General Interest Archives - Page 103 of 326

Starting Medicine At 40

March 3, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Suzie Hill is currently a first-year student in the University of Sydney’s Doctor of Medicine program, which is on offer in Dubbo.

Becoming a doctor was never a lifelong dream for Suzie Hill, but with two children who are now adults and have left home, she began looking at the next stage of her life.

Suzie is currently a first-year student in the University of Sydney’s Doctor of Medicine program in Dubbo. She will complete the entire four-year postgraduate degree at the School of Rural Health in Dubbo with clinical training centered on Dubbo Hospital.

Suzie had previously been practicing as a Radiographer for over 15 years. Like many rural residents, she is acutely aware of the impact the shortage of doctors has on our communities. She has been inspired by the care and support her son received by a specialist and the efforts he went to in bringing treatment closer to home as well as some gentle encouragement from Radiologists she has worked with over the years.

“Being able to study in Dubbo has been a huge attraction in maintaining my family life. I love that I’ll be learning in a smaller cohort and the opportunity to develop relationships with teaching and clinical staff that, hopefully I’ll be working with one day as a doctor.”

Suzie is part of the second cohort of students now studying the University of Sydney’s entire four-year Doctor of Medicine program in Dubbo. Students in Dubbo study the same world-class medical education as their peers in Sydney, while gaining hands-on experience in rural and remote medical practice.

The Dubbo Stream is only available to students eligible for Commonwealth Supported Places and pathways are available for First Nations students and those with rural backgrounds.

The School of Rural Health in Dubbo features state-of-the-art medical education facilities including learning studios, anatomy teaching lab, and six-suite simulation training centre.

For more information visit sydney.edu.au/medicine-health/dubbo

Marramarra Youth Summer Sessions A Resounding Success

March 3, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Local youth enjoying the Marramarra youth summer sessions workshops.

Parkes Shire Council was lucky to receive a $12,600 grant for 2022-23 school holiday activities for youth aged 12-24 years in the Parkes Shire from the NSW Government Holiday Break Program. Parkes youth had the opportunity to:

Develop new creative skills in Resin Pouring and Bali Batik ink techniques in flag making.

Learn about stand-up comedy and develop their own routine with Aussie comedian Anthony Lamond; and

Team up together to complete a photo scavenger hunt around the Parkes CBD.

“Diversity in our offerings for youth is so important”, said Creative Learning Programs Coordinator Roxanne Gallacher, the Summer Sessions Project Manager.

“Being able to access grant funding to deliver these sessions to the youth of Parkes is a privilege, and we are extremely grateful to the Office of Regional Youth for the opportunity to bring something different this year,” Roxanne said.

As a result we had 92 young people attend across the seven events. Feedback that the programs were giving youth opportunities not readily available, with a good variety and comparable, or exceeding those of larger regional centres.

Ability to reach youth who had not been to library events or workshops before and they have been willing to connect into the library as a source of creativity and information.

There has been an increase in bookings for other library programs and events, bringing new youth into the Library spaces and connecting youth from different schools together in a relaxed environment.

Molly Is Conquering 86K For A Cure

March 3, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Local girl Molly is running in honour of her late sister Phoebe to conquer 86km during the month of March for the 86 children diagnosed with cancer in Australia every month.

Children’s Cancer Institute’s 86K for a Cure is a free national fitness challenge that kicked off this week on Wednesday, 1st March. People are being encouraged to walk, run, cycle, swim or roll 86km throughout March and raise vital funds to help children with cancer.

In Australia, 86 children are diagnosed with cancer every month and sadly one in three will lose their life. Every dollar raised by 86K for a Cure will help fund life-saving research to provide better outcomes for children diagnosed with cancer.

Inspirational eight year-old local girl Molly, has taken up the challenge and is running in honour of her sister, Phoebe, who died of cancer as a baby.

Baby Phoebe’s brain tumour initially went undetected. It grew to 2/3 the size of her head and she tragically died during surgery.

Inspired by Andre Jones, who set out to run around Australia to raise money for charity, Molly decided to do something special for Phoebe by participating the Children’s Cancer Institute’s 86K for a Cure.

Check out her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mollysrunforphoebe/

ABOUT 86K FOR A CURE:

Now in its second year, 86K for a Cure is a virtual national fundraiser calling for participants to conquer 86km throughout March in any way they can – walk, run, swim, roll or cycle! All money raised will go directly to fund life-saving research to provide better outcomes for children diagnosed with cancer in Australia. To register or donate visit www.86kforacure.org.au.

