Sometimes the national news is hard to stomach. And sometimes it is illuminating.It's been a painful but insightful few weeks for readers, watchers and listeners looking for the facts that explain life as we're currently living it.In our federal administration there have been the latest revelations about the 'Robodebt' scandal; the gradual uncovering of the exploits of mega consultancy firms using inside information for their own wicked ends; and the exposure of multiple failures of our nation's regulators to, well, regulate cowboy construction companies going in and out of liquidation while accumulating massive fortunes and leaving an even more massive trail of human devastation in their wake.It's not often that you get to chat casually about these goings on but a recent catchup with a connection who happens to work in the federal treasury department has joined some dots and confirmed two things for me.First, that the ABC television series 'Utopia' really is much closer to a gritty reality show than an amusing satirical sitcom. I can never watch it. I've worked in local government and I find it strangely traumatising.Second, that we have allowed Entitlement and brazen Self-interest to infiltrate our society to the extent that politicians and public servants are now guided by those chilly lights and have all but abandoned the warm, fuzzy - and essential - tenets of the Common Good and Personal Integrity that we all actually pay them for.A cuppa and a chat with my Canberra connection revealed stories of public servants who smile, nod and rubberstamp ideas that are bad for the nation (and good for the bad guys) as they rise through the ranks.These people, who are meant to provide Frank, Fearless and Ethical advice to our decision-makers, have been turning blind eyes or actively enabling the mega-wrongs mentioned above and each one is rewarded with salary packages roughly equivalent to our shire's annual roads budget and a house in the suburbs worth way more than Gulargambone's hospital (not joking).Fortunately, no names were mentioned and my Canberra connection is no whistleblower, so no national expose is on the way for you Western Plains App reader.But the evidence is out there. Thanks to the media we all love to hate, we now know where unbridled Entitlement & Self-Interest takes us.What we do with the information we have is up to each of us.These people are no better than the local low-lifers who steal cars out of our carports, drive around our neighbourhoods trashing fences and put a match in the vehicle when they're done.The ‘top end of town’ version are still taking our hard-earned, driving it with reckless abandon, trashing our economy and then sticking a torch in the lives of ordinary Australians who are left to suck it up.We need to insist on better behaviour from top to bottom. We should be asking questions and calling out those who erode the public interest through their side hustles, secret dealings, rule-bending, bullying, and complicated contracts that do not serve the common good. When you see it, say it. Don't let the nosy reporters go it alone to do it for you. Use your words. Lodge a complaint. Write to a Minister. Call your local MP. Email the Editor. Go to a public meeting. Get in touch with the Ombudsman. It may sound airy-fairy but what good is having a democracy if we don't use it? And what good are all these laws, departments and institutions if we don't make them work for us? What good is the public service if it doesn't serve the public?It is a small sideways step from complacency to corruption.It is much easier for politicians and public servants to do the right thing when they know their citizens care - and when they know we're watching.

A special dinner will be held in Dubbo this month to celebrate 15 years since Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton first began representing the Parkes electorate.  Mr Coulton looks forward to marking this significant milestone at an anniversary dinner, with special guests expected to include Leader of the National Party Hon David Littleproud MP and Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. “It’s been such an honour to serve the people of the Parkes electorate,” Mr Coulton said. “When I began this role it was quite daunting to come from a farming background in Warialda to represent an electorate which now borders two states and covers almost half of New South Wales, and I remain very grateful for the faith many people have placed in me.  “I’ve spent the past 15 years getting to know the strong and vibrant communities I represent - travelling thousands of kilometres - and I couldn’t be prouder to represent this electorate. “I want to thank all those who have been by my side, especially my amazing wife Robyn, whose support has been integral to my ability to do this job.“The opening of the Western Cancer Centre, greater support for Local Government, and the progression of the Inland Rail, were all priorities close to my heart when I began this journey, and there have been significant developments in all these areas during my time as Federal Member for Parkes. “I look forward to an opportunity to celebrate what has been achieved over the past 15 years for the people of the Parkes electorate.” Those wishing to attend the anniversary dinner on Friday 23 June in Dubbo are encouraged to register their interest via email at the following address: [email protected]

FREE Building Peace & Resilience Workshops in Cobar, Nyngan, Dubbo, EugowraThe Quest for Life Foundation has partnered with community organisations to deliver a series of free Building Peace & Resilience workshops for regional and rural communities in western NSW.These workshops are empowering, practical and non-confronting to help and support people living with the difficulties and challenges of rural and regional life. They provide life-enhancing, practical skills and strategies for living well in challenging circumstances."The resilience of people living in rural and regional communities is immense," said Quest for Life Foundation CEO Petrea King."People living in rural and regional communities – especially those experiencing exhaustion, emotional and financial strain, trauma, hardship or loss after floods, fires and the ongoing impacts of the pandemic – need support now more than ever.""They face challenges regularly and are constantly at the mercy of the elements. They eke out their resources – financially, materially, physically and emotionally – for so long, until they simply cannot any longer."Building Peace & Resilience workshops take place in June in Cobar (26 June), Nyngan (27 June), Dubbo (28 June), and Eugowra (29 June) and will help participants to improve their sleep, memory and focus, make better decisions, and feel more connected to ourself and other people.Workshops are open to people on the land and their extended families, indeed anyone residing or working in the communities listed. We understand there's always a flow-on effect that can engulf people in unexpected ways.Quest's Senior Facilitator Margie Braunstein - who will deliver the events - invites community members to attend what she describes as "non-confronting workshops" to learn practical self-care skills.Margie Braunstein"If you're feeling financially, mentally, or emotionally stretched, this workshop is for you," Margie said."You will take home skills and strategies that will help you in your life, in your community, in your family."DETAILSWorkshop Cost: FREEWorkshop time: 9.30am-3.00pmBOOKINGS ESSENTIAL: Reserve a spot in EventbriteMonday 26 June - COBAR, Cobar Bowling & Golf Club Tuesday 27 June - NYNGAN, Nyngan RSL Wednesday 28 June - DUBBO, Dubbo RSL  Thursday 29 June - EUGOWRA, Eugowra Bowling ClubThe Quest for Life Foundation is a charity that has helped more than 125,000 people over the last 34 years. Established in 1989 by Petrea King after a series of personal traumas, Quest provides educational self-help programs and community-based workshops that encourage, educate and empower people to improve their resilience and peace of mind during times of illness, depression, grief and trauma.Quest encompasses a holistic approach to physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing. We are committed to making a positive difference in our community.Margie Braunstein is a Senior Facilitator at the Quest for Life Foundation and a qualified counsellor/therapist. Margie's professional practice is based on contemporary neuroscience, positive psychology and a commitment to holistic approaches to health. Margie holds a Graduate Certificate in Adult Education and Diploma in Contemporary Somatic Psychotherapy.

