Backing local schools with infrastructure grants

There were plenty of energetic, smiling faces at St Pius X Primary in Dubbo during my visit to the school last week. I was delighted to announce funding of more than $1 million for the school to upgrade its facilities for students and staff. The grant has been committed under the Federal Government’s Capital Grants Program.

A special mention goes to Principal Heather Irwin, who is retiring this month after a fulfilling 53-year teaching career. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with Heather about her background working in schools in India, as well as other areas in my electorate including Broken Hill.

During the week I also announced $1.4 million in funding for Coonamble’s St Brigid’s Primary School and $900,000 for Carinya Christian School in Gunnedah – I’m really looking forward to meeting with students and staff early next year when school resumes.

Infrastructure upgrades at these three schools will offer so many benefits to the school community, and I’m thrilled that students will be able to take their learning to a whole new level with this Federal Government investment.

Photo Caption: Member for Parkes Mark Coulton was thrilled to announce more than $1 million for St Pius X Primary School in Dubbo to complete capital works (pictured with Principal Heather Irwin, Father Greg Kennedy and school students).

Improved connectivity for Dubbo

I was pleased to be with Telstra CEO Andy Penn last week, for the launch of 5G technology across six sites in Dubbo, which means improved connectivity for my constituents. The sites include South Dubbo, Dulhunty, Dubbo West, Hawthorne Street, Wheelers Lane and Orana Mall. More sites in the Dubbo area will be switched on in coming weeks.

We also toured the renovated facilities at The Exchange clock tower, which are very impressive indeed, thanks to the hard work of Jillian Kilby and the rest of the team. I encourage Dubbo locals to go along for a look at the transformative new space, which showcases the building’s history with plenty of modern touches. It’s a hub of community connection which will no doubt go a long way to bring small business and community members closer together.

Drive safely this Christmas

As the end of the year draws to a close and people get behind the wheel for the holidays, it’s a good time for motorists to consider what’s at stake if they don’t slow down and drive safely this Christmas.

The 2019 national road toll was at 1,012 as at October, so more families are facing their first Christmas without their loved ones this year.

It’s a reminder that we each have a role in reducing the road toll by slowing down, taking breaks, sharing the drive where possible and following the road rules – wear a seatbelt, don’t drink or take drugs and don’t touch your mobile.

If we all play our part, we can get to and from our Christmas holidays safely over the next few weeks.

 

Online resource for small businesses

The Coalition Government recently launched the My Business Health website to help small business owners manage stress and mental wellbeing.

The new website offers free tools, templates and useful tips to help small business owners manage through day-to-day operations. While we’ve seen many small businesses experience great results from campaigns such as #buyfromthebush, this resource may be useful for businesses who continue to deal with the impacts of the drought.

As a Government we have heard from those in the industry about the pressures that come with running your own business. Long hours, feeling isolated, worries about cash flow and making critical business decisions can all have a significant impact on mental health.

This great website offers those in the small business sector free, helpful resources on how people can better manage their business, while also prioritising their wellbeing. My Business Health is available at www.asbfeo.gov.au/my-business-health