Special Interests Archives - Page 43 of 121

Prepare Now For Bushfire Season

August 3, 2023 by Roxane Manley

This year’s bushfire season has potential to be especially dangerous according to a UNSW fire expert, who is urging people to get prepared and mitigate the risks. It is forecast the southern hemisphere is entering into an El Niño climate cycle and a surge in global temperatures.

1. Clean out gutters

Leaves and other vegetation can easily accumulate in gutters around your house. Cleaning gutters is one of the main ways to ensure that your house does not catch fire in a bushfire situation.

2. Get your water tank ready

After clearing the gutters, it’s good to hose them with water, which reduces the chances of hot embers sparking a fire. This should also prompt you to ensure you have a reliable supply of water should it be needed to dampen down approaching flames.

3. Clear bushland around your home

This means trimming overhanging trees and shrubs, mowing long grass and removing the cuttings. It’s also important to remove any flammable materials around your house such as outdoor furniture, paint cans, and even door mats.

4. Be evacuation-ready

Have a clear and concise plan to evacuate if conditions become too dangerous. Prepare fully by keeping up to date with local bushfire information via TV, radio, websites, social media, and special apps such as ‘Fires Near Me’.

5. Fireproof your property

Fire retardant paints are available which could prevent your house from being badly damaged or even destroyed in a bushfire. Such paint could help protect you and your family in the house if evacuation from a bushfire proved impossible.

3 Million Loaves And 2 Million Tins Of Milo – All In A Year’s Work For Our Grain Farmers

August 3, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Sweeping paddocks of grain crops are a familiar sight across much of regional Australia, but how many stop to think that those crops end up in their sandwich or breakfast bowl?

In fact, the average Aussie wheat farmer produces enough grain to make 3 million loaves of bread and 2 million tins of Milo.

In the final week of a crusade to better connect consumers with where their food comes from – and to value that food – the NFF-led campaign under the Australians Farmers platform aims to connect those dots.

NFF President Fiona Simson, hoped the Australian Farmers campaign had opened people’s eyes to the work farmers invested into growing food sustainably.

“This week we’re putting the spotlight on a household staple – bread. It’s main ingredient, wheat, is also a staple in the farming world,” she said.

Australia produces 23 million tonnes of wheat each year. This is used in bread, pasta, pizza dough, cake, instant noodles, dumpling skins and even animal feed.

Bread is one of the most wasted foods in Australia, bread is too precious to waste, store it properly and learn what to do if it goes stale

Final Push To Save The Regional Seniors Travel Card

August 3, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Sam Farraway MLC stands up to try and save the Regional Seniors Travel Card.

The NSW Liberals and Nationals are calling all residents across regional communities to sign the petition to save the $250 Regional Seniors Travel Card.

Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the Coalition launched the petition to stop Labor from cutting the program in the upcoming budget.

“The Regional Seniors Travel Card has become a local lifeline right across the bush,helping our seniors maintain their independence,” Mr Farraway said.

“We have already had a strong response but there is only a month left to get behind the petition, so I would encourage as many people as possible to sign it to convince the Minns Government to keep funding this important cost-of-living measure.”

“It would be devastating to see another great regional initiative sacrificed to prioritise another city project, so I would ask everyone to share this petition as far and wide as you can to show Labor just how important it is.”

Since 2020 more than one million cards have been issued, easing expenses for seniors who need to travel longer distances for their everyday tasks.

Sarah Smith from Parkes Taxis said “It has been a valuable asset for our customers at Parkes taxis over the last 12 months. Passengers have been able to use the transport card for both social, medical appointments, shopping and many other day to day activities. Many passengers have expressed that it will be a great loss to them if transport card does not continue given the hard times along with many other rising expenses.

You can help save the card by signing the petition at www.savethetravelcard.com.au

Prevalence Of Financial Abuse In NSW

August 3, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Next Chapter Innovation partners will have access to grants of $50,000, $100,000 or $200,000 plus executive support and mentoring, access to a think tank to leverage corporate expertise, and involvement in an inaugural conference to be hosted by CommBank.

This announcement coincides with the release of the latest CommBank Community Awareness Survey which included 2,951 people living in NSW, found:

• 22% of people living in NSW have experienced financial abuse from a partner, while 19% have experienced it from a family member

• 20% know or suspect someone they know is currently experiencing financial abuse

The most common behaviours include:

• 44%: Used/is using all wages earned by you for household expenses, while spending their own money only on themselves

• 43%: Has hidden/is hiding assets from you

• 42%: Provided/is providing you with only an inadequate ‘allowance’

• 42%: Has destroyed, damaged or stolen something that belongs to you or a family member

• 41%: Refused/ is refusing to contribute financially to you or to your family

To be eligible to apply for Next Chapter Innovation, organisations must be Australian based and operated with services providing direct funding to Australian based programs. Applications will close on Friday, 25th August.

