ANZAC Day 2023

Lovely to commemorate our service men and women locally this ANZAC Day. In the morning I had the honour of attending and laying a tribute at the Swansea RSL Sub-Branch Dawn Service. It was a beautiful service and very moving to watch the re-enactment of the landing at Gallipoli. Following this I went to the Redhead Service, where I met the lovely school leaders from Redhead Public School, before returning to Swansea RSL for their ANZAC Day Luncheon. I know the other services across the electorate also paid a special tribute to our service men and women who have fought for the life we live today. Lest we forget.

GP Access Funding Restored!

GP Access is a vital service to our community, with many locals and their families attending the service for after hours health care. Back in December 2021, Hunter Primary Care (HPC) were forced to close the Calvary Mater clinic, and slash the hours of the rest of the region's clinics, including the one located at Belmont Hospital. This was a result of significant funding cuts from the former Coalition federal and state governments. However, following consistent campaigning by myself and my fellow Labor colleagues, the Albanese Labor Government will provide approximately $5.5 million per annum over four years for HPC to allow clinics across the region to operate for a further two years. This is a great outcome for our community.

GASPPIG Police Forum

Thank you to Gwandalan and Summerland Point Peninsula Improvement Group for hosting a successful community police forum with Tuggerah Lakes Police District on 18 April. Many locals went along to listen and voice their concerns. It was great to participate in this event. Thank you to the police for attending and engaging with the community in such a productive manner.

Local Legends

We have so many wonderful people achieving great things from Swansea, including Jim Wright - Unit Commander Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie and up and coming sport star George Walters. It was an honour to present both of them with awards late last week. Jim received his 2022 Community Hero Award for the wonderful work he does for Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie and keeping our community safe on the water. George was presented the NSW Government State Representative Award for his success competing in the high jump at the School Sports Australia Track and Field Championships in Brisbane. Keep up the great work Jim and George.

Superintendent Greg Thomas

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Lake Macquarie Police District's new Superintendent Greg Thomas. Greg is an experienced officer who I know will work hard to protect our community.

Labor Acting on Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a serious issue impacting our community and our state. In the 12 months up until December 2022, there were 33,410 incidents of domestic-violence related assault in NSW. This is 33,410 too many. That is why I am proud to be part of the Minns Labor Government that is committed to tackling and preventing domestic violence in our community. Just this week I stood alongside

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb to announce the results of Operation Amarok 2. 644 people were charged with serious offences across the state over four days. I also recently joined the Premier Chris Minns, Attorney General Michael Daley and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison, to announce a $7.5 million to help victim-survivors of domestic violence. The funding will support a specialist DV worker at every local courthouse to hear domestic violence matters, along with expanding a pilot to co-locate support workers in police stations. The NSW Government is committed to supporting the most vulnerable in our community, and through this funding we can provide improved and continued access to critical support.

Referrals Needed for PCR Testing

Changes are being made to PCR testing. From 13 May NSW patients will be required to get a referral from their GP for a PCR test. This is due to a drop in demand for PCR tests and increased access to rapid antigen tests (RATs). Thank you to all of our amazing frontline health staff who have manned our PCR clinics the past couple of years. Free RAT tests are available to eligible groups. To find out if you are eligible, visit the Service NSW website.

Community War Memorials Fund

The next round of the Community War Memorials Fund is now open and closes at 5pm on 25 July. $125,000 in funding is available for the protection and repair of war memorials. Funding is available to assist with a range of conservation projects including condition assessments, specialist cleaning and repairs, which are all important aspects of how we manage the places of commemoration that help us acknowledge our military history. Community groups can apply for up to $10,000. To be eligible for funding, the memorial must be listed on the NSW War Memorials Register. More information on the program and details for how to apply are available at the Veterans Affairs website.

Lake Mac Business Awards

Applications are now open for the Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards. The Awards acknowledge and support business accomplishments in Lake Macquarie City, recognise and highlight achievements, and ultimately encourage all businesses in the City to strive for excellence. Nominations close 12 may and can be made at the Lake Mac City Council website. The Gala Dinner will be held at Belmont 16s on 21 July.

Central Coast Connections Expo

The NSW Ministry of Health and Central Coast Local Health District invite you to join them in celebrating Human Experience Week 2023, All of Us: The Power of Community. Love, Belonging and Healing.

