Wendy Stark is the senior remote training co-ordinator for NESA, (National Employment Services Association).

Dept of PM&C have now funded NESA to deliver 15 Building Strong Minds (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid) training workshops across Cherbourg.

This training will be free of charge and open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as well as any non-Indigenous people who work with the Aboriginal community.

You will note the first 3 workshops this side of xmas and the remaining will be scheduled for January/February 2019.

If you would like to discuss this further please contact Wendy Stark on 0402 494 670 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Click here for Building Strong Minds - Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid Training 2018 Cherbourg flyer

Click here for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid Brochure

Jobs Queensland is tasked by the Queensland Government to undertake research and provide advice on future skills needs. The Anticipating Future Skills project, which entails the economic modelling of future scenarios, is one of the ways in which Jobs Queensland is performing this work.

The above body of work, was launched on 6th November by Jobs Queensland.

The results of the report harvested intelligence from a broad range of industry sectors.

The significant ‘take away’ was the importance of workforce planning.  2022 is on our doorstep.

We need to consider:

1.      What does our future workforce look like?

2.      As an employer, do I need to re-assess workforce needs?

3.      What skills does/will our workforce require?

In considering these questions, we also need to consider where economic development dissects.  Do I have an adaptable Business model to be able to meet future business needs/growth?

With the future of work changing, there is no doubt that Jobs are a thing of the future!

Please visit the site for further information.

https://jobsqueensland.qld.gov.au/anticipating-future-skills/

Recruiting Your Workforce

The Australian and State Government have a number of training, employment and incentive programs to support business owners increase ob opportunities for jobseekers in Queensland.

Click here for flyer

The principal component of the National Landcare Program administered by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is Smart Farms. Smart Farms will run to 2022–23. It is made up of three elements:

• Smart Farming Partnerships—will invest $55 million through two rounds of competitive grants into medium to large scale projects to encourage the development, trial and roll-out of innovative tools and farm practices.
• Smart Farms Small Grants—is a $55 million competitive small grants program over several rounds to support the adoption of best practices that improves the management and quality of our natural resources and increases on-farm productivity.
• Building Landcare Community and Capacity—will invest $24 million to support the sharing of knowledge and achievements, and promote community leadership.

Click this link for more information

https://www.communitygrants.gov.au/grants/national-landcare-program-smart-farms-small-grants-0

From - David Littleproud MP, Federal Member for Maranoa

GRANTS SET TO FLOW TO COMMUNITY GROUPS IN DROUGHT-AFFECTED REGIONS

The Coalition Government is investing $15 million in the Regional Drought Communities Small Grants Programme and I urge all eligible community organisations to apply.

Small grants will be available to not-for-profit community groups to deliver projects in drought affected regions focusing on reducing social isolation, leadership development and skills training and other group-based activities.

For more information, check out: 
www.frrr.org.au/grants/tackling_tough_times_together
www.infrastructure.gov.au

MORE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS IN MARANOA

• Coalition Government offering additional 1995 scholarships through the Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships program. This is on top of the 1200 scholarships that are currently available.
• Scholarships support students from regional and rural communities wanting to study courses such as science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM)
• Scholarships of up to $18,000 are available

The current round of scholarships closes Friday December 14, 2018. For more information, including how to apply, visit: www.education.gov.au or www.qtac.edu.au

APPLICATIONS FOR THE LATEST ROUND OF THE LOCAL DRUG ACTION TEAM PROGRAMME ARE NOW OPEN

The Local Drug Action Team (LDAT) Programme is part of the Coalition Government’s investment of $298 million, over four years, under the National Ice Action Strategy to help communities tackle this life-destroying drug and battle against addiction.

I urge community organisations to apply for the latest round of the LDAT Programme. Successful LDAT teams will receive an initial $10,000 to plan and deliver evidence-informed prevention initiatives, tailored to the needs of their own communities.

Applications for the latest round of the LDAT Programme close December 7, 2018.

For more information or to apply, please visit: community.adf.org.au

NATIONAL WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT FUND

Expression of Interest applications are open for governments to receive funding through the $72 million Drought Round. Please refer to the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund Drought Round webpage for information on project eligibility and how to apply as projects need to be in partnership with the state government.

For more information about the capital component of the fund, please visit: https://infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure/water-infrastructure/nwi-development-fund/water-infrastructure-projects.aspx

SUPPORTING SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES IN MARANOA

• Small- and medium-sized businesses in Maranoa will pay less tax five years sooner, with new laws fast tracking tax relief for the sector passing Parliament last month
• From 2021-22, a business with a turnover below $50 million will have a tax rate of just 25 per cent, five years earlier than planned

·     More than 16,000 small businesses in Maranoa are set to benefit from this tax relief

As part of its four year review of modern awards, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) has increased casual retail workers’ penalty rates for weekday evening shifts and Saturdays, but reduced them for shiftworkers working Sunday shifts.

The reduction of Sunday penalty rates for shiftworkers follows the Full Bench decision in February 2017 to reduce Sunday penalty rates for full-time, part-time and casual retail workers.

Click here for full details

Council’s Advert for November

Please find the Council Update for November that will appear in the SBT on Friday 2 November.

Council’s Disaster Dashboard

When disaster strikes, essential information can be the difference between life and death. Now all of this information can all be found in one place at South Burnett Regional Council’s Disaster Dashboard. The Disaster Dashboard includes real time information from Council, Emergency Services and Ergon, while displaying current weather warnings, road status updates, social media posts, school closures, river heights and access to Council’s interactive flood mapping tool. Check it out and stay informed during a disaster.