December 2015
WDA Welcomes New Executive Director, Ralph Kenyon, farewells Jo Bourke
Ralph Kenyon commenced as WDA’s new Executive Director on November 23, 2015. Ralph previously worked in economic development and infrastructure. He was appointed the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Hastings Corporation in 2004. Ralph’s previous roles include establishing an economic development strategy for the Mornington Peninsula Shire and serving as the shire’s Economic Development Manager for six years. Ralph is looking forward to promoting the Wimmera and its potential. Based in Horsham, Ralph has already travelled widely throughout the Wimmera and is committed to using his experience to further develop the Wimmera.
WDA’s former Executive Director Jo Bourke retired on November 20th with plans to write and travel. Jo was Executive Director for six years and has said that the role has given her much satisfaction. The role allowed her to work with councils, businesses, regional leaders and migrants to strengthen communities and foster development in the region.
Leadership Wimmera Opportunities
There are vacancies in Business Leaders Group and Regional Leadership Skills 2016 programs. If you are interested please contact Sue Boddi on 53816507 or email sboddi@wda.org.au
Training for Employment Scholarships
Information for micro, small and medium businesses
Have you just hired a young employee?
You may be eligible for up to $7,500 to assist with training costs.
Is my business eligible?
Your business is eligible if:
you have fewer than 200 employees
you have hired an unemployed person aged 18-24 years within the last 3 months and they require job specific training.
What type of training is eligible?
Training must be directly relevant to your business and fall within one of the following categories:
Accredited training: Certificate I or II
Non-accredited training: seminars, licences, and tickets required for working in specific industries and worksites
Foundation skills: courses improving employability skills such as reading, writing, numeracy and computer skills.
You can apply by completing the online application form on www.business.gov.au/youth. At least one quote from a reputable training provider must be included for each training activity. Applications close on 30 June 2016.
For more information, visit www.business.gov.au/youth or call 13 28 46.
Victorian Refugee Health Network
The Victorian Refugee Health Network was established in June 2007 to facilitate greater coordination and collaboration amongst health and community services to provide more accessible and appropriate health services for people of refugee backgrounds.
The Network aims to:
build the capacity of the Victorian health sector to respond to health concerns experienced by people of refugee backgrounds and address health inequality through health promotion
support services to be more accessible to people from refugee backgrounds particularly in regional and outer metropolitan areas
improve service coordination for recent arrivals and those with more complex needs
In 2015 about 4,000 new refugees and humanitarian entrants will come to Victoria from many parts of the world. Their health and wellbeing is often affected by their experiences of trauma and hardship as refugees, along with the many adjustments of resettlement. The Network provides a forum for health services and practitioners to work collaboratively to address these needs.
The Network brings together a wide range of representatives from the health, settlement and community sectors who actively participate in the projects and initiatives of the Network. This work builds on the many activities and programs around the state, past and current, to support refugee health and wellbeing.
This website provides information on refugee health, relevant services, resources, protocols and training opportunities.
http://refugeehealthnetwork.org.au/about/
WDA Office Bearers
At the December WDA Board Meeting Cr Terry Grange, Yarriambiack Shire Council and Mandi Stewart, DHS were appointed to WDA's Executive Committee. Geoff Lord, Federation University and Darren Webster, Skillinvest were appointed to the Audit and Review Committee. The 2015 WDA Annual Report is available on our website: http://wda.org.au/
Wimmera Internship Program
The first of the students for the 2015/16 program have commenced in the region.
The students successful in gaining placement are from Federation, LaTrobe and Deakin Universities across the faculties of Engineering, Building Surveying, Town Planning and Accounting.
The project is very successful in:
- Exposing students to regional employment and career opportunities
- Providing regional businesses with the opportunity to host a young professional person in a skill shortage sector in their business
- Promoted regional lifestyle to skilled young people
- Potentially attracting skilled young people to consider a regional career.
Wimmera Online
The www.thewimmeraonline.com.au offers local/regional businesses the opportunity to promote their online presence, marketing to a broader global audience, while enabling local residents to access regional business information from the one place.