Gulargambone's ANZAC ceremony this year featured an address by Stephen Bignall, a Presbyterian Minister and social worker, who took the opportunity to call attention to the work of the chaplains and padres who worked in all battlefields where Australians have fought.Mr Bignall's address is reproduced below:"In remembering this morning, by this memorial to the fallen, we respectfully acknowledge both the original ANZACs and those who followed the call, into a 2nd World War, Korea, the Malay emergency, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan; fighting to restrain tyranny and above all protect the freedom of others, and defend the Australia we all call ‘home’.I want to highlight for a few moments one small but ever-present group among defense personnel. They walked unarmed and under fire up the beaches from the boats at Gallipoli and were in the trenches; daily helped with the wounded, tended the dying and every night reverently buried the remains of the dead who could be recovered. Chaplains or padres were a unique bunch - they served as shepherds, walking alongside giving care, they were there at Gallipoli along “that far flung battle line”. They saw the cost of sacrifice and sought to sustain hope seeking the best outcomes possible in the worst of situations. Some were former military personnel who, though not judged fit to fight, nevertheless accompanied those who were. Where they showed care and courage the men grew to respect and appreciate them. They helped soldiers write home to mother and sweetheart, and to pray to “our father who art in heaven.” As they walked through the “valley of the shadow of death” the troops were reminded “the Lord is my shepherd”. Each week they gathered the servicemen in worship.One ANZAC writes: ‘On Sunday afternoons, a little after four, you would see the Padre coming down Shrapnel Valley, singing… and the lads coming out of the dugouts like rabbits out of burrows and following him. When he got them into a comparatively sheltered corner, he proceeded to lead them in a short Sunday afternoon service of worship.’ There is a memorial built on the shores at Gallipoli erected by the troops honouring one of these men, who fell there.Stephen Bignall makes his address at the Gulargambone cenotaph. IMAGE: Kirsty Fisher PhotographyI have a personal memory as a teenager of a WW2 veteran of my grandfather’s generation recalling a chaplain [a Salvo] who was in PNG with him on the Kokoda. “We all thought he was a ‘mad bugger’, he didn’t have to be there, but we grew used to having him around and he was always seeking to help. One morning we were having a quick warm brew, and talking with him seated there too and he stopped speaking, we saw he had fallen to a sniper’s bullet, the poor beggar, why was he there? But we missed him when he was gone with so many others”.I think these shepherds accompanied the troops because they recognised the sacrifice made on the battle line and supported those making it, and because they wanted to sustain hope – they were men of faith, servants of God. Today we recall countless service men and women who gave their lives, or who returned home bearing scars in body and mind, stretching from Gallipoli to all battlefields - spanning over 100 years up to this time. School children turned out in droves to Gulargambone's 2023 ANZAC Day commemorations. IMAGE: Kirsty Fisher PhotographyAt these occasions we often repeat the words of the greatest of all shepherds, Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this than that a man lay down his life for his friends” - words and actions repeated, again and again, by our Anzacs, our AIF and now our ADF; sometimes their chaplains have died alongside them.We have battles on the home front now, here in Gulargambone and in sister towns along the Castlereagh - young adults suddenly gone too early, children bereft of parents; parents burying their sons and daughters. Insecurity, anxiety and a shrinking or fracturing of the community in a darkening world. How do we cultivate hope, building on the sacrifices of the past to make peace last? Personally, I need more than imaginary heroes like Superman or even Wonder woman. IMAGE: Kirsty Fisher PhotographyWe need a shepherd to care and to guide; that’s why I am a follower of Jesus the Saviour; he’s the reason why our ADF chaplains both men and women still walk unarmed into battlefields to stand alongside those serving and caring – in war and peace they are there. Today we have pastoral care and wellbeing support in our school communities to promote aspirations and to help early in life, to positively encourage kids amidst so much uncertainty and strife; as well as in our hospitals, supporting our police, fire and ambulance service and also in correctional facilities; it’s about restoring or nurturing new hope and creatively encouraging the sacrifice that builds community and identity for an emerging generation. Lest we forget.

With Mother’s Day now just around the corner, it’s time to put on our thinking caps for when it comes to the perennial question “what on earth am I going to get her??” Over the years, we’ve no doubt all heard the line ‘ooh, there’s nothing I need’ when it comes to asking Mum (or a special female in our lives) what they might like for Mother’s Day. And it can leave the best of us scratching our heads up until the last panicked minute! So what exactly do you do when you have a hard-to-buy-for mum? The mum who does seem to have everything she needs, and is notoriously difficult to buy for? Don't worry; you're not alone, and there are ways to find a gift that will make her day. Firstly, it's essential to understand your mum's personality and interests. What does she enjoy doing in her free time? Is she a travel enthusiast, a foodie, or a gardener? Once you have identified her interests, it's far easier to choose a gift that will appeal to her. To give you a few unique starter ideas for this Mother’s Day, the team from the Innovations have curated a super affordable listing that will appeal to lovers of travel, food, garden and home.  The garden lover mumNow you might think your mum’s favourite, but if she’s a mad keen gardener, then her flowers or vegies really might come first on her love list. The Garden Bench and Kneeling Set features a padded cushion to protect her knees when kneeling while the handles help to get back on one’s feet. Any gardener knows that regardless of fitness levels, when kneeling for ages while weeding, getting up is a struggle. With a durable steel frame, this clever aid can also works as a comfortable stool. $39.95 The Hand Held Cordless Mini Chain Saw is truly the ultimate tool for the garden obsessed Mum! It’s incredibly compact and weighs barely more than a kilo, so it’s easy to use and control – yet it will slice through most branches up to 10 cm in diameter. Comes with a powerful, rechargeable battery, a hex key and screwdriver for adjustments. $89.00 The travel obsessed mumFor the mum that loves getting away for days or weeks at a time, or even longer if she’s taken on the grey nomad lifestyle, there are a number of travel items that will make her explorations far more comfortable.Our Mini Washing Machine is just perfect for washing small loads when out travelling in our wide open country. Lightweight, convenient and portable it uses very little power and water. Perfect for washing delicates, blouses and other small personal items. Ideal for camping or in a caravan. Just fill with laundry soap, water, close the lid and plug it in. $89.00 Winter is coming, and with it comes cold hands. The Comforting Hand Warmer with Power Bank is amazing for the mum that suffers from cold hands. This aluminium hand warmer could make all the difference to her comfort. Perfectly sized to fit in the pocket, it heats up quickly to 30, 37 or 50°C and stays warm for as long as 7 hours. Easy to charge using the USB cable provided, it can also recharge her smartphone, making it a perfect all round companion for outdoor walking or travel in colder months. $19.95 For the home/interiors mumThe options are endless when it comes to choosing gorgeous items for the home. Standouts favourites include organisers and unique décor pieces. Available in two styles, the Bamboo Desktop Organiser is the perfect item for the Mum who likes to keep everything in its place. The streamlined design helps organise her desktop clutter and ensures the monitor is at a comfortable height. Made from environmentally friendly bamboo, the 1 drawer option has a mobile phone holder, while the 2 drawer option has a recess for mugs. $49.00 to $79.00 With its sleek, wood-grain finish, the elegant Aroma Diffuser with Coloured Light is designed with relaxation in mind. Simply add water and a few drops of your own favourite essential oil (not included) to surround yourself with a soothing aroma. You can then choose a soft, steady light or a shifting rainbow of colours to set the mood. $39.95 For the kitchen/foodie mumIn the kitchen, organisation is key for many mums. But with the inundation of cooking shows and plethora of gorgeous imagery when it comes to all things food, presentation of food and products continues to prove popular for our audience. For the coffee loving Mum, she can create her own coffee station with these clever space-saving Coffee Capsule Drawer design. Compatible with Nespresso and other standard capsules, the tempered glass and carbon steel drawer stores 60 capsules and will hold a coffee maker on top. Coffee maker/cup/capsules not included. $49.00 This simple innovation design combines both organisation and presentation and makes a big difference in the kitchen. Instead of building up crumbs that spill over on to your work surface, this Crumb Catching Bread Board catches them in the removable base so you can simply empty them into the bin. It also has two bonus features – the base makes an excellent tray, and you also receive a bread knife which tucks away into its own integral holder. $39.95

