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.

2022 election campaign in full swingWith Australia to head to the polls on Saturday 21 May, the 2022 Federal election campaign is now in full swing. It has been a privilege serving the people of the Parkes electorate for the past 14 years and I’m hoping to be able continue to represent this wonderful part of the country as your local member. The Parkes electorate is in a really good position at the moment – unemployment levels are at record lows, our agricultural, mining and construction industries remain strong, and our rivers and waterways are full. Progress on the Inland Rail is steaming ahead, bringing endless opportunities for communities right along the route, while the Western Cancer Centre is now a reality and more doctors are training locally. However, there’s still more to be done, and I believe I have the experience to deal with the challenges we face, while seeing through some of the exciting developments coming through in the resources sector. With resources like cobalt and lithium on our doorstop, we are well placed to be the centre for resourcing the new world economy when it comes to renewable technology, and I look forward to seeing these industries develop.Over the last 14 years I’ve fought hard to ensure the bush is not left behind, and I plan to continue fighting for our regional areas, making sure we have high quality health services, internet coverage and the infrastructure in place to enable our communities to grow and prosper. The outlook for the Parkes electorate is incredibly bright, and with your support, we can keep getting it done.Contract awarded for largest ever Newell Highway upgradeIt was great to be in Moree last week with my NSW colleagues, Regional Transport and Roads Minister Sam Farraway and Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall, to announce that Fulton Hogan has been awarded the contract to deliver the largest ever heavy-duty pavement upgrade of the Newell Highway, between Moree and Narrabri. The $261.17 million project will involve 27.3 kilometres of heavy-duty pavement upgrades along four priority sections of the road, with construction due to start mid-2022.This section of the Newell Highway is located within one of the most productive agricultural regions in Australia, so it’s critical that this road is up to scratch to ensure our farmers can more efficiently get their product to market, while improving safety and efficiency for all road users.The upgrade will also help the region better connect to the Inland Rail, while providing employment for more than 100 locals, bringing significant benefits to the Moree and Narrabri communities. I’m proud that the Australian Government has invested $205.7 million into this project, with the NSW Government contributing the remainder.Funding priority projects for our local councilsThe Coalition Government is continuing to back our local councils, with funding rolling out for the third phase of the successful Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program.Projects have been approved for three more councils in the Parkes electorate, worth $1,819,380 million for Narromine Shire Council, $2,014,440 million for Gunnedah Shire Council and $4,292,996 million for Dubbo Regional Council.Gunnedah Shire Council is using its entire $2 million in funding for the reconstruction of the tarmac, taxiway and apron at Gunnedah Aerodrome, which will hopefully pave the way for commercial flights to operate from the airport, bringing significant economic benefits to the region.Narromine Shire Council is using its funding to improve footpaths in Narromine and Trangie, to upgrade the aquatic centre and the Tomingley water supply, as well as for gravel re-sheeting of various roads in the shire.In Dubbo, projects include the Wheelers Lane Road rehabilitation works, infrastructure upgrades at the Old Dubbo Gaol Heritage Plaza, the construction of an elevated substation platform at the Ollie Robbins Oval event precinct, and wayfinding signage along the Tracker Riley Walkway and Riverside Path network.All of these projects will provide an economic boost to these shires, supporting local jobs, while providing lasting benefits for the local community.

