Sustaining Rural Communities Conference Website

New Website and new date

Tuesday the 5th April and Wednesday 6th April at the Crossing Theatre in Narrabri.

Check the website out.

Regional and Remote Grants Round - Support available for the 100 Events for 100 Years Initiative

UNIFEM Australia will run an open grant round for events held in regional and remote Australia between November 10th 2010 - December 1st 2010. Successful grant applicants will receive up to $1000 to support their event. Grants will be determined based on the selection criteria.

For more information, please email julia.bowes@unifem.org.au
or visit: http://www.internationalwomensday.org.au/

RAS Foundation Grant for all under 35

The RAS Foundation is again offering young people in rural and regional NSW the opportunity to secure $25,000 to deliver a new and innovative community project.
 
Applications for The $25,000 Question are now open. To enter, simply tell us how you would use $25,000 to address a need in your local community. 

For the first time, this year’s grant will be open to all young people under 35 years.  (In the past it has been limited to The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl or Rural Achiever entrants.)
 
As an applicant you must identify a need in your local rural or regional community, come up with an idea to address this need, and partner with a community organisation to create a project plan.
 
It is easy to apply. See the website for details: www.rasf.org.au 

Applications close on 14 January 2011.
 
Please contact the RAS Foundation on 02 9704 1234 or foundation@rasf.org.au with any questions.
 
An advert promoting this exciting opportunity is attached. I would be grateful if you could pass this information to anyone you know who may be interested in applying.

The Beanstalk Organic Food

The Beanstalk is yet another amazing Newcastle/Hunter community initiative involving 150 residents. The Beanstalk was established in 2004 by three friends who were concerned at the lack of access to healthy and safe food for the community. Most people they knew cited affordability as the reason they could not eat organically. There was also very little support given to farmers practicing environmentally sound agriculture in the Hunter region, with certification and transportation costs the main issues for small farm businesses. A dialogue began with a farmer and The Beanstalk was established. From its humble beginnings on a veranda to its current location in East Newcastle, the organisation has flourished. Members now have access to affordable, healthy and local produce and it supports at least four local and sustainable farmers each week. In their words – “This benefits the Hunter Valley farmers, our urban community and ultimately, our earth”.

The objectives of the Beanstalk are:

1. To develop direct links between the sustainable organic farming communities and the urban communities of the Hunter Valley
2. To offer farmers fair prices and support them through difficult periods
3. To build consumer awareness of sustainable agriculture and empower the community to consume ethically
4. To minimise resource consumption and packaging
5. To foster community skill sharing
6. To create a viable and sustainable community organisation.

For more information, visit their great website - The Beanstalk Organic Food is an initiative that could happen anywhere!

Big Help Mob

this youth initiative of Youth Tree, an organisation based in Perth. Big Help Mob is a 100-strong rent-a-crowd of young people who get together to do superhuman acts of awesomeness for non-profits and communities in Perth. In their words -"One day it's planting 10 000 trees in a few hours, the next it's renovating a community centre or cleaning up a place that's been forgotten and trashed. Nothing is too big for Big Help Mob and we're not afraid to get our hands dirty... all 200 of them. Once the hands-on mission is accomplished with near-lightning speed, we celebrate with enormous, ridiculous flash mobs in public, using our superpowers to draw attention to good causes that need it."
For more information, check out the following websites Big Mob Help  and Youth Tree.

Tinghar Doing it Tough

The NSW town of Tingha has a very colourful history, but today faces many socio economic challenges. Once supporting 8000 residents, the town’s population is less than 1000. Statistics show it is the third most disadvantaged town in Australia, and it experiences three times the national unemployment rate. BUT this is a town focused on implementing the most successful regeneration model in Australia. Its renewal efforts is driven by Tingha Regeneration Incorporated.

To discover more of their interesting approach Click Here. In particular, discover more of their unique Code of Common Unity which ensures all community meetings are focused and productive .

Inspiration, Collaboration and Community Revitalisation

This was the theme of a great two day youth/community development worker training course organised by Michelle Baden from Berri Barmera Council on behalf of the Riverland and Mallee Youth Sector Network in South Australia. Facilitated by Peter Kenyon from the Bank of I.D.E.A.S., 40 workers spent two days exploring innovative and fresh ways to a collaborative approach to rural community revitalisation.

Click here to see summary of program. For more details contact Michelle on 0438805759 or youthofficer@berribarmera.sa.gov.au.

Friday Flicks - Building Social Capital

Click here for a great example of building social capital from Townsville, Queensland - Friday Flicks - free community movie nights under the stars with a free barbeque. All about getting to know neighbours.

Beechworth Ghost Tours

One of the best heritage tours discovered lately is Beechworth Ghost Tours created by the youthful Adam Wynne-Jenkins. His historic guided walking tours begin every night after dusk in the former Mayday Hills Lunatic Asylum in Beechworth, Victoria.

