Roxane Manley

$5 Million Boost To Grow And Upskill Regional Health Workforce

December 9, 2022 by Roxane Manley

TRAINING BOOST…Steph Cooke MP pictured with regional nurses.

Healthcare workers in regional NSW will be given the opportunity to enter the workforce or upskill, thanks to the NSW Government’s $5 million Rural and Regional Health Career Scholarships program.

Enter a career in healthcare with extra support.“These scholarships range from helping out with the cost of travel or relocation to study to reskilling our current workforce to ensure each individual is equipped to treat our community the best they can,” explains Steph Cooke MP.

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the program will not only attract new staff to the regions but support existing healthcare workers. “From Bourke to Bega, I’ve heard loud and clear that our health workers want to be provided with the opportunities to advance their careers without having to leave their families, their workplace and their communities,” Ms Taylor said.

“This is about growing and empowering our regional health workforce and builds on the NSW Government’s $883 million regional health workforce incentive scheme, announced as part of the 2022/23 NSW Budget,” said Ms Taylor

The Rural and Regional Health Scholarships form part of Our Vision for Regional Communities and Action Plan 2023-2025, a NSW Government initiative outlining immediate priorities and long-term strategies to make regional NSW an even better place to call home. To find out more about Our Vision for Regional Communities and Action Plan 2023- 2025, visit www.nsw.gov.au/ourvision

Our Bloke – Ben Smith

December 9, 2022 by Roxane Manley

Ben Smith

Where were you born? Forbes Hospital.

Were you named after anyone? No.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Our two children Tyson 10 and Ruby 7.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? The September 11 terrorist attacks and the Cronulla Sharks 2016 premiership.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? You can count your true mates on one hand.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? There has been a few but one Saturday at Hawkesbury races is still etched in my memory (and nightmares).

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? My family, TAB app and a boat to get us back.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? Book a family holiday overseas, go searching for the next winner then shout Chinese late.

When are you happiest? When my family is happy and healthy and when I’m having a beer, a laugh with my mates and backing a winner.

Parkes Macgregor Sisters Are Keeping It In The Family

December 9, 2022 by Roxane Manley

Pictured left is 14 year old Grace and on the right, her 16 year old sister Elizabeth.

Rugby league has a strong following in Parkes and we are fortunate to have a very healthy junior club, with a staggering amount of talented young players. For sisters Grace and Elizabeth Magregor, rugby league runs in the family. Both girls grew up watching their brothers and cousins play rugby league, motivating them to start playing football at a young age.

Fourteen year old Grace has played for an impressive number of representative teams this year, including: Parkes U14s league tag, U14s Western Rams league tag squad, Katrina Fanning School Rugby League Cup U14s team, U14s Woodbridge Rugby League team.

When asked to pick a standout memory from this season Grace said, “My Woodbridge under 14s team was undefeated throughout the competition this year. Coming into the grand final we knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game as Dubbo Goannas were our strongest competitors throughout the year. I scored three of the four tries in the grand final and got the player of the match at the end of the game.”

At sixteen years of age, Graces older sister Elizabeth Macgregor is an extremely sought after player and was involved in the following teams this season: Parkes U17s league tag, Western Rams U16s and U18s rugby league team, Catholic School Southern Rugby League country team, the inaugural NSWCCC team.

“My under 16s Woodbridge team went better than I think we all expected heading into the competition. I don’t think any of us had much faith that we would make it to the semis let alone the grand final, but we all really improved as a team throughout the year. We made it to the grand final, but Orange was just a bit hungrier for the win,” said Elizabeth.

Both girls were awarded top try scorers in their respective age groups for the season.

Grace and Elizabeth both attribute their success to putting in the hard work, keeping fit and grasping every opportunity that presents itself.

They are both extremely grateful for their parents, who have influenced their love of the sport and have been their number one supporters, driving them to every game and ensuring they have every opportunity to succeed.

Keep a keen eye out for these two talented Parkes sisters in the years to come. Considering the success both Grace and Elizabeth are achieving at such a young age, it is not a stretch to say that we may one day see the Macgregor sisters playing in the NRLW competition.

As it stands, there is some healthy competition in the Macgregor household, as Grace is an avid Roosters supporter and older sister Elizabeth supports the three time reigning NRL Premiers, the Penrith Panthers.

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