$137,000 Awarded To Upgrade Trundle Showground

March 3, 2023 by Roxane Manley

NSW Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway announced that the Central West community has secured close to $330,000 under the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s Crown Reserves Improvement Fund to upgrade two showgrounds across the electorate.

Mr Farraway said the funding would support both the Canowindra and Trundle Showgrounds in making essential upgrades to their facilities.

The local funding in Orange under the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund will provide $137,000 to the Trundle Showground for upgrades to the Sheep Pavilion, including the installation of a water tank and replacement of trees, providing much-needed improvements to this important community asset.

“I am delighted to see the NSW Nationals delivering this funding to support the Central West community and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our region,” said Mr Farraway.

The grants are part of $16.48 million being offered to support 264 projects on Crown land reserves across NSW to benefit many thousands of people and the cultural, sporting and recreational life of hundreds of local communities.

Life Pharmacy Group Make Annual Trip To Forbes

March 3, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Earlier this month, Life Pharmacy Group (LPG) gathered in Forbes for its 8th annual conference, to review the group’s strategy and plan for the year ahead.

This year, attendees had the opportunity to hear great bush poetry and stories by local identity “Tractor” Rennick hosted by Debbie Prior at The Book Dispensary. The team were lucky to enjoy a delicious meal at the soon to open Donna’s Table restaurant!

CEO Michael Flannery awarded Shannon Nash from Life Pharmacy Forbes the LPG 2023 Pharmacist in Charge of the Year award. Shannon has taken on extra responsibilities as PIC throughout the year and been a fantastic leader to the team and community during not one, but two devastating floods in Forbes at the end of 2022.

The LPG 2023 Pharmacy of the Year award was presented to joint winners Life Pharmacy Forbes and Flannery’s Pharmacy. Both pharmacies showed resilience and amazing support to the local community during the Forbes floods.

Forbes CanAssist hosted a BBQ breakfast at the picturesque Forbes Golf Club. Life Pharmacy Group proudly donated $2,500 to CanAssist.

Almost $8 Million For New Bridge At McGrane Way

February 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

NSW Nationals Candidate for Orange Cr Tony Mileto, Parkes Shire Council Deputy Mayor Cr Neil Westcott, MR354 Committee Member Fiona Aveyard, President of the MR354 Committee Gary Langley, Parkes Shire Council Director of Operations Ben Howard, Transport for NSW Western Manager Kristine Boggs and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway.

The long awaited announcement has been made that the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will invest almost $8 million to build a new bridge at Graddle Creek on The McGrane Way through the latest round of the Fixing Country Roads Program.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the new bridge will improve safety and ensure the community and truckies have better access during times of extreme wet weather events.

“This will ensure local freight operators and farmers in the region can get our region’s great produce to international and domestic markets sooner and more safely, which will keep our state moving forward,” said Sam Farraway.

Mayor of Parkes Shire Ken Keith OAM said the community is very excited and very grateful for the near $8 million that has been allocated for a new bridge at Graddle Creek and realignment works on The McGrane Way through the Fixing Country Roads Program.

“This road is a vital route for transporters connecting the west to Narromine and Dubbo, producers to grain silos, saleyards and mining operations,” Ken said.

“The new bridge will be more resilient, replacing a narrow causeway that is subject to frequent flash flooding which has posed a serious safety risk for the community.

“This project will deliver safer and more reliable journeys for all road users across the region, helping to keep moving the more than 800,000 tonnes of freight transported each year along The McGrane Way.”

Member of the MR354 Committee and local farmer Fiona Aveyard thanked the NSW Government and said the investment was a big win for the community.

“We are grateful to the NSW Government for this investment of close to $8 million,” Fiona said.

“This investment will keep freight moving, get families home safe and will keep Tullamore, Parkes and regional NSW moving forward.”

“We’ve Been Playing Russian Roulette With Lives”

February 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The plans to upgrade The McGrane way between Tullamore and Narromine.

We caught up with the very passionate President of The McGrane Way Committee, Gary Langley who explained that The McGrane Way is the main access road from Narromine to Tullamore, and links up with other shires including Hillston and Condobolin.

There has been an increase in traffic on The McGrane Way since the road was sealed, as provides access to Dubbo, Newcastle and Brisbane.

