RDASI Newsletter - February 2023
CEO Report
Just like that we’re back to work and RDASI is kicking off the new year with a bang. We have four Regional Connect events being held over February in collaboration with our local chambers focussed on visas and migration. We are bringing the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) and Migration Institute Australia (MIA) to the regions to discuss the various programs they have directly with businesses. If you have challenges with staff acquisition, then get along to one of the locations listed below and ask questions directly to the experts.
Our International Women’s Day (IWD) event this year is being held at the incredible Poacher’s Pantry on March 8th. With four incredible leaders from our region joining us for a panel discussion and lunch, this event is going to be our best IWD yet. Hit the link below to grab tickets as soon as they go on sale Monday 6th February.
This week I moderated a politician’s debate on the environment for NSW Farmers in Goulburn. What an interesting topic and great to have the Minister for Environment and Heritage, the Hon. James Griffin, MP, Shadow Minister for the Environment and Heritage, The Hon. Penny Sharpe, MLC, Sue Higginson, MLC, The Greens and Robert Borsak, MLC, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party in town for a robust discussion on a passionately regarded subject.
We have two amazing opportunities at RDASI currently open for applications. We’re looking for a Policy and Research Officer and a Workforce Development and Projects Officer, both flexible, part-time, work from home hybrid roles. You must live within our Southern Inland region, so if you’re interested in joining our team, please check out the criteria on our RDASI careers page HERE.
RDASI is planning a BIG year ahead and we are looking forward to supporting the region to advance workforce development, investment and innovation. With new Australian Government funding programs being released over the coming months, we will be sure to let you know the details as soon as they are released.
Carisa Wells
Regulation commenced on 1 January 2023
Fitness centres and small bars are now covered by the provisions of the Retail Leases Act 1994, which sets out the rights and responsibilities of lessors and lessees under a retail lease.
The regulation applies to gymnasiums and fitness centres, including yoga, barre, pilates and dance studios, as well as small bars with a maximum patron capacity of 120.
For more information please refer to the Small Business Commissioner fact sheet.
Regional Job Creation Fund (RJCF)
RDA Southern Inland would like to introduce three new team members at The Department of Regional NSW who are supporting our region as part of the Economic Development Team.
Please contact Carolyn, Jacquie or Jan in your region if you have any enquiries. They can assist with the recently launched Regional Job Creation Fund (RJCF) and The Regional Media Fund:
The RJCF round three is now open with expressions of interest closing on 6 March 2023. It is a competitive fund that aims to support businesses in regional NSW to grow, increase productivity, and to create and/or retain jobs in NSW. Eligible businesses can apply for a matched grant of between $100,000 and $10 million for projects such as replacing plant equipment, upgrading technology and ensuring businesses that might otherwise have to relocate can remain based in regional areas.
Click here for more information on the RJCF.
The Regional Media Fund
The Regional Media Fund has been established to improve the long-term sustainability of regionally focused media and news gathering organisations by providing support towards innovation, digitisation and technology enhancements that enable more effective creation and distribution of media content in regional NSW.
This program is administered by Department of Regional NSW.
• Grant amount: From $20,000 to $60,000
• Application opened on 31 January 2023 and close: 11 April 2023, 5:00 pm
Click here for more information on the Regional Media Fund.
Carolyn Paris - Economic Development Manager - The Department of Regional NSW
Snowy Monaro Region
Carolyn is the Economic Development Manager for Snowy Monaro LGA. This role enables Carolyn to assist businesses and councils apply for grants. She is the first port of call for grantee organisations needing get help managing their project and will also be there at the end of the project to celebrate its completion.
Carolyn joined Regional NSW October 2022 and prior to that she worked in the Commonwealth Government for almost 30 years. Her work there focused on Murray-Darling Basin policy and programs. An example of Carolyn's work included working with state governments managing wetlands to enhance native fish and bird breeding events and reducing salinity.
Outside of work Carolyn is the President of a local tennis club and a board member of Tennis ACT and has a great understanding from the other side of grant applications – how much effort is involved and how frustrating it can be sometimes.
To contact Carolyn click here.
