Snippets

Regional Youth Supported By Wellbeing Recovery Initiative

Councils, schools, not-for-profit organisations and Local Aboriginal Land Councils are encouraged to apply for grants to deliver projects that support recovery, boost resilience and support mental health and wellbeing for regional young people.

Minister for Regional Youth Ben Franklin announced the $10.3 million Children and Young People Wellbeing Recovery Initiative that will help regional youth recover from the impacts of natural disasters and COVID-19.

Mr Franklin said larger grants will fund projects that support the wellbeing of young people, support recovery activities and build resilience, while smaller grants (under $10,000) will fund projects that promote social inclusion and community connections for regional youth aged 0-24.

Small grants are for up to $10,000 and larger grants are for between $10,000 and $50,000.

Applications are open now and close on 31 December 2022 or when fully allocated.

For program and eligibility guidelines, visit nsw.gov.au/YouthWellbeing

Frogs Return To The Central West Wetlands

Frogs are striking up a chorus in the State’s central west, taking advantage of wet weather and environmental flows to hatch a new generation. Environment Minister James Griffin said it’s great news that breeding activity has been detected at multiple sites in the Macquarie Marshes following three years of drought, with frogs heard calling for mates throughout the wetland system.

The species detected in the Macquarie Marshes include the Barking marsh frog, Broad palmed frog, Eastern sign-bearing froglet, Peron’s tree frog, Salmon striped frog and the Spotted marsh frog.

Mr Griffin said frogs were a positive indicator of wetland recovery and are a critical part of the wetland food chain. They can respond quickly to water flows and their huge numbers make them a significant source of food for turtles, snakes and birds.

To find out where you can experience wetlands in NSW national parks, visit https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/environments/wetland-environments Check access before you go https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/alerts/alerts-list

NSW Welcomes New Graduate Nurses And Midwives To Health

System More than 2,800 graduate nurses and midwives will start work across 130 NSW public hospitals and health facilities this year in a major boost for the NSW Health system.

Premier Dominic Perrottet, Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor commended the graduates, many of whom are officially commencing work this week, having already worked on the COVID-19 workforce response.

Mr Hazzard said there are now more nurses and midwives in NSW public hospitals than at any other time in history.

Between 2012 and 2021, the nursing and midwifery workforce in NSW increased by 9,599 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff, or 23 per cent, to 51,794 (FTE).

The NSW Government is also investing in a further 5000 nurses and midwives from 2019-2022 under a record $2.8 billion boost to frontline staff.