One of the most rewarding aspects of being a Federal MP is meeting and working with inspirational people. Recently I had the privilege of becoming the first supporter to sign up to Kelly Foran’s Friendly Faces’ fundraising campaign. Kelly, who lives in Maules Creek, has faced many adversities in her life. In 2002 she was diagnosed with a brain tumour, two weeks before giving birth to her first child. Her son was born with a hole in the lung, hyper insulin anemia and jaundice. The following year he was diagnosed with an eye tumour. Kelly and her family spent the next few years negotiating through a web of hospitals, medical treatments and outcomes – both good and bad. From her myriad of experiences Kelly formed the Friendly Faces Helping Hands Foundation which is a non-profit organisation that helps people navigate the health system and everything associated with travelling to a major city for treatment. The foundation’s website site links rural and remote people and communities and provides a central portal for accessing information on accommodation, parking, cheap eats, supermarkets and even hairdressers that are located around each metropolitan hospital. Links are also available for support networks, social workers and counsellors. Over the past four years Kelly’s foundation has assisted around 50,000 people and their families. During a recent visit to my electorate the Federal Assistant Minister for Health, Senator Fiona Nash, and I met with Kelly to receive an update on her foundation and become the first supporters of the Friendly Faces’ fundraising campaign. Kelly hopes to sign 700 friendly faces to her campaign who will commit to donating just $10 a month to support the work of the foundation. This will ensure the people in our region can access 24 hour support to help them in times of trauma to work through the many challenges of trying to access healthcare outside our communities. For more information about this wonderful initiative and to read more about a very inspirational woman visit www.friendlyfaces.info —————————————————————————– The Federal Government has put out the call for the first round of recruits to the join the Green Army. The Green Army is looking for enthusiastic 17-24 year olds in Parkes to join what will become the largest-ever team of young Australians supporting environmental action across the country. In Parkes the service provider, Manpower/Landcare Australia Limited, has been contracted to deliver two projects. These are the Brewarrina Fishtraps Conservation project in the Brewarrina Shire Council area and the continued restoration of Boobera Lagoon within the Moree Plains Shire Council region. The Brewarrina Fishtraps Conservation Management Plan (CMP) clearly identifies works that need to be undertaken to protect and manage the site as a National Heritage Place. The site is also a popular Heritage Tourism Site and needs to be developed to enhance the ability of visitors to appreciate and understand the Cultural Heritage significance to the Aboriginal community and the region, and placing in protective measures to reduce the negative environmental impacts tourism visitation can offer. Working with the Moree Plains Shire Council, Boobera Lagoon Trust members, elders and the communities of Boggabilla and Toomelah, participants will be involved in the continued works of Boobera Lagoon, a sacred place of high cultural significance to the Gomoroi people of the region. The primary activities will be regeneration through weed treatment, erosion control, and litter and debris removal. Young Australians interested in participating in the programme should contact 1800 780 730 or GreenArmy@environment.gov.au. To apply online or to find out further information about roles in their area can contact Manpower/Landcare Australia Limited www.manpower.com.au/job-seekers/greenarmy.aspx; 1300 725 937, greenarmyjobs@au.manpower.com