General Interest Archives - Page 104 of 352

Applications Now Open For Inaugural $10,000 Military History Prize

February 24, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Applications are now open for the inaugural $10,000 Anzac Memorial Trustees Military History Prize – a new annual award within the prestigious NSW Premier’s History Awards.

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney, David Elliott said the establishment of the award highlighted the importance of recording our military history to honour and remember our veterans.

“Capturing our military history is vital in ensuring future generations are educated on the service and sacrifice of Australians in armed conflicts,” Mr Elliott said.

“I encourage all historians with an interest in our military history to apply for this award as it will help future generations learn about and understand the bravery, dedication and legacy of our veterans,” Mr Elliott said.

The Military History Prize is for a work of non-fiction on the involvement of Australians in wars, campaigns, battles and/or peacekeeping operations which are represented in the Anzac Memorial’s Hall of Service.

For more information: www.sl.nsw.gov.au/awards/nsw-premiers-history-awards

“Her Name Is Nanny Nelly” Film With A Local Connection

February 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION…On set during filming of the documentary, “Her Name Is Nanny Nelly”, are production assistant Lisa Ramsay, sound crew, director Daniel King, local indigenous artist Irene Walker, production assistant Conor Baillie and camera crew.

Parkes will feature in a documentary about the family history of Peak Hill resident, and well-known indigenous artist, Irene Walker.

Back in 2006, Irene was researching her family history. Upon entering her great grandmothers name, Nelly Bungil (Nanny Nelly) in an online search, she discovered photographs of her great grandmother that had been made into a sculpture.

Irene was not aware of any stories about a statue being made of Nanny Nelly, however, it turned out there were family members who did know, and one of them was Irene’s brother Arthur Ridgeway.

Irene’s eldest son, Daniel King recalls a trip he made with his uncle in 2001, where he first saw the statue.

“We basically went down to the vaults of the Australian Museum and into a room. There was this white sheet over a lifesize figure, we took the sheet off and there was my great-great grandmother,” said Daniel.

“The statue was absolutely lifelike, it was literally like she was standing there.” Daniel also sadly recalls seeing the the pain in her eyes.

More than 20 years after first seeing the statue of Nanny Nelly, Daniel has been awarded funding from the Adelaide Film Festival to produce a documentary about his great-great grandmother. The feature length documentary will will premiere at the 2023 Adelaide Film Festival, and air on NITV.

In 1996 Nanny Nelly’s daughter, Victoria Walker (Nanny Kempsey) was walking through the Australian Museum when she saw the statue and recognised that it was actually her mother.

Nanny Kempsey was part of the stolen generation, at the age of eight she was taken into custody by the Aboriginal Protection Board and sent to Cootamundra Girls School. She didn’t see her mother again until she was 17 years old when she received notification that her mother, Nanny Nelly was dying and had requested to see her. She stayed by her mothers side until her passing.

Upon seeing her mothers unclothed statue on display in the Australian Museum, Nanny Kempsey wrote to the museum to have the statue removed from display. However, after consulting with family members, she then wrote to the museum again, allowing them to keep the statue, specifying that it could be put back on display under the condition that they clothed Nanny Nelly’s statue, identified Nanny Nelly and told her story.

Irene Walker first saw the Nanny Nelly statue on a trip with Daniel in 2018, when it had been relocated to Penrith. Knowing that Nanny Nelly was unclothed, she requested the museum place a sheet around her.

Irene described seeing her great grandmother as an amazing experience. “It was the pinnacle moment for me, it was like looking at a real person,” said Irene. She has visited Nanny Nelly several times since this and describes it as wonderful.

The Australian Museum has committed $150,000 to the restoration of not only Nanny Nelly’s statue, but of two other statues that were commissioned at the same time.

The three statues of a young boy, an older male and a woman, were commissioned in 1938 as a way of preserving an image of full blooded Aboriginals who were believed to be a dying race, when the census revealed a decline in the population.

Nanny Nelly’s family are retracing her steps in the feature length documentary titled “Her Name is Nanny Nelly”. Part of that journey is to find the families of the other two statue subjects, the older man, Jimmy Clemence and the young boy, Harold Marsh.

FAMILY HISTORY… The majority owner of First Person Films Daniel King, Irene Walker and Conor Baillie who is also working on the film alongside his mother and brother.

$240,000 To Balance The Scales For Wheelchair Sports In Parkes

February 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

NSW Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway said, “It is a fundamental right of all Australians to have access to play sport, and no-one should need to travel more than 60 minutes to do so.”

NSW Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway was recently joined by the NSW Nationals Candidate for Orange Tony Mileto to announce that the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government are providing $242,000 in funding to establish a Wheelchair Multi-Sport Hub for both Orange and Parkes.

“This project will address that issue by establishing a hub in Orange and Parkes, where the community can not only store sports wheelchairs but also come together to enjoy the physical, social, and mental health benefits of sport.”

CEO of Wheelchair Sports NSW ACT Inc Mick Garnett thanked the NSW Government for their support and said that the project would make a real difference to locals.