For parents looking for some screen-free school holiday activities, the Coonamble Show Committee is encouraging all local children (and their families) to consider getting together some Show entries!  With only 7 weeks to go till the Show, there are literally dozens of categories to enter.  Here’s some suggestions for the kids...train your dog/cat/duck/bird to behave perfectly in the Pet Show ring, practice your baking skills for the kids cookery section.  Then there’s the art – painting, drawing, 3D, mixed media, woodwork and metalwork – anything arty can be entered.  If the kids are keen on sewing, needlework or woolen arts, find Grandma or an older friend and you could win!  There is the vegetable animal category and flower arranging; the school holidays would be a great time to practice your skills! Junior Photography: get snapping and mum and dad will have plenty of time to print your photos after the holidays.  And last, our most popular category – the LEGO!! All magnificent lego creations can be assembled now and then put aside for entry into the Show after school goes back.  The Show Pavilion’s coveted “Most Successful Junior Exhibitor” Prize is up for grabs.  To win this, enter as many sections and categories as you can to win a cash prize and bragging rights!  With recent extensions to the Big Blue Shed, it would be great to really fill the space with a wonderful selection of Coonamble’s skills and talent.The full list of the various sections can be found in the pavilion schedule.  These schedules can be found around Coonamble – at Outback Arts, Cottage Industries, Global Village cafe, Sommo’s, and Cants.  Alternatively, look up the Coonamble Show website, and be sure to follow the Coonamble Times, Coonamble Show Facebook page, and the Western Plains App, for regular reminders and updates. There will also be Facebook posts of all the Pavilion categories to enter. BELOW: Momoka Williams 2021 Junior Fine Arts Champion.Kylie and Amanda, the Chief Pavilion stewards, would also like to acknowledge and thank the many stewards and helpers over past years who assist to make the Show the spectacle that it is. Without your commitment, there would just be a big empty blue shed. When it comes to the week of the Show this year (the last week in May), would you be interested in helping us make our displays?? If you think you can find a couple of hours on Friday afternoon, or Saturday or Tuesday morning to give us a hand with entries, paperwork and putting displays together, we would love to have you join us!! Of course it’s not all about winning, as just entering something in the Show is every bit as important to this fine country tradition. Come and support your Show, where the whole committee has worked very hard to make sure there really is something for everyone!

How to cure a case of school holiday boredom.Child: "I'm bored"Parent: "Hi bored I'm mum/dad"Okay, now that you've successfully disarmed them with your witty humour, it's time to make a game plan.Here's how to occupy a child without having to leave the comforts of your own home.1.Cookie/Cupcake decorating competition.Two birds, meet one stone. This is the perfect way to keep the kids entertained for a couple of hours and sort out afternoon tea (avoid the 'I'm hungry').All you have to do is get the kids involved in baking a batch of cookies or cupcakes (both from scratch and pre mixed packets are acceptable), then let them loose on whatever icing, sprinkles or lollies you can get your hands on. This is a sure way to get their creative juices flowing, and may even result in a cupcake for the judge ;)How it works:Each child receives an equal amount of cupcakes to decorate how they like, then they select their favourite for judging, either by a family member, friend or jim-bob over the road.The winning cupcake decorator gets the prize, whether it's choosing the movie to watch that afternoon or a sticker, the winning treat is up to your discretion.2.Movie marathon.Rain or shine, a movie marathon is the perfect way to steal a few hours of peace. We recommend choosing a theme such as nature or comedy etc to save arguments when it comes time to picking movies. Alternatively you can select a franchise such as the Spy Kids movies.How it works:Jazz up the occasion by creating invitations for everyone attending. Get the kids involved by creating a box office (out of a box) and have them sell tickets and popcorn. 3.Go bug hunting in the backyard.Bug hunting encourages children to explore their own backyard in an open-ended way. Get the kids outdoors these holidays with a hunt for butterflies, praying mantis, ladybugs and more.How it works:Get the kids searching around flowers, bushes and the bases of trees. They can also turn over small or medium-sized rocks which are likely housing some creepy crawlies. We do recommend an adult is present in case a not so friendly bug is discovered. Once they've found a bug, place some clean dirt in the bottom of a container and pick it up with a spoon or tweezers, then place it carefully in the container.Kids can examine the bug through the container using a magnifying glass. Once they're finished, they can keep their specimens for a day or two before returning them to the garden.4.A fashion parade. AKA Dress UpsThis idea may not be suitable for the designer clothing queens out there, but if you happen to have a box of dress ups or aren't too precious about your own clothes, this