This month, it’s time to introduce you to the new RDASNA Board members, officially appointed and accepted by The Hon Kristy McBain, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories.

As of April 1st 2024 RDA Southern Inland (RDASI) has officially changed its name to RDA Southern NSW and ACT (RDASNA) and we are now responsible for representing the additional NSW LGAs of Eurobodalla and Bega Valley, plus the Australian Capital Territory.

I wish to appreciate our key stakeholders, and assure them, that while we move through the changes occurring due to the boundary review process, we are not slowing down our passion and enthusiasm to bring real economic and social outcomes to our region.

June saw the facilitation of our JobsSI program in Goulburn, Queanbeyan and Cooma. We produced multiple industry tours in these targeted regions focussed on construction, trades, aged and disability care services which were both well attended and achieved excellent jobs pathways outcomes for numerous participants.

Our Chair, Rowena Abbey OAM was acknowledged on the King’s Birthday honours list with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to local government, and to the community of Yass. We wish Rowena a HUGE congratulations for this well-deserved recognition.

RDASI is excited to be able to finally announce our successful tender bid to be the host agency for the new State government program, the Key Worker, Welcome experience in Goulburn. This is a pilot for the first twelve months, with the intention for it to run over three years and as such, we will be implementing the program whilst also providing direct intel to the state government to improve and develop the project moving forward.

With the next roadshow of Regional Connect events now locked in, we are very excited to announce an expansion of the program into Queanbeyan-Palerang and Hilltops. Government grants are available for a vast array of development programs and we are bringing our grants extraordinaire, Tash Maguire on tour to talk you through grant writing tips and tricks.

February was a jam packed month, which saw our Regional Connect events kick off for the year with a bang. They were so successful that we’re expanding them to include two additional LGAs. February also saw the regional visa program have another recent change in criteria, making it easier for skilled migrants to apply for the 491 visa.

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 team has been working at peak capacity and with that has come a succession of successful engagements. When we’re out in our regions, we make sure to speak to as many people as we can. We like to hear your perspectives, what’s challenging you and of course, what’s going really well. We meet with councils, tertiary educators, state government representatives, non-profit organisations, business advisors, chambers of commerce and most importantly businesses and the people who own and run them.

Recently RDASI has been your voice in several strategic discussions for our region. Participating in the Southern NSW Destination plan update, the Regional Economic Development Strategies updates, and the Resilience Blueprint project we have provided on the ground local intel contributing to the planning and sustainable development of our beautiful region.

On June 21st, we held our first Board meeting with our new members. We have a completely refreshed Board who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to RDA-Southern Inland. If you'd like to read more about who they are and what expertise they bring. We would like to thank the outgoing Board members, Sue Whelan OAM, John Bell, Jenny Calkin and Mark Bradbury for their passion, time and dedication to RDASI.

Welcome Phil Gibson to the RDA Southern Inland team. Phil started with us as our Grants and Projects Officer. Phil has extensive experience in grant writing and funding acquisition and is available to assist businesses and community groups with the application process on a fee-for-service basis.

We have collaborated with Goulburn Mulwaree Council and the Goulburn Chamber of Commerce to deliver a new initiative designed to boost the local economy and encourage local shopping via an innovative new Goulburn gift card.

Goulburn Connect were delighted to host Peter Strong, CEO of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, last Tuesday for their monthly networking event.

Goulburn Connect has recently relaunched after a break due to Covid-19 restrictions. The monthly event is now run with a maximum of 20 attendees and livestreamed to the Goulburn Region Innovation Network Facebook page.