National Parks and Wildlife Service training at Wentworth Aerodrome
Wentworth’s upgraded Aerodrome hosted critical NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) training this week.
NPWS personnel utilised the Aerodrome to conduct helicopter winch training, which forms a key part of wildfire suppression operations.
Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Tim Elstone said the Aerodrome upgrade, delivered almost completely in-house by Council’s works teams, has allowed Wentworth Shire Council to provide an all-weather, 24-hour facility for agencies such as NPWS to use.
“The Aerodrome upgrade represents a significant investment in our community and we are pleased to see it operating to this level,” Mayor Elstone said.
NPWS Area Manager Jo Gorman said the training session was important.
“NPWS uses helicopters in many aspects of our work, including vital fire suppression and hazard reduction activities, pest management, wildlife surveys, observation and construction projects.
“Helicopter winch training sessions like this one are held across the state to ensure staff are safe, skilled and ready.
“Having the training at Wentworth has ensured local staff can learn these vital skills close to home, which means less travel time and more time for carrying out other important conservation work.”
Other agencies to make use of the facility since its upgrade have included The Royal Flying Doctors Service, Australian Medical Assistance Teams and the Lower Western Zone Rural Fire Service.
RZ Resources Copi Project
RZ Resources is an emerging Australian critical minerals producer.
It is a 100% Australian owned mining company focused on mineral sand resources — including critical minerals and rare earths — in the Murray Basin in New South Wales.
The Copi Project is located in the globally recognised Murray Basin mineral sands district.
It is 35km from the Silver City Highway and 60km from established mineral sands mines.
As demand for high quality mineral sands continues to increase, RZ Resources will deliver the Copi Project, generating 200 jobs when the mine is operational.
This will generate both direct and indirect employment in the local community.
See the above fact sheet for more information or visit https://rzresources.com/
Wentworth Long Day Care works commence
A major revamp of the Wentworth Preschool will see the existing Preschool transformed into a Long Day Care Centre and Preschool.
The redevelopment has occurred following more than five years of hard work by a hardworking band of committee members who have actively campaigned and fundraised for a Long Day Care Centre (LDCC) in Wentworth.
Preschool committee member Annita Hawkins said after years of fundraising it was great to see the project progressing.
“This has all come about after being successful with our grant applications from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund, the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund, Wentworth and District Bendigo Bank and major contributions from the Wentworth Shire Council, David and Liz Dawes, Bob Jolley and the Community,” she said.
Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Tim Elstone congratulated the committee on their fundraising efforts and lauded the LDCC’s expected impact on Wentworth.
“Not only will the centre provide additional employment in Wentworth, but it will provide a service that the Wentworth Township has been missing,” Cr Elstone said.
“Parents currently working in Wentworth, need to take their children to the nearest centres at either at Buronga, Merbein or Mildura, this will solve that issue.”
CPM Building Contractors are undertaking the extension works, which will accommodate a new entrance and foyer, office, two daycare rooms, staff room and amenities.
The extension will make it possible to offer childcare as well as early education for up to 57 children. The works have been programmed to enable the existing Preschool to operate throughout the full construction.
This will prevent any further disruption to children, parents and staff. Works are scheduled for completion by the 30 June.
The Preschool’s Facebook page has up to date information or please contact the Preschool on 5027 3067 for all Enrolment Expressions of Interests or by email to wentypre@bigpond.net.au.
January 2022 Council Connects
Attached is the January 2022 edition of the Council Connects newsletter.
Council Connects comes out monthly following Ordinary Meetings of Council.
Regional job creation fund turbocharges businesses
Businesses can now apply for Round Two of the NSW Government’s $140 million Regional Job Creation Fund, which is set to create at least 2000 new jobs in regional NSW over a three-year period.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole today announced applications were open for a share of $40 million available in Round Two.
“The $100 million Round One of the Regional Job Creation Fund provided funding to help businesses expand, attract investment, and relocate to regional NSW, supporting more than 100 regional projects and creating nearly 5,000 new jobs in key engine industries,” Mr Toole said.
“Round Two will continue to build on this support, and enable economic recovery across our agriculture, manufacturing, energy, tourism and resource industries, ensuring they continue to thrive now and into the future.”
Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier and for Regional Jobs Gurmesh Singh said the fund would help businesses expand production and provide incentives to move operations to the bush.
“Regional NSW is the engine room of the state and providing support to companies to expand their operations helps to stimulate regional economies, boost livelihoods and provide local employment,” Mr Singh said.
