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Prepare your family’s bush fire survival plan now: that’s the message from Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders and the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) in the lead-up to bush fire season. Mr Saunders said more than 500 community awareness events will be hosted by Rural Fire Brigades on Saturday, part of the annual Get Ready Weekend. “With the official bush fire season fast approaching, now is the time to prepare. You dramatically improve the chances of you and your home surviving a devastating bush fire by doing a few simple things such as cleaning out your gutters, trimming […]

Applications are open for grants supporting innovative ideas to boost public access to the region’s most significant heritage places and stimulate the local economy. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said this is a fantastic opportunity for the local community to get involved and celebrate the region’s rich heritage. “We are so lucky to have incredible heritage sites, and I’m excited to hear ideas on how we can reinvigorate these places to draw people in to learning about and experiencing the history of the area,” Mr Saunders said. “Across the state, $5 million in funding will support these heritage

State-wide surveillance will be strengthened to ensure NSW beekeepers have greater flexibility to continue their operations, through a new Varroa Mite Emergency Order, effective today.  Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said changes to the Emergency Order will increase the surveillance registered beekeepers are required to conduct each year. “Registered beekeepers across NSW have shown strong support for the eradication of Varroa mite after it was detected by the NSW Government’s sentinel hives near the Port of Newcastle in June,” Mr Saunders said. “The latest changes require beekeepers to alcohol wash a portion of their hives at least every 16 weeks,

The search is on to find the most outstanding and influential women in NSW, with nominations now open for the 2023 NSW Women of the Year Awards. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the annual awards play an important role in recognising inspirational women from diverse backgrounds across not only the Dubbo electorate, but the state. “These awards are a wonderful opportunity to honour the women and girls who are making a real difference to our community,” Mr Saunders said. Nominations are open for the following six categories: Woman of Excellence Aboriginal Woman of the Year Community Hero

Students in the Dubbo electorate now have more opportunities after completing school, thanks to the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Traineeship Program. The two-year traineeship program is a collaboration between NSW Government infrastructure agencies and industry partners, offering Year 12 school leavers a rounded experience. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said applications are now open to all students who would be interested in taking on this opportunity thanks to the NSW Government. “The Infrastructure Traineeship Program will have more than 100 trainee roles available to do rotational office-based infrastructure jobs with government agencies, contractors and consultant organisations,” Mr Saunders said.

Local football clubs and players in the Dubbo electorate are set for a funding boost with the opening of the NSW Government’s Football Legacy Fund applications. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the NSW Football Legacy Fund will strengthen the local community and secure a brighter future for clubs and associations across NSW. “The Football Legacy Fund will help increase football participation in the Dubbo electorate through the construction or upgrade of community facilities, new or enhanced programs, and leadership and development programs,” Mr Saunders said. “I encourage all clubs and associations in our region to take advantage

Five of rural NSW’s most innovative and inspiring women have been celebrated in Parliament House in Canberra this week at a ceremony for the 2022 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor today congratulated the national winner Stephanie Tretheway from Tasmania, who founded Motherland Australia, and the NSW winner, Josie Clarke from Bellimbopinni who founded Ability Agriculture in 2021. Mrs Taylor said these awards recognise the incredible impact of women in regional and rural Australia. “These women deserve to be recognised each and every day for the incredible contributions they make in their industries and communities,” Mrs Taylor

Pensioners across the Dubbo electorate are being encouraged to take advantage of discounts and rebates through the Service NSW Savings Finder tool. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the NSW Government has more than 70 discounts and rebates available through the Savings Finder program, with a range of them specifically designed to assist pensioners drive their pension dollar further. “We know pensioners are feeling the squeeze on their household budgets at the moment, which is why the NSW Government is offering a range of financial support to help drive their dollar further,” Mr Saunders said. “More than 70