Congratulations Jim 

Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie volunteer Jim Wright has been announced as a recipient of the Emergency Services Medal in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours List.

The Emergency Services Medal was first awarded in 1999, and recognises distinguished service by members of emergency services across Australia, and people who are involved in emergency management, training or education.

This is an outstanding achievement and I thank Jim for his volunteer work and dedication to the Swansea community. 

New Ambulance Station for Swansea

The State Government has announced an additional 30 new ambulance stations across the state including one at Swansea.

The Swansea station will be built next year. 

This is great news for our community after I have raised concerns over ambulance response times with the Government on several occasions. Now we need to ensure sufficient staff are assigned to these stations to support our community.

Central Coast Council Recycling Trial 

Central Coast Council have partnered with Recycle Smart and are inviting locals to take part in a 3 month recycling service trial. 

This program aims to help Council collect data and feedback from residents, to determine what type of recycling service might be of interest and benefit to the wider community. 

Residents wanting to take part in the trial can register at the Recycle Smart website, or by downloading the app and filling out all required information.

The app also provides specific and localised information on how to correctly dispose of over 250 waste items, including soft plastics, clothes, e-waste and problem waste like polystyrene, batteries and smoke alarms.

The trial program will run until the end of August.

I encourage those interested to participate. 

Flu and RSV Testing 

All Hunter New England Local Health District 4Cyte Pathology COVID-19 testing clinics are now also conducting  Influenza and RSV testing. 

There has already been a sharp rise in these illnesses within the community this season, so being able to test for Influenza and RSV at the clinics will help ease the pressure on hospital emergency departments. 

Minimum Wage Rise 

This week the FWC announced a 5.2 per cent rise to the minimum wage. This followed consistent advocacy from the Albanese Labor  Government.

The decision to raise the minimum wage is great news for our lowest-paid workers such as retail, hospitality, and cleaners.

The cost of living has hit these workers the hardest and now they will see some relief.

This is a fair decision and is most welcomed by workers in the Swansea electorate.

Public Sector Worker Strike

On 8 June, NSW Public Sector workers participated in 24hrs of industrial action because the Perrottet Government cut public sector wages across the board. 

Rallies held at Parliament House and across our state demonstrate that workers won't continue to be taken for granted by the Perrottet Government.

These workers deserve a pay rise. 

BHI Report 

On Wednesday, the Bureau of Health Information (BHI) released its latest Healthcare Quarterly Report.

The data highlights the State's health crisis, showing that nearly 3 in 4 patients are waiting over 4 hours to be seen in our emergency departments, with Central Coast Local Health District having the highest percentage of patients waiting over 4 hours in the state.

The Report also found that ambulance wait times across NSW have skyrocketed. In the Lake Macquarie East SA3 area more than 60 per cent of Priority 1 patients were left waiting over 15 minutes for an ambulance between January and March. 42 per cent of patients in Wyong SA3 area also had to wait more than 15 minutes for an ambulance to arrive. 

This health crisis did not occur overnight, it is the result of a decade of neglect by the NSW Liberal Government.

Central Coast Council’s Community Grant Program

Central Coast Council’s 2022-23 Community Grants Program is now open.

$900,000 in funding is available to support local community groups and organisations to deliver projects, programs and events that are designed to strengthen the Central Coast community.

Council’s 2022-23 Community Grants Program includes:

• Community Development Grant Program – one round only, closes 30 June 2022. Applicants can apply for up to $20,000 per application with a total available annual program allocation of $300,000.
• Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program – one round only, closes 30 June 2022. Applicants can apply for up to $20,000 per application with a total available annual program allocation of $300,000.
• Community Support Grant Program – small grant program, open all year round and assessed monthly, up to $5,000 per application with a total available annual program allocation of $300,000.

 For more information and to apply, visit the Central Coast Council website.

IMB Bank Community Foundation 2022

The IMB Bank Community Foundation are offering funding to community groups and not-for-profit organisations, and are encouraging them to apply. 

Since 1999, IMB Bank’s Community Foundation has allocated $11 million in funding to a diverse range of community groups including school, sporting, charity and volunteer organisations, with an overarching goal of improving outcomes for our local communities and the people living in them.

Applications are open until 30 June 2022.

For more information and to apply, visit the IMB Bank website. 

Lake Mac Thinking Fish Forum

OzFish Unlimited and NSW DPI Fisheries are hosting the Lake Mac Thinking Fish Forum on Wednesday 29 June at Lake Macquarie Yacht Club.

The  Forum is all about getting like-minded fishos together to chat about some of the leading issues and talking points in the Lake Mac/Hunter area.

The night will be focused on mulloway and big dusky flathead, with fisheries researchers giving presentations. Anglers will also give a ‘how-to’ seminar delivered by some gun anglers from around the lake.

Food will be provided and drinks can be purchased from the bar.

To register for the event, visit the OzFish website. 

Belmont Neighbourhood Centre Volunteers

Do you have a Centrelink requirement?

Are you looking for a way to give back to the community?

Do you want to build life long friendships?

Looking for something to keep active during the day?

Belmont Neighbourhood Centre is looking for volunteers.

Roles include gardening, maintenance work and cleaning.

All volunteers are required to obtain a Working With Children Check before commencing at Belmont Neighbourhood Centre.

For more information please contact Belmont Neighbourhood Centre on 4947 0031.

Belmont Neighbourhood Centre NAIDOC Morning Tea

To celebrate NAIDOC Week 2022

Belmont Neighbourhood Centre are hosting a morning tea and a garden tour. 

It will be held at the Centre on Monday 4th July at 11am.

Call the Centre on 4947 0031 to book a spot.

The Epicentre are Helping Put an End to Period Poverty 

The Epicentre has partnered with the Didi Foundation and started a donation drive to provide period underwear for Nepalese women who otherwise do not have access to sanitary items. 

Period underwear can be purchased at any supermarket or department store.

Donations can be dropped off at the Epicentre, at 28 Brava Avenue, San Remo.

For further information call 4390 7888. 

Swansea Mobile Shower Van

The Lions Club of Belmont's shower van visits Swansea Community Cottage every Tuesday from 10am.

All are welcome to use the facility. 

Orange Sky Laundry

Orange Sky Laundry is also operating at Swansea Community Cottage. 

Drop into the Cottage on Thursday between 11am and 1pm if you wish to use the service. 

Last wash is at 12pm