In the words of Adam – ‘Our ghostly tours will share with you tales of the eerie past, spine tingling stories that will have your imagination working overtime.’ Adam has certainly created an incredible rural enterprise.

Check it out next time in North East Victoria or check out Adam's website.

Click on the following links (1) (2) (3) for three great newspaper stories about Adam.

Kickstarter

Here are details of a great internet site where artists, writing, journalists and entertainers can pitch their ideas and seek investors. Ideas could be replicated in any country or region.

Click here to check it out.

Opotiki Young Person's Mural Project

Thanks to the Newsletter of Inspiring Communities in New Zealand for sharing the wonderful story of a youth Mural project in the the community of Opotiki.

Click here for details on the Project, and a great PowerPoint presentation collection.

Mary Valley Scarecrow Festival

Thanks to Libby Ozinga from the Sunshine Coast Council for alerting us to another great initiative from Mary Valley. Click here to see and read about the finalists in this innovative arts and tourism regional project involving towns in the Mary Valley.

Left Right - Fascinating Youth Organisation

Left Right is Australia's first independent and non-partisan think-tank of young minds. Their vision is for a society that seeks and embraces the ideas of young people. Their mission is to involve young people in public policy.

Click here to discover more about their programs.

To Inspire the Young in your community

Looking for a dynamic young person to address and motivate a group, consider James. Click here to read more about his potential services. Also, click here to check out his inspirational column on two people who inspired him in his life…we need more of these stories.

Click here to view James' bio.

Community Builders Relaunch of Website

communitybuilders.nsw, which has recently been relaunched, is the website for the communities, businesses and Government of NSW to come together and create positive change.

Click here to check out their website.

Heywire 2010 Now Open for Entries

The Australian Broadcasting Commission’s (ABC) Heywire competition gives people aged 16–22 in rural and regional Australia a chance to ‘tell it like it is’ on the ABC. All they have to do is submit a story about life in their neck of the woods, or an issue in their community. Their story might be about something they’d like to see change in their town, or an incident or issue that has had an impact on them, or simply why they like living where they do. Stories can be in text, audio, photo or video formats.

The ABC selects approximately forty winning stories from around Australia to be produced and reworked with the help of ABC staff and they are played on Radio National, ABC Local Radio, triple j and abc.net.au. Winners also score an all-expenses-paid trip to the Heywire Youth Issues Forum in Canberra in February where they learn leadership skills, and stay at the Australian Institute of Sport.

Find more information and upload stories at the ABC Heywire website.

Wind Farm and Health Co Op Helping Communities

Alan Grieg is someone whom we respect greatly for his long commitment and insights to social enterprise and cooperative models in terms of business. Alan recently sent us a great report about Australia’s first community owned wind farm in Daylesford, Victoria, and the reference in the report about a new class of investor, namely the “community social enterprise investor” .

Click here to read the transcript from the ABC TVs “Inside Business” program.

Incidentally, the Daylesford Wind Farm project has mobilised 1200 investors, mainly local people who have averaged $2000- $3000 each. It is a new phenomena in business.

Alan Greig has also shared with us the great social enterprise story of the West Belconnen Health Cooperative – a community owned answer to the corporate "super clinics" currently proposed by the Federal Government. This social enterprise has community owners starting at $10 -$50 able to access a suburban 'super clinic' that they own and operate as a community - the patients own the practice that hires the doctors! It now has 1200 members.

Click here to read more on this health cooperative.

We would like to acknowledge the incredible contribution that Alan Greig has made to the Social Enterprise/Cooperative movement in Australia since the 1980s. To contact Alan email him at ahgreig@bigpond.com.

American Website Rural and Small town business resource

This website may have some great ideas for your community take a look and decide for yourself.  Click here to view site.

Drought reform pilot well supported in Western Australia

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, today welcomed the strong response to the pilot of drought reform measures in Western Australia, with hundreds of WA farmers attending information sessions in July and August.

“The drought reform pilot in WA is a major milestone for the Gillard Government in delivering an improved system that better supports farmers, their families and regional communities,” Minister Ludwig said.
“More than 450 people have attended information sessions and Centrelink’s mobile office has visited 26 communities and provided services to more than 1400 rural customers in the pilot region.”  Click here to read more

The Arts are vital to Rural Communities

The inspired alignment in Simon Crean's new regional portfolio, which brings together Regional Australia, Regional Development, Local Government and the Arts, has the potential to support well-considered long-term partnerships between key players in regional and rural revitalisation.  Click here to read more

