Before I went back to Sydney for Parliament last week I enjoyed spending the day in both Wellington and Dubbo, visiting the libraries in both places with the Library Council of NSW.  I read a book to students from Wellington Public School as part of Book Week and opened the newly refurbished library in Dubbo. This week I visited Trangie before heading back to Parliament for Budget Estimates hearings.

Last week saw the passage of legislation in the NSW Parliament for the shutdown the greyhound industry in NSW.

I am very aware that this decision will affect those involved with the industry and others associated with it, so I encourage those who are feeling distressed about the closure or want to know more about the transition to contact the  transition taskforce on 1800 812 115. Trained counsellors are available to answer questions and listen to your concerns. If you would like to have your say on the transition arrangements you can complete an online survey at www.racing.justice.nsw.gov.au/Pages/greyhound-racing-nsw.aspx.

The next stages (3 and 4) of the $150 million Dubbo Hospital redevelopment have reached another milestone with Health Infrastructure calling for tenders to construct an additional floor on the new clinical services building.

It was great to sit down last week with the Chief Executive of the Western NSW Local Health District, Scott McLachlan and my federal colleague, Mark Coulton to start the formal discussions about the planning for the integrated cancer centre that will be built in Dubbo.

The local health district, in collaboration with the Federal and State Governments is making a real effort to get things into gear, prepare and progress the plans for this project.

I will continue to provide updates on this very important project in the coming weeks and months.

Applications are now open under the Liveable Communities Grants Program. The program provides grants of up to $100,000 for innovative projects that help older people stay healthy, stay connected, get or keep a job, or live in their community close to family or friends. 

Projects must align with one of the government’s five identified ageing priority areas: Health and wellbeing, working and retiring, housing choices, getting around and inclusive communities.

Applications close on Friday, September 30 More information can be found at www.ageing.nsw.gov.au/about_us/news/liveable-communities-grants-program or phoning (02) 8753 9418.

Friday was Daffodil Day, an annual fundraiser championed by the Cancer Council to raise awareness of and funds for cancer research and support. It was pleasing to see so many in the community purchasing bunches of daffodils and wearing pins in support of the cause.

In October this year three local blokes and motorbike fanatics, Steve Cowley, Charlie Crossley and John Burton will embark on their motorbikes on a 54 day trip around Australia raising money and awareness for emerging the charity, Without a Ribbon.

Without a Ribbon was established to support those who are diagnosed and suffer with the rarer, lesser known forms of cancer, cancers that claimed the lives of Steve’s sister and Charlie’s wife.

I encourage those that would like to know more to contact Steve Cowley on 0429 313 009 or visit www.facebook.com/compassrun.