Tag Archives: Community

Investment of over $400,000 into facilities at Junee Showground has seen a range of improvements completed including an upgrade of the Lord Pavilion, new amenities and other crucial maintenance.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke was pleased to join Junee Showground Land Managers to view the progress of works throughout the grounds.

“With a range of events over the course of the year, including the annual show as well as Can Assist’s long lunch and the Junee Poker run, it is great to have improvements undertaken which will be of benefit to all user groups” Ms Cooke said.

“A particular highlight is the face-lift of Lord Pavilion with new flooring and insulation, electrical wiring and the installation of partitions, allowing the hall to be used for smaller functions.

“The new dedicated changeroom facilities to support female jockeys involved with Junee Harness Racing is also important work, given the number of women involved in the sport.”

Ms Cooke said crucial drainage and electrical maintenance are also expected to be completed in coming months.

Junee Showground Land Manager Chairman Martin Honner said the upgrades support growing numbers for the area, including increased female participation for the harness club, providing a functional and accessible space for a number community and social events.

“The committee is thrilled with the upgrades of the Pavilion and around the Showground and we would like to thank all of our volunteers and local trades who have worked hard to support this project, especially Col Randal who attended the ground each day to ensure the works were being carried out,” Mr Honner said.

The improvements have been made possible thanks to $313,216 through the Showground Stimulus Fund, $27,745 through the Showground Safety Upgrade program and $65,965 through the Crown Reserve Improvement Fund.

Members and guests of Harden Bowling Club are set to benefit following the completion of works funded through two NSW Government funding programs.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has joined Club President Shane McKellar and Richard Walsh to inspect improvements at the venue.

“It is fantastic to see what has been achieved for the benefit of members and visitors, including the refreshed bowling green surface which is sure to be appreciated by all who love the sport,” Ms Cooke said.

“The new greens are just the start, with the Club also installing new pathways, seating and shade sails, and an undercover barbecue area thanks to $80,000 in funding.

“This investment is about making the Club more user-friendly for local competitions, and other opportunities which will attract members and encourage greater visitation.”

Ms Cooke took the opportunity to thank Club Members Richard and Diana Walsh who made a significant in-kind contribution to the project.

“Securing the funding is one thing, but it makes all the difference to have great people working behind the scenes, helping with labour or fundraising, and caring for improvements to the facility long after the official opening.”

The Harden Bowling Club improvements were funded through $30,000 secured through the 2021 Community Building Partnership program and $50,000 in the fourth round of the Stronger Country Communities Fund.

Community groups can now apply for $3,000 grants for projects which support local veterans or boost awareness of their role in Australia’s military history.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said applications are now open for the $100,000 Anzac Community Grants Program and encouraged eligible organisations to apply.

“Veterans past and present have served to keep us safe and this is an opportunity to recognise their sacrifices while enriching our communities,” Ms Cooke said.

“It may be the restoration of a medals’ display cabinet or researching a local veteran; let’s see what ideas come from our local communities.”

Grants cover four categories: local community historical research and education; preservation or display of war memorabilia; public commemorative events; and support to members of the NSW veteran community.

Applications are open to individuals and not-for-profit organisations including local government authorities, non-government organisations, ex-service organisations and educational institutions.

Over 50 projects were selected in 2021, including Cowra Author Lusi Austin to support the distribution of her fictional post-war book ‘Jack’s Visit to Cowra’.

The Junee Broadway Museum was also successful in the previous round, with a project to preserve the Army Great Coat and Call to Arms certificate belonging to former Junee resident Corporal Frank Boyton.

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott announced an increase in funding available to local community groups to apply for a grant, worth up to $3,000.

“The NSW Government has increased funding available to honour former and current serving personnel. I encourage anyone who is interested in the service and sacrifice of veterans in New South Wales to apply for an Anzac Community Grant,” Mr Elliott said.

Applications are open until 11 November 2022: www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/grants

Members of diverse communities across the region have the chance to have their voices heard by the NSW Government thanks to a new state-wide engagement initiative.

The NSW Government has announced a new Regional Engagement Program, which will see nine Regional Community Networks established in various regions of NSW.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said this is a great opportunity for people from diverse communities to get involved and help share their experiences, knowledge and insights on cultural diversity in our region.

“I am encouraging registrations of interest from individuals right across our region, to get involved and help to improve engagement between our diverse communities and the NSW Government,” Ms Cooke said.

Minister for Multiculturalism the Hon. Mr Mark Coure explained the initiative, funded through the 2022-23 State Budget, was inspired by the meaningful outcomes the NSW Government achieved by working more closely with local leaders and organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic presented us with a unique opportunity to forge even stronger relationships with diverse communities. It was through this grassroots collaborative working relationship that we were able to achieve the strong vaccination rate we did and keep people safe. We now want to formalise these networks so we better serve the people of NSW,” Mr Coure said.