“People are coming through with caravans, and the corner is so sharp that we lost about nine or ten hay trucks during the drought, they turned over,” said Gary.

Gary went on to praise Minister for Regional Transport Sam Farrawy MP: “Sam Farraway has been excellent, even before he was minister. We met up with him in Tullamore, four to five years ago to lobby him, and he secured us an audience with Deputy Premier and leader of the Nationals, Paul Toole”.

Gary explained how this upgrade will help those who travel The McGrane Way. “Once this project is finished it’s not going to matter how much rain we get because it is going to be out of the flood zone, the bridge will be up high and people will not be cut off anymore after a shower of rain.”

Sam Farraway spoke after his announcement and said of the plagued McGrane Way: “Unfortunately we saw a tragic death here only a few months ago, and it just reminds us that if it’s flooded, forget it!”

“In 2022 this road was closed for over 150 days, we need to make sure this infrastructure is upgraded for tomorrow not just today.” said Sam Farraway.

Safer Cars For Rural Kids

February 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Mitchell McMahon, Logan Frost, Daniel Liondis and Lucius Oldfield from Canowindra High School are amongst many rural kids who could benefit from $5,000 towards a safer vehicle.

Young drivers in regional NSW will be given a cash incentive to help them buy a newer, safer vehicle under a state-first program by the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

The new Safer Cars for Country Kids program will provide a $5,000 subsidy for up to 1,000 young drivers to help them purchase a safer car. “We will get old and unsafe cars off our country roads and make it easier for young drivers to get behind the wheel of a safer car,” Mr Perrottet said.

Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional NSW and Minister for Police Paul Toole said the initiative recognised that young drivers are much more likely to inherit the old family car, or buy an older, cheaper or less safe vehicle as their first car. “This landmark trial will provide a helping hand to young drivers to buy a safer set of wheels – and give their families greater confidence in their safety every time they’re on the road,” said Mr Toole.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will first trial up to 50 young people in selected areas, before rolling out in phases to all regional areas across the state.

More information on can be found at https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/vehiclesafety/safer-cars-country-kids.html

$250 Hip Pocket Bonus For Regional Apprentices And Trainees

February 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

More than 50,000 regional apprentices and trainees can now apply for the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s $250 Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the initiative would help ease budget pressures for apprentices, trainees and university students in the bush.

“We know that young people in our regions are faced with greater travel costs than those in the city, often having to travel long distances to work or training,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This card will reduce travel costs by providing a $250 boost to the budgets of young apprentices and trainees in the bush, covering the cost of fuel, taxis and public transport.

“Slashing travel costs will make a real difference to young people in the bush who clock up the miles travelling to work or to university.

“This $250 hip pocket bonus for regional apprentices and trainees is only possible thanks to the Liberal and Nationals long-term economic plan to keep our state moving forward.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Successful applicants will receive a $250 prepaid debit card within weeks.

Around 51,000 regional apprentices and trainees, aged between 16 and 66, can start taking up this offer right now by applying through Service NSW and save $250 on fuel, taxis and public transport to help with the cost of traveling to work or study.

Applications for university students will open from the end of April when enrolments are confirmed. Apprentices and trainees have until 30 November to apply for the 2023 card.

The initiative will run as a two-year trial until the end of 2024.

Forbes To Share In More Than $4.4 Million To Fix Roads

February 24, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has announced Forbes, Cabonne and Orange City Councils will receive more than $4.4 million to help councils fix the roads used by local communities every day.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the work is being funded through the latest round of the $500 million Fixing Local Roads program.

“In the last month, we’ve committed almost $17 million to help councils in Orange, Cabonne and Forbes tackle the backlog of roads maintenance and reconnect communities,” said Sam Farraway.

“The funding is going towards projects like sealing, resurfacing, road maintenance, drainage improvements and patching. These are small projects making a big difference to the wellbeing of regional communities. The program has supported more than 6,000 jobs.”

Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller welcomed the additional funding which would go toward road maintenance and rehabilitation of West Plains Road, Forbes.

“The level of support we have received from the State Government has been fantastic,” Phyllis said.

“Manpower has also been an issue for us and all of NSW, which is why we were grateful the state government redeployed 200 Transport for NSW road crews to help us with the clean-up and repair. Hopefully the Prime Minister matches the funding and helps our regional communities.”

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