RDASI Newsletter - May 2023
CEO Report
April is always splattered with so many public holidays, it's difficult to know what day it is sometimes. Although I must admit, it’s equally lovely to have a couple of four-day weeks in a row!
Easter being a great opportunity for spending time with family, saw many of our towns and villages filled to the brim with tourists over the extended long weekend. The Highlands was certainly a hive of activity. Anzac Day, an incredibly important event for rec
Recognising the brave men and woman who have served this great country to protect and uphold the freedoms we hold so dear. I attended both the dawn and mid-morning services in Bowral which were very well attended.
RDASI is excited to be able to finally announce our successful tender bid to be the host agency for the new State government program, the Key Worker, Welcome experience in Goulburn. This is a pilot for the first twelve months, with the intention for it to run over three years and as such, we will be implementing the program while also providing direct intel to the state government to improve and develop the project moving forward. You will be seeing more promotion of this to encourage key workforce to move to our region over the coming months, and we’re very proud to be playing a significant role.
Along with project work to improve liveability in our beautiful region, our remit to the Australian government is to inform policy direction through inquiry submissions. Recently, we have made two detailed submissions, one to the Office for Women to inform the development of the National Strategy to Achieve Gender Equality, and the other to the Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport regarding Bank closures in regional Australia. To garner direct public opinion focused on our region, we use surveys to produce the data in the submissions. I’d like to say a HUGE thank you to all of you who helped form our communications by completing the surveys. It seems both subjects were extremely topical, and we had an incredible response. If you’re interested to read the submissions, please access them HERE.
Workforce development is a core strategic focus and we are looking for industry partners to join our Grow Our Own program in Goulburn, Queanbeyan and Cooma. Grow Our Own is one of the initiatives we use to drive local talent into local training and employment pathways. If you’re an employer seeking an alternative to usual HR recruitment, please get in contact with us at workforce@rdasi.org.au.
RDASI is continuing to grow its reach and we’re looking very forward to extending our Regional Connect events into Queanbeyan and Young in May and June. Along with Cooma, Yass, Goulburn and the Highlands, grant writing tips and tricks are the focus this time. The team and I can’t wait to get back on the road and introduce you to some of the key contacts with support for regional programs.
Carisa
May Regional Connect Events
Monday 15 May - Queanbeyan - The Royal Hotel QBN
Tuesday 16 May - Cooma - The Alpine Hotel
Wednesday 17 May - Yass - Yazzbar
Thursday 18 May - Highlands - Moss Vale Services Club
RDASI's very own Research and Policy Officer, Tash Maguire will be the presenter for the tips and tricks information sessions. Tash has extensive experience in writing successful grant applications for businesses and not-for-profit organisations and has also assisted applicants in the delivery and acquittal of successfully funded projects. Tash’s experience extends to funding administration, using the SmartyGrants platform to deliver end-on-end grant management services for a $7m+ national funding program and is an expert on knowing how to get a positive result.
This experience has provided Tash with key knowledge and understanding from an applicant’s perspective, as well as insights into funding program design, assessment, compliance, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.
Key points covered include:
1. Essential steps when applying for grants
2. Number one free resource for increasing success
3. Designing a ‘fundable’ project
4. How to find the funding you’re looking for
Hear from Enterprise Plus talking about how to “Be Grant Ready! – with the essential Business Plan”, AusIndustry on the Grants Hub/Grants Connect, R&D Tax Incentive program, Entrepreneurs Program, National Reconstruction Fund, EMDG, and other Federal programs plus Service NSW will be providing an overview of funding available and business support services.
Make sure you bring a pen and paper to take notes!
Thank you to all of our sponsors:
The Royal Hotel QBN, Region Media, The Alpine Hotel, Snowy Hydro and Moss Vale Services Club
Thank you to all of our supporters:
Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council, Cooma Chamber of Commerce, Yass Valley Business Chamber and Business Southern Highlands.
Future Drought Fund's Annual Forum
Award-winning television journalist and presenter of ABC TV’s Landline, Pip Courtney, will host this year’s online forum and facilitate engaging discussions, with each day focusing on a particular theme:
Tuesday 6 June – Research and Development: Data-driven projects, stories around research trials and outcomes, future-driven content and content relevant to opportunities under the Future Drought Fund for Natural Resource Management, farming systems groups and research bodies.
Wednesday 7 June – Farmers, Producers and Agricultural Advisors: Stories of drought and preparing for it, ‘call-to-action’ presentations, content relevant to opportunities under the FDF for producers and their communities, farmer and farm-advisor delivered stories.
Thursday 8 June – Community and Policy: Community and social projects, including presentations on farmer wellbeing and community resilience in the context of drought, policy discussions and input from FDF network partners.
The annual forum will a showcase of the innovative tools and practices helping Australian farmers and communities respond to a changing climate and prepare for future drought.
The online forum connects participants to research and activities building the sustainability of Australian agriculture and is an opportunity to collaborate and network with like-minded people.
On behalf of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry sharing information on the annual Future Drought Fund’s 2023 Science to Practice Forum.
Entrepreneurship Facilitator Program
The Entrepreneurship Facilitator Program for the Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven is delivering a free webinar on surviving and thriving in small business.
The webinar includes ideas on:
• Understanding innovation and developing a unique selling proposition.
• Focusing on strengths and knowing the market.
• Strategies for managing challenging times, such as diversifying to find new markets for the business.
For more information, please email Naomi Smith naomi@efprogram.org.au.
White Card
A White Card allows holders the ability to legally enter a construction site and participate in safe industry practices.
All Trade employees, Cleaning Contractors, Site Visitors and Owner Builders should hold a White Card which will give you the right knowledge about needful safety measures on the construction working site.
Through a mix of theory and practical course work a statement of attainment allows participants to learn to:
Choose and fit appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for specific tasks
Identify common site hazards in a workplace and follow processes and/or procedures to report, control and/or eliminate them
Recognise the importance of keeping a safe environment at a workplace
Identify appropriate processes to follow should an accident occur
If you are interested in participating in future courses, please contact:
Michelle Pontello, TAFE Services Coordinator at michelle.pontello4@tafensw.edu.au.