is a great way to keep the kids busy.They are guaranteed to find some hilarious fun in dressing up.How it works:Just place a light or lamp at each end of the hallway/room, grab the camera and pop on some fun music - then let the kids get creative.Another alternative is to make spring cleaning your kids' cupboards fun and easy by getting them to model each item from their wardrobe on the catwalk. As they dress up in all their clothes you can decide what still fits and what items can be handed down or donated.Either way, the kids will love getting dressed up and pretending to be supermodels for the day - brave mums might even get the make-up out.5.Indoor cubby houseEntertain the kids for hours on end with the challenge of creating their own indoor cubby house/fort.How it works:Scrounge up whatever pillows, cushions and blankets you can spare and get to work.A great fort needs great foundations, so it's a good idea to give the cubby house structure with some dining table chairs or the table itself.drape your blankets over the top and pack the inside with pillows and cushions to create a little sanctuary your kids can let loose in.6.Craft time: Puppets & Dragonfly pegs.Every parents knows the endless imaginative fun that can be had with a craft box, but here are two examples that are always a hit.Puppets:What you'll need - paper lunch bags (or alternatively use one of your lone socks), acrylic paint, scissors, glue, markers & cardstock paper. For next level fun, grab some google eyes, they are sure to make the kids laugh.How it works: Step 1 - Paint the front and bottom of your paper bag with the color of your choice. Let it dry completely.Step 2 - Use your colored cardstock paper, scissors and markers to design a unique monster. Let your creativity take over! Think eyeballs, teeth, fun patterns, pointy ears and horns.Step 3 - Sit back and enjoy as the kids put on a fun puppet show.Dragonfly Pegs:What you'll need - pipe cleaners, clothes pegs, google eyes, paint and glue.How it works:Step 1 - Have the kids paint the pegs, get creative with this part.Step 2 - Glue 2 google eyes to the opening end of the peg.Step 3 - Take a pipe cleaner and bend both edges to the middle and twist. Once you have two, criss-cross them and put them inside the clothespin.Step 4 - For extra fun, hide the dragonfly pegs around the house and have the kids find them.

With Easter Sunday fast approaching, the Easter Bunny is likely putting on his thinking cap to find all the best places to hide chocolate goodies for all the children across the Western Plains. While it is yet to be confirmed the Easter Bunny is a regular user of the Western Plains App, it never hurts to have a couple of spare ideas that are a little outside the box. It might also be useful for any younger users who think they've exhausted all possible options in their annual family egg hunt. With that in mind, below are 10 ideas we came up with to keep your little egg hunters on their toes this weekend whether you're at home or out on a family holiday. Scattered in the flowerbed or veggie patchIf you're looking for a spot to stash a colourful egg, an equally bright and colourful garden can make a perfect camouflage for kids who are only having a quick scan of the front or back yard.  Top of car tyresA true classic that can probably work no matter where you are. If your family is a fan of the lazy Sunday mornings, chances are the Easter Bunny's paid mum or dad's ute a visit knowing you're not going anywhere in a hurry. In pockets of clothes on the washing lineA perfect idea for families who keep a full washing line over the weekend. Imagine your kids' surprise if they looked in the pockets of a dry shirt or pair of pants and found an easter surprise. Might also serve as a motivator to have the kids help bring the dry washing in on Sunday; just be sure to supervise them so they don't throw everything on the ground in their chocolate-fuelled excitement. Behind the couch cushionsAn easy hiding place that almost any age of egg hunter will think to look on an indoors hunt. Good way to start things off to build up the kids' excitement. On windowsillsThis one can work for both your indoor and outdoor egg hunts. Keep in mind kids might not all be able to see or reach all the sills, and a pair of helping hands may be required if they ask for it.  In the cereal boxGive your child a true surprise by hiding an egg in the box of cereal they have for breakfast every morning. Can you imagine their delight when an Easter egg comes rolling out into their bowls along with the corn flakes? In the fridgeOne of the last places kids might think to search can be some of the most obvious hiding spots. Makes sure the eggs stay fresh and unmelted while giving them an extra surprise. On the front doorstepDepending on where you hold your hunt, might be one of the first eggs they find. All the same, a great way for the Easter Bunny to thank you for having him by leaving a treat on the welcome mat. In a pair of shoesIf you're going outside, chances are the kids are going to need to get their shoes on to explore the garden's nooks and crannies. An egg in one or two pairs of shoes is sure to help build up that anticipation of an exciting family hunt. On top of an ajar doorThis will either be a great hiding place or one to make the whole family laugh when a falling egg conks a kid or unassuming parent on the head when they push the door. Happy Hunting!

