RDASI Newsletter - February 2024
This year, I promise not to talk about how quickly the time is passing in every newsletter, but boy, hasn’t January flown by like a flash. Usually, I take the whole of January off, but with the changes taking place in RDA land, this year, that was not to be. What I did come to appreciate though, is that January is a great time to catch up on work. With many still enjoying the summer (could we really call it that this year?) it was a great time to get some productive work done.
Applications closed yesterday for our Board roles and so, over the next couple of weeks, Rowena and the Board will decide on the successful candidates. Announcements should be made by the end of February, and we look forward to welcoming new faces into our organisation.
2024 is already looking like it will bring a mix of opportunities and challenges for regional NSW, and we will be leaning on our stakeholders to support us deliver the programs we know will drive economic and social development. Department of Regional NSW is a key partner, and I would like to welcome Anthony Body, Regional Director of the newly merged Illawarra and South East NSW into the fold. We are already planning great things together.
Cyber security topped the list of topics our chamber and council collaborators wanted delivered for our first suite of Connect Roadshows which kick off in February. Registrations are open, so scroll down the page and grab yourself a spot.
Our International Women’s Day lunch is going to be another fantastic event. Qudos goes to Suzie for collecting another inspiring group of speakers from the construction and trade sectors. Again this year we are showcasing a number of up and coming young women, trailblazing their way into a male dominated industry. Just wait till you hear their stories… tears I tell you, there will be tears! Save the date for March 7 and we will let you know as soon as tickets go on sale.
Happy New Year to everyone and we look forward to another jam-packed year for our region.
Carisa
Projects - The Welcome Experience
Yesterday, NSW Premier Chris Minns and Tara Moriarty, the Minister for Regional NSW, came to Goulburn to announce the launch of the Make the Move Campaign, of which The Welcome Experience is a key component.
Jason McPherson, a local Goulburn man, spoke eloquently about his experiences living regionally, saying: “We love calling Goulburn home. My wife and I made the decision to return after 4 years in Sydney as we really value the affordable lifestyle, as well as the space and strong sense of community that a country upbringing could offer our kids.
“We escaped the skyrocketing city house prices to buy our own home as well as some land, we enjoy easier commutes, and thanks to the quieter lifestyle of regional living we have more time to spend together as a family to focus on the important things in life.
“Our kids are involved in various sporting clubs, they learn guitar at the local conservatorium and we know there are so many great options out there to help them stay active and pursue their passions, whether it be through sport, the vibrant creative arts scene, or signing up to the local theatre group.
“As a busy family of 6, we love the quality of life that regional NSW has to offer and we’d recommend it to anyone seeking a refreshing tree change.”
The advertising campaign will be live for the next eight weeks in Sydney and Adelaide across podcasts; outdoor furniture close to schools, hospitals and police and fire stations; and across multiple digital channels including video streaming channels and various social media platforms. .
The Welcome Experience was thrilled to welcome the new graduate nurses to Goulburn Base Hospital.
The Local Connector, Ally Dunwoodie, presented information to the new residents about what to do in Goulburn.
Are you keen to know more about what's on in town?
Reach out to welcome@rdasi.org.au
The Elsie Conference
The Elsie Conference will be held on the 15-16 March 2024 at UTS. This conference marks 50 years since a group of women broke into an abandoned house in the inner Sydney suburb of Glebe and set up the first refuge in Australia, called Elsie. Celebrating 50 years of women’s refuges in Australia, the Elsie Conference will bring together workers, advocates, researchers and policy makers interested in reducing domestic violence. It aims to provide a national platform for attendees to celebrate the past and discuss emerging challenges including how domestic violence is changing.
There will also be 50 Elsie awards given out, one for each year since the Elsie Women’s Refuge was established in 1974. The Committee seeks community nominations of extraordinary contributions by feminist women to the movement against domestic and family violence in Australia. If you know of a worthy woman, please nominate them for these awards.
The organisers want to ensure that the conference is representative of the entire country, including rural and remote areas. Recognising that attendees may come from refuges with little budget for travel and accommodation, there are some funds available to support travel if required.
Early bird registrations close 6 February, so please head to the website to register.
Thank you for reading, we look forward to connecting with you next month.