Community groups in the Parkes electorate are being invited to apply for a share of $150,000 in funding under the latest round of the Australian Government’s Stronger Communities Program (SCP).  Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton is now taking expressions of interest for Round 8 of the popular program, with grants of up to $20,000 available. “This funding will finance up to 20 small capital projects in the Parkes electorate, including small-scale infrastructure upgrades, fit-outs and equipment purchases,” Mr Coulton said. “Community groups are the heart of towns and villages right across the electorate and this type of funding is often vital to help them grow and prosper into the future." “Dozens of local community groups have benefitted from the Stronger Communities Program over the years and in the last round we saw some wonderful projects go ahead including a kitchen upgrade for the 3rd Broken Hill Sea Scouts, a shelter for Trangie Central School, new gym equipment for Orana Haven Aboriginal Corporation and the installation of solar panels at the Baradine Golf Club. “It’s projects like these that help to boost community participation and contribute to vibrant and viable communities, which is exactly why this program was established by the former Coalition Government.” Grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 are available to cover up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs, or up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs for local governing bodies. “This latest round aims to support communities recover from the widespread impacts of adverse weather events and current economic pressures, and I strongly encourage interested organisations to contact my office if they have a project important to them which will benefit the local community,” Mr Coulton said. Mr Coulton will play a key role in identifying the projects to be supported in his electorate, with the assistance of a committee that represents the local community.  Organisations shortlisted by the committee will then be invited to complete a formal online application, which must be submitted by 5pm AEST on Wednesday 10 May. Eligible organisations in the Parkes electorate can download an EOI form for submission to Mr Coulton’s office by 5pm AEDT Friday 10 March. Further information including grant guidelines, eligibility requirements and the application process are available here.  Important information: To put forward an application for consideration under the SCP, eligible organisations must: Complete an EOI form, which is available here: EOI form Submit the form to the Office of Mark Coulton MP via email to [email protected] by 5pm AEDT Friday 10 March. This form can also be submitted via mail to 69 Heber Street, Moree NSW 2400 

2023 is here - shiny and new - and we're happy to be sharing it with you!On behalf of the team from the Western Plains App I'd like to thank everyone who has checked in with us over the past year to see what's what around the western plains.We launched the WPApp in mid June 2021 and as 31 December drew to a close we had welcomed 13,400 or so app users - on their mobile phones, tablets or computers.Our team are excited to check the numbers in our weekly team meetings and it is always rewarding to see the number of downloads climb. We are still seeing an average of 200+ new users each week - not bad for a small team scattered around the small towns of western New South Wales.We don't know who you are (your privacy and security are assured) but we know you come to read the local news, check the weather or road conditions, find out what some of our innovative local businesses or local councils are up to, or to spend some downtime on the puzzle page.As we work to build our small start-up business, we truly appreciate the businesses, councils and other organisations who have taken the plunge and come on board to support this new local independent media platform.If you have a business or non-profit organisation that operates in the local government areas of Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Cobar, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Lachlan, Narromine, Walgett, Warren or Warrumbungle and would like to connect with our readers - please give us a call, we'd love to hear from you.Our hope is that the WPApp will come to be as trusted and valued as your local newspaper or your favourite local radio station, and that more of our region's residents will come to appreciate having another authentic source of news and information at their fingertips.2022 was a bit of a hard slog in many respects and delivering news 7 days a week can be a little exhausting. We could not have done it without the help of the many, many people who gave us tips, agreed to be interviewed, shared their stories and sent us photos.2022 was not an easy trip for many. I'm sure we can all sympathise with this situation! This shot taken near Coonabarabran.We were also fortunate to receive the support of Meta (Facebook) and the Walkley Foundation, who have contributed financially to the employment of our team of reporters.It has been quite an adventure trying to find people on the ground within the region to supply local content and we've been blessed to discover both up-and-coming young talent right through to experienced, highly accomplished and ever-curious reporters.Many of our staff are busy juggling multiple gigs and demanding family commitments but have embraced the WPApp with enthusiasm and squeeze in some time to put their stories together so share with you all.Unfortunately we don't always get to keep the gems we pick up.We welcomed and farewelled Gina in Cobar and Danny in Bourke, sent Oliver off from Coonamble to the ABC in Broken Hill and are soon to wave goodbye to Laura, who has now finished her journalism degree and is also going to test-drive a role with the national broadcaster, in Muswellbrook where we know they will be amazed by her talent and hard work.Coonamble-based team members - Lee, Maddison, Angie, Liam, Marnie, Sue (Coonamble Times volunteer proofreader), Annabel and Anne.Over summer we will be hearing more from Kristin and Luke, who joined us recently bringing with them decades of professional journalism experience.They will be supporting Lucy (Condobolin), Abigail (Nyngan), Audrey (Warren), Emma (Cobar), Urayne (Brewarrina), Angie (Nyngan), Liz (Baradine), Liam and Marnie (Coonamble) and myself as we all try to sneak some time off before 2023 warms right up.Behind the scenes Maddison (sales), Angie (graphic design) and Annabel (admin) are the fuel in the engine of the WPApp as well as making sure that the Coonamble Times continues to bring local stories to our local readers each week.I thank them all for their efforts and for their belief that the Western Plains App is an exciting and valuable way to connect and promote our western communities.Not all floods - news is everywhere! This grassfire on the highway just south of Walgett a couple of months ago.We wish all our readers and app users a wonderful 2023, perhaps with a little less drama than we've seen in recent years.For those in our region still soggy from last year's flooding rivers we hope you dry out soon and, if your home or livelihood has been damaged, that you have the strength and support you need to make a fast and full recovery.We hope you find a little more peace, stability and positivity in the months ahead, and enough excitement to remind you that we live in a rich, diverse and endlessly interesting part of the world.The Western Plains App is both a journey of discovery and a work in progress and I thank you all for your patience, interest and encouragement.Lee O'ConnorFounder/EditorWestern Plains App

Opposition to The VoiceLast week I joined my Federal Nationals colleagues to oppose the proposal to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. We believe the Voice is just a symbolic form of legislation that will only further divide our communities along the lines of race, rather than uniting them. I know this decision will be disappointing for many people in my electorate, and I am open to hearing from both sides, however the respected Indigenous leaders and community members I have spoken to so far are concerned about The Voice and how their communities will be represented. I have been representing the Aboriginal communities of the Parkes electorate for the last 15 years and have built relationships with many people within these communities over time. I am passionate about improving the lives of Aboriginal people in practical ways.I do not see the proposal to introduce more bureaucracy into the mix as a way forward. What we have seen work for communities in the Parkes electorate are practical measures such as increasing employment for Indigenous people, supporting Aboriginal enterprise and getting behind organisations that are making a tangible difference at a grassroots level. These practical approaches are what I support and will continue to advocate for. I remain supportive of recognising Indigenous Australians in the Constitution; however the proposed Voice to Parliament as it stands has the potential to cause more problems than it solves, especially given the diversity and complexity of voices within Aboriginal communities. At this stage I am not convinced that Labor’s current proposal will deliver what it promises. In the meantime, I remain committed to listening to all of my constituents as this matter progresses.Visa delays causing great distressThe workforce shortage is the single biggest issue currently facing the Parkes electorate, so we must do everything we can to keep and attract workers.However, dozens of skilled migrants who are already living and working in our regions have been waiting as long as 24 months for their visas to be approved, because of a new Ministerial Direction which prioritises offshore permanent and provisional visa applications.Since this Ministerial Direction came into effect in October, I’ve noticed a significant rise in the number of 887 and 491 visa applicants contacting my office about the delays in processing times. These are people who are keen to stay and settle down in our beautiful part of the world but are unable to work in their chosen field or buy a house because they are living in limbo.This is causing a great deal of stress and uncertainty for these people, and some are even sadly leaving our areas because they simply can't get visas. This is just not good enough.I am calling on the Labor Government to prioritise onshore skilled regional visa applications, to provide certainty to local families and help keep skilled migrants in our regional areas.Industrial Relations laws to hurt small businessesLabor’s controversial industrial relations laws passed Parliament last week, but it’s our small and medium-sized businesses who will pay the price. It means that businesses with more than 20 staff will be able to be dragged onto multi-employer agreements with their much larger competitors, costing them tens of thousands of dollars.These changes will result in more strikes, put pressure on supply chains and could see an increase in the prices of everyday items.The Labor Government has said this legislation is all about increasing wages, and this will be the test. If we do not see a substantial increase in real wages over the coming years, these changes will have failed.Getting doctors and nurses back to the bushI was pleased that last week the House of Representatives passed a bill that will encourage doctors and nurse practitioners to relocate to remote, rural and regional Australia by providing a partial or full reduction to their HECS debt.This bill was introduced by the Coalition prior to the election and means that doctors and nurses who choose to move away from the cities for a specified period will have their HECS debt waived.This is good news and will hopefully attract more GPs to communities across the Parkes electorate. Incentivising doctors and nurse practitioners to live and work outside of metropolitan areas will help improve access to quality health care for regional, rural and remote communities.

