Mudgee & Gulgong

The NSW Government is giving the regional visitor economy a $3.5 million boost through programs to support the development of new attractions and infrastructure, to refresh existing products, and to secure or create new event opportunities. The programs will help businesses and regional communities recover from the impact of drought, floods, bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic by creating jobs, enhancing the appeal of regional NSW, and improving the visitor experience. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said this is a significant opportunity for new and established business owners in the region to be visitor-ready and create new business event […]

Thirty of the state’s most influential women have been named as finalists in the NSW Women of the Year Awards, shining a spotlight on some of the state’s most inspirational and influential women after a year like no other. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said that the awards were a fantastic way of acknowledging the hard work and dedication of #buyfromthebush founder Grace Brennan, regional podcasters Lucy Samuels and Lucy Taylor, and LeaderLife founder Joh Leader, who are each nominated for various gongs. “We have some very inspirational women in regional NSW, and in the Dubbo electorate in

The NSW Government has created more than 11,000 Out of School Hours Care places since July 2019 as part of its Before and After School Care election commitment. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the $120 million commitment supports services through fee waivers, infrastructure funding and the new hub delivery. “We want to ensure affordable and convenient before and after school care is available to every family who needs it,” Mr Saunders said. “This is a real commitment to providing more before and after school care places to support working families. This is particularly important as communities and households recover

A series of new safety advertisements will run across regional cinemas and social media from this week, outlining the danger of irresponsible behaviour at level crossings. Among the ads is one outlining, from a train driver’s perspective, what it is like to have to hit the emergency brakes. “….you can’t swerve, you can’t do anything, the train will just stop when it stops,” the driver says Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the campaign was launched this week by the NSW Government in an effort to create a safer and stronger regional NSW. “The message for our communities

An expansion of fee-free Summer Skills training courses is now available for NSW school leavers in 2021 with more online short courses on offer, as part of the NSW Government’s Skilling for Recovery initiative. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the Summer Skills program, launched in November 2020, has expanded to include seven TAFE NSW online short courses targeting last year’s school leavers. “In designing Summer Skills as part of Skilling for Recovery, the NSW Government has ensured the training on offer is aligned to local industry needs,” Mr Saunders said. “In addition to this, the expanded program

Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders is urging local indigenous groups to apply for funding that promotes awareness of Aboriginal languages in the community. The Aboriginal Languages Community Investments Program offers $800,000 across three categories: Reawaken (supports projects that encourage the development of new or emerging language activities) – up to $20,000 Grow (supports existing projects to expand and develop the capacity of groups or organisations) – up to $50,000 ·       Nurture (provides support to build the strategic capacity of more established groups or organisations) – up to $90,000 “The Dubbo electorate has a rich Indigenous history and it

Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders says he sees enormous potential for the region following the announcement of a new 20-year economic vision by Deputy Premier John Barilaro. Along with a focus on more senior NSW Government roles being based in regional communities, the vision supports emerging sectors such as renewable energy & gas, along with future industries like critical minerals. “This region is part of the first Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), and will certainly be leading the way when it comes to opportunities for the future in that sector,” Mr Saunders said. “The Dubbo Electorate also has a

Students in Dubbo will be the first to benefit from the record-breaking investment in regional digital education when they return to school this week. The upgrade is the first rollout of the NSW Government’s $365.8 million Rural Access Gap investment, providing rural and regional schools access to the future of digital technology. Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said she wants to see all students have access to thesame educational facilities and opportunities no matter where they live. “I want every student learning at our schools in regional NSW to enjoy the same opportunities as their metro peers,” Ms Mitchell said.

As students and educators return for the 2021 school year, a $120 million program aimed at providing certainty in the preschool sector has commenced. The free preschool program was initially introduced in mid-2020 as part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 response package, however with continuing uncertainty relating to the pandemic it was announced in November’s state budget that it would continue in 2021. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders and Minister for Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell visited Dubbo and District Preschool on Thursday to hear how the program has helped, and will continue to help, local families. “There

Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has congratulated those in the region who were presented Australia Day awards. Mr Saunders attended events in Dubbo and Wellington and while this year’s celebrations were different to normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said the recognition of community-minded people showed what makes Australia such a great place to live. “Everyone who was given an Australia Day award received it because they have given so much of themselves to their communities,” Mr Saunders said. “We’ve seen during the pandemic that we have amazing resilience in our part of the world but that