Jacquie Tewes - Business Development Manager - Department of Regional NSW
Yass Valley & Goulburn Mulwaree Regions
Jacquie is part of the Economic Development team with the Department of Regional NSW, supporting Yass Valley and Goulburn Mulwaree.
As a Business Development Manager, Jacquie's role is to assist businesses, community groups and Councils to understand, connect with and apply for suitable Department of Regional NSW grants.
Jacquie’s background covers an interesting mix of business advisory support, facilitation, coaching, account management and business development in the HR, communications and leadership areas.
Her qualifications include: BA Management, Cert IV in Training and Assessment, Diplomas in HR and Business Administration, Cert IV in Small Business Management and Coaching Mastery
Jacquie enjoys working with Regional Development Australia - Southern Inland to deliver Yass Connect events, which bring local businesses together with industry leaders for support and knowledge sharing.
In her spare time, Jacquie volunteers with the Yass Valley Business Chamber and Yass FM 100.3.
To contact Jacquie click here.
Jan Campbell - Economic Development Manager - Department of Regional NSW
Wingecarribee & Upper Lachlan Valley Regions
Jan Campbell is an Economic Development Manager (EDM) with the Department of Regional NSW, supporting Wingecarribee and Upper Lachlan LGAs. Jan helps to identify and deliver services to businesses to enable them to expand their contribution to sustainable, high quality economic growth in NSW. Networking is invaluable to build local engagement and provide timely, relevant and actionable market intelligence to the department.
Over the past 16 years Jan has worked at four councils (city and regional) in various economic development roles. For over 20 years Jan was the Managing Director of a small design firm with her life partner/Creative Director. She is a small business advocate and mentor and was the foundation President of the Newtown Business Chamber and Mainstreet program; and board member of various community organisations.
Formal qualifications include a BA Dip Ed and Masters in Urban and Regional Planning.
To contact Jan click here.
Future Farms Today
YLAD Living Soils in Young are running Future Farms Today seminar, field day and dinner to learn more about building soil competence and paddock know-how for a healthier farming system from leading industry experts.
The event is being held in Young NSW from:
Tuesday 28 February and Wednesday 1 March 2023.
YLAD Living Soils is an Australian owned company formed to supply sustainable biological, organic and humus compost fertility products and programs that support the natural balance of the physical, chemical and biological aspects of the soil, lessening the reliance on conventional chemical fertiliser inputs.
Established in 2002 by Bill and Rhonda Daly, YLAD Living Soils have gained the reputation as leaders in agronomic advice for natural farming systems including environmentally sustainable educational programs to farmers making the transition from industrial to sustainable biological agriculture with confidence.
For more information on the program and to register, click here.
International Women’s Day
The theme for IWD 2023 is #EmbraceEquity. The campaign requests a display of solidarity by crossing arms to call out gender bias, discrimination, and stereotyping, working together to forge women's equality.
Discussions will focus on how we can empower women in regional NSW by embracing female leadership to achieve gender equality and what we can do to support and change the story in society for women on the land.
We have engaged four extraordinary women from the southern inland region to be part of our panel discussion:
Sam Longmore - Owner, OhBullDust / Slalom Water Skier / Farmer
Anna Wyllie - Director, Regional Development, South East – Regional NSW
Allison Harker - GAICD / Chair / Non-Executive Director – LLS State Board
Rhonda Daly - Managing Director / Co-founder – YLAD Living Soils
We have also set up an option for you to consider sponsoring (when purchasing your ticket) to allow for the opportunity for a young aspiring ag student or farmer to attend this event and network among like minded peers.
Have you thought about your 2023 grants strategy?
Whether you run a start-up, small business, side hustle or work in a big organisation, grant funding should be in your mix of income solutions for you, your business and your clients in 2023.
To level up your 2023 plan be strategic and find your best fit. From tax incentives, research and development grants and skills development programs to name a few, there is a huge diversity in types and range of funding. Have you explored ALL the types of grants available?
You may discover a new type of grant in 2023. Give yourself time to explore outside the parameters you normally search under. With over $80 Billion worth of Business grants and $75 Billion of Community grants on GrantGuru, you could find a new type of grant you had not considered before. That may give a project a new lease of life or a new funding angle.
To find out more, click RDASI's grant finder below.