Christmas Card Photo Competition winnerA stunning photograph of a bridge over floodwater near Walgett has been selected as the winner of my 2022 Christmas Card Photo Competition. The image from Walgett photographer George Williams, entitled ‘Bridge Over Troubled Waters’, captures the old Two Mile Creek Rail Bridge at sunset, with the colours of the sky reflected in the water below. I have been overwhelmed by the quality and quantity of entries to this competition, with so many incredible photos highlighting just how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful part of the world. Due to the high quality of the finalists, I have decided to make a collage on the inside of my Christmas card with each of these photos – they were all too good not to include somehow. My annual Christmas card and fridge magnet calendar will be delivered to every household in the Parkes electorate during the first week of December, so keep an eye out for it in your mailbox next month.‘Bridge Over Troubled Waters’ by George Williams from Walgett is the winner of the 2022 Christmas Card Photo Competition. Photo credit: George Williams, George Williams Landscape Photography Bulk billing for MRIs achieved in Broken HillIt was wonderful to catch up with Heather Pearce from Thrive Medical Centre in Broken Hill recently to celebrate the fact that bulk billing has been made available for MRI scans at the centre. Thrive Medical Centre purchased this state-of-the-art MRI machine last year, but up until now, had been unable to bulk bill for the service as they first needed to obtain a Medicare licence.I have been working closely with Heather to push for this licence to be fast-tracked and I am so pleased that we have been able to achieve this outcome for the community of Broken Hill and surrounding areas. A win for first respondersThe Coalition Government backed in our essential first responders by providing $10 million over two years to charity organisation Fortem Australia, for essential mental health and wellbeing support for those assisting during natural disasters. But in Labor’s first Budget they sought to rip $8 million in funding from the organisation, jeopardising a planned expansion of services in Dubbo in the Parkes electorate.I was very pleased that the Albanese Government reconsidered its position and decided to reinstate the full $10 million which will provide crucial support for the brave men and women who come to the aid of our communities during natural disasters.

By ROY BUTLERG’day Folks,Well here it is nearly the end of the year, with only one more sitting week (at time of writing, but there are rumours that the reserve week will be activated - it remains to be seen). It has been a busy couple of weeks, doing what I can to help people in flood affected areas, in between attending awards ceremonies in Sydney one night and Broken Hill the next, before a hectic week in Parliament. But that is the life of the MP for Barwon.Broken Hill Business AwardsI was honoured to be invited to present awards at the Regional Development Australia Far West NSW Excellence in Business Awards last weekend in Broken Hill. I shared the presentation honours with some of the local businesses that sponsored the awards and with the Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton MP. I was also asked to say a few words, so I talked about how business is booming in Broken Hill, but that there are some bottlenecks that need to be worked on - including housing, health, roads, education, childcare and other critical infrastructure - to make sure that business continues to thrive.Congratulations to all the winners including Lee Checchin and her business The Old SaltBush Restaurant & Catering, which took out several awards, including Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality. It was a great night, with a bit of entertainment from local Diva Shelita Buffet and a talk by Lifesaver Anthony Harries Carroll, star of reality series Bondi Rescue. It felt great just to be in a room with people who are passionate about this vibrant, growing outback community, especially after the event was forced to take a break during the worst of the pandemic. Congratulations to the organisers, Regional Development Australia Far West NSW for such a successful and enjoyable evening, recognising the achievements of local businesses. It is great to see such pride in the city and such a mood of optimism for, and confidence in, Broken Hill’s bright future.FloodsOn my way to Broken Hill last weekend I met a bunch of great people from the Northern Territory’s SES and from the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service. They were headed for Menindee to help out with flood preparations. They came a long way from home to help out, but it was good to see that Menindee was getting some extra boots on the ground to shore up local emergency service crews. I wished them all the best of luck in their efforts to save homes and make people safe. The continuing flood crisis across the state has seen crews coming from all over Australia to help out at places like Menindee and the government has even had offers of help from other countries, including New Zealand.Elsewhere, including Lightning Ridge, Bourke, Walgett and Coonamble the floodwaters have already hit, with more rain predicted. I have heard stories about people desperate for fuel, food and other essential supplies, and I have worked with the SES and the government to try to sort out some of the supply issues. I urge everyone to follow the NSW SES flood bulletins online or call 132 500 if they are having difficulties. Yarrie LakeThe newly appointed Yarrie Lake Flora & Fauna Trust are kicking goals with news last week that they have been approved for funding from the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund for the supply, installation and upgrade of the electricity transformer and incoming mains power supply at Yarrie Lake Reserve. Yarrie Lake is an important recreational location for locals and tourists, popular for swimming and boating. It is thought to have been formed by a falling meteor many millennia ago.This upgrade will ensure the safe supply of power to Yarrie Lake visitors, bringing it up to date to meet Australian Standards.Police AwardsThe week before last I was invited to attend the Rotary Clubs of NSW Police Officer of the Year Awards 2022. This is a great event that recognises the brilliant work of some of the people in law enforcement across the state. I want to congratulate some of the winners including Detective Senior Constable Nathan Gabriel, who won Police Officer of the Year, primarily for the part he played in Strike Force Heighway, an investigation into the manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs. For ten years I worked with the NSW Police Force, Western Region, so it was great to catch up with friends and former colleagues on the night, to help them celebrate their achievements. Good on all of you for the work you do in keeping the community safe. RoadsOne of the biggest issues facing country areas coming up to the next election will be fixing the state's roads. I have been bringing the matter before Parliament, with a Notice of Motion and a Question Without Notice and raising it more directly with ministers and the Premier. The disruption of supply chains to people isolated by floods, the inability for primary producers to transport their produce, makes this a matter of national urgency. It is a huge task facing councils and they can’t do it alone. It requires a bipartisan response at all levels of government.I have written to the Federal Defence Minister to ask him if he can work with local councils to deploy defence forces with equipment such as graders, rollers and trucks to help keep roads open and in good repair. I have also asked the Federal Minister for Local Government to support this request and spoken to the relevant state minister’s team, urging her to make the request for military help. But the roads need more than repair, they need to be built to better withstand future floods and to keep supply chains open. Last week in parliament I also introduced a notice of motion about road repair, asking about getting help for councils, building more flood resistant roads and ensuring communities are not isolated and supply chains cut the way they have been. I also put a question to the Premier on the same issue. We need a plan, involving all levels of government, that involves getting the roads open as soon as possible, but that also looks at making our infrastructure more flood proof.Dining at NSW Parliament HouseBeing an MP often makes it hard to find time to grab a feed, fortunately there are some good dining options at Macquarie St. The NSW Parliament has a strong history of catering to the palates of both parliamentarians and guests. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love good food. I don't get in the kitchen often, but it's my happy place. I always take an interest in chefs and their menus anywhere. At parliament I have enjoyed talking food with Executive Chef Vanessa Harcourt who has become a friend over this parliamentary term.I was meant to meet Vanessa and her husband out at Louth Races this year - she has family ties to the area, but rain put a stop to that. Vanessa is also the 2022 NSW Chef of the Year (pretty lucky to be able to chat with her when I am there). Vanessa oversees the restaurants and catering at Parliament. Last night I was at the launch of her book “Dining at New South Wales Parliament House", which looks at the history of food at the house, up to the present day, with some recipes of some of the dishes that have been put before people at parliament. Although Vanessa is leaving parliament, her legacy of good food will live on through the book and the standards she set for food at Parliament.Grants RecipientsCongratulations to the following Barwon Community Organisations who were successful in receiving funding for their projects in the 2022 Clubgrants Category 3 Infrastructure Grants,administered by the Office of Responsible Gambling.• Country Universities Centre Far West will receive $26,000 for the installation of new Solar Panels.• Tibooburra Village Committee will receive $38,000 for a new generator.• Walgett Aboriginal Medical Centre will receive $168,000 for the refurbishment of their Dental Clinic.• Broken Hill Branch of the Australian Stock Horse Society will receive $96,000 for the installation of new Solar Panels.If you had a submission that was unsuccessful and still require funding contact my team at [email protected] and we can add you to our Grants and Funding mailing list, to keep an eye out for any suitable funding for your projects in the future. Barry Knight Last week in parliament I honoured Cobar resident Barry Knight with a Community Recognition Statement. Barry’s family have been in Cobar for almost 150 years and Barry is a true local, an Iron Ringer. Barry has held positions on countless community committees and has dedicated hours of his time serving the community.One major achievement is the Cobar Miner’s Memorial, commemorating miners who have lost their lives in Cobar mines or from mining related illness. The project took over seven years to complete. It officially opened on June 19, 2021.Barry would say it would not have been possible without Virginia ‘Ginny’ Knight, his wife. Ginny was with him every step of the way and was an amazing community contributor in her own right. Ginny once saw a fence full of poppies honouring war veterans. She thought Cobar needed its own version. It officially opened on August 13 this year. Ginny Knight passed away in October 2021, but her legacy lives on with the Poppy Fence and her contribution to other projects. Barry is not done yet. He is assisting with the new War Memorial for Cobar, along with other projects. I commend and thank Barry and Ginny Knight on their tireless efforts for their community.First term wrap-upIn my final Private Members Statement for the year in Parliament (which will also be the last one of my first term) I reflected on my time in office, so far. It has been quite a term, beginning with the worst drought in the history of European settlement in Australia, followed by a mouse plague, a one in a hundred-year pandemic, and now floods. I have worked hard to secure for my electorate drought relief, reimbursement for their fight against the mouse plague, I was able to get the government to change health orders that were patently unsuited to regional areas and I have been working hard to get the government to take action for flood relief and fixing the flood damaged roads. I was also able to rattle off a list of other things I have done for my electorate, from securing a water supply for Emmdale Roadhouse, an extension for a consulting room at Wanaaring Health Centre, and working to have two prisons that closed at Ivanhoe and Brewarrina repurposed, the former as accommodation for workers from a mineral sand mine and the latter as a rehab/cultural centre. There is plenty more to do, including rebuilding roads, fixing the rural health system, improving telecommunications and getting more housing. I stand ready to continue to work hard for Barwon, should my constituents choose to re-elect me.School visitOne of the best parts of my job is meeting students from my electorate when they come for excursions to NSW Parliament at Macquarie St in Sydney. Today I met with students from Warren Central School, giving them a bit of an overview of what a local Member of Parliament does and how the work of a parliamentarian is mostly about building trust and relationships. I also sat in on the very entertaining and informative presentation given by parliamentary staff, which included a mock debate on a bill to extend school hours - which was, not surprisingly, voted down. It is great to see youngsters from Western New South Wales getting an idea of what goes on in Parliament. I hope some of them will be inspired to delve deeper into how Parliament works and become leaders in their own community.Travelling BarwonOne of the questions I was asked by the students from Warren was “Do you have a private plane?” The answer is no, partly because the parliamentary budget doesn’t stretch to that, but partly because I prefer to drive. Although there are times when I have to fly to get to places on time, I like to make sure that I get to all of the small places in between the bigger towns. But I am often asked what it takes to be the member for an electorate the size of mine. It can be quite an exercise in logistics, persistence and endurance. With an area of 356,292 square kilometres, Barwon covers 44 percent of the state, which encompasses 13 local government areas, with multiple schools and hospitals. Given that it can take over 11 hours to drive from one part of the electorate to another (From Silverton in the far west to Maules Creek in the east it takes 11 hrs and 40 minutes), some days I have no option but to drive or fly long distances and often have to go from one event to the next with little time to stop and rest in between. Just recently I had a day where I drove from my home in Mendooran to Sydney to catch a plane to fly with the Premier to flood affected areas, before flying back to Sydney just in time to change into a suit to attend police awards, which went until late in the night, before having to get up early the next morning to fly to Broken Hill for business awards, which went late into the night, before getting up the next morning to swim with a local swimming club before boarding a plane back to Sydney to be ready for parliament the next day. Any candidate who wants to try to win the seat needs to be prepared to spend most of their time away from home, a lot of it on the road. They need to be prepared to spend long hours fielding media enquiries, taking phone calls, being up to date with the latest computer platforms and communications systems to create a virtual mobile office so that some work can still be done while you are on the move.It is the most complex electorate in NSW, the job of representing Barwon is made harder by the long distances and long hours, long periods away from home. But it can be very rewarding when you know you are doing everything you can for the community.

