Early childhood educators and local children are on the receiving end of a sizable grant that will secure regional services and boost workforce participation.
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Federal Member for Calare and Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel, Andrew Gee announced $240,000 for Mid-Western Regional Family Day Care on November 16 as part of the Australian Government's Community Child Care Fund (CCCF).
"I'm delighted the Federal Government is supporting Mid-Western Regional Family Day Care. We've seen here today just how vital child care services and early educators are for country communities," Mr Gee said.
Mid-Western Regional Family Day Care has been a part of the community for 30 years, and currently supports 12 local child care providers from Kandos, Rylstone to Mudgee, Gulgong and Wellington, totalling approximately 90 children.
The funding is expected to give the Family Day Care a boost of support, securing the education for "the promise of tomorrow because it's these young children who are going to be leading our country into the future and we have to give them the best possible start in life", said Mr Gee.
Director of Community, Simon Jones said having additional quality child care available allows for the potential of more families signing on to give their child(s) the best start in life.
"Family Day Care provides another element of choice, it's a different type of service that is home-based and provides a different level of connection between the educators and the children," he said.
"The funding not only helps us bring more families into the system, but also allows us to have more staff who are able to deliver quality services.
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"This is funding that builds the infrastructure, it builds the feeling and sense of community, and provides for the education and future of our children."
The Government has allocated more than $220 million to over 1,000 child care services through the CCCF since 2018.
Live music set to be reignited in Mudgee
In an effort to reignite Mudgee's live music scene, Kelly's Irish Pub has received a $34,000 grant from the Government's Live Music Australia Program.
The funding will go towards the improvement of the venue's PA system and boosting of the number of live performances that can be held.
"By giving these grants, it not only supports the venue itself but also supporting local artists and I think that's really important because they are been badly affected by COVID, they haven't had anywhere to play or entertain," Member for Calare and Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel, Andrew Gee said.
"Now that we've opened up again, venues like Kelly's have the infrastructure in place to take advantage of the boom now that is coming our way in terms of tourists, and to get more live performances.
"What's not to like with a grant like this?"
This funding brings the Government's investment to more than $8 million since the start of the program, supporting more than 300 live music venues and the recovery and sustainability of the live music sector.
Energy costs to be slashed at Cudgegong Valley Motel
Usage of electricity at Mudgee's Cudgegong Valley Motel is set to shrink after staff received a $19,900 Federal Government grant.
The funding, from the Australian Government's Hotel Energy Uplift Program, will be spent on the installation of inverter air-conditioners and a solar system.
"More efficient energy use is better for the environment and better for the balance sheets of our valuable small businesses which do so much for local employment and tourism," Member for Calare and Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel, Andrew Gee said.
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