RDASI Newsletter - January 2021
A message from the CEO
We are incredibly grateful for those who join us in greeting the new year with hope and optimism. Thank you to everyone who stepped up and helped confront the extraordinarily difficult circumstances that 2020 brought us.
Looking forward, RDASI has an exciting year ahead filled with new opportunities, ideas and a few very big changes. Our most significant change is the appointment of our new chair to our board. RDASI welcomes Yass local, Rowena Abbey to our team. Rowena comes to us with years of economic development experience, being the Yass Valley council Mayor along with extensive business acumen and a dedication to Regional NSW.
We are very excited to have someone with Rowena’s accomplishments leading our organisation and we look forward to working with her to continue building a stronger Southern Inland region.
The next round of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) opened in January and closes early March. The Government is looking for a range of projects to support, but they must be ‘shovel ready’ to start in 12 weeks. If you know of a project ready to go that could do with a little boost, please contact us. Your application will have a greater chance of success with RDASI support.
RDASI is currently advertising for a new person to join our team. We’re looking for a full time Grants and Communications Coordinator to start in March. Excellent written and verbal communication is a must and experience writing successful grant applications essential. We’d love to hear from you if you have those skills and live in the Southern Inland region.
Please remember to check our website to stay updated with networking events and funding opportunities and if you need support, please get in contact with us.
A welcoming to our new Chair
RDA Southern Inland congratulates Rowena Abbey of Yass, who has become the new Chair of our organisation. Rowena takes over from Hugh Cooke, who we thank for his hard work and dedication over the past 3 years.
Rowena Abbey has over 35 years’ experience in finance, risk management, governance and leadership in various industries in both the public and private sectors.
She is currently the Mayor of Yass Valley Council, Chair of the Canberra Region Joint Organisation and the Chair of the SELX, which runs saleyards in Yass NSW and Mortlake in Victoria.
Rowena has previously been Treasurer at Ampolex Ltd and Optus Vision Ltd and was the Director of Syndications at ANZ Investment Bank.
Mrs Abbey has also held a number of Directorships throughout her career, including with Essential Energy, Cue Energy Resources Ltd, Australian Inland Energy and Water Infrastructure, Emmlink Pty Ltd, Yass Valley Aged Care Ltd and Optus Superannuation Fund.
Rowena and her husband run their sheep and cattle operation in Yass and she is passionate about regional NSW and Australia.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to lead the RDASI board and team, to drive opportunities for development across our whole region”, said Mrs Abbey. READ MORE.
Building Better Regions Fund Round 5 Workshop
Round five of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) is now open. This round of funding includes $100 million in dedicated funding for tourism-related infrastructure, boosting our regional tourism recovery while maintaining $100 million for broader community infrastructure and investment. If you have a project and are wanting advice or to obtain a letter of support please get in contact with us on 02 48 22 6397.
Dine and Discover
Every NSW resident aged 18 and over will be eligible for 4 $25 vouchers worth $100 in total. The vouchers can be used at participating NSW businesses who are registered as COVID safe. READ MORE.
2021 Regions Rising National Summit
National Summit, Growing Regional Australia - Shaping the Good Life - is the flagship event in our event series - Regions Rising. This event links all levels of government, business and the community sector to ensure a collaborative and future-focused discussion and debate that will help inform and engage with our leaders as we move toward the regionalisation of our nation.
Transport to Treatment service
Cancer Council urgently needs 14 more volunteer drivers for our Transport to Treatment service in the Highlands. Can you share the details with your networks, with anyone you know, that would be an amazing support.
“The Southern Highlands transport services operates with 30-plus drivers. However, recent volunteer retirement and changing personal circumstances means we are now calling out for new drivers to help us meet the needs of our community, now and in the future.” - Emma Swords, Program Coordinator.
There are currently just 16 volunteer drivers in the area, all working hard transporting clients to their vital cancer treatment both locally and to Sydney.
Our drivers are a group of dedicated, friendly people who drive one day a week or fortnightly. We need people who can spare some time to help people get to their cancer treatment appointments.
Meet Dave, Transport to Treatment Driver
Anything you can do to help would be great;
Put the attached posters up on notice boards;
send out through newsletters or
share at social club or sports meetings;
post on your social media or share from our Southern Communities FB page one of our Driver video