The NSW economy in 2020 A foresighting study

New report on NSW economy in 2020: bigger, smarter, global and greener

17 Sep 2010
NSW Treasurer and Minister for State and Regional Development Eric Roozendaal today released a new report analysing what the NSW economy will look like in 2020.
The NSW economy in 2020: A foresighting study was released during the second day of National Economic Review: Australia’s Annual Growth Summit at NSW Parliament House.
About 100 leaders of business, government and academia attended the two day Sydney summit.
“The $400 billion NSW economy is the engine room of the Australian economy - and we will continue to drive our nation’s growth,” Mr Roozendaal told the summit.
“The resilience of the NSW economy is clearly evident in the recovery phase from the financial downturn.
“The latest ABS data is clear - NSW has now enjoyed six consecutive quarters of economic growth. The same can’t be said for Victoria, Queensland or Western Australia.
“By 2020, the NSW economy will be bigger, smarter, greener and global.
“It will be characterised by high skilled and high value-added industries. Our goal is for NSW to be internationally recognised for its innovation, productivity, knowledge intensity, and carbon efficiency.”
The 10-year foresighting study, prepared by Access Economics, forecasts that by 2020:
The NSW economy will have grown over 30 per cent
Our workforce will expand from about 3.5 million to 3.9 million people
The State's population will grow from about 7.1 million to 8 million people; and
The average age of NSW residents will have increased from 39 to 41.
The 2020 report identifies four key ‘mega-trends’ that will shape and drive the NSW economy over the next decade:
Our transition to a low carbon economy
The rapid development of our digital economy
Demand and competition from emerging and growing economies, like China and India; and
An ageing population.
The Access Economics report says that: “The NSW economy is experiencing almost two decades of uninterrupted economic growth, despite the immediate turbulence of the global financial crisis.
“This growth has driven up incomes and living standards and has helped underpin the development of a modern, globally-integrated and dynamic economy.”
The NSW Government will soon release a Business Sector Growth Plan in response to the Access Economics study to build on NSW strengths, leverage our competitive advantages and capitalise on emerging opportunities.
This document will outline multiple strategies to grow NSW businesses over the next decade and beyond.
Mr Roozendaal said the NSW Government’s vision is that by 2020, the NSW economy will be:
more globally connected characterised by high-skilled and high value-added industries; and
internationally recognised for its innovation, productivity, knowledge intensity, and carbon efficiency.
The NSW economy in 2020: A foresighting study is available at:

New Women's Group - Women in Oil and Gas Group

You are invited to the WOG meeting in ROMA.

Women in Oil and Gas Group
Where: Gorgeous Gifts & Home ware
65 Mcdowall St
Roma QLD 4455
PH 4622 8001
When: Wednesday 6 October 2010
Time: 6pm Meeting
Who should attend: Any women who are working in the Oil Gas Resource sector, Training, HR, Recruitment, Administration, Health and Safety, Drillers, Engineers, Managers, Allied Health, Medical and other associated professionals.
RSVP: Christine Loveridge (roma@vause.com.au) or Maree Petty (maree.petty@hseplus.com)

A new RIRDC report has been released:-

Drivers of regional agritourism and food tourism in Australia

Publication date: 01 Oct 2010

Agritourism and food tourism have been a part of the rural and agricultural landscape in Australia for some time. Recently there have been more coordinated regional approaches to agritourism and food tourism as a strategy for growth and improving the resilience of individual businesses or rural communities. In this context, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry requested this study to improve understanding of the drivers and barriers to regional agritourism and food tourism in Australia. 'Regional agritourism and food tourism' refers to the act of going to a region to visit a working farm or other, farm or food-related business (including restaurants, markets, produce outlets and natural attractions) for enjoyment, education, or active participation in activities and events.



http://tinyurl.com/25etd4e

Sydneysiders urged to shift inland Poll tells all

This is a real positive for rural communities.  The attitude is changing we hope.

Poll: Would you consider leaving Sydney to move to regional NSW.
Yes  61%     No    39%          Total votes: 5452

Sydneysiders are being urged to ditch their urban lifestyles and shift inland, and it appears not all city slickers are dead against the idea.

One in four Sydney residents would consider moving to regional NSW, according to a survey which marks the beginning of a government campaign encouraging people to relocate from the state's capital.  Click her to read the full story in the Sydney Morning Herald

Prime Super Northern Inland Innovation Awards 2010

Regional Development Australia Northern Inland invites nominations from the Northern Inland region for the 2010 Prime Super Northern Inland Innovation Awards. The Prime Super Northern Inland Innovation Awards identifies and showcases individuals and organisations from all sectors of the community who are currently producing or developing innovative products or services.

In 2010 the annual awards enter their third year with the continued partnership between Regional Development Australia –Northern Inland, Prime Super & AusIndustry.  The nomination and assessment process is designed to recognise the contribution made by business to the economic prosperity and well-being of Northern Inland region’s communities and residents. It also establishes linkages between key stakeholders who can assist in developing businesses. 

The awards will be celebrated at a gala dinner at the RSM Club, Inverell on 13 November 2010. Every finalist will receive two tickets to the dinner compliments of Prime Super.

In addition every finalist will be invited to showcase their innovation in a Finalists Exhibit on the night.

Help to encourage innovation and ideas from the people shaping our region, enter yourself or nominate an associate friend or colleague.

