Author name: Dugald Saunders

An innovative program that’s already helping to address the teaching shortage in regional NSW has received a much-needed boost from the NSW Government. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said Charles Sturt University (CSU), along with TAFE NSW and Regional Development Australia (RDA) Orana, is one of four partnerships to receive a share of the $1.75 million NSW Government Collaboration and Innovation Fund for its project, Collaborative Teachers Aide Pathway. “These grants will help break down barriers that impact people in our community who want to study at our world class universities,” Mr Saunders said. “The Teachers Aide Pathway

The annual ‘Wellington Wombats’ cave rescue training program has returned after a two-year hiatus, with more than 150 New South Wales State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers descending on the Wellington Caves last weekend. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders visited SES volunteers as they practiced carrying out tricky rescues in complex cave systems. “It is crucially important our volunteer emergency service personnel are able to train and test themselves in real-world environments to ensure they have the appropriate skills,” Mr Saunders said. “Training events like this show how dedicated SES volunteers are to making sure they are able to

The Rural Crime Prevention Team will today re-launch Operation Stock Check, an ongoing and proactive operation to prevent livestock theft by disrupting the movement of stolen stock throughout NSW. Operation Stock Check was initially launched in August 2020, and allows officers of all ranks to inspect vehicles carrying livestock to identify and target loads which may have been stolen. Livestock theft has a significant impact on farmers across the state, with over $8.5 million worth of cattle and sheep reported stolen in the past two years alone. Commencing today (Monday, 22 August 2022), officers throughout the State will be increasing

A $65 million investment to bolster the NSW Government’s biosecurity measures will fast-track the development of  vaccines against Foot and Mouth (FMD) and Lumpy Skin Disease and help position NSW as leaders in the fight against exotic animal diseases. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the goal was to develop mRNA synthetic vaccines for both FMD and Lumpy Skin, a game changer for NSW farmers. “Current FMD vaccines are made using the virus itself, meaning even vaccinated animals have to be destroyed for Australia to regain our FMD-free status following an outbreak,” Mr Toole said.  “The

The early childhood workforce is set to boom with the NSW Government committing 25,000 fee-free training places to bolster the pipeline of skilled and job-ready workers for the early learning and care sector. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said fee-free courses will help people upskill and boost budgets by removing barriers to accessing quality vocational education and training. “This investment in fee-free courses enables you to get a job in an incredibly rewarding industry, study for free, and earn while you learn,” Mr Saunders said. “There’s never been a better time to access fee-free courses to get skilled

Dubbo electorate councils and not-for-profit organisations are encouraged to apply for a share of $600,000 to run programs aimed at reducing social isolation among seniors. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the Reducing Social Isolation for Seniors Grants Program can provide a social lifeline for seniors who live alone. “This funding is about helping foster environments where people can come together, meet new people, and enjoy themselves in their local community,” Mr Saunders said. “Across NSW, there were 50 projects in the previous two rounds that successfully promoted social inclusion, reduced seniors’ isolation and loneliness, and provided meaningful

Mudgee is set to welcome a new Rural Crime Investigator as part of the largest increase in police numbers in more than 30 years. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the new position creates a unit of two specialist investigators in Mudgee, in addition to the existing two specialist investigators already based in Dubbo. “Our farmers have been through enough in recent years without having low-life criminals trespassing and stealing or destroying the fruits of their labour,” Mr Saunders said. “Rural crime doesn’t only hurt our farmers, it impacts entire regional communities, and the confidence in the sector