I had a top week on the road in the north west of my electorate last week, meeting with councils and community members in Lightning Ridge, Brewarrina, Bourke and Walgett.It was great to see some of the fantastic projects rolling out across these towns thanks to the popular Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program, while also having the opportunity talk to the local mayors about various issues in their individual communities. Last week I announced that every council in the electorate will benefit from a pre-payment on next year’s Financial Assistance Grant, so it was a good opportunity to talk to these councils about how they will use the early access to these funds to target their top priorities. In Lightning Ridge, I caught up with Rebel Black from The Rural Woman Cooperative, which has received $348,740 in funding through the National Careers Institute Partnership grant program to run a project aimed at increasing the number of rural women re-entering the agricultural workforce. I also paid a visit to the Lightning Ridge Historical Society, one of three organisations to receive a grant under the latest batch of the Culture, Heritage and Arts Regional Tourism (CHART) program. The Lightning Ridge Historical Society has received $2,980 to upgrade its office equipment to improve its promotion of the Heritage Walk, while Gilgandra Shire Council has been awarded $3,000 to construct a perimeter fence around the heritage-listed Corduroy Road Ruins archaeological site, and Connective Indigenous Corporation in Dubbo was granted $3,000 to upgrade its multimedia equipment. While in Bourke, I visited the team at CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes to find out more about the Bourke Youth Van that they are establishing thanks to a $760,000 grant through the Safer Communities Fund. The van will facilitate engagement in cultural and educational activities for up to 200 high-risk young people, diverting them from anti-social and criminal behaviour. As I travel around the electorate, it’s so heartening to see how our rural and remote communities are benefitting from this Government’s continued investment in our regions. We are committed to continuing to back our regional communities, building a strong economy and a strong future.Investing in the health of our small communitiesCommunities in some of the more remote towns in the Parkes electorate will have access to greater health services, thanks to some key announcements made last week.The Royal Flying Doctor Service will receive $400,000 from the Coalition Government to address health issues in Bourke, Brewarrina and Walgett.This funding will be used to research, develop and co-design a new multidisciplinary model of primary care to better service patients in these areas. This is a great initiative and will help to plug some of the gaps in primary care services for these communities.Meanwhile, Lake Cargelligo is now a more appealing location to work for young doctors after the town became a targeted recruitment location under a Coalition Government pilot scheme that provides wage support and supports doctors to gain their GP qualification while living in a rural or remote area.Doctors who move to Lake Cargelligo will receive a total of $465,000 in income support over the course of their training, which is a win-win for local patients and for the Lake Cargelligo Family Practice.Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton met with Barbara Moritz from the Lightning Ridge Historical Society to find out how the CHART grant will help promote the Heritage Walk at Lightning Ridge.Supporting agricultural showsOur local ag shows are events that are looked forward to by communities throughout the Parkes electorate every year, so I'm pleased that the Federal Government has committed $15.4 million for a second round of the Agricultural Shows Development Grant Program. These grants will provide our regional communities with the opportunity to make showground facilities safe, attractive and accessible for showground users and visitors. The first round of this program was heavily oversubscribed, so I’m pleased that shows in the Parkes electorate will have an opportunity later this year to apply to the second round of funding.