Please note the closing date has now been extended and closes on 30 September 2010.

For more information visit the website.

Connecting through Conversation Workshop

The workshop is going to be held in Canberra on the 20^th of October at the Australian National Botanic Gardens to read more and register please visit the website.

This ‘Connecting through Conversation’ workshop is based on feedback from people working in the regions who want to learn more about how to use narrative techniques in their work.  Performance story is one technique, but there are many others that can be used very effectively to improve the communication and understanding you build.  Narrative evaluation is also a valuable tool for monitoring and reporting.  

You will also find some free resources on the website that you might be able to use in your community.

Paul Born Australian - New Zealand Workshops November 2010

Over the last few editions of the Bank of Ideas newsletter, they have been promoting the visit to Australia and New Zealand of Paul Born from the Tamarack Institute. Tamarack has an international reputation for its work in community engagement and Paul has an awesome reputation in the area of community conversations.

In November 2010, Paul will be conducting a series of one day ‘hands on’ interactive workshops on facilitating ‘community conversations’ that result in social and economic change. These one day facilitator training events will explore and share experiences, methodologies and tools regarding:

• Ways communities are leading powerful conversations for change
• Hosting strategic conversations and attracting the right participation
• Advancing your community’s agenda with innovative mobilisation techniques
• Embracing the power of citizen engagement and multi sector collaboration

To view the Workshop website and to register on-line for this must attend event, click on the following link:

Diploma in Agriculture through Recognition of Prior Learning

Do you work in agriculture or a business that supports rural industries?
Do you have experience and skills but don’t have the piece of paper?

If you answered yes to these questions,
a Diploma in Agriculture or Rural Business Management may be for you!
Don’t delay, at the moment, NSW residents who are working in rural industries are eligible to a subsidy that dramatically reduces the cost of Qualifications through recognition of prior learning.

And the process is easier than you think
No courses, No training – we just look at the skills you already have!
 
For more information, contact:
Rebecca Fing
House Paddock Training and Consulting
PO Box 1361 Goondiwindi QLD 4390
Ph 0746710723 Mob  0427107234

AIAST/Agribusiness Association of Australia Joint Symposium

Friday 24 September 2010 at Orange Agricultural Institute Training Centre Forest Road Orange NSW 2800 Theme Future of Agriculture - How will it adapt and what services will it need.

Small Chambers of Commerce Fund

Tenders.Net Ref #: 643169      Location: NSW 

Small Chambers of Commerce Fund

NSW Department of Industry and Investment

Closing: Not Stated

E-Docs: Click here for documents or further information*
E-Box: Availability Unknown

Contact:
Note: Applications can be lodged at any time. Before you commence filling out this application form, contact the I&I NSW community economic development manager for your region to discuss your project.
For more information contact:
Regional Offices
Southern Inland/Far South Coast Region Goulburn (02) 4821 8000
Northern Region Lismore (02) 6622 4011
Hunter/Central Coast Region Newcastle (02) 4908 7333
Western Region Orange (02) 6360 8400
Riverina/Murray Region Wagga Wagga (02) 6921 6422

Details:
Building The Country Package Small Chambers Of Commerce Fund
The aim of the fund is to assist chambers of commerce and business development organisations in small communities to increase activity for both individual businesses and the business community as a whole.

National Forum in Dubbo

Visit the Website to register for this Forum

Diploma in Agriculture or Rural Business Management - RPL

Do you work in agriculture or a business that supports rural industries?

Do you have experience and skills but don’t have the piece of paper?

If you answered yes to these questions,

a Diploma in Agriculture or Rural Business Management may be for you!

Don’t delay, at the moment, NSW residents who are working in rural industries are eligible to a subsidy that dramatically reduces the cost of Qualifications through recognition of prior learning.

And the process is easier than you think

No courses, No training – we just look at the skills you already have!

Industry and Investment and Tocal College

For more information, contact:

Rebecca Fing

House Paddock Training and Consulting

PO Box 1361 Goondiwindi QLD 4390

Ph 0746710723 Mob  0427107234

Families Stressed Out by Water Buy Backs

Families stressed out by water buybacks

Friday, 03/09/2010

ABC Website

A study has found the Federal Government's water buybacks are having a heavy toll on personal relationships, because of the stress of the decisions involved.  Click here to read more

Exploring the Relationship Between Community Resilience & Irrigated Agriculture in the MDB:

Judith Stubbs Final report
Social and Economic Impacts of Reduced Irrigation Water

This report builds on and applies the first three stages of the study, Exploring the Relationship
Between Community Resilience & Irrigated Agriculture in the MDB,1 to address the following research
questions:
• What are likely to be the social and economic impacts of changes in agricultural
production due to permanent reductions in irrigation water for different types of
communities at different geographic scales?
• What factors are likely to mitigate or exacerbate impacts arising from a permanent
reduction in irrigation water?
• How might communities be assisted to respond to such changes?

