‘Central West Is Best’ Photography Competition – WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
RDA Central West received a number of excellent entries from all over the region for its inaugural ‘Central West Is Best’ 2019 photography competition. The winners were announced this week.
Competition was tough with the final shots selected thought to best showcase this year’s theme: ‘Agriculture and Tourism: Let’s Showcase Our Region’.
RDA Central West CEO Sam Harma, said the competition had achieved its aim of highlighting the region’s agriculture and tourism offerings each of which make the Central West so special.
“Our region is so diverse from Condobolin to Cowra and Oberon to Orange each community has a special reason to stop, shop, and stay.
“The winning shots encapsulate the wonderful mix of agriculture and tourism offerings that make the Central West such a distinctive region of the nation,” Mr Harma said.
A message from CEO Sam Harma – October 2019
Go West for the Western Business Forum: Condobolin, Monday 4 November 2019
October is NSW Small Business Month and RDA Central West has been working hard to showcase many of the region’s local businesses and events which are creating jobs and driving the local economy forward. Small business is the lifeblood of many of our communities and this month, as in all months, I am encouraging everyone to shop local where you can and back local businesses having a go.
A major event supporting local business development and investment attraction will be taking place at the Condobolin Showgrounds on Monday 4 November this year. The ‘Western Business Forum’ aims to showcase why the Lachlan Shire and the Central West region is such a great place to live, work and invest.
Showcasing Central West Schools
Students across the Central West region have been given a significant opportunity to showcase their excellence in STEM-based learning gained during 2019.
Schools have been invited to submit either existing projects they have worked on during the year, or if they feel inspired, they can submit totally new projects for consideration in the inaugural SISP STEM Awards 2019.
The Awards will provide an opportunity for the NSW Department of Education schools in the region to showcase their winning approach to learning.
The SISP STEM Awards are now open at: www.stemawards.com.au/central-west/ and CLOSE at 5pm on Monday 18 November 2019.
To read more about the Awards and the entry process click here.
Grants for National Science Week 2020 – CLOSING soon
A reminder that the $500,000 national ‘Inspiring Australia’ grant round to support ‘National Science Week’ events in 2020 CLOSES this month at 5pm on Wednesday 30 October.
Science Week will run from 15-23 August next year and seeks to inspire wide community participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Local organisations wishing to present science engagement activities are encouraged to apply.
For further information about the grant and who is eligible to apply, click here.
Orange Jobs Expo & Try a Trade 2019 – FREE!
Are you a student or job seeker or are you considering a career change?
‘The Orange Jobs Expo & Try a Trade’ info day will be the place you need to be. Come along and speak with local businesses and providers about jobs, apprenticeships, traineeships and training opportunities in the Central West.
Entry is FREE: Wednesday 13 November from 9am-2pm at the Orange Function Centre.
Great grant opportunity to upgrade our Ag Shows
We all know how important the region’s many Agricultural Shows are to our local Central West communities. To help maintain and upgrade them the Australian Government is inviting applications for funding under the ‘Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants Program’.
Funding will be available to eligible regional show societies for the maintenance and upgrade of existing infrastructure and the building, purchase, rent or construction of new infrastructure related to the running of an agricultural show on regional showgrounds.
Applications CLOSE at 11pm on Friday 13 December 2019.
Information about applying can be found here.
National Renewables in Agriculture Conference & Expo
SAVE THE DATE – Thursday 14 Nov 2019!
On-farm renewables are a valuable opportunity for farmers to cut costs and emissions. Hear from farmers already successfully using renewables, why they did it, and what they’ve learnt.
At this one day event to be held in Wagga Wagga, industry experts will discuss topics such as: Feasibility and working out the business case for renewables; Understanding grid connections and What’s on the horizon for energy and agriculture.
Don’t miss this first time event. For the full program and to register, click here.
REMINDER – 2020 Women’s Awards nominations about to CLOSE
Central Western women celebrated the ‘International Day of Rural Women’ this month with lunches and events all over the region. If you know an inspiring rural woman who should be celebrated don’t miss out on nominations for two of the biggest 2020 women’s awards:
- ‘NSW Women of the Year Awards’ (incl. a ‘Regional Woman of the Year’ category) – nominations CLOSE Friday 25 October, 2019.
- ‘AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award’ – nominations CLOSE Thursday 31 October, 2019.
Introducing the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund
Are you a small to medium Central West manufacturing enterprise? You may be interested in applying for the MMF. The $50 million fund supports manufacturers to modernise, adopt new technologies, become more productive and create more jobs by co-funding capital investments and associated reskilling.
The program will run over three years and will be delivered through two streams of funding:
- An estimated $20 million for matched grants of between $50,000 to $100,000 for small scale technology and efficiency investments.
- An estimated $30 million for larger grants between $100,000 to $1 million, on a three to one funding basis, to support transformative investments in technologies and processes.
The maximum grant period is two years.
Applications CLOSE soon at 5pm on Thursday 31 October.
2020 NSW Women’s Week – grants now OPEN
The NSW Women’s Week grants provide local organisations with an opportunity to deliver a range of education, mentoring and participatory activities that will provide direct benefit to local women and girls. Grant funding will comprise of grants of up to $5k each.
NSW Women’s Week will be held 2-8 March 2020. Women across the Central West and NSW make important contributions at work, in our families, communities and neighbourhoods. The NSW Government encourages charities, not-for-profits, companies limited by guarantee and local government organisations to apply for grant funding to hold events and activities that celebrate women during this week.
Applications are now open and will CLOSE 5pm on Wednesday 6 November 2019.
For further information click here.
The inaugural STEM Awards 2019 for regional NSW – showcase Central West schools’ winning approach to learning
Students across the Central West region have been given a significant opportunity to showcase their excellence in STEM-based learning gained during 2019. Schools have been invited to submit either existing projects they have worked on during the year, or if they feel inspired, they can submit totally new projects for consideration in the inaugural SISP STEM Awards. (more…)
Backing Cowra Small Business this October
Cowra’s Kendal Street. Image Credit: Cowra GuardianRegional Development Australia Central West is calling on local communities and visitors alike to shop local this October during NSW Small Business Month.
October is a month dedicated to shining a light on the fantastic small businesses which make the Central West such a great place to live, work and invest.
Mayor of Cowra Council, Bill West says the best way to support local business this October is to shop local and back local business owners with skin in the game.
“We are so lucky to have such a variety of unique shopping offerings in Cowra there is always a great bargain or buy on offer.
“Another vital way to support local traders is through the successful ‘Cowra Cash Card’ an easy way to get something special for friends and family and supporting local business in the process,” said Joran Core, President of the Cowra Business Chamber.
