Wentworth Long Day Care works commence
A major revamp of the Wentworth Preschool will see the existing Preschool transformed into a Long Day Care Centre and Preschool.
The redevelopment has occurred following more than five years of hard work by a hardworking band of committee members who have actively campaigned and fundraised for a Long Day Care Centre (LDCC) in Wentworth.
Preschool committee member Annita Hawkins said after years of fundraising it was great to see the project progressing.
“This has all come about after being successful with our grant applications from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund, the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund, Wentworth and District Bendigo Bank and major contributions from the Wentworth Shire Council, David and Liz Dawes, Bob Jolley and the Community,” she said.
Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Tim Elstone congratulated the committee on their fundraising efforts and lauded the LDCC’s expected impact on Wentworth.
“Not only will the centre provide additional employment in Wentworth, but it will provide a service that the Wentworth Township has been missing,” Cr Elstone said.
“Parents currently working in Wentworth, need to take their children to the nearest centres at either at Buronga, Merbein or Mildura, this will solve that issue.”
CPM Building Contractors are undertaking the extension works, which will accommodate a new entrance and foyer, office, two daycare rooms, staff room and amenities.
The extension will make it possible to offer childcare as well as early education for up to 57 children. The works have been programmed to enable the existing Preschool to operate throughout the full construction.
This will prevent any further disruption to children, parents and staff. Works are scheduled for completion by the 30 June.
The Preschool’s Facebook page has up to date information or please contact the Preschool on 5027 3067 for all Enrolment Expressions of Interests or by email to wentypre@bigpond.net.au.
January 2022 Council Connects
Attached is the January 2022 edition of the Council Connects newsletter.
Council Connects comes out monthly following Ordinary Meetings of Council.
Regional job creation fund turbocharges businesses
Businesses can now apply for Round Two of the NSW Government’s $140 million Regional Job Creation Fund, which is set to create at least 2000 new jobs in regional NSW over a three-year period.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole today announced applications were open for a share of $40 million available in Round Two.
“The $100 million Round One of the Regional Job Creation Fund provided funding to help businesses expand, attract investment, and relocate to regional NSW, supporting more than 100 regional projects and creating nearly 5,000 new jobs in key engine industries,” Mr Toole said.
“Round Two will continue to build on this support, and enable economic recovery across our agriculture, manufacturing, energy, tourism and resource industries, ensuring they continue to thrive now and into the future.”
Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier and for Regional Jobs Gurmesh Singh said the fund would help businesses expand production and provide incentives to move operations to the bush.
“Regional NSW is the engine room of the state and providing support to companies to expand their operations helps to stimulate regional economies, boost livelihoods and provide local employment,” Mr Singh said.
“This fund allows businesses to fast-track their growth plans, expand their operations and creates a solid base for job creation now and into the future.”
Grants will range from $100,000 to $5 million to help fund projects such as replacing plant equipment, upgrading technology and developing iconic tourism experiences.
Applications are open now until 9am Monday, 14 March 2022.
For information about eligibility criteria and program guidelines, go to: nsw.gov.au/RJCF.
Vale Roy “Locky” Harvey
It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of our workmate and friend Roy “Locky” Harvey after an amazing career with Council spanning 54 years.
Commencing work with Council in 1968, Locky’s passion, dedication and commitment to Council has been remarkable.
Thank you for the friendship and memories.
You were able to put a smile on our faces every day and that is something we will all cherish.
Your infectious nature and cheeky sense of humour has touched us all.
You will be greatly missed by colleagues both past and present.
We extend our deepest sympathy to Noelle, Mel and Glenn, Kate and Mick and families and Locky’s mother Jean.
Rest In Peace Locky,
Mayor Tim Elstone, Councillors and Staff at Wentworth Shire Council
Wentworth Shire Council Australia Day Awards 2022
Jeanette Stephens has been announced as Wentworth Shire’s 2022 Citizen Of The Year at Tuesday night’s awards ceremony at the Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club.
Jeanette has been heavily involved in the Anglican Parish of Wentworth Dareton as Parish Secretary and was Sunday school teacher for 45 years, also furthering her studies in an effort to improve the Parish.
She has always displayed a strong support of school communities through involvement with P & C associations, tuck shop duties and voluntary reading with students.
Jeanette has been local her entire life and during this time has fostered 16 children of varying backgrounds, whilst having three daughters of her own.
Also nominated for the award were Dianne Pitt, Daryl Edwards, Margaret Morrison and Andrew Lamb.
Young Citizen Of The Year was awarded to Jess Doidge.
Jess was a member of the Wentworth Area Skate Park committee, raising money for the Wentworth Skate Park and was a helper at all of their fundraising events.
She has been a karate student for five years, earning her brown belt and therefore the responsibility of assisting junior karate students in learning stances, positions and Carta as well as
respect for themselves, the community and Renshi.
She has also been involved in several sporting clubs such as the Cobras Basketball Club and Coomealla Wentworth Cricket Club.