The report includes case studies for the following communities

1: Balonne Shire, QLD Case Study
2: Bourke Shire, NSW Case Study
3 : Campaspe Case Study
4: Dalby-Wambo QLD Case Study
5: Griffith, NSW Case Study
6: Mildura Rural City Case Study
7: Moree Plains, NSW Case Study
8: City of Murray Bridge, SA Case Study

Speakers for next year

Great list of speakers at the 13th National Conference on Volunteering Program has now been released!  

• Mr Bernard Salt,leading commentator and advisor on consumer, cultural and demographic trends who has earned an international reputation as a trend forecaster for business and government
• Ms Elaine Bradley, CEO of Volunteering Ireland
• Professor Peter Shergold AC, Macquarie group Foundation Professor at the Centre for Social Impact
• Senator Ursula Stephens, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector
• Mr Patrick McClure AO, Ethics Fellow, Not-For-Profit Sector(a joint initiative of the Centre for Social Impact, University of New South Wales and the St James Ethics Centre).
• Kenn Allen founder and president of the Civil Society Consulting Group LLC
• Sarah Hayes Director of the Global Corporate Volunteer Council, International Association for Volunteer Effort (USA)
• Mr Ron Edwards, Australian Social Inclusion Board Member, Board member of the Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation
• click above to read more

Kismet Forward Progressing People and Projects

Kismet Forward is about progression: facilitating communities, organisations and individuals to move forward, building on what they do well.This includes:

• Developing, managing and evaluating strategic projects,
• Park Planning,
• Engaging communities,
• Facilitating workshops, and
• Coaching emerging leaders.  click to read more

Innovative Leadership

Innovative Leadership works across Australia, on a range of projects as diverse as national consultations on Indigenous health issues, regional economic and community revitalisation, and industry planning. The Innovative Leadership team offers extensive experience in working with rural and regional areas of Australia, and the capacity to undertake national, state and regionally based projects.

Life - Living is for eveyrone

Rural and remote Of Australia’s 20 million people, 66% live in capital cities, towns or other major metropolitan centres - the remaining 6 million people are spread out across 8 million square kilometres, living in what are referred to as rural or remote areas (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2004). 
Rates of suicide and suicide attempts are higher in rural and remote populations of Australia, with very remote regions having suicide rates more than double that of major capital cities (Commonwealth of Australia, 2010).
A number of factors contribute to the high suicide rates in rural and remote areas including:
to read more click the above link. 

RAS NSW Foundation Scholarchips Program

BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR RURAL NSW
Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation launches 2010 scholarships program
The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Foundation is searching for passionate and enthusiastic people who are determined to make a difference in their rural communities.
 Click here to find out more

Regional Arts Fund 2011

Applications are now being accepted for the Regional Arts Fund (NSW), one
of the key funding sources for arts and cultural activities in regional, rural and
remote communities of NSW.
Funding is available for 2011 projects in the categories of New Initiatives,
Partnerships and Residencies and Mentorships. Funding is available for one or two
year projects. Applications for the Regional Arts Fund (NSW) close on Friday 13
August 2010.
Talk to Arts OutWest for advice on putting together an application and for a letter of
support for your project.
Information packs including instructions, guidelines and application forms for the
Regional Arts Fund are available and can be downloaded from the Regional Arts
NSW website

http:www.regionalartsnsw.com.au/grants/raf

http://www.regionalartsnsw.com.au/grants/raf.html

http://www.regionalartsnsw.com.au/news/2009/RAF%20NSW%202010.pdf

Funding and Grant Websites

Here are a few places where you can find funding or a bit of help finding funding for Community Projects.

http://www.fundbase.com.au/ 

http://australia.gov.au/topics/culture-history-and-sport/arts/arts-grants

http://community.grantready.com.au/
http://www.government-grant.com.au/

http://www.grantslink.gov.au/

Economic, Environmental and Social Sustainability Report

Expectations for industries to manage resources in a sustainable manner raise the question of how industries can demonstrate their sustainability credentials. This thesis reviews the question of sustainability monitoring and reporting in relation to the Australian cotton industry. Principals of sustainability reporting in business and agriculture were reviewed.
A set of sustainability indicators has been developed and economic, environmental and social data compiled. A specific analysis of the cotton industry’s environmental management system, the Cotton Best Management Practices program was completed to investigate its potential to track and report farm management practice change over a 10 year period.

Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Foundation Scholarships

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Foundation is searching for passionate and enthusiastic people who are determined to make a difference to rural and regional Australia.


The RAS Foundation has launched a new series of rural scholarships, of up to $5,000 each, to assist people in NSW who are passionate about rural issues to pursue their dreams of higher education, in turn creating a strong and vibrant community for the future.

Also open for applications is the third annual J B Fairfax Award for Rural Journalism. The $10,000 Award encourages students across Australia to pursue a career in rural journalism and tell the stories of Australian agriculture.

