The women from Northparkes Mines and the women from Parkes Painting group show off their amazing creations.

Celebrated annually on 8th March, International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global event and focal point of the women’s rights movement – bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.

This year, Brooke Plunkett, Organisational Development Specialist for Northparkes Mines organised for their female employees to attend a painting workshop, run by the Parkes Painting Group, to create a series of large artworks that will be donated to the Forbes Women’s Refuge. 

Brooke said, “I wanted to create an activity for International Women’s day where we could celebrate our women, do something meaningful and give back to the community.”

Brooke wanted to make sure all of the hard working ladies at Northparkes felt a little spoiled, so along with the painting activity she organised a lovely spread for morning tea. There has been only positive feedback from everyone involved, with the women saying it was a very relaxing activity. 

“It shows how Northparkes appreciate the women they employ, by allowing them three hours, on the clock, to volunteer their time to do something enjoyable and at the same time give back to the community. We are very valued,” said Brooke.

Parkes Painting Group representative, Kerry said “Brooke from Northparkes Mines reached out to us to organise the event. The Parkes Painters have never done anything like this before so it has been a bit of a learning curve for us.” 

The five large-scale paintings are going to the Forbes Women’s Refuge where they will certainy brighten up the walls for the women and children who use the facility. 

Pictured is Stephen Jones, Inland Rail Director of Health, Safety and Environment.

The sixteenth round of funding from the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) Inland Rail Community Sponsorships and Donations Program has been announced, for community groups across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

Twenty-four community groups and associations including sporting clubs, history groups, schools, and museums will receive a combined total of $73,000 from the sixteenth round of funding. This takes total support over the life of the program to close to $1.1 million for local communities and associations along the Inland Rail alignment since its launch in 2019.

The program has now supported community projects and events like local festivals and celebrations, school STEM initiatives, upgrades to sporting facilities, and support for health and wellbeing groups.

Stephen Jones, Inland Rail Director of Health, Safety and Environment said “‘We are proud to give back to the communities that are home to Inland Rail. The work these organisations do is instrumental to the wellbeing of regional communities”.

“We offer funding between $1,000–$4,000 for groups and organisations that operate along the Inland Rail route and contribute to local and regional prosperity, well-being, and sustainability.”

“I encourage other non-profit groups to lodge their applications for the next round of funding.” Applications for the next round of funding close 30th April.

We encourage you to check your funding eligibility and apply. Please include as much information as you can to tell the story of what you want to achieve and how it will benefit your community.

Check the Community Sponsorships and Donations program page for more information and to access the guidelines which explain eligibility. If you have any further queries, please phone 1800 732 761 or email: ircommunitysponsorships@artc.com.au.

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

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

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

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

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