I presented and debated a 10,000 signature petition requesting to mandate nurse to patient ratios – including country hospitals in the public health system as well as some speciality units.

As the son of a Nurse I know and appreciate the commitment and hard work of all nurses in our hospitalities. I strongly support our nurses and continue to work to ensure our regional communities receive the best healthcare possible.

In addition, grants (no, my surname is Grant) is the word on the street at the moment and the NSW Government has plenty to offer for range of community groups and organisations.

Funding is currently available for local cultural festivals and events that bring the community together. The NSW Government’s Celebration Grants program provides funding of up to $5000 to not-for-profit community organisations and local councils.

Our community hosts an array of colourful festivals that bring people together in celebration of culture, food and dance. I encourage local community organisations and Council to apply for a Celebration Grant to support our thriving multicultural calendar.

In June this year, the Minister for Multiculturalism, Ray Williams, announced the 2017 Celebration Grant recipients who shared in more than $252,000. Applications open three times a year and projects are assessed on how many people are likely to attend, whether the project will benefit intercultural understanding and be cost effective.

Only not-for-profit community organisations and local councils staging festivals and events for the entire community are eligible to apply. Applications close September 29. For more information about Celebration Grants and the Multicultural NSW Grants Program, visit http://multicultural.nsw.gov.au/.

Applications are now open for $600,000 in grants to help deliver safe capital upgrades to shooting clubs and ranges across NSW. The grants will allow clubs and ranges to continue to upgrade their facilities safely and to provide opportunities for the community to participate in the sport.

It is important that the community can practice their sport in a safe environment and the Safe Shooting Program assists in facilitating this. The 2017-18 grants will increase safety at shooting facilities in NSW as well as during club sponsored activities held away from a club’s permanent base.

The primary focus for the 2017-2018 round of funding is to enable clubs and ranges to connect with the new Firearms and Licensing Communications Online Network (FALCON) system being developed by the NSW Firearms Registry.

These grants help to provide a great opportunity for all clubs and ranges to review and evaluate capital upgrades, and to continue to provide safe and accessible access to clubs and ranges. Grants are open until October 28, 2017. Visit sport.nsw.gov.au/grants or phone 13 13 02.

The NSW Government-backed Jobs for NSW will target small and medium sized businesses in Dubbo with new interest-free loans to help regional businesses grow and create jobs. The new Regional Growth Loan is part of a new range of loans ranging from $200,000 to $1.2 million. These loans are now available to businesses in the electorate of Dubbo to invest in their business, driving growth and job creation. This is great news for businesses and for our local economy as a whole. Visit www.jobsfornsw.com.au.