It is easy to apply. See the website for details: www.rasf.org.au/whatwedo/scholarship.html

Applications close on 30 September 2010. Funding will be provided for the 2011 academic year.

Please contact the RAS Foundation on 02 9704 1234 or foundation@rasf.org.au with any questions.

Supporting Teenagers with Education Mothering and Mentoring

This is a program being run in Queensland to support pregnant girls and young mothers in a safe, non-judgemental environment with individual support plans developed by trained case managers.
Each girl will be given the opportunity to develop Lifeskills, Parenting, Self Worth, Healthy Relationships, Pre and Post Birth Plans.  In Partnership with Education Queensland, TAFE and the University of the Sunshine Coast, girls will be able to engage with learning pathways towards certified outcomes.  All girls are given the opportunity to develop their Mothering Skills through access to a variety of experts involved in Materntity Services, Breastfeeding and Child Health.   Girls are individually matched with carefully selected and trained mentors.
This is an interesting project something totally different from others that have been run for young women.

Survey participants needed from Rural and Remote Areas

Survey participants needed: Living & working in rural and remote communities


The Living & Working in Rural and Remote Communities study explores the management of tensions in work-life balances for professionals not only having statutory responsibilities in health, education, human and police services, but also living in the rural and remote communities they serve. It aims to generate new knowledge about: how professionals and their local communities can forge productive links to enhance collaboration and service delivery; and factors contributing to professionals’ training, recruitment and retention in such communities. The project is funded by an Australian Research Council Discovery Projects grant.

Survey respondents can enter the draw to win a $100 gift card.

FIND OUT MORE: Website: Link to survey. For further information or assistance in completing the survey, please contact: Natalie Clements, Senior Research Assistant, Griffith University on 07 3382 1134 or N.Clements@griffith.edu.au
From QCOSS enews Issue 24

The Shiny Halo

Central NSW Councils have set up a blog the Shiny Halo Blog - an initiative to encourage action for a more resilient future.  They have some really interesting things that are going on in their councils and are sharing them in this blog.  You can read about what Organisations, councils, individuals, community groups, businesses and schools are doing for a more resilient future.  Items of interest include:  Electric Vehicle Challenge, Tree Xchange, Totally Local & 100 Mile Diet, Zero Emissions Agriculture.  Read about individuals like Charles Dalglish and his Electric Vehicle. Or community group Central West Permaculture "permablitzes".  "Central Tablelands Water takes a stand against bottled water!" read this story and more at the above link.  They also want to hear from your community.

Golden Gurus Grants

Golden Gurus, an Australia 2020 Summit initiative, brings together a diverse range of quality organisations to link the expertise of mature age mentors (50 and over) with community organisations or start-up businesses. Click the above link for more information on this program and to see if your community or organisation can join the Golden Gurus program.  Applications close 30th July, 2010

Claim the Date: Sustaining Rural Communities Conference 2011

Claim the Date for the 2011 Sustaining Rural Communities Conference.

22nd and 23rd March 2011 at the Crossing Theatre, Narrabri

Further information will be available shortly.

The Sustainability of Australia's Country Towns

The Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities is holding their conference in Bendigo on the 30th September and 1st October.  You might like to read more about it by clicking on the link above.

SEGRA Sustainable Economic Growth For Regional Australia

This years conference is to be held in Townsville.  There are some good speakers.  You can read more about the conference by clicking the link above.

Training for Specific Needs

State, territory, and Australian governments offer assistance to help all Australians access vocational education and training (VET).

These include programs to support:
people with a disability
mature-aged learners
people from rural communities
Indigenous people
people from non-english speaking backgrounds.

Programs and assistance vary from state to state. To find out more about the funding and support programs described below, contact the training authority in your state or territory.

This site might be of interest to emplyees and employers in rural communities as to what incentives are available for them on both sides of the aprenticeships and traineeships.

Inspiring Communities Website

Although this site is based in New Zealand you may like to take a look, it has some items we discussed at the conference on it.

"Inspiring Communities supports communities of place to achieve their vision and goals by:

* Promoting the power of working together across sectorsalt
* Supporting leadership and learning for community-led development
* Linking people, projects and places
* Developing and sharing resources, tools and new knowledge
* Being a catalyst for change in communities of place"

Click on the above link and see what you can find.

How to get your community walking

This is a website to get Victoria Walking.  Some great ideas on it.  It reads

"Encouraging walking is a great way to change your neighbourhood for the better.  When you walk, you meet your neighbours, get healthy, save money and save the planet.  We've found the best, most practical tools to help promote walking so take a stroll around the site."

"Victoria Walks has all the tools, information and support you need to make your neighbourhood safer and more walk-friendly."

Click on the link above to get some ideas for your community.