Each of the nine networks will include 15 formally appointed members and will be based across various regions, which will include seven in regional NSW.

For more information about the Regional Engagement Program or to register your interest for joining your local regional network, visit www.multicultural.nsw.gov.au        

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has visited the Grenfell Girl Guides for an update on their bathroom renovation project, funded under the latest round of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund.

“It was a pleasure to meet such a lovely group of girls, who are developing their skills and confidence for everyday life, paving the way for them to be our future leaders,” Ms Cooke said.

“During my visit, it was also great to hear how plans to renovate the bathroom are progressing, which will certainly make the meeting place much more comfortable for all involved.”

Grenfell District Manager for Girl Guides Glenda Howell said they are grateful for the funding provided and appreciate the support from Ms Cooke.

“We are all very much looking forward to the updated bathroom, with building works expected to commence very soon,” Ms Howell said.

The Grenfell Girl Guides bathroom renovation project received $50,974 in funding in the fourth round of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund.

Through rounds one to four of the program, over $3.7 million in funding has been secured in support of 18 projects across Weddin Shire.

As part of her visit, Ms Cooke has also encouraged girls aged five to 17, and their parents, to learn more about guiding and to get involved with their local group.

“Guiding is such a fantastic way to nurture and empower our young women. I highly recommend taking the opportunity to be involved in the program locally.”

For more information about Girl Guides NSW, please visit www.girlguides-nswactnt.org.au

Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke has welcomed the official unveiling of a bronze, life-size sculpture of Australia’s greatest war horse, ‘Bill the Bastard’, at a ceremony in Harden Murrumburrah.

Ms Cooke said it was fantastic to see the statue in-situ at Murrumburrah, the birthplace of the Australian Light Horse.

“This project has been a long time in the works and is an absolute credit to the dedication and perseverance of many deeply passionate members in this community.

“Bill is a source of great pride for all involved and an absolute drawcard to Harden Murrumburrah and the Hilltops region more broadly.”

The project was made possible thanks to over $400,000 in funding from the NSW Government’s Stronger Communities Fund.

Major donations and contributions alongside that of the NSW Government were:

• $200,000 raised amongst the local community,
• $100,000 from the Kruger Trust,
• $80,000 from Harden Regional Development Corporation,
• $30,000 from Mr Bill Gibbons of Victoria.

The ‘Bill the Bastard’ statue was created by local sculptor Mr Carl Valerius and bronzed by Mr Matt Crawford of Crawford’s Casting.

Speaking at the unveiling, Mr Valerius said it was a fabulous outcome for the community.

“To have an idea and believe in it, you can achieve almost anything. I thank the State Government for their support and belief in a little old sculpture in a town like Murrumburrah.”

Special guests present at the ceremony also included Brigadier Glen Ryan from Victoria Barracks in Sydney, along with 97yr old Mr Keith Taylor who travelled from Uranquinty for the occasion.

The sculpture of ‘Bill the Bastard’ and his five riders can be found at the 1^st Australian Horse and Australian Light Horse Memorial precinct in Murrumburrah.

For more information, please visit Home – Bill the Bastard.

Young people in Cowra will benefit from the NSW Government’s Youth Opportunities program, with Cowra Show Society the successful recipient of $46,580 funding for their initiative – Volunteering for the robust real-world experience.

Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke said the Cowra Show Society’s planned workshops would provide a great opportunity for young people in the Cowra region to engage with the community and learn new skills to set them up for success in life.

“Young people thrive when they have the opportunity to participate in programs tailored to their needs,” Ms Cooke said.

“This proposal from Cowra Show Society sounds like a fun and engaging way to help them develop the talent and tools they need to reach their career and education goals, as well as encourage greater participation of young people as volunteers – be it with the Cowra Show Society, or elsewhere in the local community.”

Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the Cowra Show Society was one of 47 projects funded under this round of the Youth Opportunities program.

“Youth Opportunities grants are delivering $2 million in funding for youth-led and youth-driven projects across NSW,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

“From initiatives to assist young people to get their first job to workshops that will build vital life skills such as cooking and car maintenance, there will be incredible opportunities state-wide for young people.”

Minister for Regional Youth Ben Franklin said the program helps provide a pathway for young people, particularly in regional areas, to find their place in their community and live independently.

“The transition from school to work is often challenging, and initiatives like the Youth Opportunities Program are imperative in helping make that transition as easy as possible for young people,” Mr Franklin said.

“This funding helps facilitate a sustained transition into employment and provides young people with a personal development pathway to upskill them into qualified, work-ready professionals.” Youth Opportunities is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, providing $15.3 million to 329 projects across NSW since it commenced.

Temora Town Band Inc is one of 20 NSW-based community brass and concert bands successful in receiving funds under the 2022 Community Band Development Grants Program, administered by the Band Association of NSW on behalf of Create NSW.

