Macquarie Newsletter
From Susan's Desk 
 
I know how eager many people are to receive their COVID vaccine. But while the rollout through GPs is about to begin, it’s already clear that people will have to be patient.
 
A very small number of GPs will be delivering the vaccination from next week, and more will come online later. They have a relatively limited number of doses to start with. 
 
Along with the supply issues, there are also some refrigeration equipment issues that need to be resolved in some practices. The online booking system is not operational as I write this, so you have to call GPs directly.
 
So let’s call a spade a spade; it’s almost impossible to imagine that 4 million people will be vaccinated by the end of this month.
 
But it is a beginning, and in addition aged care residents and some staff in a number of facilities have received their first vaccination, with the second one due shortly.
 
The NSW Government has been managing the program for health workers in the hospital system, separate to the federally-controlled aged care and GP rollout.
 
If you think it must be your turn soon, go to the Healthdirect portal here and check your eligibility.
Around Macquarie
Clockwise from the top: Susan at the Women's March for Justice in Canberra, Susan at the launch of the Windsor Wolves Season, Susan and the eSafety Women's advisor Anita L'Enfant during their Social Media Self Defence Seminar, Susan and Shadow Minister for the Environment Terri Bulter and John Merson surveying regeneration post-fires, Susan and Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs Shane Neumann with local veterans. 

COVID Information

Vaccinations 

The GP roll out of COVID vaccinations starts from March 22. 
 
Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network advises that 13 practices in the region (Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Nepean) will commence the roll-out in the first week, with the remaining practices due to come on board over the following three weeks. By the fourth week there are 86 practices planned to deliver vaccinations in the region.
 
You can find a local vaccinator by visiting the Healthdirect website through the
eligibility checker. Healthdirect is the national platform for people to check their eligibility and locate general practices providing the vaccination.
 
  • To check your eligibility for the vaccine and to make a booking, click here 
  • For the full roll-out strategy, click here 
Rules

Are you up to date on the latest COVID rules? The NSW Government is responsible for the rules and regulations that affect how we can move around the community. To keep up with the latest information, visit the NSW Health website. For other relevant sites, please see below.
  • The Australian Government - here
  • The Department of Health - here
  • The NSW Government - here
  • NSW Health - here
  • Nepean Blue Mountains Health District - here
  • Blue Mountains City Council - here
  • Hawkesbury City Council - here
  • Domestic travel - here
 

Community News


Men’s Table

A Men's Table has formed in Wentworth Falls, and meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at The Grand View Hotel in a private room.  The Men’s Table creates a unique environment for men to openly share their lives, their challenges, their highs and lows with a group of like-minded men. It creates a sense of belonging, community, and peer support that is lacking for many.
An introduction night will be held on Thursday, April 22 at The Grand View to show newcomers what a Table is all about. Click
here to find out more. 
 
Census jobs

Recruiting is now taking place for the 2021 Census. The Census provides valuable insights into the make-up of Australian society and provides reliable data to be used for both government and private sector decision making. More information about the roles that are available and how to apply is available
here.
 
Support in the Hawkesbury

Hawkesbury City Council has started Community Advice and Support Service Hubs at four bushfire affecred areas in the Hawkesbury.  These fortnightly half-day hubs will provide an additional opportunity for connection in the community, and with services close to home. There will be a mix of specific bushfire recovery and general community services over time. Details are available
here for the Tuesday and Thursday mornings at Bilpin, Kurrajong Heights, Colo Heights and St Albans. Everyone is welcome! 
 
Stop child abuse

The Australian Federal Police and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) have launched a new initiative ‘Stop Child Abuse – Trace an Object’, calling on the public to help investigators with cold cases. They have released non-confrontational images taken out of the background of child sexual abuse material, in the hope that members of the public might recognise items such as curtains, a hat, a bedspread. It might have been worn in the local area, or someone might know where it can be bought. Any clue, no matter how small, will assist the ACCCE to piece together information. A similar initiative run by Europol lead to the removal of 10 innocent children from harm. The website is
accce.gov.au/trace and you can read more from the AFP here.

Volunteer hub

Volunteering Australia has launched an online
Volunteering Resource Hub to help anyone who manages, leads or coordinates Australia’s almost 6 million volunteers. The Volunteering Resource Hub brings together useful, evidence-based, and current best practice resources to support effective volunteer management across Australia. 

Anzac Awards

The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) is proud to host the Anzac Day Schools' Awards for 2021. This national competition recognises the work of students, teachers and schools to engage with veterans and honour Australia's wartime history. The theme of the 2021 awards is What does commemoration look like in your community? This year, your entry must focus on commemoration in the local community. Your school can submit an entry from a class, a year level or as a whole school. Find out how to enter the 2021 Anzac Day Schools Awards
here.


