Grants boosting general practice in Cobar and Broken Hill 
Patients in Broken Hill and Cobar will soon feel the benefits of improved facilities with almost $250,000 of Federal Government grants going to the Broken Hill Occupational Health and Therapy Rehab Solutions and Cobar Primary Health Care practices.
The practices are amongst 67 that were offered grants across the nation, with a total of $13.1 million awarded under the Government’s Rural General Practice Grants program.
These grants will enable both facilities to expand and improve their facilities. Better facilities will allow more doctors, nurses and other health workers to get hands-on training. They will be able to attend to patients and also, when they are fully qualified, are more likely to decide to stay in these rural communities. The projects could range from building new rooms to renovating existing rooms and buying computing technology or medical equipment.
As well as for medical graduates, they may be used for training overseas trained doctors, nurses, Aboriginal health workers or other health professionals employed in the practices.
The grants could also be used to create meeting rooms where patients can receive education about health conditions, such as diabetes, so they can take a more active role in managing their own health.
 
Applications sought for Stronger Communities Programme R3
The recent launch of the Stronger Communities Programme Round 3 is designed to deliver social benefits to communities across the Electorate of Parkes.  Under this programme, incorporated not-for-profit and local government organisations are invited to apply for funding for projects that will contribute to the long term vibrancy and viability of our local areas.
This programme will fund small capital projects which will deliver social benefits by supporting community participation and contributing to the vibrancy and viability of communities. This programme is available to each Federal electorate, with total funding of $150,000 per electorate. The grants available will range between $2,500 and $20,000 per project and must be matched by cash or in-kind funding on at least a dollar for dollar basis.
A local community consultation committee will be established to assist with identifying projects for consideration by the Government. Applications for grant funding will be appraised against the Guidelines and whether funding the project would be a proper use of grant funding. 
In Round 2 this programme funded numerous projects in the Parkes electorate including $5,000 for a facelift for the Gilgandra Youth Service, $10,000 to replace the roof of the Dubbo Men’s Shed, $20,000 to upgrade the toilets at the Bourke Showgrounds and $5,000 for a playground for the Coonamble Preschool.
At this stage organisations are encouraged to complete a preliminary Project Proposal Form.  The preliminary Project Proposal Form must be returned by 21 July 2017 and can be sourced from the Dubbo Electorate office or can be provided via a request to this email address: mark.coulton.mp@aph.gov.au . 
Organisations identified by the community consultation committee will then be invited to complete a formal online application which must be submitted to the Department by 28 September 2017. 
The Stronger Communities Programme guidelines and factsheet are now available through AusIndustry on the Business Grants Hub website at https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/stronger-communities-programme 
Please do not hesitate to contact my Dubbo office on 02 6882 0999 should you require any further information.
 
Grants available for supporting younger veterans
Community and ex-service organisations are urged to apply for grants for projects that deliver sustainable services for younger veterans.  The Supporting Younger Veterans (SYV) grants program recognises the importance of the transition phase for Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel as they leave the military.
$1 million is available in the second round for projects that build community support and service the unique needs of younger veterans transitioning to civilian life.
Applications are invited for a range of initiatives including mentoring, team building, 
self-improvement, and creative activities that promote social inclusion and peer-to-peer support for younger veterans. 
Younger servicemen and women face unique transition challenges as they leave the ADF and integrate back into civilian life. These grants will assist in raising awareness of the important issues facing younger veterans.
Applications for this round of SYV grants will close on 1 September 2017, with successful applicants announced later in the year.
More information about the SYV grants program, including how to submit an application can be found online at www.dva.gov.au/consultation-and-grants/grants. Alternatively you may wish to contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs by phone on 133 254.