Methane emissions pledge concerningLast week we learnt that the Labor Government plans on signing up to the Global Methane Pledge at next month’s UN COP27 climate change conference in Egypt. The pledge calls for a 30 per cent global reduction in methane emissions by 2030, which the Coalition does not support as it goes against the agriculture sector’s desire to grow to $100 billion by 2030.Half of Australia’s annual methane emissions come from the agricultural sector, where no affordable, practical and large-scale way exists to reduce it other than culling herd sizes. There is significant research happening with asparagopsis, a native Australian seaweed which is touted to reduce methane emissions when fed to cattle and sheep. I can see the benefit of using asparagopsis in a diary or a feedlot, however the majority of Australian cattle are running free-range on large areas of land, so delivering feed supplements would be impossible. As someone who has been involved in the cattle industry my entire life, I understand that sometimes implementing ideologically driven programs may be difficult in practice. I’m very cautious about the possible tax on productivity, which will do nothing to improve emissions. We need to be careful that this pledge is not the thin end of the wedge - it’s a very small step to having a legislative target. I urge the Labor Government to rule out a methane tax, giving farmers confidence that they won’t follow New Zealand’s lead. Christmas Card Photo Competition openI am on the hunt for a photo showcasing the best of the Parkes electorate for my 2022 Christmas Card.I’m calling on all keen photographers in the Parkes electorate to send me a photo of your favourite part of the electorate. I’m looking for images that best capture the beauty of our wonderful electorate – whether it be a cotton or canola crop, the dusty red outback of the Far West, the rolling hills of the Warrumbungles or the mighty rivers that flow through many of our towns. It could be a landscape scene or a streetscape, or an image filled with people at a local event. Whether it’s a well-known tourist destination or a hidden gem, I want to see what you love about our region.The winning photo will be featured on the front of my Christmas Card which will be distributed to every household in the Parkes electorate during the first week of December.To enter, please email a high-resolution photograph to [email protected], including your full name, address, phone number and a brief description of your photo. Photos must be landscape in orientation and taken this year by a current resident of the Parkes electorate.Entries must be submitted by 5pm on Monday 31 October 2022 to be considered. Visit my website for more information: https://www.markcoulton.com.au/search-for-a-photo-that-showcases-the-parkes-electorate/ Coalition funding benefitting the North West Last week it was great to get out to Moree, Lightning Ridge, Goodooga, Brewarrina and Bourke to inspect various projects that have been funded by the former Coalition Government.The Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program is continuing to make a difference, helping local councils fund important projects that will benefit communities for years to come. In Bourke, I inspected the progress on the upgrades happening at Bourke Memorial Swimming Pool. Bourke Shire Council is using its $2.4 million Phase 3 LRCI funding to construct a new learn to swim pool and upgrade the kiosk at the local pool which will enhance the popular facility and bring more young families through the gates.Meanwhile, Moree Plains Shire Council has also been busy utilising its Phase 3 LRCI funding on a number of priority projects, including more than $1.6 million for the redevelopment of the Moree Memorial Hall, which I inspected last week. Once complete, the renovated hall will be a wonderful venue for concerts, performances and events, and I know the Moree community will certainly make the most of it.It was fantastic to see that the Goodooga Community Store is now open, providing locals and visitors with access to fresh food and general supplies. This store was made possible thanks to $1.7 million in funding from the former Coalition Government.We also jointly funded the now complete Mitchell Highway upgrade between Nyngan and Bourke, which has made this stretch of road much safer for all road users.

