Barwon residents have another chance to do the right thing and either surrender unwanted or prohibited weapons or become a responsible firearm owner and register their gun or rifle.

Firearms and firearm-related items can be surrendered under amnesty arrangements at approved drop-off points, which include licensed firearm dealers, mobile stations, and police stations.

Under no circumstances should loaded firearms be taken into public places – including police stations.

Anyone with concerns about handling firearms or safely transporting them, can contact the NSW Police Force Firearms Registry on 1300 362 562 for assistance. Visit www.police.nsw.gov.au. 

I encourage Vietnam veterans to apply to attend the 2018 Premier’s Reception at Government House in August. Each year, the NSW Premier hosts a reception to thank Vietnam War veterans for their service. It complements similar receptions held for veterans of the Korean War and veterans of contemporary conflicts.

This is an opportunity for veterans to come together, to reflect on the bonds of mateship that held them together during the war and to pay respect to those who did not return.

It also enables the NSW Government to pay its ongoing respect for the service and sacrifice of the Australian servicemen and women who served. The reception on August 11 is at Government House, Sydney.

Online applications are available for veterans across NSW interested in attending. Applications close June 4 ahead of the ballot on June 8. Invitations will be sent to those successful in the ballot draw.

Communities in and around Bourke, Cobar and Walgett will get better access to lifesaving imaging services as part of an $8 million funding boost under the NSW Government’s Rural Health Minor Works Program.

The Western New South Wales Local Health District will get $1.41 million in funding for remote Mobile Computed Tomography (CT) Services in these areas, cutting down travel time for patients.

Of the 57 Health Infrastructure-managed projects (those over $10 million) underway as of May 2018, 33 are in regional NSW, with an estimated total cost of $4.8 billion, representing 58 per cent of the total current projects.                       

Cobar residents will get to learn about their consumer rights and responsibilities when NSW Fair Trading comes to town next week.

The consumer and business roadshow ‘My Place’ has free information sessions running in Cobar from Monday, May 28 to Friday, June 1.

There will be 10 information sessions offered over five days at different venues in Cobar. Residents are encouraged to register prior to the event, as spaces are limited. Visit www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au.

Applications are now open for Organics Collections grant program, delivered through a partnership between the Environmental Protection Authority and NSW Environmental Trust, under the Waste Less, Recycle More program.

Grants of up to $1.3 million are available to councils to introduce and enhance kerbside organic bin collection services.

Additionally, businesses can for the first time apply for funding of up to $500,000 for 50 per cent of the cost of collection vehicles and bins. Applications close on June  28, 2018.