“This fund allows businesses to fast-track their growth plans, expand their operations and creates a solid base for job creation now and into the future.”
Grants will range from $100,000 to $5 million to help fund projects such as replacing plant equipment, upgrading technology and developing iconic tourism experiences.
Applications are open now until 9am Monday, 14 March 2022.
For information about eligibility criteria and program guidelines, go to: nsw.gov.au/RJCF.
Vale Roy “Locky” Harvey
It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of our workmate and friend Roy “Locky” Harvey after an amazing career with Council spanning 54 years.
Commencing work with Council in 1968, Locky’s passion, dedication and commitment to Council has been remarkable.
Thank you for the friendship and memories.
You were able to put a smile on our faces every day and that is something we will all cherish.
Your infectious nature and cheeky sense of humour has touched us all.
You will be greatly missed by colleagues both past and present.
We extend our deepest sympathy to Noelle, Mel and Glenn, Kate and Mick and families and Locky’s mother Jean.
Rest In Peace Locky,
Mayor Tim Elstone, Councillors and Staff at Wentworth Shire Council
Wentworth Shire Council Australia Day Awards 2022
Jeanette Stephens has been announced as Wentworth Shire’s 2022 Citizen Of The Year at Tuesday night’s awards ceremony at the Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club.
Jeanette has been heavily involved in the Anglican Parish of Wentworth Dareton as Parish Secretary and was Sunday school teacher for 45 years, also furthering her studies in an effort to improve the Parish.
She has always displayed a strong support of school communities through involvement with P & C associations, tuck shop duties and voluntary reading with students.
Jeanette has been local her entire life and during this time has fostered 16 children of varying backgrounds, whilst having three daughters of her own.
Also nominated for the award were Dianne Pitt, Daryl Edwards, Margaret Morrison and Andrew Lamb.
Young Citizen Of The Year was awarded to Jess Doidge.
Jess was a member of the Wentworth Area Skate Park committee, raising money for the Wentworth Skate Park and was a helper at all of their fundraising events.
She has been a karate student for five years, earning her brown belt and therefore the responsibility of assisting junior karate students in learning stances, positions and Carta as well as
respect for themselves, the community and Renshi.
She has also been involved in several sporting clubs such as the Cobras Basketball Club and Coomealla Wentworth Cricket Club.
Through school she has volunteered at Murray House by assisting staff, spending quality time with residents and performing for residents as part of the school band.
In 2021 Jess was the Wentworth Public School Vice-Captain and assisted the schools P & C at a number of fundraising events.
Also nominated for this award were Kayla Hayes and Pippa Heeps.
Nicholas Witte was announced the Young Sportsperson Of The Year.
Nicholas is a junior member at Wentworth District Tennis Club where he assists with clubhouse and ground maintenance, plays in the B1 & B2 Pennant Teams and was runner up in singles and doubles for the Junior Boys Club Championships.
He is also a dedicated member of the Coomealla Wentworth Cricket Club in the Under 14s side and trains with the Curlwaa Islanders senior men’s team where he is always willing to be a substitute fielder for their team or the opposition if required.
Nicholas competes in school-based sports, was part of the school representative soccer team and is always encouraging other students to participate.
Also nominated were Isabelle Newton and Brock Lyall.
Wentworth Shire Mayor Tim Elstone congratulated all award winners and nominees.
“Our great communities rely on the efforts of people such as Jeanette, Jess and Nicholas, as well as the respective nominees in each category, to make them tick,” Cr Elstone said.
“Without these people, and others like them, Wentworth Shire would not be such a wonderful place to live and we hope they will continue their terrific efforts to improve our communities.”
Eight new Australian citizens were conferred as part of the ceremony on Tuesday night.
These new citizens are Riyalyn Ortega, Aaliyah Ortega Santos, Charles Ortega Santos, Angel Cano, Salina Chirozva, Lisa Hutchinson, Zaihasra Imandin and Yi Chun Liao.
Wentworth Shire Council also presented awards of recognition to previous serving Councillors Jane MacAllister and Bill Wheeldon.
Former Councillor Peter Nunan received an Order of Merit for his service on Council between 1991-1998 and 2012-2021.Current sitting Councillor Susan Nichols received an Order of Merit for 16 years’ service to Council, including recently as Mayor.
Former Councillor Donald McKinnon was awarded the prestigious Emeritus Mayor, for 31 years of service to Council including as Shire President in 1991 and 1992 and Mayor between 1993-2001 and 2012-14.
In total Mr McKinnon spent 14 years as Mayor and eight as a Councillor.