By ROY BUTLERG’day folks,I was in parliament last week, after a productive week out at Broken Hill and a quick visit to Maules Creek. The year is rapidly coming to a close, with only three sitting weeks left, but still no sign of the government replacing the days lost due to the death of the Queen. A flurry of legislation is making its way through parliament, in anticipation of the upcoming election, which is making things very busy. This week should be no different. After that it will be good to be out on the road again around the electorate, roads and weather permitting.FloodsThe rains continue to bring misery to many parts of NSW and more is set to come, but fortunately my effort to have a state of emergency declared in some of the recently affected parts of Barwon has been successful, which will allow people to apply for assistance if they have been affected in several ways, either through damage to property, loss of production, loss of income through being unable to go to work or loss of revenue for businesses that have had to close.I moved a Notice of Motion in Parliament calling on the government to acknowledge the flood crisis and the fact that it will likely go on for some time to come, if weather predictions prove to be correct. But I also asked the government to celebrate the brave part played by emergency service volunteers, councils and members of the community in keeping people safe and urged them to call on the federal government to expedite funding assistance for households, councils, producers and businesses.For details on help or financial assistance see https://www.nsw.gov.au/floods or https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/new-south-wales-floods-september-2022-disaster-recovery-allowanceOr for emergency help call 132 500Or for financial assistance call Service NSW 13 77 88Broken HillI spent a few days in Broken Hill last week, meeting with community members, local business owners, the council and generally having a look at what is going on in the great outback city. There is an undeniable mood of optimism and positivity about some of the things that are happening, like new mining ventures (I took a tour of the Cobalt Blue mine while I was there), tourism projects, big annual events that are drawing a good crowd of tourists and some major improvements to infrastructure. I also went out to Sunset Strip to see how full the Menindee Lakes were and to see some of the projects my team and I have supported to make the area more liveable. Shops, restaurants and tourist attractions and businesses in around Broken Hill are all doing very well, but to really capitalise on all of this growth, and to sustain it, there are some things that urgently need to be seen to.One of them is housing, because there is already huge pressure on the city’s scarce homes to rent or buy, but it will soon need somewhere to put all of the workers who will be needed for projects like the Cobalt Blue mine. I have been talking to the housing minister to find a workable solution. Another is the Wentworth to Broken Hill pipeline, which is threatening to push up water costs for households and businesses who will have to bear the costs of the pipeline in their bills. I have suggested that the government should be talking to the federal Water Minister to ensure that the costs be funded out of the Murray Darling Basin Plan’s $13 billion fund, since the pipeline was created to support the objective of that plan.There are several other things that I am working on, including telecommunications, a doppler radar near Fowlers Gap, and improving the city’s health facilities. All things that will make life more comfortable for the locals and will attract more people to move to the city and stay.Country MediaWhile I was in Broken Hill I dropped into a local newspaper, the Barrier Truth, to chat with some journos for stories they were working on and while I was there they were keen to show me some of their new printing technology. They have invested in a state-of-the-art platemaking machine that is greener, more compact, faster, better quality technology that etches the printing image onto thin aluminium plates.While we have seen so many country papers moving away from creating printed copies in recent years, it is great to see a local paper still producing a print version especially for those people who don’t have access to the internet. Many members of the community still buy their copy of the paper at the shopfront and rely on the vital information they can see on the printed pages.Unfortunately, the government has pulled a lot of its advertising out of local newspapers, which was an important source of revenue for many of them and which sent some of them out of business. My team and I are working on a way to reverse this and bring some of that government advertising money back to rural newspapers.Country Press AwardsI was fortunate enough to be invited to present awards at the 2022 Country Press Awards in Sydney last week. Deputy Premier Paul Toole helped hand some of the much-deserved gongs. I was pleased to see that many of the awards went to papers in Barwon, including The Coonabarabran Times, Barrier Truth, Nyngan Weekly and The Courier at Narrabri, which took out the award for best paid newspaper.It was the first full awards ceremony in some years, but the organisers managed to get a good crowd and put together a great event, with a bit of entertainment from the Three Waiters who belted out some operatic arias and some classic songs. Congratulations to the winners and to the organisers. Thanks so much for the invitation, it was a great event, one that I was lucky enough to be able to share with my wife Jenny, and one that I hope will be even bigger and better next year.Regional Councils Funding ModelI delivered a Private Members Statement in parliament last week talking about the problems being faced by regional councils. With smaller rate bases and larger territory to cover than city councils, many are struggling to keep out of the red. Large urban centres have more ratepayers, offer more services, and collect money from things like parking fees and development applications.Country councils on the other hand have much less population density, so fewer ratepayers, most do not collect any significant revenue from parking or development applications fees and yet they often have to deal with things like hundreds of kilometres of roads or multiple amenities spread out over a large area. Country councils find they need to plug gaps with grants funding, but it is not always enough. There is also the major problem of the depreciation on assets acquired through grants, payment for upkeep can often be financially crippling, or on assets like firefighting and emergency services equipment, which they do not actually own but for which they still have to bear the depreciation. It has become obvious that the government needs to reconsider the funding model for local councils. There needs to be more government funding of essential services in regional local government areas, and they also need a solution to the ongoing problem of depreciation, or some will go under.Community Recognition StatementsOne of my favourite things about being a Member of Parliament is being able to celebrate some great members of the public through Community Recognition Statements. These people are usually quiet achievers who go about their business contributing to the community, without much fanfare. While I was in Menindee recently, I presented a copy of one of these statements to Gary Rolton, retiring Captain of the Menindee Rural Fire Service, who has been an outstanding volunteer in his community over the past thirty-five years, not just in his work as a first responder but also as a dedicated, tireless fundraiser for local charities. Gary is a quiet achiever, who was genuinely surprised to be acknowledged in this way and said that he did not do it for the recognition.Another member of the community I recognised in Parliament last week was the late Shirley Pankhurst who passed away on 19th September 2022 at the age of 91 years. Shirley was known for her intelligent, inquisitive, persistent, and loving nature and will be missed by her family and the Wee Waa community. Dedicated to her family, she had a loving marriage to Dudley and raised three children.The wider world beyond Wee Waa would have known her for her contributions to the sport of Hockey as an A grade player, A grade coach, A grade national umpire, state selector, Newcastle District Women’s past President and life member and NSW Vice President and life member. All of which showed her love and dedication to the sport.Shirley moved to Wee Waa in 1985 and soon immersed herself into the community. She was an active volunteer and held positions within the Wee Waa & District Garden Club, Historical Museum Society and Community Care Committee, among others. Up until recently she was still volunteering one or two days a week. Shirley received the 2010/11 Lions Senior Citizen of the Year Award (along with her husband Dudley), the 2016 Narrabri Citizen of the Year Award, and the 2020 Narrabri District Hidden Treasure Award.Shirley also received the Ann Williams Clark Medallion from Garden Clubs Australia for her outstanding service and commitment to the Wee Waa & District Garden Club over many years.Shirley was always willing to give, and no matter what others saw, she saw it as the glass half full. So it was. I thank Shirley Pankhurst for her dedication and commitment to her community.I look forward to recognising many more of our unsung heroes in Community Recognition Statements in future.Motorcycle Awareness RideBeing an MP is not usually fun, but it does have its moments. Last week I joined MP’s, Transport for NSW representatives and Motorcycle Council of NSW for the annual MP’s ride. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness and promote safety for people on motorcycles during Motorcycle Awareness Month, which is in October each year. The MP’s ride is only a short event, but it serves to keep the relationship and information flow between motorcyclists and the Parliament of NSW functional. You probably know I have been on bikes from a young age, and even rode motorbikes in the army. It’s a great mode of transport and can be a lot of fun. If you are interested in getting involved in motorcycles, my advice is to get good training, ride conservatively and use good safety gear. Thanks to Frasers Motorcycles for the use of the Ducati Multistrada, a very nice machine! For information on Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month see https://mccofnsw.org.au/