For any further details on Next Chapter Innovation, visit: commbank.com.au/nextchapter

“North Bogabigal” Historic Forbes

August 3, 2023 by Roxane Manley

North Bogabigal is being offered for public sale ‘as a whole’ as well as in three separate lots, by Expressions of Interest (EOI) with expressions closing at 12 noon AEST Thursday 14th September 2023.

Forbes based rural property specialists Johnston Rural Group are pleased to present to market North Bogabigal – an exceptionally well-located, mixed farm in the heart of the Lachlan Valley.

The property, which today comprises approx. 547.5 hectares (1,352 acres), boasts a prime location just 11km west of the historic township of Forbes and Newell Highway. The productive mixed farm, which is approx. 90% arable, is a versatile holding suited to both livestock and cropping having successfully grown high yielding cereal crops and produced prime lambs, goats & lucerne hay. The offering is underpinned by a combination of soil types ranging from highly fertile alluvial creek flats adjacent to the Broad Creek to sandy loams and heavy grey clays through the middle.

Key features include Lachlan River access via a pumping station and underground water supply pipeline, 1.3km frontage to the Broad Creek, 510 MgL General Security River Water Access Licence, near new 60ha (150ac) Bauer centre pivot and a dedicated internal drainage system which diverts local water off the property after heavy rainfall events.

The main improvements consist of a 3 / 4 BR homestead, 3 BR cottage, hay shed, 2 machinery sheds, workshop, older style shearing shed with adjoining sheep yards, wash down bay, chemical shed, piggery / wet weather livestock shed and old shearers quarters.

The Vendor’s Phillip (Australian Olympian and highly decorated Commonwealth Games Medallist) & Ann Adams have made the decision to sell in order finalise their full-time retirement objective after initially moving into town several years ago and overseeing the farm remotely. North Bogabigal has been in the Adam’s Family for over 70 years, after it was initially purchased by the Adam’s Brothers Partnership (a partnership between Phillip’s father and uncle).

Under Phillip and Ann’s ownership there has been a focus on lucerne and livestock production (including a goat embryo transfer program), improving on-farm drainage, and more recently on a spray irrigation development project on North Bogabigal (South) in 2019.

Marketing Agent Sam Johnston of Johnston Rural Group said that “North Bogabigal will no doubt appeal to a large spectrum of the active buyer pool due to its prime location, combination of underlying soil types, access to the Lachlan River and Broad Creek, 510MgL irrigation water and near new 60 ha (150 ac) centre pivot, and more importantly its scope for future development and investment upside.” Further reinforcing that: “This fundamentally sound asset is primed for additional development and is ready to be taken to the next level through progressive management coupled with a prudent capital injection.”

The Vendor’s are fully committed to the sales process and have recently had the property independently valued which has assisted them is formulating a realistic price guide of $6.5m to $7.0m which includes the land, water, and fixed improvements.

For additional commentary, a detailed information memorandum or photos please contact: Sam Johnston 0412 896 602 sam@johnstongroup.com.au or Gary Johnston 0427 574 270 gary@johnstongroup.com.au

Forbes’ Newest Australian Citizens

July 27, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Three new citizens were welcomed as Australian citizens in a ceremony presided over by Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM on 21st July.

Last Friday, 21st July, the Forbes Council Chambers were once again full, as friends and family witnessed Emily Newham (Vanuatu), Amy Smith (New Zealand) and Fionnuala Young (Ireland and United Kingdom) officially become Australian citizens.

Mayor Miller conducted the ceremony and presented the three women with a welcome gift and their Certificate of Citizenship in front of guests and a number of councillors.

“Australia is one of the most culturally diverse nations in the world, as well as home to the oldest surviving culture in the world. Since 1949 Australia has welcomed over 5.7 million new citizens to our shores. We are proud to say that 13.4 per cent of Forbes’ population are born overseas and have chosen Forbes as their home,” Mayor Miller said.

Australian Citizenship symbolises our unity as a nation. Making the Australian citizenship pledge represents commitment to Australia and its people, the values we share and our common future. It also symbolises the sense of belonging to the country where new citizens have decided to make their home.

Choosing to become an Australian citizen is a very important commitment to make, and a significant part of Australia’s future. Forbes Shire Council places high importance on Australian Citizenship and hosts several ceremonies throughout the year.

“Welcoming Australia’s newest citizens, and welcoming them to Forbes especially, is one of my favourite roles as Mayor of Forbes.

“I can appreciate the fact that living in Forbes is enough to make anyone want to make living here permanent!” said Mayor Miller.

Australian Citizenship Day is held annually on September 17, a day to celebrate what unites us as Australians, whether we are citizens through birth or by choice.

