RDASI Newsletter - August 2023
CEO REPORT
The CEO Report offers a glimpse behind the scenes of our organisation, highlighting some of the challenges faced, and triumphs celebrated within our communities.
Another month bites the dust and now we’re suddenly in August. The days are feeling like they’re getting longer and warmer and although I haven’t noticed any spring buds as yet, it certainly feels like they’re on their way.
July has been another hectic month with Rowena Abbey (our Chair) and I attending the RDA National Conference held in Toowoomba last week. At the official dinner, the Hon Kristy McBain launched the updated charter for the network. RDASI is committed to the implementation of this charter, and we believe it allows for a broadening of focus on the ‘soft’ infrastructure projects we believe add to the improved liveability of our regions.
It was wonderful to see RDA Chairs, Deputy Chairs and CEOs from across the country, come together at the conference to discuss the important issues facing regional Australia. Despite being unique in so many ways, there are similar challenges being faced by us on several fronts. Housing and workforce shortages certainly topped the list, and I was asked to open the discussion on housing which was framed during a national virtual round table earlier in July. The conclusion was that although the housing crisis is being felt equally across the country, solutions must be tailored to suit the nuances of each region.
July saw RDASI instrumental in helping coordinate a Future Skills Conference for NSW teachers and careers advisors held in ACT over the 27th and 28th. Our ex-teacher extraordinaire, Alexandra Dunwoodie, shared the vision of how we encourage school aged kids to live, earn and learn locally with our Grow Our Own program. We are about to kick this off again, and we’re looking for interested industry partners to participate. Please contact Suzie, on workforce@rdasi.org.au if you would like to promote your business to whole new cohort of potential employees.
Thank you to everyone who has responded to our recent surveys. With some BIG issues needing your feedback, we have been pleased to be able to make submissions which reflect the sentiments of our communities. We do our best to remain apolitical, as is our brief, and so when we construct our surveys, we do so in a way that pulls out the most unbiased responses. In the next couple of weeks, we will have a page on our website dedicated to our submissions. We’re now averaging a submission each month which is a testament to the great work of our Research and Policy Officer, Tash Maguire is doing.
There are so many great events happening across our region and we try to share them on our social channels whenever we see them. If you would like us to promote your community event, please send pictures and text to our social media guru, Jane Purcell at admin@rdasi.org.au.
Our Regional Connect Roadshows are coming up fast, bringing the experts to the region to talk communications – internet and mobile more specifically. Make sure you save the dates detailed below, and we’re hoping to be coming out to Upper Lachlan and Hilltops for the very first time.
If you know anyone who has recently moved to, or is thinking about moving to, Goulburn, we would love to provide them support with our Welcome Experience local Connector, Alexandra Dunwoodie, ready to help. Please email on welcome@rdasi.org.au. Alexandra is a wealth of knowledge, with a big heart and even bigger smile.
RDASI is always here to support our communities, so please get in contact if we can be of assistance.
Carisa
July Board Meeting
Our Board meetings are more than mere routine events, they hold incredible significance in shaping the course of our RDASI journey. Our Board comes together to breathe life into our mission and values. The collective power fuels progress and fosters a culture of excellence.
The momentum we've built is strong coming into the new financial year and is just a glimpse of what lies ahead. We can't wait to share the exciting developments that are in store for the region.
Welcome Experience
For us at RDASI, it was heartwarming to witness the active participation in every aspect at our Welcome Experience pilot launch event. Our attendee questions challenged us to think deeper, their feedback encouraged us to grow, and the Goulburn community support inspired us to go the extra mile in delivering an exceptional experience.
Business 2580 Awards
We had the honour of sponsoring and attending the Business 2580 Awards on Friday 21st July.
It was incredible to see how the business community came together to support and uplift one another. The spirit of camaraderie was evident, and it reaffirmed the power of collaboration and collective progress. It was a wonderful event that highlighted the significance of recognizing and celebrating the efforts of individuals and businesses that make a positive impact on our industry and society as a whole.
We extend our warmest congratulations to each and every nomination for their remarkable achievements and contribution within the Goulburn community.
Regional Connect
The RDASI team is very pleased to be bringing trusted experts on the road to discuss solutions to communications challenges in our rural and remote regions. We know that connectivity is the great equalizer between, and we are doing everything we can to equal the playing field.
Save the Date for our Regional Connect events:
Braidwood Connect - Braidwood Servicemens Club
Date: Tuesday 29 August
Highlands Connect - Berrima Vault House
Date: Thursday 31 August
Cooma Connect - The Alpine Hotel
Date: Tuesday 5 September
Yass Connect - Yazzbar
Date: Wednesday 6 September
Goulburn Connect - Goulburn Soldiers Club
Date: Thursday 7 September
2023 Science Practice Forum
On behalf of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, here’s the video link of the recent Future Drought Fund Science and Practice Forum
This video includes highlights from the 3-day forum from the program, including feature speakers, presentations, panel talks and additional content:
• Day 1 – Research and development
• Day 2 – Farmers, Producers and Agricultural Advisors
• Day 3 – Community and policy
Growing Regions Program
The Growing Regions Program webinar recording and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) is now available.