Keen photographers from the Parkes electorate are encouraged to get snapping, with Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton calling for entries for his inaugural Christmas Card Photo Competition. Each year, Mr Coulton distributes a Christmas card and calendar to every household in the Parkes electorate, which usually features a photograph showcasing the electorate on the front page. “Instead of searching for a suitable image, this year I’ve decided to open it up to my constituents to help me find a photo for my Christmas card,” Mr Coulton said. “I’m calling on all photographers in the Parkes electorate, professional or amateur, to send me a photo of your favourite part of the electorate." “I’m looking for images that best capture the beauty of our wonderful electorate – whether it be a cotton or canola crop, the dusty red outback of the Far West, the rolling hills of the Warrumbungles or the mighty rivers that flow through many of our towns. It could be a landscape scene or a streetscape, or an image filled with people at a local event.  “Whether it’s a well-known tourist destination or a hidden gem, I want to see what you love about our region.” The winning photo will be selected by Mr Coulton and will be featured on the front of his 2022 Christmas Card which will be distributed to every household in the Parkes electorate during the first week of December.  “This is a great way for budding photographers to showcase their work and get their name out there, with widespread exposure across the Parkes electorate,” Mr Coulton said. “I will also promote the winning photo, and a selection of the shortlisted favourites on my social media. So don’t miss out on this opportunity and get snapping now!” To enter the competition, please email a high-resolution photograph to [email protected], including your full name, address, phone number and a brief description of your photo. All ages are welcome to enter, however entrants must be a current resident of the Parkes electorate. Photos must be landscape in orientation and taken in 2022.  Entries must be submitted by 5pm on Monday 31 October 2022 to be considered.  For more information, please contact Mr Coulton’s Moree office on 02 6751 1251.

Local veterans may be eligible for national recognition for their military service under the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service Commemorations Program. Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said Certificates of Appreciation are issued as a national gesture of thanks to those who have served our country.  “Certificates of Appreciation are just one way that the Australian Government expresses its gratitude to those who have given so much in protecting our country’s interests and helping to restore and maintain peace around the world,” Mr Coulton said. “We are grateful for the dedication and sacrifice demonstrated by our veterans’ service to Australia. “If you are eligible, or are a family member of a deceased veteran, I encourage you to contact my office to find out more about applying for a certificate.” Certificates of Appreciation are available for veterans who have served overseas in Australia’s Defence Forces during the Second World War and in wars, conflicts or peacekeeping operations since, or on the home front during the Second World War. Veterans, or family members of a deceased eligible person, are invited to apply for a certificate.  Applications can be submitted to Mr Coulton’s Dubbo electorate office at Shop 3/153 Brisbane Street, Dubbo NSW 2830 or via email to [email protected]. More information about Certificates of Appreciation, including the guidelines and an application form is available here or by contacting the Department of Veterans’ Affairs on 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372). Meanwhile, Mr Coulton would like to remind eligible organisations that there’s just over one month left to apply for funding under Batch 2 of the popular Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program. “Dozens of worthy projects across the Parkes electorate have been funded under this program in recent years to support the preservation of our wartime heritage and I encourage all community groups to consider whether this grant opportunity may be suitable for any projects they may wish to explore,” Mr Coulton said. Applications included in Batch 2 must be submitted by 9pm AEDT on 11 October 2022. Further information is available on the Community Grants Hub or the DVA website.

Community groups in the Parkes electorate are encouraged to apply now for a share of $66,225 in funding to support the work of their volunteers. Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said Expressions of Interest (EOI) in the Australian Government’s 2022-23 Volunteer Grants program are now open. “We are lucky to have so many hard-working volunteers in the Parkes electorate who dedicate countless hours of their time to helping our communities,” Mr Coulton said. “Whether it’s volunteering with Meals on Wheels, helping in the canteen at the junior soccer or responding to emergencies with the State Emergency Service, our volunteers play an important role in our communities. “The Volunteer Grants program was an initiative established by the former Coalition Government to support local volunteers, ensuring they can continue their valuable work in the community safely and appropriately.”Mr Coulton said volunteer organisations can apply for grants of between $1,000 and $5,000. “These grants can help pay for equipment or for promotional activities that increase participation in volunteering, as well as reimburse fuel costs and expenses associated with transport and training,” Mr Coulton said. “I know how beneficial these grants have been to previous recipients over the years, so I encourage all eligible organisations to submit an expression of interest to my office by Friday 16 September.” Eligible organisations must submit an EOI to be considered for a grant.  Mr Coulton, with the assistance of a committee of local leaders, will consider the submissions and nominate projects up to the funding cap of $66,225. Nominated organisations will then be invited to apply for funding from 15 November 2022. Successful applicants will be announced in May 2023.

By JOHN REIDY & URAYNE WARRAWEENAIndigenous Australia is fast learning that the road to self-determination comes through hard working leaders who demonstrate strong cultural, social and economic knowledge. All eyes are on Brewarrina as a new batch of emerging leaders demonstrate their acumen compounding success after success.  In case you missed it, here's a quick look at the changing face of Indigenous leadership in Brewarrina.   With a majority Aboriginal population of 61.5% Brewarrina Shire Council has an enormous job ensuring local decisions represent their community base. For the first time in history Brewarrina is now represented by a strong Indigenous voice with the majority of Shire Councillors identifying as Aboriginal.   The quality of local Indigenous leadership is fast becoming known to all.  This was demonstrated by Brewarrina’s Local Aboriginal Land Council who was just awarded the National Indigenous Governance Award for best small to medium incorporated organisation and their recent acquisition of 7,288 hectares of commercial land. Board Member Stephen Gordon and Chairman David Kirby (right) accept the Indigenous Governance Award on behalf of Brewarrina LALC on 8 June 2022.With their biggest land claim now entering its final stages, the LALC is positioning itself to become a significant cultural and economic leader. When asked about future management, Brewarrina LALC Chairperson David Kirby said, “Cultural preservation of our land and our environment is the first priority of business for our Local Aboriginal Lands Council, that sets the platform for very strong governance.”   The growing face of Indigenous leadership can now be seen throughout the community. Key local organisations Brewarrina Shire Council, Orana Haven, and Brewarrina TAFE all have strong Indigenous leaders at the helm and increasing numbers of Indigenous employees. Our biggest employer, Brewarrina Shire Council now boasts a 75% Indigenous workforce. No shire in NSW can boast an Indigenous workforce as strong, meaning the community as a whole can take pride in the steps taken on the road to self-determination. Taking Brewarrina forward involves ongoing commitment by local leaders. PHOTO SUPPLIED.  The value of Indigenous inclusion was best demonstrated when our community was faced with a 'once-in-a-generation' pandemic. Brewarrina LALC played an integral role in the Local Emergency Management Committee and our Indigenous workforce provided strong leadership and support. Like many other communities the threat came to us. Within hours our leadership teams united to identify and isolate over 200 close contacts, then worked together to effectively remove the threat from our community. Scott McLachlan, Chief Executive of Western NSW LHD described it as “one of the best approaches I’ve seen in a rural community”.    Brewarrina’s Riverbank Blacks are fast proving they have the skills to lead, to problem solve, and unite to overcome this communities long history of adversity. Accepting a national Indigenous Governance Award in Sydney last month David Kirby told the audience, “We know what this fight is. We are going to continue this fight. That’s why The Brewarrina Local Aboriginal Lands Council is important, because us riverbank blacks, we’re going forward."   View this Linked video to find out more.   