Community safety will be enhanced in Bourke with CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes receiving $760,000 in Federal Government funding to roll out an early intervention project to help divert high-risk young people from a life of crime.Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said the funding has been provided under round six of the highly-successful Safer Communities Fund.“All local residents deserve to feel safe, and all of our young people should have the chance to achieve their full potential,” Mr Coulton said.“CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes already provides a range of services to support families across the region, and this funding will allow them to build on this work.“The project will involve the establishment of the Bourke Youth Van, to facilitate engagement in cultural and educational activities for up to 200 youth. The aim is to reduce anti-social and criminal behaviour by improving the wellbeing and sense of self-worth and belonging for these young people.“The Coalition Government is backing our community-led solutions to crime – to ensure all residents can go about their daily lives free from violence, harassment and anti-social behaviour.”CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO Anne-Marie Mioche said this funding will make a big difference in the Bourke community.“We are delighted to have received this funding; our consultations in the community last year showed a real need to provide a program that would support children and young people after school, on weekends and during school holidays,” Ms Mioche said.“This program will no doubt change the lives of young people for the better by providing positive alternatives to the justice system. We have met with key stakeholders already and hope to start the program in July.”Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood said the additional funding was in response to overwhelming demand from the community and will support organisations with demonstrated experience in helping marginalised youth, to build resilience, strengthen community connections and job readiness skills.“These community organisations do vital work in helping get young people on the right track. We know that some young people engage in activities or have negative experiences that leave them at risk of joining gangs, committing serious crimes and disengaging from the wider community,” Assistant Minister Wood said.“The challenges we’ve faced over the last two years as a result of the pandemic have only added to the sense of social isolation and disconnection that some young people feel.“This program ensures young people can get the support and assistance they need. I thank and congratulate the local grant recipients for their ongoing work, which we are proud to support. It’s all about creating a stronger, safer community.”The funding will be delivered under the latest round of the Safer Communities Fund which has invested more than $265 million and provided over 720 grants directly to local communities to deliver grass roots crime prevention initiatives since 2016.

By AMANDA COLWELLNew look photography section in the 2022 Pavilion.The Coonamble Show photography section has been totally revamped in terms of entry conditions as well as a fresh new list of classes, to engage the shutterbug in all of us. There are no strict restrictions with regard to photo sizes, only that A4 is the maximum. Work can be presented in a glassless frame or on a cardboard mount. To give yourself the best possible winning chance, photos should be professionally printed on high quality photo paper.New themes include “Pattern/texture”, “5 things”, “Abstract” and “The Shed” as well as the perennial favourites: Portraits, Action Photo and Coonamble Street Scene. Also new classes in the junior section are “Something I Found” and “Photo of my Friends” - a great opportunity these coming holidays to have fun with a camera!Take a look at the full schedule for adults and juniors, now available on the Coonamble Show website www.coonambleshow.com/pavilion, for more inspiring topics in arts, crafts, horticulture and take the chance to refine some recipes before May. Check out your favourite section, as new topics and classes have been introduced in several areas.Many thanks for our new, and legendary continuing sponsors for supporting all the pavilion classes. It’s rare to find such attractive prizemoney outside metropolitan regions, and it makes a win that much sweeter!To make it easier for entrants, photos can be brought to the pavilion by 2-5.30pm on Friday 27th May or Saturday morning 28th May 9am-12 noon, which is the same times as all other sewing, handicrafts, fine arts and ceramics, preserves etc, with the exception of fresh flowers and fresh cooking which are to be at the pavilion from 8am on Tuesday 31st May.See you at the Show, in the big blue (new and improved) shed!Star Mckenzie with her prize winning photograph at the 2019 Coonamble Show

LIVING and running a business during a global pandemic with the uncertainty around lockdowns, rule changes and ‘road maps’ has created new and uncharted territory for us all, and has led to confusion, isolation, heartbreak and stress. Prioritising your wellbeing during this time is important, because if you aren’t well it will reflect on how well you can run your business. The small business coaching team at REWiRE believe that successful businesses need to have a balance across their business, their community, their family and of course their own wellbeing.Below the REWiRE small business team have put together their top 7 tips to minimise the impact on your wellbeing and manage the feelings that many of us are feeling right now.1. Routine:Continue with as much of your previous routine as possible. Rise at the same time, shower and get dressed. If you are working from home – stick to your work hours if possible – and follow your same processes. Eat