Regrettably,  I wasn’t able to attend the launch of the Compass Housing Grow a Star youth scholarship program in Dubbo yesterday as originally planned.

The program aims to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who show an eagerness, talent or passion to develop their skills in a chosen field and are held back by factors beyond their control due to financial or generational disadvantage.

“Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of help at the right time to set people on a path to success.

That’s what this program is designed to do. Something as simple as helping out with the cost of attending a football camp, or replacing a lost musical instrument, can be a game changer.” 

I am aware that Compass Housing has partnered with Newcastle Permanent to help deliver this program here locally and congratulate both organisations on their commitment to the young people of our region.

If you’re interested in the program please contact Compass Housing on 1300 333 733 or visit www.compasshousing.org/community-programs/grow-starfor details on how to apply.

I want to extend my congratulations and best wishes to the Koori Yarning Group who received the NSW Government Carers Support Group award at a ceremony at Parliament House on Monday this week.

The Koori Yarning Group was established in 2010 to support Aboriginal Carers in Dubbo and the surrounding area and was established as a partnership with Carers NSW, Western NSW Local Health District Carer Support Program, Catholic Community Services and National Disability Services.

I am proud that a group like this exists in the electorate, working in partnership with government and non-government organisations with plans to expand the group to Mudgee.

Small Business Minister, John Barilaro announced last week that regional business confidence in NSW outperformed metropolitan Sydney.

Last month the Australian Bureau of Statistics confirmed that regional NSW is outperforming other states on jobs growth, with regional NSW accounting for almost 60 per cent of the total number of regional jobs created nationwide over the 12 months to August 2016.

This is further evidence that the investment the NSW Government is making in our regions is providing jobs growth, and helping businesses start-up and grow.

The Shephard Centre will host its annual Loud Shirt Day event this coming Friday, October 21 to create awareness of their fundraising campaign which provides early intervention services for deaf and hearing impaired children in NSW/ACT and Tasmania.

 I encourage everyone to get behind this important charity event, consider wearing an “out there” shirt and contributing to the worthwhile fundraising efforts of this organisation.

As the HSC Exams continue, I wish every year 12 student all the very best as they complete their final high school exams. May your hard work and consistent effort pay dividends for you and your future.

Whether you’re off to university or having a year off to work and save or commencing a trade, you have the ability to achieve anything you set your mind to and I wish you the best of luck.