NSW Farmers Welcome New Board Member

July 27, 2023 by Roxane Manley

During the Annual Conference this week, Oscar Pearse a Moree based cropper, has been elected to the NSW Farmers Board.

The father of three, who has deep family roots in the states North West, stated a sustainable future for farming was critical to feed families and protect the country. Mr Pearse explained that farmers are esteemed for safeguarding useful resources of soils, pastures, and key natural areas, yet regularly the financial returns aren’t there and expressed his hopes this will soon change.

“I’m honoured to be elected to the NSW Farmers Board and look forward to making a positive contribution to the future of our Association and our industry,” Mr Pearse said.

Helen Carrigan, retiring Board member and wool producer explained that she would be moving interstate to be closer to family. She thanked NSW Farmers members for their support and wished Mr Pearse all the best.

Mrs Carrigan went on to say that it was a tremendous pleasure to work with NSW Farmers and although she will no longer be actively involved with the organisation, she will continue to be keenly interested in the Association’s work.

Innovative Climate Tool Expands To Support More Farmers

July 27, 2023 by Roxane Manley

The Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO have unveiled a new name for their digital information product ‘My Climate View’, along with useful updates to help more farmers make informed decisions now to build climate resilience for decades to come.

Previously known as the Climate Services for Agriculture online platform, My Climate View is unique in providing farmers with critical data to assess how climate trends, including changes to temperature and rainfall, might impact their business for specific commodities and date ranges in their location, to a 5 km2 resolution.

My Climate View has been updated with: The Australian Government’s Climate Services for Agriculture program is a collaboration between the Bureau of Meteorology and Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO.

Bureau of Meteorology Program Director, Climate Services for Agriculture, Elizabeth Johnston said My Climate View is a product that has been designed by farmers for farmers.

“The Climate Services for Agriculture team has engaged extensively with Australia’s agricultural sector to understand what climate information and services the sector needs and how it is best presented,” Ms Johnston said.

My Climate View is free to all users. CSAEnquiries@csiro.au.

Feedback Sought On Window Safety Proposal

July 27, 2023 by Roxane Manley

DPE Executive Director of Infrastructure Policy Jonathon Schipp has stated public input is crucial to inform any proposed new laws aimed at preventing small children accidentally falling from windows.

“We want to hear the community’s views on proposed changes requiring safety devices to be fitted in most homes on windows less than 1.7 metres from the floor, if the floor is two metres or more above ground level,” Mr Schipp said.

Since 2013, child-proof safety devices have been required for windows above a certain height in new bedrooms of most homes and all strata buildings in NSW, such as apartments and townhouses.

“We know that cost of living pressures means many people are doing it tough at the moment, and we want to hear from the community on this and other issues they feel should be examined.”

The discussion paper responds to the NSW Deputy State Coroner’s recommendations after the death of a three-year-old who fell from a third-floor residential apartment window which did not have a safety device.

To view the discussion paper and to provide feedback by 21 August 2023, visit: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/window-safety

Embrace The Magic Of Winter At The Orange Region Winter Fire Festival

July 20, 2023 by Roxane Manley

Orange360’s Winter Fire Festival showcases the best of what’s on offer in our communities in Winter.

This season, join us for the hottest winter celebration of the year – the Winter Fire Festival. Running across two weekends from the 4th – 13th August, the Winter Fire Festival showcases Orange and the villages of Blayney and Cabonne at their winter best! The festival program comprises a range of events in our region’s cellar doors, restaurants, villages, and other venues that celebrate the magic of winter.

The chill of winter is no match for the warmth of Orange’s hospitality. The region’s charming cafes, pubs, cellar doors, and restaurants offer cosy retreats complete with crackling fireplaces, comfortable armchairs, and friendly locals eager to share stories. Sample freshly roasted coffee, savour house-made specialties, or enjoy a warming glass of local award-winning red wine.

Close to home, is WoodFired Eugowra which is happening on Saturday, 5th August. Nothing ignites the soul like an afternoon with friends and family along the Mandagery Creek. Be warmed by the crackling fire as you take in local artisan food including woodfired pizza and low and slow meat. Sample regional wine, cider, and beer whilst you sit back and enjoy live music from local musicians. The kids will be entertained with a jumping castle, face painting and their own food options. Bring the family and venture to Eugowra for a cosy Saturday afternoon! This is a free event but registration is required to secure entry.

Orange360 General Manager, Ned Sweetapple commented, “We’re proud to showcase what we love about this region in winter. The Winter Fire Festival is our regions antidote to the cold and is the opportunity to celebrate all the good things about our Winter season and the fun to be had! Hearty, warming meals, sipping cold climate wine and artisan drinks around the bonfire, sharing stories, music, dance and laughter with friends and strangers under starry crystal-clear skies.

Bookings for all events during the festival can be made by visiting Orange360’s website, www.orange360.com.au

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