your meals at the same times and have a consistent bed time. 2. Designated Work Space: If you are working from home or have specific tasks to do at home that you normally wouldn’t, try to create a separate work space for these. A place that will separate work and home for you as much as practicable.3. Daily Achievements: We all need purpose and a sense of achievement in our lives. Try to do one activity per day that will give you this feeling. It could be mowing your lawns, gardening, a puzzle or a craft project. Only you will know what a satisfying activity is for you.4. Practise Gratitude: To shift into a positive mindset try to list 5 things each day you are grateful for. This could include things like your family, the weather or one-off things like someone at the supermarket letting you checkout before them.5. Check In: Give somebody outside your household a call, or a text, or a video call over zoom or facetime. Check in on how they are going and talk about yourself too. Reduce your isolation and keep your connection with others. Don’t forget to check in on your children – they may not know or say they are being affected by all the changes around them, but their behaviour may indicate otherwise.6. Give Yourself a Break: Go easy on yourself and your family. Everyone is finding things challenging and everyone is under stress. Kids learning from home has been tough.Speak to their teachers if you are finding it too difficult and see if you can shift the focus to learning practical skills instead of set work. Don’t be hard on yourself or feel guilty about your feelings. Take care of yourself.7. Professional Support: If you are finding life coming out of lockdown, restricted movements, mask wearing, home education, financial stress or anything else is getting you down, reach out to one of the professional support networks followingBeyond Blue 1800 512 348 (free 24/7 counselling)LifeLine Text 0477 131 114 (from 6pm-midnight) or online www.lifeline.org.au (free 7pm-midnight)Head to Health www.headtohealth.gov.au (find support to suit you from 564 resources)Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 (free, private, and confidential counselling for ages 5-25 years)Ahead for Business www.aheadforbusiness.org.au (specifically for the wellbeing of small business owners).If you are experiencing financial hardship, need some help getting your finances on track or help coming up with a plan to help get you out of a tough situation the REWiRE small business coaches are a government-funded, independent, free service who’s only agenda is helping you.Call them on 1800 570 655 or visit rewireproject.com.au

Being in business is a constant process of making decisions. While decisions are sometimes made on instinct, taking time to thoroughly consider the decisions you face is a highly valuable (and profitable) skill to develop. How we make decisionsChoosing a path that provides acceptable reward for acceptable effort at an acceptable amount of risk is at the core of decision-making and sound business management.There are many ways people define acceptable but decision-making generally comes down to three approaches (or a combination:1. The head: the logical approach to decision-making, where information is gathered, analysed and processed rationally. 2. The heart: the emotional aspect of decision-making. It includes a person’s beliefs, values, fears and preferences. Sometimes these feelings (like a strong connection to the family business) are deeply entrenched, making it hard to apply other approaches.3. The gut: intuition, shaped by knowledge and prior experience. It usually bypasses rational processes by linking past experiences (good and bad) with the present. Intuitive decisions often “just feel right”.  It’s important to note that not all decisions are created equal. Some decisions are easy, with simple information inputs and clear right or wrong answers. More complicated decisions will have an increased number of variables, and a right answer (which may not immediately apparent).Complex decisions usually involve the interaction between a number of complicated decisions and require outcomes to be weighed against each other. Generally, we tend move out of the ‘head’ and rely increasingly on the ‘heart’ and ‘gut’ to arrive at an answer – but this is the time when a logical, analytical decision-making process is best..How to make better decisionsThere are a few things you can do to become a better decision maker in your business.• Alleviate stress. Stress affects the brain. It impacts judgement, planning, behaviour, memory and your ability to regulate emotion. While some types of stress can be good because they sharpen alertness and performance, persistent stress can impair the decision-making process and potentially lead to inaction, or poor and costly decisions being made.• Be prepared. Give yourself time to adequately evaluate the decision you’re facing.• Identify the critical variables in the decision. Don’t be distracted by non-critical factors. • Use the tools you have available. Writing a pros and cons list or using a decision-making matrix can be a useful to ‘see’ the variables more clearly.• Listen to ‘experts’ to inform your thinking (but don’t follow them blindly).• Act quickly and decisively. It’s better to make a near-ideal decision than to analyse a situation to death.•Remember sometimes doing nothing is the right decision.• Have a purpose statement and clearly defined business goals and weigh every decision against them. Accessing helpWhile decision making is a constant, you don’t always have to face decisions alone. There are people and organisations you can turn to when facing complex decisions, including legal, financial and business advisors who can bring their technical expertise and years of industry experience to the table. To talk through how you can improve your decision making, contact RFCS and talk to one of our counsellors today.