“A wheelchair multi-sport hub in Orange and Parkes will provide a much-needed resource for people with disabilities in the region, and we are looking forward to working with the community to promote accessibility and inclusion through sport.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said “It’s the little things that make a big difference to the way we all work, live, play and do business, and the NSW Liberals and Nationals in Government are delivering the projects that make a difference to everyday life right across regional NSW, from Byron Bay to Bega to Broken Hill.”

For more information, visit: nsw.gov.au/sccf

Wheelchair Sports NSW ACT Inc. is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the physical, social, and mental health benefits of sport for people with disabilities in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, the organisation aims to promote accessibility and inclusion in the community.

Local Men Urged To Come Along For A Free 10 Minute Health Check

February 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Don’t walk past, come in and meet Registered nurse, Bill (Pictured) for your free health check.

Calling all Parkes and surrounding local men, when is the last time you, or the men in your life, had a health check up?

“Saving men’s lives” is the catch cry of the Rotary Men’s Health Education Rural Van (MHERV). MHERV is an initiative of the Rotary Club of Warners Bay in collaboration with local Rotary clubs and other community groups in each area it visits.

With the support of the Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institution (RFBI) a Registered Nurse undertakes free basic check-ups for “blokes” – and for ladies to come in and have a free health check.

The purpose-built MHERV van is staffed by a male Nurse, Bill Power. It offers free of charge health screening services for Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Blood Sugar (Diabetes). The consultation takes about 10 minutes and provides immediate results, helping to improve health outcomes for men.

Bill has the knack for being able to relax even the most stressed clients. During the confidential consultation, Bill takes the opportunity to also chat about other health related concerns, including state of mind. This service is offered in a relaxed, confidential and informal setting under COVID safe Guidelines.

The Nurse submits a daily report to the Program Management team at Rotary Club of Warners Bay from which statistics are gathered. Over the last 4 years the results have averaged approximately 4% who have required urgent attention, around 40% are advised to follow up on something with their GP in the next week and 56% are encouraged to keep up the good work.

Over the past four years the van has seen over 12,000 people so it has potentially saved over four hundred and fifty people from a severe health event.

MHERV will be located at The Little Theatre, 34 Bogan Street, Parkes on Thursday 2nd of March 9:30am – 3:30pm.

Recognising Our Sporting Heroes

February 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

FORBES SOYA WINNER: Haylee Redfern (right) with Jessica Pascoe accepting her trophy for winning Forbes Sportsperson Of The Year in February 2022. Photo supplied.

The Forbes Sportsperson of the Year Association (SOYA) are delighted with the quality of the nominations they have received for the 2022 Awards with the Annual Awards Presentation to be held on Saturday, 4th March at the Forbes Golf & Sportsman’s Hotel.

Sport is an important part of life and the awards are an opportunity to pay tribute to the athletes who excel in their chosen sport. They are also a way to show appreciation to the many volunteers who give their time to ensure that children and adults of all ages have access to some of the best sporting facilities and competitions in New South Wales.

This year the special guest is Geoff Mann, ABC Breakfast Show Host. Geoff Mann is widely known as the Mr Sport of the central west and western plains. He grew up in Coonamble and has lived in Dubbo, Orange and Bathurst.

Geoff played rugby league until 1990 and along with swimming, has dabbled in tennis, golf, cricket and touch football. He is on the Country Cricket Umpires Panel and in 2006 appeared on the cover of the local White Pages in honour of his contribution to local sport.

Geoff loves history and devotes much of his spare time to a project on the centenary of rugby league. He is married with three children and lives in Wongarbon, east of Dubbo. You can hear Geoff Mann on the Saturday and Monday breakfast shows on ABC Central West and Western Plains.

Get a group of people together and book a table now before tickets sell out. Tickets are available from www.123tix.com.au/events/37803/forbes-soya-2022. The cost is $25 adults and $15 children (12 years and under). To assist with catering all tickets need to be purchased by 5.00pm Friday, 24th February.

Bush Businesses Get A Helping Hand To Grow Their Workforce

February 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

IMAGE CREDIT: nsw.gov.au/RSRG

Regional businesses across the State will get a helping hand from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government to attract employees from metropolitan parts of the State thanks to the Regional Skills Relocation Grants program.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the program will see eligible businesses reimbursed up to $12,500 to assist with recruitment services and relocation costs of eligible skilled workers they employ.

“Whether it’s paying for removals, family relocation travel, temporary accommodation or furniture storage, these grants will help regional businesses offer an extra incentive to workers thinking about going bush.

“Whether you’re a regional employer looking for skilled staff, or a business owner looking to relocate, the Regional Skills Relocation Grants can assist in making regional NSW a home for you, your family, your staff, and your business.”

Owner of Billroy Manufacturing and Engineering Lance Stewart successfully moved his small family-owned and operated business from Sydney to Wauchope in 2020, including four employees, with support from the program.

“The Regional Skills Relocation Grant provided some welcome assistance through what was an extremely challenging yet rewarding period for our family and business.”

