemma Labor Government acts immediately to address this funding crisis.