One of the best parts of my job is being able to help small community groups to have a big impact, and that’s exactly what the Local Sports Grant Fund does! Last week I was excited to announce $1750 for Dubbo’s Macquarie United Football Club to host “Our Time to Shine”, a program aimed at providing a pathway for girls aged 5 and up to get involved in the sport, or continue to hone their skills.
We know that team sports are fantastic for building confidence in our young people. But we also know that almost half of girls between 15 and 17 stop playing organised sport, missing out on the chance to build that self-esteem as well as team-work, communication and leadership skills, goal-setting and resilience.
“Our Time to Shine” aims to address the attrition rate of our young girls leaving sports they love, and I’m very proud to be able to support the program through Macquarie United here in Dubbo!
***
Last week saw some fantastic news for the upcoming NRL clash between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Penrith Panthers at Dubbo’s Apex Oval!
The NSW Government granted a COVID-19 Public Health Order exemption to allow a whopping 11,300 people to attend the historic event – Dubbo’s first ever NRL premiership game!
The additional 2,000 tickets were snapped up quickly and I can now announce that the game is a sell-out!
It’s great news for our region with our accommodation, hospitality and tourism providers set to benefit enormously from the influx of visitors from across western NSW, as well as from Sydney. After years of drought, bushfires and COVID-19, it’s my hope this will serve as a much-needed (and well-deserved) boost for those sectors that have been doing it tough!
***
Our paramedics need the best possible workplace to provide emergency medical care, which is why I’m excited that the Mudgee Ambulance Station is set for a revamp as part of the NSW Government’s $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program!
Alongside the new $70.7 million Mudgee Hospital, the updated ambulance station means the people of Mudgee and the surrounding communities will have access to the best healthcare in state-of-the-art settings. This refurbishment will include alterations and additions to staff amenities, plant room improvements, and other upgrades including new carpets and repainting.
***
Applications are now open for the latest round of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund, with half of the $100 million on offer dedicated to projects that will improve female participation in sport.
Applications close on 25 June, 2021. For more information, including program guidelines and eligibility criteria, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/SCCF