Expo details are as follows:

• When: Wednesday, 3 May 2023
• Time: 9.00am – 2.00pm
• Where: Mingara Recreation Club, 12 – 14 Mingara Drive, Tumbi Umbi 2260

To register for the event visit the Central Coast Local Health District website.

Central Coast Council Grant Writing Workshops

Council is hosting a variety of free workshops and information sessions this May and June to help community groups and organisations improve their grant writing skills, ahead of the Community Grants Program application period which opens 1 June.

The workshops and information sessions on offer include:

• Grant Writing Workshops
• Wednesday 10 May, Erina Centre, Erina Fair - 5.30pm-8pm
• Thursday 11 May, Central Coast Council Administration Building Wyong - 10am-12.30pm
• Grant Information Sessions
• Wednesday 31 May, Erina Centre, Erina Fair - 5.30pm-7pm
• Thursday 1 June, Online - 2.30pm-4pm
• Wednesday 7 June, Online - 5pm-6.30pm
• Thursday, 8 June, Central Coast Council Administration Building Wyong - 1pm-2.30pm
• Drop-in Session
• Thursday 15 June, Central Coast Council Administration Building Wyong - 9.30am-11.30am
• Thursday 22 June, Erina Centre, Erina Fair - 5pm-7pm

Council’s 2023-23 Community Grants Program includes:

• Community Development Grant Program: Applications open 1-30 June 2023, with funding up to $20,000 per project available.
• Community Events and Place Activation Program: Applications open 1-30 June 2023 with funding up to $20,000, per activity available.
• Community Support Program: Applications remain open throughout the year, with up to $5,000 in funding available per project, per financial year.

For more information on the workshops and information sessions or to register your spot visit the Central Coast Council website.

Belmont Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary

The Belmont Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary truly are a great help to hospital staff. Beginning 50 years ago with a trolley service to patients and staff, the Auxiliary now has a team of more than 30 volunteers who provide 3 services:

• Patient Care which does administration work for all the departments within the hospital. It also sells craft and personal items to assist our patients and visitors
• Meet & Greet work from the foyer and assist visitors navigate around our hospital
• Kiosk provides food and beverages to staff, visitors and patients

All services run 5 days per week. The Auxiliary are always looking for more volunteers to join their team. They work on a weekly or fortnightly roster (with the option to work full or half days). If you are keen to join this wonderful team call Fay Smith (President) on 0427 488 499 or Doris Lack (Vice President) on 0405 059 747.

Savings for Pensioners 

The rise in the cost of living has been hitting many people hard, especially pensioners. Here are 10 ways for NSW pensioners to save:

1. Council rate rebates: Pensioners are entitled to up to $250 a year off their council rates. For more information visit the Lake Macquarie City Council and Central Coast Council websites. 
2. Electricity rebate: The Low Income Household Rebate will shave up to $285 a year off your electricity bill for households with a retail provider.
3. Gas rebate: This rebate will give you a discount of up to $110 a year.
4. Water rates: Eligible pensioners can access a quarterly rebate, shaving hundreds of dollars a year off a typical household bill.
5. Regional seniors travel card: The regional seniors travel card provides eligible seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW with a $250 prepaid card to help ease the cost of travel. 
6. Revenue NSW Unclaimed Money: Find “lost” money waiting to be claimed from inactive bank accounts, shares and investments, insurance policies, unpaid wages, unclaimed super and deceased estates.
7. Travel vouchers: Pensioners are entitled to four Pensioner Travel Vouchers each calendar year. They can be used for two return or four single trips, giving access to free or discounted travel in economy class on NSW TrainLink Regional services within regional NSW.
8. Free car rego: Pensioners in NSW don’t pay registration fees or motor vehicle tax on one of their cars. They also receive free driver’s licences, free driving tests and concessions on the cost of Mobility Parking Scheme permits.
9. Free glasses: You can get yourself one pair of single vision glasses or one pair of bifocal glasses in a two-year period under the NSW Spectacles Program.
10. Seniors Card: The NSW Seniors Card is packed with discounts for thousands of retailers and services across the state from groceries to tradespeople and insurance.

I encourage all seniors to apply for these savings if they haven't already.