Business Plan vs Business Planning ... and why you need both! For many small businesses, a successful business plan is a little like an urban myth. Something you hear a lot about but not actually something you’ve witnessed with your own eyes. The fact is many small businesses don’t even have a business plan, let alone a commitment to business planning. And the reality is that to succeed in small business you really cannot have one without the other.But what’s the difference and how do you do a good job of both? Let us explain…A business plan is like a road map for your business – it will guide you to get where you want to go. It will help you to see the bigger picture, plan ahead, make important decisions, and it will improve your overall likelihood of success.Just like maps, you can travel without one but the risk of getting lost is significantly reduced when you don’t. Despite the many benefits of having a business plan, some businesses choose to go without one. In fact, more than 90% of small businesses that engaged with the REWiRE Project, did not have a business plan. We get it. Developing a business plan can feel daunting and force you to provide answers that are not always easy to determine.It requires research, analysis and planning and that takes time. It takes you away from the instant results of a sale, being on the tools or billing client hours.While stepping out of working in the business to work on it can be a challenge, it’s a change of mindset worth making because the investment of time reaps results in the long-term.The REWiRE Business Coaches can walk you through the process step by step.What happens once you’ve developed your business plan? Once you have a business plan, now is the time to use it!Business planning is not just the process of developing the plan in the first instance but the process of constantly reviewing and updating the plan in line with the current business climate, market and operational conditions.Business planning is the business plan in motion. The plan should be treated like a living document – one that you are actively tending to, implementing and updating. A good business plan will outline how achievements will be measured, and what success will mean for the business. Good business planning will then use that plan as the baseline to measure. Are your products and services right? How is the market response? What are your competitors doing? And, most importantly, how are the finances tracking? Good business planning should also highlight what you need to work on and expose any other outside forces you did not perceive when developing the business plan. WHY YOU NEED BOTHResearch tells us that 1 in 3 owners of Australian small-to-medium sized business struggle with their stress and mental health. If we accept that the way to manage stress is prevention, business planning based on financial analysis, clear goal setting and risk mitigation can help you move from distress to a successful, financially self-sufficient business by being proactive and getting back in control of your business. If you would like some support to develop your business plan or to take your business planning to the next level, there are many professionals that can help.Call the Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW REWiRE project today to talk with one of our Business Coaches - our service is free. www.rewireproject.com.au1800 570 655

‘Get Ready’ this bush fire seasonThe NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) is calling on all residents to plan and prepare for the fire season this Get Ready Weekend.  NSW RFS Superintendent Paul Metcalfe said all residents can take simple steps to get themselves and their properties prepared. “Over recent weeks, our firefighters have seized upon favourable weather to conduct vital hazard reduction burns across the state. Now it’s the community’s turn to get their property in order to better protect their home and their loved ones,” Superintendent Paul Metcalfe said. “As many of us are under stay-at-home orders with the current COVID-19 restrictions, it is the perfect time to take the necessary steps to plan and prepare for this fire season.  “Getting ready doesn’t have to be onerous and is quicker than you think with some of the most simple tasks making a significant difference.” Cleaning out your gutters is just one of the things every household should do to protect against fire.Superintendent Paul Metcalfe said there are five simple steps you can take to reduce your bush fire risk,  1. TRIM overhanging trees and shrubs. 2. MOW grass and remove the cuttings.  Have a cleared area around your home.3. REMOVE material that can burn around your home (e.g. Door mats, wood piles, mulch)4. CLEAR and remove all the debris and leaves from the gutters surrounding your home.   5. PREPARE a sturdy hose or hoses that will reach all around your home.  Most importantly, you should have a five-minute conversation with your household and ask if threatened by fire - when will you go, what will you take and where will you go? “Get Ready Weekend, which will be held over the weekend of 11 and 12 September, is the ideal opportunity to take that action,” Superintendent Paul Metcalfe said. COVID-19 restrictions will see local NSW RFS brigades move online to host Get Ready Weekend events.  Residents can check in on our Facebook Page, North West Zone Rural Fire Service and find out about the bush fire risk in your area.  This year, all Get Ready Weekend events will take place online, including:·        Online Meetings and Facebook Live events·        Social Media Campaigns  All events for Get Ready Weekend can be found at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/getready.

