Snippets

IMAGE: New Lion, Nikki Kiss OAM, and Lions President Graham Apthorpe.

New Member Joins Lions Pride

Cowra Lions Club has welcomed new member Nikki Kiss OAM who was inducted into the club on 27 July. The induction was a formal ceremony and was conducted by senior Lions member David Thomas. Nikki’s sponsor and Lions President, Graham Apthorpe, said that Nikki Kiss OAM has taken on a special Lions sponsored role of coordinating the Cowra Neighbourhood Watch Program and will be supported in this and other activities through the Lions membership.

Scholarships Now Open For Aspiring Mental Health Workers In Our Schools

The NSW Government is continuing to prioritise student wellbeing by ensuring a strong pipeline of qualified mental health professionals in our schools.

The impacts of COVID-19, drought, flooding and bushfires have played out within our school communities, making mental health a key challenge facing young people across the state. There are three scholarships on offer, including; a training program for teachers to become a school counsellor; a program for psychology graduates to gain experience in schools; and a rural scholarship program for participants with an existing psychology qualification to work in rural and remote schools while completing their masters.

This year is the first year the NSW Department of Education will have graduates completing a rural training pathway for school psychologists. Information and application details for the school counsellor and school psychologist scholarship program are on the NSW Department of Education website at: https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-at-education/scholarships-and-programs/scholarships/school-counselling-services-and-scholarships

Housing Taskforce Wants To Hear From Our Region

Residents of the Cootamundra electorate are being encouraged to share their views on how the NSW Government can respond to increasing pressures on the supply and affordability of housing in regional NSW.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the Regional Housing Taskforce is now taking submissions online through to Friday 27th August, as well as hosting a series of virtual roundtables, including one open to the general public on Tuesday 10th August from 5pm to 7pm.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the NSW Government is looking to tackle the combination of factors putting pressure on housing supply.

Chair of the new Regional Housing Taskforce, Garry Fielding, said community feedback will be vital to informing his independent report, which will be handed to the NSW Government in September.

Throughout August, the Taskforce will be engaging with councils, Members of Parliament, the housing and development sectors and the local community.

A series of virtual consultations are scheduled, as well as in-person meetings in Ballina, Orange and Queanbeyan.

For more information, register for an event or make an online submission visit www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/regional-housing.

Council To Look Into CCTV

Cowra Shire Council moved a motion at its July council meeting that it will liaise with the Cowra Business Chamber and the Cowra Police to investigate the feasibility of installing CCTV in relevant locations within Cowra, to provide businesses with extra protection from crime.