Health podcasts

Hawkesbury District Health Service has developed a podcast series for the region. Hawkesbury has had its fair share of challenges over the last couple of years with fires, floods and COVID, and Hawkesbury District Health Service has been at the heart of caring for the community. Its podcast series features a particular focus on health challenges identified by the region's Primary Health Network, and is hosted by GPs who are interviewing specialists, community advocates and allied health professionals. Click
here to listen.

 

Business News


Boosting Female Founders

The Boosting Female Founders (BFF) program started last year to support women entrepreneurs grow and scale their start-ups into domestic and global markets by providing access to early stage capital. The BFF Initiative was recently expanded, providing
additional funding for grants and introducing a new mentoring element to further support women entrepreneurs grow their start-ups. The program provides grants of between $25,000 and $400,000 on a co-contribution basis to successful applicants and is open to start-ups that are majority owned and led by women. Expressions of Interest close 5pm AEST on Thursday, April 22.
 

Ahead for Business

Running a small business can be rewarding but also stressful, and COVID has made things even more challenging. Ahead for Business is a new digital hub developed to support the mental health and wellbeing of Australian small business owners. The Ahead for Business team at Everymind will be working with small business owners and those who support them in the Blue Mountains until June, and is inviting people to join free hour-long online wellbeing workshops from 2pm on April 14, and 12 noon on May 12 and June 9.
Join an online training session and learn about mental health and wellbeing in small business. For more information, contact hello@aheadforbusiness.org.au or 02 4924 6900.
 
Bushfire counselling

The free, independent and not-for-profit Small Business Bushfire Financial Counselling Support Line was established in response to the impact on small business of the 2019-20 summer bushfires. Small businesses affected by bushfires or the COVID-19 shutdown can contact the support line for help and advice on government grants, “how to” tips, and emotional support. Small business operators needing assistance can contact the support line on 1800 413 828 or go to the website at
www.smallbusinessbushfire.org.au.

 

Grants News


Building disaster resilience 

Blue Mountains City Council is offering grants of up to $7000 to fund the development of community-led projects that aid social and environmental recovery and support communities to build disaster resilience. Activities should be targeted at a whole-of-community level and benefit many people and/or the environment, including wildlife. Applications that include funds or in-kind contributions will be looked upon favourably. Communities directly impacted by the 2019/20 bushfires are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a local group or organisation with local presence OR auspiced by a local organisation. Applications close Saturday, May 15, with applicants notified of their outcome by May 30. For more information contact Rebecca Evers 0439 620 163 or email revers@bmcc.nsw.gov.au.


Community Wellbeing Grants

Individuals (not organisations or businesses) directly impacted by the 2019/20 bushfires within the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Lithgow areas can apply for up to $1,000 to conduct an activity in their area. Funding is for community activities that promote community-led mental health, social and emotional wellbeing, and capacity building activities which allow communities to choose their own way to respond to the losses, anxiety and distress they have experienced, as well as actively participate in their recovery. Grassroots community connection activities can help mental health and healing from the bushfires. Activities may include community barbecues, art classes, music lessons, yoga, social events, DIY classes, playgroup, gardening, working bees, nature walks and more. Find out more
here or contact grants@nbmphn.com.au

Volunteer grants

Another round of the very popular Volunteer Grants Program will be opening for applications shortly. Volunteer Grants support the work of local community organisations by enabling the inclusion of vulnerable people and promoting awareness to increase participation in volunteering. Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 will be available to assist eligible not-for-profit community organisations support the efforts of their volunteers. Small portable equipment purchases, contributions towards the cost of training volunteers, reimbursement of fuel costs for volunteers and undertaking background screening checks for volunteers are examples of what grant funding can assist with. Expressions of interest will open in the coming weeks, so start talking with your community group about your funding proposal, and make sure all interested group members are
subscribed to my grants bulletin.

Grants bulletin

Would your organisation be interested in hearing about some of the latest government grants available? Sign up to my
grants newsletter.
 

In the news

The seat of Macquarie in the media:
 
Big turnout at March 4 Justice: There was a big turn out at the
March 4 Justice  event at Parliament House in Canberra.
 
Concern over funding roll-out: Bushfire
recovery and threats to the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area were in the spotlight recently when Opposition Environment and Water Minister Terri Butler visited the area.
 
On the nose in Mulgrave: Local business owners hit a brick wall trying to get a terrible smell in Mulgrave fixed. I discussed the issue with 2GB Drive host Jim Wilson and we got a reaction from the NSW Government and Hawkesbury Council that afternoon, but I will be keeping a close eye on what action is taken as a result.

 

Keep in touch.

I hope this information has been useful.  If there are specific issues you’d like information on, please do not hesitate to ask.

Kind regards,



Susan Templeman
Federal Member for Macquarie
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AUTHORISE BY S TEMPLEMAN AL 299 GEORGE ST WINDSOR