Usage Statistics
November 2015
1408 Unique visitors to the site
1794 Site visits in total
6515 pages viewed
270 Businesses listed
Visit the website to register your business or search for products and services available within the Wimmera.
Settlement Program Towards 2016
Following from the success of 2015's Loy Krathong Traditional Thai Festival, the Wimmera Settlement Program is looking to hold the festival again in October 2016. Other events being planned for 2016 include a "Scarf Story" luncheon celebrating the diversity of our local community, a program of women's health, craft displays and excursions at Jelly Beans Playgroup and another Planning and Co-ordination Workshop for Settlement Services across the Wimmera.
Happy Karen New Year 2016
The Karen New Year will be celebrated in Nhill on Saturday 9 January from 10.30 am. Click on the poster for more information
‘Building Resilience in Farming’ project
The Building Resilience in Farming project connects Agricultural networks, Farmers and Wimmera Southern Mallee councils, sharing information and hosting events relevant to our region.
During 2015 a number workshops and information sessions have been facilitated to assist local producers with their business planning and diversification.
The project communicates with over 700 agricultural enterprises, networks and Ag support businesses through the monthly calendar of events and quarterly newsletter.
The calendar of events was recently adopted as the official calendar for the WSM regions drought response events and is promoted at the beginning of each month in the Weekly Advertiser.
For more information about the project contact Mark Fletcher at Wimmera Development Association on (03) 5381 6505 or mfletcher@wda.org.au
To subscribe to the projects database go to SUBSCRIBE HERE
For the latest news and events from the project follow the links below.
Event Calendar
December Newsletter
‘Look over the Farm Gate’ campaign
Victoria's leading agricultural, health and community groups will partner to deliver “Look over the Farm Gate”, a mental and physical wellbeing initiative earmarked under Premier Daniel Andrews drought support funding.
The VFF, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Country Women’s Association and National Centre for Farmer Health along with the Department of Economic Development Jobs Transport and Resources (DEDJTR), have all come together on the issue of the effect of drought on mental and physical health in rural areas.
These organisations will work together on a series of workshops and community events to address mental health, physical health and domestic violence issues in the farming and rural sector.
READ MORE HERE
Drought Concessional Loans for Eligible Farmers
The Australian Government loans are available for the re-structuring of existing eligible farm debt, funding operating expenses necessary to continue normal operations, and/or drought preparedness and recovery activities.
This scheme is designed to assist farming operations that have experienced significant financial impact as a result of the drought.
Eligible businesses must have been operating for at least three years and have good long-term prospects of returning to profitable trading with sustainable debt levels.
These loans are available through Rural Finance, visit http://www.ruralfinance.com.au or call them on 1800 260 425.
Resource Assessment Grants
Funding for businesses to obtain a resource assessment is now available. Assessments can be either an energy assessment or materials assessment or both energy and materials assessment)
Grants to eligible business will cover 50% of the cost to engage a consultant to conduct a resource assessment of their operations. Grants are capped at $5,000 for an energy assessment and $10,000 for a materials or combined materials and energy assessment.
A $3000 implementation support bonus is available for businesses that can show evidence of implementing one or more recommendations from their assessment.
The grants are for businesses with 20 to 200 employees. Businesses with fewer than 20 employees are eligible if they have an energy spend of >$50 000 per year or the potential to significantly improve their materials efficiency.
READ MORE HERE
Farm Household Allowance
The Farm Household Allowance (FHA) provides eligible farmers and their partners who are experiencing financial hardship with assistance and support to improve their long-term financial situation.
The allowance is delivered by the Department of Human Services and is be paid fortnightly at a rate equivalent to Newstart Allowance (or Youth Allowance for those under 22 years). A Health Care Card will be provided to recipients. Support will also be provided through a dedicated case manager to help recipients assess their situation and develop a plan for the future.
Eligible farmers and their partners will be able to access up to three years of payment. This is designed to give farm families time to get back on their feet and the opportunity to take steps to improve their circumstances.
READ MORE HERE
Wimmera Southern Mallee Support Contact Agency Information
The Wimmera Southern Mallee has a large number of support organisations which can assist with mental health, financial support and business information.
Wimmera Southern Mallee Support Agencies
Buloke Shire Support Agencies
