- THE Wimmera Mail-Times would like to clarify that the letter Program Builds Spirit (Mail-Times, May 23) was the personal views of the writer Cassandra Velinos,and in no way was it associated with or endorsed by Bendigo Bank.
Rotary grants
THE Rotary Club of Horsham East invites community groups to apply for a small grant to assist in their work.
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If your group is in need of assistance with a project or the purchase of equipment please make an application.
The Rotary International Theme for 2015-16 was Be a Gift to the World, and we as a club have supported this with enthusiasm.
Most of our support this year has been directed to two main local projects: Rachael’s Wish and the Tri State Games for athletes with a disability.
As the Rotary year comes to an end on June 30, we still have some limited money available for disbursement.
If your group has a worthwhile project, please phone me on 0419 118 346 to discuss prior to applying.
PENNY FLYNN
President, Rotary Club of Horsham East
Journey to reconciliation
NATIONAL Reconciliation Week runs from May 27 to June 3. This year’s theme Our History, Our Story, Our Future, focuses on historical acceptance and reflects on the fact that the journey to reconciliation forms a significant part of Australia’s history. It is important that we keep reconciliation in our thoughts as we move forward as a nation.
Youth Off The Streets has continually taken an active approach when responding to the needs of our Aboriginal communities, particularly the young people. Our approach has always been about identifying gaps in services available to Aboriginal youth and establishing the support services that fulfill their needs so we can build a better future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Unfortunately, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population still suffers from a lower life expectancy, lower rates of literacy and general health and is over-represented in the justice system when compared to the non-indigenous population.
We are trying to close this gap by working in partnership with Aboriginal elders, local service providers, government departments and community members with the aim of continual and lasting improvement in outcomes for the young people, families and communities involved.
This holistic approach ensures that we equip members of the community with the tools to create positive change. Our vision is for all communities to work within a spirit of co-operation; accepting diversity, acknowledging strengths and supporting each other.
It’s now up to everyone to come together and continue to work for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander equality. Committing extra resources to closing the gap as well as coming together as a nation to recognise a group of people is an achievable goal for next year’s National Reconciliation Week.
FATHER CHRIS RILEY
Youth Off The Streets
Stepping up to the mark
VICTORIAN dairy farmers thank Premier Daniel Andrews and his team for once again stepping up to the mark and offering support in a difficult time for the dairy industry.
The premier and Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford have helped negotiate a $11.4-million package that puts industry and government money on the table to support dairy farmers. This is about supporting farmers as they go through tough times; this is not going to put extra dollars in farmers’ pockets in the wake of processors’ milk price cuts and the global slump in dairy prices.
We have worked with the Andrews government to get support on the ground and out to farmers. This crisis is all about farmers working together to find practical solutions to the enormous challenges we all now face.
Dairy farmers are still frustrated and angry at the price cuts and claw-backs that Murray Goulburn and Fonterra have implemented.
The industry assistance package includes:
- A major expansion of Dairy Australia’s Tactics for Tight Times and Taking Stock programs funded by the Gardiner Foundation ($1.18-million) and Dairy Australia ($2.8-million).
- $240,000 towards the rural financial counselling service, ensuring dairy farmers can get independent and confidential financial counselling (over and above existing state budget commitments).
- $220,000 for two support workers to assist farmers (funded by the Gardiner Foundation).
- $4.5-million to support affected farming communities.
Industry groups will work with the government to determine how the additional $4.5-million is spent. In the meantime we’re pushing the federal government to do more, along with Labor.
Last week the Labor government also announced a $1.5-million mental health wellbeing package for dairy farmers.
This included extra counselling services, mental health first aid training, support for community events and a $100,000 boost towards the Look Over the Farm Gate program.
ADAM JENKINS
President, United Dairyfarmers of Victoria
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