Order SRC Conference Audio on Line

Click on the title to order a Computer /MP3 car stereo compatible CD of the Sustaining Rural Communities Conference. (no charge)

Pigs Will Fly - the can do community blog

The opening sentence on this great website for information relating to Communities.  Worth a look.
"We’d love you to join our conversation about sustainable living, where we share the successes and pitfalls faced by grassroots small business, volunteers and community groups around Australia".

The MAD (Make a Difference) Project

Connecting people who want to make a difference with those who already are!
This is an exciting community initiative by Arcadia in Maleny, Queensland. They through a newsletter and regular breakfasts link people who want to make a difference with those who do. Click here for more details.
Their collection of archived newsletters give you an impressive range of initiatives that they have enacted.  Click here for the Newsletter Archive. Click here for an example of Arcadia’s newspaper columns about “Stop Complaining”- the wonderful story of Rev William Bowen who challenged his congregation to go 21 days without complaining model that could work in any community!!
There is some interesting information here that I think other communities could easily implement.

Cow Parade Margaret River - Artistic idea for your community

The world’s most famous public art event, CowParade, is coming to Margaret River in 2010 and there is only a few more weeks left to view the herd! Don't miss your opportunity to see the beautiful bovines on parade before 27th June 2010!
It is a free event for art, charity and fun!
Click above to read more or post a comment.

Changing Lifestyle Expectations

'Changing lifestyle expectations' is the result of three key changes in our population and communities: .......... Read More

Although you have to subscribe to see the images it is worth a read below the headings.

Rural communities and changing lifestyle expectations

Affluence and gentrification in urban communities

Oh how I wish to live it up by the sea!

Helping rural Australia get the most out of mobile workers

One of the by-products of globalisation is an increasingly mobile and transitory workforce, but what does this mean for rural Australia, and how can rural communities make better use of the highly skilled people moving through their towns?

Read more on the research being done by RIRDC by clicking the above link and the results on case studies.  Interesting read on how to keep them in your community once they are there and how to make them feel they are local. 

The myth of how long before you are local in a community comes to my mind when I read each case study. 
Is there a short or a long period or is it a settling in period? 
Does the myth exist?
Does it depend on the community/town? 
Or does it depend on the people who move to a community?

Would like to hear your comments.

Bank of Ideas Website - Ideas for Communities

This is a website that has lots of different ideas about what can be achieved in a community.  You might like to take a look and get some ideas for your community.

Story on the Wilcannia Community and its revival

It is cold and wet in Wilcannia. Wind is blowing through town as about 20 locals gather around a park bench on the Barrier Highway to sign time sheets proving they have worked the hours to earn a government allowance.

Click above to learn about the drive through gallery being constructed by the local indigenous people of the Wilcannia community and how it is creating a revival in the town.

Rural Women's Coalition looking for stories on Communities

Sustainable Rural Communities - Good News stories

The National Rural Women’s Coalition recently embarked on a project to collect  stories of communities able to effect change in the quest to become sustainable. We now are pleased to publish  the first of these on our website.   It is hoped that through the sharing of these accounts of resilience, hope and survival, others will be inspired and motivated to make improvements or use these ideas in their own community.  

to read these and other stories click the above link 

Agrifood Skills Australia Newsletter

During the conference we heard about this pilot group Make it Work established by Agri Food Skills Australia.  I thought you might be interested to read the latest Newsletter from AgriFood Skills Australia which includes an article on the Cross industry trainee ships.

Newsletter ----  AgriFood Skills Australia has established a pilot program at Narrabri in north west NSW that is based on a 'whole-of-community approach' to the attraction and retention of a skilled workforce. Click here to read more

Community Action Fund 2010 Burseries

Great News!   Get in Quick though!  $1,000 up for grabs

 

Application Forms for the Community Action Fund 2010 that from the Sustaining Rural Communities Conference have been sent out today to those who registered or attended the Conference.

 

Please note that there will be ten bursaries only and so it will be on a first in first served basis.

 

If you would like a copy of the form. email me kate.schwager@cottoncrc.org.au

National Rural Health Alliance

The E Newsletter was sent to me from this site.  It has alot of interesting information on it regarding Rural Health and some of the items relate to our discussions at the Sustaining Rural Communities Conference I thought I should share it with you.  The site is well worth a visit if you are into Health.

Conference audio available on MP3 CD

The audio from the main sessions at the Sustaining Rural Communities conference are now available as an MP3 CD playable on MP3 compatible car audios and computers

Listen to the conference as you travel -

Catch the sessions you missed

For more details contact Dave Larsen 0267991534

Survey On The Conference

The Survey for the Conference has gone out for those who have received it and filled it in we thank you.  For those who attended the Conference and would like the opportunity to comment and fill in the survey and did not receive it.  Please let me know and I will send you the link by email kate.schwager@cottoncrc.org.au

Conference audio available

G'day All
Audio of the all the speakers in the main sessions and a selection of speakers from the workshops are now available on line as either MP3 or WMA files .