New Nationals leadersThe National Party last week elected two new leaders to take us forward over the coming years as we continue to fight to get the best outcomes for regional Australia.I’d like to congratulate our new leader David Littleproud and deputy leader Senator Perin Davey, who I’m confident will do a great job in leading our party into the future. Opening of new facilities at Coonamble ShowIt was great to attend the 2022 Coonamble Show last week, where I had the pleasure of opening the new cattle complex and poultry pavilion at the Coonamble Showground on Wednesday.The new facilities were part of a major upgrade to the showground, made possible thanks to $500,000 in funding provided under the former Coalition Government’s Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants program.The Coonamble Show Society was one of eight agricultural show societies in the Parkes electorate to receive funding to reinvigorate their showgrounds as part of the COVID-19 stimulus package for agricultural shows and field days.Improvements to the Coonamble Showground included the construction of the new cattle and poultry multipurpose pavilion, an extension of the main pavilion and the installation of disabled toilets, as well as a full arena fence upgrade.These upgrades were completed by local Coonamble contractors, providing an economic boost to the community, and resulting in more modern facilities which will benefit the community for years to come. The new facilities were certainly put to good use during the Show last week, and were welcomed by the committee and show-goers alike.Celebrating The Queen’s Platinum JubileeOver the weekend we saw celebrations take place in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth to honour the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.The Queen is the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after an incredible 70 years of service to Australia and the Commonwealth – a remarkable achievement.For most of us, The Queen has been the only British Monarch we have ever known. Over the past 70 years, The Queen has provided stability, strength and reassurance to the people of the Commonwealth. She has been a constant through so much change and, regardless of your views of the monarchy, should be celebrated for her extraordinary reign and a lifetime of dedicated service.Please join me in congratulating The Queen on this unprecedented milestone. All Australians are invited to send a personal message of congratulations and thanks to The Queen at www.platinumjubilee.gov.au/message-to-the-queen. Messages, which will be accepted online until midnight 16 June 2022, will be collated and sent to Buckingham Palace and archived by the Commonwealth of Australia. 

Big week on the roadI enjoyed a big week on the road last week, which kicked off with the Western Division Councils of NSW conference in Cobar, discussing how all levels of government can work together to address some of our region’s biggest challenges. I then headed to Wilcannia, where I caught up with the staff at the Wilcannia grocery store to find out more about their plans for a major upgrade, funded by a $500,000 Federal Government grant. While in Wilcannia, I announced $266,938 in funding for the Wilcannia Local Aboriginal Land Council to construct 28 kilometres of exclusion fencing to stop feral pests. This has been funded under the Indigenous Land Enterprise Infrastructure Fund, which also provided $298,551.94 to Full Diesel to replace boundary fences and desilt dams in the Bourke area.I also announced $100,000 for Central Darling Shire Council’s Darling River Flood Mapping project which will help council accurately plan for and deliver future infrastructure developments whilst taking the necessary steps to minimise the impact of floods. Speaking of floods, the Central Darling Shire is now eligible for disaster assistance following flooding that occurred as a result of heavy rainfall in January. From Wilcannia, I went on to Nyngan, Warren and Warialda for some major announcements and openings before ending the week at a Parkes electorate candidates’ forum in North Star. Improved water security for CobarLast week I was pumped to join NSW Water Minister Kevin Anderson and NSW Minister for Western NSW Dugald Saunders in Cobar to announce $46 million in funding to construct three new pump stations at Nyngan, Hermidale and Cobar.Jointly funded by the Commonwealth and NSW governments, this new infrastructure will replace the current pump stations which are well past their design life and causing major disruptions to Cobar’s water supply.The new pump stations will improve water reliability in Cobar, while work is undertaken on the business case for the proposed Nyngan to Cobar pipeline upgrade. This will ultimately provide long-term water security and drought resilience for the region Protecting Warren against future floodsI was thrilled to announce more than $5.3 million in funding for the rehabilitation of the Warren Town Levee last week.I've been working with Warren Shire Council on this for a number of years, so I'm pleased we've been able to secure the funding for this critical project. Funded under the National Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Program, the remediation of the existing levee bank will provide reassurance for the community, helping to protect the town during future floods. For further information on the National Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Program visit https://recovery.gov.au/national-flood-mitigation-infrastructure-program-21-22Medical centre extension, bypass openingsSecuring funding for much-needed projects is a great part of this job, but it’s even more exciting to see these projects completed, so it was fantastic to attend the openings of the Bogan Shire Medical Centre extension and the $8.1 million Warialda heavy vehicle bypass last week.The Warialda heavy vehicle bypass has been five years in the making, and will not only improve safety by taking larger mass vehicles out of Warialda, but will help to increase the efficiency and productivity of our freight and agricultural industries.Meanwhile, the $466,958 extension of the Bogan Shire Medical Centre has enhanced facilities for both staff and patients, providing the Nyngan community with greater access to doctors and medical services.Both of these major projects are a credit to the Gwydir and Bogan shire councils.Commitment to boost the rural doctor workforceThe Coalition Government is committed to improving the health of regional, rural and remote Australians, which is why we will invest more than $1 billion to boost rural health, if re-elected. This includes an additional $146 million in new funding to inject more doctors and allied health professionals into regional and rural communities and improve treatment and care for patients.

Back to businessIt was good to be back on the road last week after a week spent in isolation with COVID-19.I spent the last week meeting with various groups in Moree, Gilgandra, Dubbo, Narromine and Narrabri. In addition to meeting up with recipients of Saluting Their Service grants in Moree and Pallamallawa and opening the new Lucas Bridge at Breelong, I also enjoyed a visit to LeaderLife in Dubbo to see how the not-for-profit organisation will benefit from a recent grant, caught up with Narromine Shire Council to discuss their plans for the Inland Rail materials distribution hub, participated in a Q&A session with the Dubbo Chamber of Commerce, and stopped in at the Narrabri Show for a few hours.I’m looking forward to another big week on the road this week, heading to Cobar, Wilcannia, Nyngan, Warren, Warialda and North Star.Accelerating the Broken Hill Cobalt projectLast week I was thrilled to announce that Cobalt Blue Holdings has received a $15 million grant to accelerate a feasibility study for its Broken Hill Cobalt project.Provided through the $200 million Critical Minerals Accelerator Initiative, this funding will support the company’s position in the growing critical minerals market, providing exciting new economic opportunities for the Far West region.The Broken Hill Cobalt project involves the development of a cobalt mine and refinery, producing cobalt sulphate, which is a key input into lithium ion battery supply chains.The project will support around 400 jobs and generate tens of millions of dollars in local economic activity. It will also help establish Australia as a reliable supplier of refined cobalt products.New $2.5 million Lucas Bridge now openIt was an honour to join Gilgandra Shire Council Mayor Doug Batten to officially open the new $2.5 million Lucas Bridge at Breelong last week.This new concrete bridge is a big win for the local community and is a significant improvement on the old, dilapidated timber structure. This will greatly improve safety, accessibility and productivity for local road users and freight operators.The Nationals and Liberals recognise that building new bridges helps to strengthen our freight network, ensuring valuable commodities continue flowing to international and domestic buyers.The $2.5 million Lucas Bridge replacement project received $1.25 million in funding through Round 5 of the Federal Government’s Bridges Renewal Program, with Gilgandra Shire Council contributing the remaining funds.For more information about the Bridges to Renewal Program or to apply for funding, visit https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/resources/brp-hvspp/index.aspxPreserving local wartime heritageIt was great to catch up with two groups last week that have received Coalition Government funding to preserve local war history.Under the latest round of the Saluting Their Service grants, Pallamallawa School of Arts and War Memorial Hall has received $5,363 to install CCTV cameras, to ensure the memorial is kept safe. The North West branch of the National Servicemen's Association of Australia had received a $9,650 grant under the previous funding round, so it was nice to meet with members to hear about their plans to construct a memorial at Moree Anzac Centenary Park to commemorate all National Servicemen. This will be unveiled at the ADF and National Service 70th annual reunion in Moree in August.It’s so important that this history is preserved for future generations to continue commemorating and reflecting on the sacrifice of all those who have served from our communities.BELOW: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton pictured with some of the participants of LeaderLife in Dubbo last week. LeaderLife has recently received a share of $1.48 million in Federal Government funding to build its capacity through the Safer Communities Program.