Tertiary education for students in the Goondiwindi region will be made easier, thanks to a $1.62 million injection by the Coalition Federal Government for a new regional study hub in town.

The Goondiwindi SILO Gateway to Training community organisation will establish a local study hub that provides tertiary students across the region with the following support:

• Access to specialised study spaces with  high-speed digital connectivity
• Links to tertiary institutions
• Academic support
• Access to learning aids including video conferencing
• Administrative support
• Pastoral care
• Local volunteer mentoring program, linking new undergraduates to more experienced learners

More funding for Regional Study Hubs was part of the Coalition Government’s additional $134.8 million commitment to regional and rural higher education, bringing the total additional new funding for regional higher education to $400 million over five years.

We’re committed to bridging the divide between city and country by streamlining education opportunities and improving the ease of access.

• 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 LDAT Programme close December 7, 2018.

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

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

Mobile Service Centres are being deployed to serve drought-affected communities for the remainder of 2018 and into 2019. The Golden Wattle mobile van will deliver a range of human services including assistance through the expanded Farm Household Allowance measure.

WHERE AND WHEN GOLDEN WATTLE IS VISITING

·     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

I congratulate Junabee Memorial Hall on receiving $4000 in Federal Government funding for their commitment to commemorating Australia’s wartime history.

Junabee Memorial Hall will install a sandstone monument and flagpole in front of the existing memorial hall to honour veterans and recognise their service.

The grant was received through the latest Community Commemorative Grants category of the Saluting Their Service Programme to ensure we never forget those who served and sacrificed for our great nation.

Until next time
All the very best,
David