Small businesses located from the coast to the far west of NSW who are supported by REWIRE are all experiencing the impact of COVID-19 in varying degrees on their cashflow.REWIRE is the small business arm of the Rural Financial Counselling Service and the Western Plains App welcomes their new blog covering topics of interest for small businesses in the small towns of our region. You'll find it here every fortnight.Last year we had a dress rehearsal of what COVID-19 does to client cashflows when small businesses shutdown, just as we are doing again. What lessons did we learn to be better prepared for the current lock down?Stay close to your customers. Loyalty or trust capital is hard to earn but very easy to lose. Your regular customers are probably hurting as much in their own life as you are and want an excuse to stay in touch or better still, keep buying from you. Social media is the inexpensive gift that allows you to keep and develop your customer relationships.Provide your customers with every opportunity to engage with you through your website and your preferred online channels.Stay close to your creditors. If making payments on time is a problem contact your creditors, suppliers and ATO before they contact you and negotiate revised payment terms. Also access any support that the larger service providers (utilities, insurers, landlords) may be offering. If a creditor is not as understanding of your situation as you would like then contact the free and very professional mediation services of the NSW Small Business Commissioner to find a middle ground solution.Stay close to your bank. Banks are more approachable for small businesses than a few years ago and during COVID-19 most offer a more flexible lending approach to clients with COVID-19 impacted cashflows.Clients may be offered special arrangements such as deferring loan repayments but always ask the question: if I defer repayments will it have a negative impact on my credit rating? This could mean that any future loans you apply for may attract a higher interest rate margin than would otherwise be the case.Stay close to your accountant COVID-19 government grant applications is that they want to compare, for example, your turnover decrease during lockdown to previous periods. They often require your accountant to provide written assurance that your interim accounts on which your grant application is based, are accurate.It is very important to keep your monthly accounts online, up to date so your accountant can quickly and confidently support your grant application and lodge your tax returns.Stay close to your monthly resultsIf you have several activities in your business work out which one makes you the most profit. Do you know? We have access to benchmarks to assist in analysing your business.Apportion overheads across each activity to determine which activity makes you the most profit.Leverage your cashflow when times are betterEasier said than done, but many regional businesses, particularly in agriculture and tourism have done well in the last 12 months. Did you use the opportunity to pay down debt, negotiate a lower interest rate, release a family guarantee, or decided to sell your business at some future date?Be nimble and question every premise your business is based on.Cash flow is even more important in lockdownLockdown may mean zero sales but most expenses don’t stop. Keep completing a monthly cash flow even if income is zero because those expenses will still need to be paid at some stage. Keep the financial details out of your head and on a spreadsheet. It makes for a much better night’s sleep to know exactly where the financial speed bumps lie ahead for your business so that you give yourself time to work through solutions.The government giveth and the government taketh awayNo matter how stretched your cash flow is never be tempted to apply for a government grant that you can’t back up with accurate financials. Even though Services NSW might be under pressure to get the COVID-19 grants out quickly to small businesses, in later months when the dust settles, their auditors will check the grant payments for “integrity”. This happened with bushfire grants and some small businesses had to repay the grant 12 months later due to poor back up paperwork.Don’t let that happen to you.For more information rewireproject.com.au or contact our team on 1800 570 655.Dubbo-based Rural Financial Counselling Service Business Coaches Ken Borchardt (ABOVE) and Mick Wallis (BELOW).