At the webinar, staff from the department and the Business Grants Hub provided an overview of the program and the Expressions of Interest applications process. Attendees also had the opportunity to ask questions about the program.
You can view a recording of the webinar and read the FAQs by visiting the Growing Regions Program web page at Growing Regions Program | Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.
Food Market Opportunity
The Capital Region Farmers Market operates Saturday mornings from 7:30 am – 12:00 pm, at Exhibition Park in Canberra. These Markets are well established, first set up in 2004 with over 6,000 people attending every week. Many stallholders also sell to local restaurants when they come to town each week. Opportunity has arisen for more stall holders, predominately in the fruit and vegetables sector. If you are interested or know of someone who would be, please contact Sarah Power, the Market Manager.
Sarah Power - Market Manager
Ph: 0400 852 227
Mail: PO Box 340, Hall, ACT, 2618
Email: market.manager@crfm.com.au
Website: www.capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au
New Stallholder Application Form: CRFM New Stallholder Application Form
ABC Heywire Competition
The annual ABC Heywire competition is now open where young people living in Australia’s regional, rural and remote communities are encouraged to tell the nation what life is like in their part of the world.
The Heywire Competition empowers young people from all over regional Australia to share their story. Winners will have the opportunity to work with ABC producers to see their stories featured across ABC platforms including ABC TV, RN, local radio, triple J and iview.
At the annual Heywire Regional Youth Innovation Summit, up to 40 winners will be able to connect with other young people to explore issues, challenge ideas and look at ways to make a positive impact in their regional communities.
Competition closes: Friday 1 September 2023.
ABC Landline Story
Annie is a hardworking roustabout from Bombala, NSW. She hopes her journey inspires more young women to step into the shearing sheds. We were so proud and delighted that a young woman of Annie’s calibre from our region was a finalist last year.
Tulip Time
For two weeks, from September 19th to October 2nd, Corbett Gardens will be transformed into a breathtaking display of tulips in full bloom. Take a leisurely stroll through the meticulously curated gardens and immerse yourself in the picturesque setting that showcases thousands of tulips in a riot of hues.
When: Tue 19 Sep to Mon 2 Oct
When: 9:30am to 4:30pm daily
Where: Corbett Gardens, Bendooley Street, Bowral, Southern Highlands NSW
But that's not all! As the sun sets, the magic of Tulips After Dark 2023 takes centre stage on Fri 29 Sep, Sat 30 Sep, and Sun 1 Oct, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Experience the gardens illuminated by a mesmerizing array of lights, creating a truly enchanting ambiance like no other. It's a spectacle you won't want to miss!
Tulips After Dark 2023:
When: Fri 29 Sep, Sat 30 Sep & Sun 1 Oct
When: 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Where: Corbett Gardens, Bendooley Street, Bowral, Southern Highlands NSW
Industry Growth Program
The recently announced Industry Growth Program aims to support innovative SMEs across Australia to get great ideas to market, overcome barriers to scale and achieve their potential through multilayered support.
The program will provide advice and matched grant funding to businesses in the priority areas of the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF), part of delivering on the Government’s commitment to rebuild Australia’s industrial capability.
The Industry Growth Program is scheduled to commence later in 2023 and will support innovative SMEs across Australia to get their innovative ideas off the ground and grow their businesses.
The Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) will engage expert advisers located across Australia to work with participating businesses to directly help them achieve their potential. Program participants will also have access to specialist sectoral advice through industry partner organisations. Some innovative SMEs will also be able to apply for grants under the program, ranging from $50,000 to $5 million.
FREE Business Health Checks & Advice every Thursday in Goulburn from 31st August!
Enterprise Plus as part of the NSW Business Connect Program, is offering businesses in Goulburn and surrounds free business health checks and advice.
From Thursday 31st August a Business Connect Advisor will be available between 9:30am and 2:30pm every Thursday at Enterprise Plus, 56 Clinton Street, Goulburn to answer your business-related questions. Whether you have an established business, a new business, or you’re thinking of starting a business, an advisory meeting with a Business Connect advisor is available to you at no cost and can be just what you need to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.
Existing businesses may wish to book in for a free Business Health Check, which is designed to identify opportunities and potential pitfalls owners need to be aware of to help their business thrive. Working with your Business Connect advisor, you can complete a 45-minute Health Check to provide useful insights to help you prioritise the next steps for your business.
Bookings are essential. Please confirm through Eventbrite and the Business Connect Advisor will contact you to lock in a time for the meeting