Through school she has volunteered at Murray House by assisting staff, spending quality time with residents and performing for residents as part of the school band.
In 2021 Jess was the Wentworth Public School Vice-Captain and assisted the schools P & C at a number of fundraising events.
Also nominated for this award were Kayla Hayes and Pippa Heeps.
Nicholas Witte was announced the Young Sportsperson Of The Year.
Nicholas is a junior member at Wentworth District Tennis Club where he assists with clubhouse and ground maintenance, plays in the B1 & B2 Pennant Teams and was runner up in singles and doubles for the Junior Boys Club Championships.
He is also a dedicated member of the Coomealla Wentworth Cricket Club in the Under 14s side and trains with the Curlwaa Islanders senior men’s team where he is always willing to be a substitute fielder for their team or the opposition if required.
Nicholas competes in school-based sports, was part of the school representative soccer team and is always encouraging other students to participate.
Also nominated were Isabelle Newton and Brock Lyall.
Wentworth Shire Mayor Tim Elstone congratulated all award winners and nominees.
“Our great communities rely on the efforts of people such as Jeanette, Jess and Nicholas, as well as the respective nominees in each category, to make them tick,” Cr Elstone said.
“Without these people, and others like them, Wentworth Shire would not be such a wonderful place to live and we hope they will continue their terrific efforts to improve our communities.”
Eight new Australian citizens were conferred as part of the ceremony on Tuesday night.
These new citizens are Riyalyn Ortega, Aaliyah Ortega Santos, Charles Ortega Santos, Angel Cano, Salina Chirozva, Lisa Hutchinson, Zaihasra Imandin and Yi Chun Liao.
Wentworth Shire Council also presented awards of recognition to previous serving Councillors Jane MacAllister and Bill Wheeldon.
Former Councillor Peter Nunan received an Order of Merit for his service on Council between 1991-1998 and 2012-2021.Current sitting Councillor Susan Nichols received an Order of Merit for 16 years’ service to Council, including recently as Mayor.
Former Councillor Donald McKinnon was awarded the prestigious Emeritus Mayor, for 31 years of service to Council including as Shire President in 1991 and 1992 and Mayor between 1993-2001 and 2012-14.
In total Mr McKinnon spent 14 years as Mayor and eight as a Councillor.
Energy Efficient Communities Food and Beverage Manufacturing Business Grant program
The Australian Government is supporting small and medium food and beverage manufacturers to be more energy efficient, while cutting their electricity bills and emissions.
Australia’s manufacturing sector employs over 800,000 Australians. Food and beverage manufacturing is one of six national priority areas targeted under the Morrison Government’s Modern Manufacturing Strategy.
The food and beverage manufacturing industry employs 1 in 4 manufacturing workers and contributes around $22.4 billion to the economy.
Guidelines have been released today for the $19.9 million Energy Efficient Communities Program. It will provide grants of up to $25,000 for eligible food and beverage manufacturing businesses to help them adopt energy efficient technologies.
Grants will be split between states and territories based on the proportion of food and beverage manufacturing businesses in each jurisdiction to ensure equitable distribution across Australia.
Assistant Minister to the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Tim Wilson said the program will cut power bills for businesses and create jobs directly in the sector as well as for local tradespeople.
“The Morrison Government is helping food and beverage manufacturing businesses to take practical action to cut their energy bills and emissions by upgrading costly and inefficient equipment, like fridges and boilers,” he said.
“These grants are another clear example of the Morrison Government’s technology not taxes approach to reducing emissions, which will bring down power bills and create jobs.”
Applications for this round of the Energy Efficient Communities Program will open on 12 January 2022 and close on 18 February 2022.
More information, grant guidelines and application forms are available at https://www.business.gov.au/EECFB, or over the phone at 13 28 46.
Resources for Regions funding for Wentworth Shire projects
Wentworth Shire Council has been granted more than $2 million under the New South Wales Resources for Regions program to deliver infrastructure improvements and programs across the Shire.
Six projects received funding under the program, announced by Duty Member of the Legislative Council Wes Fang on Thursday.
This included:
300,000 to install a new toilet block and rising sewer line at the newly created Buronga Riverfront Nature Play area.
$374,000 to build an all-weather surface shared-way from the Buronga Wetlands to the newly created Buronga Riverfront Nature Play area.
$300,000 to seal a car park and road around the northern oval at the George Gordon Sporting Complex in Dareton.
$400,000 to upgrade 2 reserves comprising of a new retaining wall, upgraded stairs and paths at James King Park Gol Gol and commencement of pathway formalisation on Junction Island Wentworth.
$385,129 towards the construction of a purpose built 40 x 50m Men’s Shed.
$292,300 to install a new toilet and amenities block at the Pooncarie camping grounds.
“I am excited to see these projects in Wentworth and surrounds come to fruition as they will have a real benefit to locals as well as visitors,” Mr Fang said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said Resources for Regions has been highly successful with Rounds One through to Seven delivering 149 projects worth $345 million to communities since 2012.
Wentworth Shire Council eNewsletter
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