If you wish to listen to the audio whilst looking at the visuals used in the presentation select your speaker of interest through the Keynote Speakers page or through the appropriate day link of Presentations and Audios , ie THE RESEARCH, THE WORKFORCE, or THE CAPACITY,

If you just want to download an audio file go to the Sustaining Rural Communities Podcasts and Audio page where all the available audio files (WMA and MP3) only are listed.

If you need help please give me a call
Dave Larsen on 02 6799 1634

Existing blogs moved to blogger

Have moved blogs that were on the Cotton Catchment Communities CRC site to to Blogger - this should enable easier maintainence of the blog. Good Blogging!!

Potential speaker next conference

11/05/2010 - 1:25 PM - Posted by : Rohan Boehm - NEXT YEARS CONFERENCE
Post your comment (500 char): MORE ON DANIELA STEHLIK: Charles Darwin University's Director of the School for Social and Policy Research, Professor Daniela Stehlik has been appointed as the Chair of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC). As the inaugural Director of the University's new Northern Institute, this appointment will enable Professor Stehlik to undertake extensive consultation with industry to increase knowledge that fosters a sustainable, productive and profitable rural sector. Professor Stehlik is one of Australia's leading social scientists in the areas of sustainability, human service practice and social cohesion with a focus on families and communities in regional/rural Australia. In 2008, Professor Stehlik completed an appointment as a member of the Expert Panel on the Social Impacts of Drought for the Federal Minister of Agriculture's Review of National Drought Policy. In the same year, she was an invited participant in the Australia 2020 Summit and to the National Rural Women's Summit.

Conference music available

11/5/2010 - 4:25 PM - Posted by : Rohan Boehm - OUTCOME FROM THE CONFERENCE
For those of you who enjoyed the Music at the Conference please note
The Kisshead CDs are available by contacting and paying me - cost is $15 + $2 post = $17
Email + address details to rohan_boehm@fastmail.fm
Payments to BSB 012-822 Account number 5591-13217
Payment Reference kisshead(+surname)
myspace http://www.myspace.com/kissheadlovestep

SOMETHING OF INTEREST FOR YOUR COMMUNITY

Posted by Trudy Staines:
Do you have a science or mathematics background?
Would you like to see a greater uptake of science and mathematics in schools and universities?
Scientists in Schools are looking for people in regional centres such as yours who are interested in assisting school students to come to a greater appreciation of the application of science and mathematics in so many professions in their local communities.
The Scientists in Schools program builds partnerships between professional people in the science and mathematics areas and teachers - a small commitment of your time in the form of a partnership with a local teacher could well set individual students on a path to a career in science and mathematics.
Mentor students, Help run a science-maths fair, Set up a science or maths club, Share your research, Promote careers in science and maths
Help develop interesting classroom experiments and activities
Participation is free and open to all scientists and mathematicians wanting to share their passion for science/maths. It's a sure-fire way to have you thinking about your work in new ways, have fun and help inspire and motivate another generation of researchers.
A free Scientists in Schools and Mathematicians in Schools Information Session is being held near you - come along and find out how you can participate! Contact Sabine for more information Sabine SchreuderProject Officer NSW Scientists in Schools
CSIRO EducationPhone: 02 9490 8405
sis.nsw@csiro.au http://www.scientistsinschools.edu.au/
http://www.mathematiciansinschools.edu.au/

How to contact others from the conference

Posted by Kate Schwager:
If you would like to get in contact with someone from the conference please use this blog to do so or email me and I will introduce you in an email.
kate.schwager@cottoncrc.org.au

Brolga Project

Posted by Anne Willis
Project Learnt about this project at your conference. We are taking 2 final year engineering students in November to help us design an enviromentally sustainable new laundry. Is a great concept. One of the students would like to do a total of 6 weeks in the area so hopeing someone over there might have some work for him after he leaves here. Ann Willis - Warialda Chamber of Commerce check out the website you might need someone in your community http://www.brolgaproject.com.au/Campaign_100!!.php

Next years conference

Kate Swager Wrote:
It was suggested by Jo Eady that the organizing committee look at having a conference newspaper next year. I have the information and contact details for Geoff Easdown (Business journo for the Herald Sun) who does them and his company - Downtown Researchers Pty Ltd

Welcome

Welcome to our new Sustaining Rural Communities Blog - With the success of the Recent Sustaining Rural Communities conference held in Narrabri in mind this blog has been created to keep the momentum flowing- We hope this will be a useful forum
Lars and the Team

Next conference speaker (potential)

Rohan Boehm Wrote:
Well Kate started it off by suggesting the new chair of RIRDC would be an ideal speaker next time.
This is the link to the announcement: http://ext.cdu.edu.au/newsroom/a/2010/Pages/100510-ProfessorStehlikappointed.aspx

Welcome from Kate

Posted by Kate Schwager
Welcome to our new blog on Sustaining Rural Communities. We welcome your comments.