To apply for funding, towns must have a population of between 1,000 and 15,000 people. Smaller villages can combine to reach the 1,000 minimum. Towns who have received a grant before cannot apply again.  Projects could include community weight loss efforts, walking events, healthy cooking classes, vegetable workshops, giving pedometers to local residents or any original healthy living idea a town can think of. For support in writing your application and implementing your project, contact the Health Promotion Officers at Western NSW LHD (or Hunter New England LHD for the Narrabri Shire). Visit www.preventivehealth.net.au.  Closes November 14.

Apprentices studying at TAFE NSW campuses across the electorate will now be taught lifesaving road safety skills as part of a new program designed to save young lives on NSW roads.  Towards Zero: TAFE Road Safety Partnership, is a collaborative initiative between Transport for NSW, Roads and Maritime Services and TAFE NSW and will see students at TAFE NSW campuses throughout regional NSW learn vital road safety lessons from early next year.  Young drivers continue to be over-represented in serious crashes in NSW, especially in regional areas. In the last five years (2011-2015), 193 young drivers were killed on NSW roads, with 85 per cent of the fatalities occurring in country areas.  This program has been specifically developed for young drivers, to give students an overview of some of the main issues affecting road safety on regional roads.  

Community grants are now being offered for projects to reduce drowning and improve water safety in NSW.  Under the Water Safety Fund Community Grants Program, a total of $4.5 million will be allocated over three years to not-for-profit and community groups with experience delivering water safety initiatives. 

According to Royal Life Saving Society Australia, 96 people drowned in NSW waterways in 2015-16, the majority at beaches, followed by rivers, creeks and streams.  The aim of the fund is to reduce drowning in NSW by supporting projects that increase water safety in high risk locations, population groups and activities.  Grants from $50,000 to $250,000 are available for projects starting in 2017, such as targeted education campaigns, signage and safety aids, and research.  Applications close December 2. Visit www.watersafety.nsw.gov.au

The Cobar community is invited to view the design plans for the new co-located Health Service at the upcoming community consultation meetings.  The redevelopment project is an opportunity to upgrade Cobar’s health facility, ensure its sustainability and ensure it meets the community’s needs into the future.  Meetings will be held at the Cobar Memorial Services Cub on December 1 at 6pm, December 2 at 9.30am. 

This Friday, November 11 is Remembrance Day and I encourage the community to pay their respects to Australia’s servicemen and women and observe a minute’s silence at 11am.