Temora Town Band Inc will use its funding of $2000 to increase band activity and grow audience numbers within the community.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the funding would directly support the musical volunteers and Temora’s cultural sector.

“It’s music to my ears that we are supporting our home-grown musicians and volunteers of Temora Town Band, and I am confident this investment will give them a real boost to play on into the future,” said Ms Cooke.

Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said that the funding will increase musical activity within NSW communities and support the growth of audience numbers across the State.

“The Community Band Development Grants Program recognises the special role bands and live music play in our community life, and provides an excellent upskilling opportunity for musicians while promoting arts and culture around NSW,” Mr Franklin said.

“What I like most about this program isthat it invests in our local communitiesby providing support to local talent and volunteers, while also increasing band activity, lifting performance standards and growing audience numbers.”

Band Association of NSW is the peak organising body for community brass and concert bands in NSW.  In 2021/22, Band Association of NSW received $55,000 as part of Multi-year Funding for Service Organisations (Negotiated); this includes$30,000 to deliverthe Community Band Development Grants Program.

This year’s Community Band Development Grants Program has supported community bands across NSW, including the Regions, Western Sydney and Metropolitan Sydney.

Coolamon Cricket Club Inc will benefit from $51,532 in funding under the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants program.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said this funding will help the Coolamon Cricket Club to continue providing a fit-for-purpose location for local clubs and the community to enjoy participating in sports and hosting events.

“The Coolamon Cricket Club Inc is receiving $51,532 to replace and upgrade their water system to improve the quality of the playing surface at the grounds,” Ms Cooke said.

“This funding will provide upgrades to these facilities to ensure that it is a safe environment for all competitors and community sporting groups.”

Mr Shane Rudd, President of Coolamon Junior Cricket Club said the benefit of this watering system is not just for the cricket teams, but all sporting teams and anyone that uses the grounds, including visiting schools.

“This watering system, which utilises recycled water means that we can ensure that the grounds are always maintained in peak condition and provide the highest degree of safety possible for anyone participating in any sport,” Mr Rudd said.

Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson said the latest round of ClubGrants funding has awarded more than $4.2m to 43 projects across sport and recreation, arts and culture, community infrastructure and disaster readiness.

“Each year $12.5 million is made available for projects to build, repair or upgrade facilities across arts and culture, sport and recreation, disaster readiness and community infrastructure,” Mr Anderson said.

“The latest round was one the largest yet in a response to weather events including drought, bushfires and flooding, as well as the ongoing recovery from the COVID pandemic.

“A focus of the Infrastructure Grants funding is to help local community groups repair, rebuild and upgrade their facilities in areas where it is most needed, which is why it is so important that we support organisations like this in the Cootamundra electorate.”

The Infrastructure Grants program is made possible by Clubgrants Category 3, a fund which re-invests profits from registered clubs’ gaming machines into community projects.  Since 2015, the NSW Government has funded more than 520 community projects worth more than $81 million under the Infrastructure Grants program

The construction of a new hanger and club room at the Cowra and District Aero Club is steaming ahead thanks to the NSW Governments $325,485 investment into the project under Round 3 of the Stronger Country Communities Fund. 

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke recently visited the site at the Cowra Airport alongside Cowra and District Aero Club members and Mayor Bill West to view the major developments.

“The new facilities will be a great asset to the Cowra and District Aero Club who provide high-quality flight training to people of all ages who are interested in aviation, whether it be for leisure or to pursue a career as a qualified pilot,” Ms Cooke said.

“The club is really making its mark in the industry as being an outstanding choice for those seeking out highly professional flight training with students enrolling from as far as Sydney and Canberra.”

“Cowra has become a great hub for those wanting to learn foundational aviation skills in a regional setting.”

The Cowra Aero Club currently offers three types of training including an introductory trial instructional flight, obtaining a Recreational Aviation Australia certificate and the more advanced Cross Country Endorsement.

Cowra and District Aero Club President and Senior Instructor David Shaw said that the previous facilities were no longer meeting the ever growing demand.

“The old hangar had to be dismantled and the old club room acted as the terminal, which ultimately pushed the club into a side room that was no longer sufficient for the needs of training new pilots,” Mr Shaw said.

“These new upgrades will allow us to increase our current capabilities, expanding on teaching and becoming a better facility to introduce young people in particular to all aspects of aviation.”

“The new hangar and clubroom will enable us to continue training future pilots as a Recreational Aviation Australia flying school and act as a stepping stone for those who seek to not only be a recreational pilot, but those who wish to train and become a commercial pilot or pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force, or even those who hope to become involved in the maintenance or engineering aspects of aviation professions.”

The concrete pour is expected next week with door installation to follow before moving onto the construction of the club room section.

The group is holding a club day this Sunday May 1 for all of its 36 members which is a great opportunity to catch up socially and revise their skills.