The Regional Skills Relocation Grants program increases the availability of skilled and experienced workers for businesses setting up in, relocating to, or currently based in regional NSW.

For more information, including program guidelines just visit: nsw.gov.au/RSRG.

Life Saving Defibs For Local Sporting Clubs

February 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Fantastic news for grassroots sport which will be safer for players, spectators and volunteers as part of a $500,000 push to install life-saving defibrillators at community facilities across NSW.

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said 191 devices will be installed thanks to the latest round of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program.

“With more than 8,500 people experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year in NSW, this program provides sports with early access to a defibrillator in the worst case scenario,” Mr Henskens said.

“Since the Liberal and Nationals Government introduced this program in 2017, more than 2,000 defibrillators have been installed at sports facilities across NSW.”

The grants cover the full cost of equipment under the program with several sporting organisations receiving multiple devices.

Professor Jamie Vandenberg, Co-deputy Director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, said nine out of every 10 people who suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital don’t survive.

“We want to change that statistic so it’s vital that we get as many defibrillators installed across NSW,” Mr Vandenberg said.

More information about the program is available at www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/

Housing Pods Hit The Ground In Eugowra

February 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Flood-impacted residents across the Cabonne Shire can now apply for modular homes, with the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government expanding its temporary accommodation program following last year’s successful caravan rollout.

Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said modular homes are now being installed. “These pods will complement the 110 caravans we already have in place, giving residents more options and more support while they continue their recovery journey.”

“It’s important people remain as close as possible to their own home and connected with their community while they undertake the difficult clean-up and rebuilding process, that’s what the modular homes will allow,” said Steph.

Flood-impacted residents in the Cabonne Shire can apply for the Pods on Private Property Program by visiting their local Recovery Assistance Point, calling Service NSW on 13 77 88 or sending an email to: housingtaskforce@resilience.nsw.gov.au.

Caravans are continuing to be provided through a partnership between the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government and accommodation provider Camplify. Flood-impacted residents who have previously received a caravan and are eligible for a modular home will be able to transition.

More information at: www.nsw.gov.au/floods/recovery/temporary-housing.

NSW Sports High Schools Going For Gold With New Partnership

February 10, 2023 By Roxane Manley

New South Wales has scored an Australian-first with the State’s seven Sports High Schools officially becoming ‘Australian Olympic Pathway Schools’ from today.

“Our seven Sports High Schools in NSW are the only secondary schools in Australia to have this prestigious recognition.

The seven Sports High Schools in NSW receiving this recognition are Endeavour Sports High School, The Hills Sports High School, Hunter Sports High School, Illawarra Sports High School, Matraville Sports High School, Narrabeen Sports High School and Westfields Sports High School.

“Sporting heroes are made in our public schools and particularly our amazing sport high schools, so it is incredibly exciting to recognise their role in Australian sporting excellence by acknowledging them as ‘Australian Olympic Pathway Schools’.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is supporting the State’s seven sports high schools in their endeavour to develop future Australian Olympians.

“The students at our sports high schools today will be our heroes standing on the podium at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, and this partnership will strengthen their opportunity for international success,” Mr Henskens said.

Today’s announcement builds on the signing of an MOU between the sports high schools and the NSW Institute of Sport, which strengthened the pathway for talented athletes with a specific focus on Olympic sports.

“We have seen Olympic Training Centres recognised around Australia and overseas, but never at the school level.

“The AOC is also thrilled by the extension of the Olympics Unleashed program. Our Olympic athletes can deliver these sessions across the state, including regional areas and Indigenous communities. We will reach 1,800 schools across the three years.”

Farms Of The Future To Take Ag To $30 Billion By 2030

February 10, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole makes the announcement.

Farmers could get a boost of up to $35,000 to invest in the ag tech and connectivity solutions they need to drive increased productivity and position their business for the future thanks to the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the NSW Government was backing the industry with $20 million in grants as part of the Farms of the Future program to support investment in everything from soil moisture sensors to dashboards to help monitor the farm from your mobile.

“The ag sector is always innovating and this fund will help producers tap into the latest technology to drive productivity in the paddock and allow them to work smarter, not harder,” Mr Toole said.

“A grant of up to $35,000 could put some of these technologies in reach for hundreds of farm businesses and unlock multiple times that in cost savings and boosted productivity.”

Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said embracing on-farm technology will help take agriculture in NSW to the next level.

“Despite the challenges over the last few years, our primary industries continue to break records and is currently valued at a whopping $23.1 billion, and we’re confident we can boost this to $30 billion by 2030,” Mr Saunders said.

“Encouraging farmers to engage in widespread use of agricultural technology and digital connectivity will help drive substantial growth now and into the future.”

Farmers can use their grant to select from 50 suppliers who were selected through an Expression of Interest held in 2022.

Details of the grant funding opportunity are available on the NSW Government’s grants and funding finder website at www.nsw.gov.au/fotfgrant. Applications close at 5.00pm on Thursday, 31st August 2023.

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