Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton met with Narromine Lions Club members to check out the completed restoration of the historic turntable precinct.
Big week back on the road
I was happy to be back out on the road last week after a few weeks in Canberra. My favourite part of the job is getting out and meeting the people of my electorate and last week provided a great opportunity do that.
In Dubbo I was pleased to join some of the Orana region’s movers and shakers for the 2024 Inland Growth Summit, organised by Regional Development Australia – Orana. I provided an address highlighting the enormous potential of the region and our ability to rise to any challenges to achieve that bright future.
I also had the opportunity to speak at the University of Melbourne’s Return to Country Oration in Bourke. This was a wonderful evening promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) pathways for students in our rural areas. I believe education is the key to giving young people choices in life, so it’s great to see our local children being inspired to take up the opportunities offered by STEM.
During the week I had productive meetings with the mayors and general managers of Narromine, Bourke, Brewarrina and Walgett shire councils, as well as a number of constituents in Dubbo. But perhaps the highlight of my week was attending the Sing Out Choir for people living with dementia in Dubbo. The choir – the first of its kind west of the Blue Mountains – is a wonderful initiative by Lourdes Hospital dementia counsellor Anne Gemmell, providing so many positive benefits to local dementia sufferers. Just being there and seeing the enjoyment everyone gets from this choir was uplifting.
Narromine Lions Club funding
It was lovely to meet with members of the Narromine Lions Club last week to check out their completed restoration of the historic turntable precinct at Tom Perry Park.
The club received a $2,500 grant from the last round of the former Coalition Government’s Stronger Communities Programme to go towards this project, which involved the restoration of the S type rail truck mounted on the turntable, repainting the turntable, signage and landscaping. It looks fantastic and will be a great tourist attraction for the town, connecting with the rail trail that ends at Nyngan Rail Museum.
Funding opportunity for childcare providers
Childcare providers in the Bourke, Brewarrina, Cobar, Coonamble, Far West, Lightning Ridge, Moree and Walgett areas have the opportunity to apply for funding to undertake capital works or improve their viability and financial sustainability.
A total of $84 million is available under the Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) Open Competitive Round 4, to help support early childhood education and care services address barriers to participation. This round is only open to services in identified priority areas, including those mentioned above in the Parkes electorate.
Access to childcare is one of the key challenges for communities across my electorate, so I strongly urge all eligible services to apply by 8 March for a share of this funding. For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=8be42077-5bdf-4490-a581-654eb8f5feb3
Live music grants available
I encourage businesses or community groups in the Parkes electorate to apply now for funding to bring more live music to our communities under the latest round of the Live Music Australia program.
A number of pubs in the Parkes electorate have been successful under previous rounds of this program, which was established by the former Coalition Government to help live music venues bounce back after the pandemic.
Grants of between $5,000 to $100,000 are available for small to medium sized venues to purchase equipment, undertake infrastructure upgrades, pay for promotional expenses or artist fees, or for initiatives that build their capacity to host live music. Applications for Round 8 close on Tuesday 12 March. For more information and to apply, visit: www.arts.gov.au/funding-and-support/live-music-australia