I’d like to congratulate local performers who participated in this year’s Schools Spectacular on being part of the biggest-ever show in the entertainment icon’s 33-year history. 

Performers from the electorate of Barwon were joined by more than 5000 students from some 500 public schools from all over the state on the QUDOS Bank Arena stage at Sydney’s Olympic Park over four shows in late November. 

This year’s Schools Spectacular theme was Dream Big, which is appropriate because it was the biggest show ever produced, and a lot of time and effort went in from students and teachers alike. 

Local schools who participated in the event include Cobar High School, Collarenebri Central School, Goodooga Central School, Gulargambone Central School, Lightning Ridge Central School, Walgett Community College High School and Wee Waa High School. 

NO MORE EXCUSES - ADVOS NOW IN PLAIN ENGLISH

New Plain English Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVO) rolled out statewide on December 3 so perpetrators have no excuses for not understanding the orders. 

We have removed all the complex legal jargon and spelled out a defendant’s obligations in plain English, so they can no longer claim they didn’t understand the meaning or consequences of the ADVO. 

The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research found that one in five ADVOs is breached, and the NSW Government is making it clear – any breach is an unacceptable risk. 

The new ADVOs are designed to put a stop to violence, intimidation and harassment through a clear explanation of what a perpetrator can and cannot do under the order. 

The new ADVO is also being translated into 29 different languages to assist people whose first language is not English. 

In addition, the penalties for breaching an order, including up to two years in prison, have been moved to the top of the document so it’s now the first thing perpetrators see. 

In addition, the NSW Government’s recent changes to ADVOs means final ADVO applications can be determined even if the victim doesn’t come to court.

They will protect a victim’s current partner if they are being harassed by the victim’s ex-partner, and will stop self-represented defendants from personally cross-examining child witnesses during ADVO applications.

YOUNG REGIONAL $10,000 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM NOW OPEN

Artists and arts workers aged 18-25 years in the Barwon are being urged to apply for a $10,000 Young Regional Artist Scholarship (YRAS) to help reach their career goals. 

The YRAS program will invest in 100 scholarships to the value of $1 million in total over fouryears, and hopes to unearth talent in the region. 

This scholarship program provides an enormous leg-up to talented youth who are dedicated to their art and want to connect with renowned art organisations and training opportunities. 

Our region is renowned for artistic talent and I encourage our young artists to apply for this career-changing opportunity. 

Local artists and arts workers can apply from any art form, including dance, design, digital arts, history, Aboriginal arts, literature, music, theatre, screen and the visual arts to apply for this terrific opportunity. 

The scholarships are available to fund activities including mentorships or internships, residencies, short-term courses and workshops, travel and the creation of new work. 

Round Two of the NSW Young Regional Artist Scholarships for 2016-17 is open until Monday,  February 20, 2017. 

For more on the application process, assessment and eligibility criteria, go to www.arts.nsw.gov.au or email arts.funding@arts.nsw.gov.au

NEW FLEET TO DELIVER JOBS BOOST FOR REGIONAL NSW

After recently saving $300 million from an order for new trains for the Sydney train network, the NSW Government has decided to re-invest these funds into the new country fleet. 

The contract for the new XPT fleet will also set a target for 100 per cent assembly in NSW, with a preference towards regional NSW, meaning more jobs for regional areas.  

This will include assembling significant components in the regions, as well as stabling and maintaining the trains in regional NSW. 

Earlier this year, the NSW Government announced that it would commit a further $50 million to speed up the delivery of new XPT trains, which would see the procurement process kicking off in the first half of next year – two years earlier than promised.  

The new fleet will replace the 60 XPT passenger cars currently operating on the NSW TrainLink network, taking customers between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Dubbo. 

Opportunities to replace more than 50 XPLORER and Endeavour trains that serve other key regional destinations like Armidale, Moree, Griffith, Broken Hill, Canberra, the Hunter and South Coast will also be investigated as part of the work. 

It is expected that the new XPT trains will be on the tracks by the early 2020s.

THUMBS UP

Thumbs up to our local police who do such a great job at keeping us safe. 

Recent BOSCAR figures showed the following categories across the Barwon electorate have remained stable or are trending down in the two years to September 2016: