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PETER DRAPER MP – INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR TAMWORTH MEDIA RELEASES – NOVEMBER 2004 Community gains greater access to work skills with launch of online learning platform 30 November 2004 The community will enjoy the convenience of greater access to Adult and Community Education vocational and work skills programs offered through the group of Northern Inland Community Colleges following the launch of a new online program tomorrow. The Online Learning Platform will be launched by the Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, at the Walcha Community College on Wednesday, December 1, with the Member for Northern Tablelands, Richard Torbay, and representatives from the community and industry in attendance. According to Walcha Community College executive officer, Jan Hatton, the platform has been designed in partnership with Learningseat, a developer from Melbourne, and will be used by each of the 13 colleges which make up the cluster. The Colleges include Barraba, Bingara, Bourke, Gravesend, Gunnedah, Glen Innes, Guyra, Inverell, Narrabri, Quirindi, Tamworth, Tenterfield and Walcha with more than 11,000 people enrolled in courses per year. Mrs Hatton said over 100 courses would be available to learners 24-hours-a-day at their workplace or home with the format offering a greater range of courses and more flexibility in the pace of study. In 2005 the site will offer nationally accredited programs with assessment tasks completed at the end of the course and assessed by workplace assessors employed by the college. “The benefits to the New England north west include learning options becoming more accessible and affordable. Travel from remote areas is no longer necessary and the platform is great for parents of young children who wish to develop their skills without the cost of child care,” Mrs Hatton said. Mr Draper said the strength of the platform was that students in smaller centres could access nationally accredited programs and be assessed without having to leave their homes or communities. “Having a resume which includes accreditation in Occupational Health and Safety or Equal Employment Opportunities can give job applicants the edge and its important for people in the more remote communities to be equally competitive in the prospective workplace,” he said. “The launch of this platform is a major step forward for Adult and Community Education in the flexible delivery of its services to the region. I congratulate the sector for continually seeking better ways to provide quality education programs to the wider community,” he said. The Online Learning platform site is www.learningseat.com/public/northerninland. Enthusiasm for science takes Tim to South Africa 30 November 2004
The member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, presented Tim with the cheque on behalf of the NSW Premier Bob Carr. Acting on representations from Mr Draper, the Premier agreed to a one-off grant from the Rural and Regional Miscellaneous Grant Fund to cover the costs which the Hansen’s incurred when Tim attended the event in July. Tim approached Mr Draper for assistance after being selected by the National Youth Science Forum to represent Australia at the National Youth Science Week (NYSW) held in Pretoria, South Africa. The NYSW is an organisation with aims similar to those of the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) in Australia and attracts the best science students from all over South Africa as well overseas visitors by special invitation. Tim was chosen by the Rotary Club of Tamworth First Light as one of 276 students from around Australia to attend the prestigious National Youth Science Forum in Canberra and was then selected as one of six students to represent Australia and the NSYF at the 2004 National Youth Science Week in South Africa. “Tim was invited because of his enthusiasm for science and his active involvement in the Youth Forum and proved to be an excellent ambassador, “ Mr Draper said. “I’m just pleased to see the Government assisting young rural achievers such as Tim in meeting the costs of attending these events which present extremely valuable opportunities to develop leadership and career prospects,” he said. Mr Draper presented the cheque to Tim Hansen in his Tamworth electorate office at 9.30am today. Photo: Peter Draper MP presents a cheque for $2500 from the NSW Government to Oxley High School student Tim Hansen to cover costs incurred during his representation of Australia at the National Youth Science Week in Pretoria, South Africa, in July 2004. Gunnedah Medical Centre opening
Inspecting the nearly completed University Department of Rural Health at Tamworth Base Hospital on Monday, November 29, 2004 were from left New England Area Health Service Administrator Terry Clout, UDRH Director Professor Peter Jones, Member for Tamworth Peter Draper and NSW Health Minister Morris Iemma. The facility which will be officially opened in March 2005 is helping to address medical workforce shortages in regional NSW by providing training and research opportunities. Scully funds Housing Co-op for additional $1m 24 November 2004 Prospective home owners anxiously awaiting funding from the Tamworth and District Co-Operative Housing Society have had their pleas answered, with Housing Minister Carl Scully releasing an additional $1 million which will help more local people into owning their own home. Member for Tamworth Peter Draper has welcomed the announcement after raising the issue in Parliament last week where he called on the Minister to personally intervene to secure the funds. The $1million increase is in addition to a $2million boost Mr Draper secured from the Minister in August this year. It takes the Societies funding available through the Government Guaranteed Home Lending Scheme to $7.8million from an initial allocation of $4.8million. “I am very pleased that Minister Scully has approved the additional funds, as the Society had many qualified borrowers who were concerned their properties would be lost had the Society failed to obtain increased funding,” Mr Draper said. “The Society provides an invaluable service for low income earners across the district as it allows entry into the housing market for people who may not qualify for loans through traditional lending institutions.” “This additional $1million will see many local families fulfil their dream of owning their own home.” Mr Draper encouraged any people interested in learning more about the scheme to contact the Co-Operative Housing Society on 6766 4781. Funding delays put Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music on the knife edge 18 November 2004 Operation of the Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music (TRCM) is being jeopardised by lengthy delays in the release of core and submission based funding by the NSW Department of Education and Training, Member for Tamworth Peter Draper said today. Speaking on behalf of the conservatorium both as an MP and a TRCM board member, Mr Draper said like many of the 15 regional conservatories across the state, Tamworth was only receiving its funding this month, five months into the current financial year. Mr Draper raised the issue in the NSW Parliament as a matter of public importance due to the negative impact that late funding has on operations, administration and delivery of programs at the TRCM and at conservatoriums across the state. “The problem relates to core funding comprising administration, salaries, properties, scholarships and bursaries and musical instruments; and submission-based funding for special projects such as music programs,” Mr Draper said. “The late arrival of submission-based funds alone to the Tamworth Conservatorium over the past two years has resulted in staff struggling to meet financial deadlines. It is a source of considerable stress and anxiety for administrative and professional staff as they strive to keep operations afloat in the bridging process” he said. The TRCM, under the directorship of Jane Robertson, currently has just under 1000 students with tuition provided by 22 teaching staff in 18 instruments including all orchestral as well as guitar and percussion; and tuition in voice, musicianship, early childhood music and 16 instrumental and vocal ensembles. Mr Draper said the delay impacted on the ability of the conservatorium to plan ahead as often times programs were run without funding being made available in time in turn placing enormous strain on resources. “I raised this issue as a matter of public importance as the timely allocation of core and submission based funding to conservatoriums of music in NSW is an issue that must be addressed by the Department of Education and Training,” Mr Draper said. “It is impossible to plan events without the confidence of being able to meet the costs. The situation is inhibiting program development and in the end will have a detrimental impact on what services a conservatorium can offer to students. “Conservatoriums across the state are forced to delay payment on bigger projects and dip into investments to tide them over until funding arrives. This effectively dwindles resources which have been set aside for future growth,” he said. Mr Draper said the Shadow Minister for Education and Training, Jillian Skinner, contributed to the debate expressing her dismay at Government inaction while the Government’s spokesperson Alison Magarrity tried to avoid the issue by introducing irrelevant material. After detailing the scenarios faced by conservatoriums in Lismore, the Central Coast, Wollongong and Albury, Mr Draper called on the Minister to expedite outstanding payments and to ensure that in future regional conservatoriums received funding in the first month of the financial year. Lenders join lengthening queue for Government guaranteed home loans in Tamworth 17 November 2004 Member for Tamworth Peter Draper has asked the NSW Minister for Housing to release funds to the Tamworth and District Co-Operative Housing Society as a matter of urgency in order to meet increasing numbers of potential lenders seeking Government guaranteed home loans. In Parliament yesterday, Mr Draper asked the Minister, Carl Scully, to act on the society’s request for additional funding as without his intervention, lenders’ dreams of home ownership will be dashed. Mr Draper has been contacted by numerous people who have qualified for a loan through the society but who cannot take the purchase any further due to a shortfall in funding. “I asked the Department to provide an additional $2million in August taking the society’s lending capacity to $6.8million but that was quickly absorbed. Upon announcement of the funding the society received 120 calls from potential lenders resulting in 47 home loan borrowers being successful in purchasing their first home. “The society now has a growing list of people qualifying for home loans under the scheme and is unfortunately losing business to metropolitan societies who are offering loans in Tamworth through brokers. Mr Draper said society loans, which were backed by a Government guarantee, were tailored to low and medium income earners. These lenders were now being penalised by having to pay brokers fees in order to secure a loan. “This situation is grossly unfair and is not in the spirit of the scheme. I am concerned that all the good work the Society has done in recent months will be jeopardised by a lack of funds and its ability to offer a vital service to the people of Tamworth and district will be compromised,” Mr Draper said. “I have asked the Minister to ease the pressure by increasing the amount of funds the society can lend a matter of urgency,” he said. State Certificates recognise talents of Tamworth athletes 15 November 2004
Member for Tamworth Peter Draper will present the certificates on behalf of the NSW Premier, Bob Carr, to Ashlee Davis and Samantha Johnson at the ceremony to be held at the Northern Inland Academy of Sport in Tamworth. Promising lawn bowler Samantha Johnson played the Inter-state test series against Victoria and South Australia and was successful in both events. Samantha was a member of the NSW team which secured a 3-0 victory over Queensland in the test series earlier this year. A NIAS Lonestar Scholarship holder, Samantha was also a member of the winning sides of the District Junior 4’s and Mixed 5 sides. Ashlee Davis’ talents on the soccer field shone through in her selection in the Northern NSW Under 15’s state squad which contested the National Titles in July this year. Ashlee has been on a scholarship with NIAS for the past three years. The State Representative Certificates, which feature the State Coat of Arms and the Premier’s signature, recognise athletes who have reached the state level in any competitive field such as dance, sport, the arts or academics. “Samantha and Ashlee have worked hard to achieve success in their individual sports and I commend the Northern Inland Academy of Sport in helping these young sportswomen realise their potential,” Mr Draper said. Photo: Peter Draper MP with NIAS athletes and State Representative Certificate recipients Samantha Johnson (Lawn Bowls), left, and Ashlee Davis (Soccer). Draper asks Deputy Premier to intervene in boarding school air conditioning dispute 11 November 2004 In the NSW Parliament today Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, asked the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Training, Dr Andrew Refshauge to intervene in a stand off over air conditioning at Tamworth’s Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School which will see the boarding house closed next week. Mr Draper said the NSW Department of Education and Training and Farrer’s teaching staff Teachers Federation members have failed to reach agreement over who should meet the costs of an electrical upgrade and the installation of air conditioning units to three of the school’s four dormitory blocks. The school’s Teachers Federation members held a meeting on Wednesday where a motion was passed that Farrer staff would cease residential duty from 7am on Tuesday until the Department changed its stance on the power/ air conditioning of the boarding houses. As a result the school’s 341 boarding students from across the state will not be able to return from a leave weekend on Monday afternoon as there will be no staff available to supervise the dormitory blocks. “Clearly this situation is unacceptable given students and their families will suffer the ramifications of the Government’s failure to act on the school’s needs,” Mr Draper said. “Teachers have not made this decision lightly. They are understandably concerned that the boys will once have again have to endure sleepless nights in rooms where the average Summer temperature last year was over 35 degrees Celsius after 10pm at night. “The Department does not appear willing to pay the $160,000 needed to upgrade electricity supply to the dormitory blocks to facilitate cooling, nor does it appear willing to contribute toward the costs of the air conditioning units even when the school has offered to match them dollar for dollar. Mr Draper said information supplied by Farrer Head Teacher Welfare, Clint Gallagher, indicated the Department had recently agreed to fund air conditioning in a dormitory block at the Yanco Agricultural High School in Leeton. “According to Mr Gallagher, Farrer’s equivalent in the Riverina has just been given approval for one dormitory block to be air conditioned and for a power supply upgrade and there’s talk of similar action on a second dormitory block,” Mr Draper said. “No wonder Farrer staff are incensed, it seems the Government can’t find money for schools whose financial management systems are managed well enough to deliver benefits to students and staff. “Farrer recently invested in significant upgrades of the playing fields and ovals and in new residences for the principal and the deputy principal at no cost to the Government. These worthwhile investments will make the school more attractive to prospective students and teaching staff. Yet when the school requests the Government help remedy an important health and safety issue, they are knocked back. “Providing a basic service such as an adequate electrical supply and cooling to a state school’s dormitory should not be subject to the financial position of a school. The Department is shirking its responsibility,” Mr Draper said. National Party toes Sydney Liberal line 11 November 2004 The Nationals once again succumbed to the directions of the Sydney Liberals in the NSW Parliament yesterday, voting to debate a motion on Sydney rail and rejecting the opportunity to debate the ACCC recommendation to cap Telstra’s local call costs. “This is another display of The Nationals having to toe the Sydney Liberal line instead of supporting the country people who elected them,” Member for Tamworth Peter Draper said. “The Australian Competition and Consumer Commissions recommendation to cap Telstra’s local call costs would give significant savings to telephone users in country NSW. Once again the National Party has proved they are unable to represent regional constituents and are mere slaves to the Liberal Party’s instructions,” Mr Draper said. “The Nationals talk tough about country issues while they are in their electorates but when it comes to putting the community’s voice forward in Parliament they are forced to toe the Party line, even if means backing Sydney over issues important to people living in regional and rural NSW,” he said. Mr Draper called on the NSW Leader of the Nationals, Andrew Stoner, to explain why all National MP’s supported the Urgency Motion for Sydney rail above capping call costs which would directly benefit rural and regional users. Computer bonus to give students the edge 11 November 2004 Member for Tamworth Peter Draper has congratulated the NSW Government on its initiative to provide brand new computers to public schools in the Tamworth electorate as part of a $544million statewide ‘Technology for Learning’ plan. Under the four-year plan revealed by the NSW Education and Training Minister, Dr Andrew Refshauge, 20 small and central schools in the electorate will be among the first in the state to receive state-of-the-art computer systems. The public schools to receive new computers next year include: Attunga, Bendemeer, Carroll, Curlewis, Currabubula, Dungowan, Duri, Limbri, Moonbi, Niangala, Nowendoc, Nundle, Somerton, Timbumburi, Tintinhull, Walcha, Werris Creek, Woolbrook, Woolomin and Yarrowitch. “Information technology plays a major role in addressing the inhibiting impact of distance on communication in rural areas and it’s great to see the small and central schools in the more remote centres receiving priority treatment in receiving their computers as soon as next year,” Mr Draper said. “Computers are a central tool in the modern day workplace and computer skills are an essential pre-requisite in a broadening range of job descriptions. Giving children exposure to the latest technology through their education process is the most practical and sensible approach to equip them for a career. “I’m pleased to see the rollout will be backed up with technical support, professional installation, extended warranties and anti-virus and security programs. This demonstrates the Department is committed to giving students the standard of equipment and support they deserve. “This is a great initiative and I give the Government credit for investing in information technology in the state’s public schools on such a scale,” he said. Families and carers deserve access to respite 10 November 2004 Member for Tamworth Peter Draper has asked the NSW Department of Ageing, Disabilities and Home Care to assist Challenge Disability Service with construction costs of a new $400,000 respite centre in Tamworth. In the NSW Parliament yesterday, Mr Draper called on the Minister, Carmel Tebbutt, to recognise the urgent need in the region for respite facilities such as Allawah House which Challenge is hoping to construct next year. Mr Draper met recently with Challenge Disability Services management who indicated a State Government commitment would enable the project to get off the ground by early next year. Allawah House is a five-bed purpose built respite facility which would cater to more than 100 Challenge Disability Services clients and community members from across the New England north-west. The project has attracted strong support from the Combined Rotary Clubs of Tamworth which selected the project as its major fund raising project for their Centennial year this year. “Challenge already owns the block of land next to Bullimbal School and can contribute $100,000 sourced through community fundraising. Rotary is aiming to raise $100,000 which leaves a funding shortfall of about $200,000 which I have asked DADHC to consider providing,” Mr Draper said. “Through Patterson House, Challenge can currently offer respite to families and carers of people with disabilities at the rate of one weekend every three months which is not meeting demand. Allawah House is a step in the right direction in addressing this critical need. “Challenge and their staff have done exceptionally well for many years in providing an excellent level of personal service but sadly the standard of accommodation at Patterson House has not kept pace with requirements of high support clients. “The Government needs to recognise that families and carers of people with disabilities have suffered long enough with opportunities to enjoy time to themselves, to rest, refresh and feel positive about the people in their lives few and far between,” he said. ‘Tis the season to be giving, no matter how small 8 November 2004
Launching the appeal at Target today, Mr Draper said a simple gesture of placing a gift under the Share Christmas Tree for a child or person in need was a rewarding experience for both the giver and the recipient. “Many people would find it hard to imagine a Christmas without presents but unfortunately there are numerous families who this year will struggle to afford the expense. Last year some 300 gifts were donated through the local Target store and they were all given to local families,” Mr Draper said. “In the spirit of the season, I would urge anyone who is in a position to help to consider donating a gift by coming down to Target and placing it under the Share Christmas Tree. “I would also encourage any families who are doing it tough this year to get in touch with the Uniting Church. This appeal does not discriminate by religion. If you and your family are facing a Christmas this year without the joy of giving, a gift is available,” he said. Uniting Care and Target Australia first joined forces in 1992 to launch a national gift appeal that would make Christmas more special for disadvantaged children and families throughout Australia. Christmas Trees are placed in Target stores across the nation and the public is invited to choose a named gift tag and place a gift for that person under the Share Christmas Tree. The launch of the 2004 Share Christmas Gift Appeal in Tamworth will take place in the Target Store in Peel St at 11am today with gifts accepted until Christmas Eve. Photo: Helping to launch 2004 Uniting Care Target Share Christmas Gift Appeal in Tamworth’s Target store on Monday, November 8, 2004, were the Tamworth Public School Junior Choir pictured with teachers Julie Howarth (left) and Kaye Ramsey (right). State Member for Tamworth Peter Draper and the Federal Member for New England Tony Windsor are seated with Uniting Care volunteer Nicolette Willis (at back). Gunnedah Community Transport Service delivers Home and Community Care clients in comfort 8 November 2004 Getting around town is set to become a more pleasant experience for Gunnedah’s Home and Community Care clients following the delivery of a brand new bus purchased with funds provided by the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care. Member for Tamworth Peter Draper welcomed the funding allocation of $143,479 which the Gunnedah Community Transport Service has used to purchase and modify a Mitsubishi Rosa coach to suit the needs of clients. Mr Draper said the bus, which is undergoing wheelchair modifications and the installation of an internal hoist, will replace the service’s 1984 Toyota Coaster which required major mechanical repairs. “The new bus has a carrying capacity of 22 people or 18 with provision for two wheelchairs. It will be used to transport Home and Community Care clients on shopping and social expeditions as well as for general community use,” Mr Draper said. “Being the only one of its kind in Gunnedah, the bus will be available for hire to Riding for the Disabled, the GS Kidd Memorial School, The Stroke Club and the town’s nursing homes and hostels. It’s essential for these groups to have access to a safe, comfortable, air-conditioned mode of transport and I’m pleased to see the Department allocating the required funding,” he said. The funding was part of $2million allocated by the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care to the Ministry of Transport for the Community Transport Vehicle Replacement Strategy as announced in the Home and Community Care 2002-2003 State Plan. DIPNR visit to be a fact finding mission on water sharing plan’s impact on irrigators 5 November 2004 Access to water for irrigators and industry is on the agenda today during a visit to the Tamworth electorate by a senior policy advisor of the NSW Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Craig Knowles. Member for Tamworth Peter Draper invited the advisor to visit a property near Carroll to discuss the impact of the Department’s proposed ground water sharing plans which are expected to come into effect in the Namoi Valley in July, 2005. “There are irrigators in the Namoi Valley who will be severely disadvantaged by the proposed ground water sharing plans and I wanted the Minister to be aware of the implications particularly for one landholder who will not be able to trade water in or out as he will have no access to underground aquifers,” Mr Draper said. In response to a question Mr Draper asked in the NSW Parliament on ground water sharing plans, the NSW Premier Bob Carr stated the “deal remained the same”. Mr Carr said the $165million structural adjustment package for water sharing would be funded in equal parts by the NSW Government, the Federal Government and NSW irrigators providing the Commonwealth came to the table. “Irrigators have never agreed to a commitment of $55million and I believe it’s unfair for water users to be singled out when other deregulated industries have not been forced to contribute to structural adjustment packages,” Mr Draper said. “The current situation where the two tiers of Government are playing the blame game over who is stalling on committing funds to the water sharing plans is disadvantaging irrigators and the delay is putting pressure on the resource,” he said. Mr Draper said the Minister’s advisor also requested a visit to the Killara Feedlot in Quirindi to discuss the impact the draft Namoi ground water sharing plan will have on operations. Media Alert – Tamworth Gaol Visit November 3 2004 Member for Tamworth Peter Draper will host the NSW Minister for Justice, the Hon. John Hatzistergos, on his visit to Tamworth today to open new and refurbished facilities at the Tamworth Correctional Centre and meet with staff. The Centre has undergone an $861,000 upgrade resulting in a new industries block, visiting section, clinic facility and refurbished minimum security units, periodic detention centre and electricity supply. The daily program for Mr Hatzistergos and Mr Draper is as follows: · 10.15am: Mr Draper and the Minister arrive at the Tamworth Correctional Centre to meet with Commander of the Northern Region, Don Rodgers, and Tamworth Correctional Centre Governor, Superintendent Doug Stanford, in the Governor’s office. · 10.30am: Proceed to the Amenities area (on the lower grounds of the Tamworth Correctional Centre) for morning tea followed by the opening of the centre’s new visiting section, industries section and clinic areas. · 11.30am: Party to tour the centre. · 12pm: Lunch with Commander Rodgers, Superintendent Stanford and Correctional Centre personnel. “The Minister is a regular visitor to the Tamworth electorate and I’m delighted to see the outcome of an $891,000 investment in the Tamworth Correctional Centre which will greatly improve the standard of amenities and facilities for both inmates and visitors,” Mr Draper said.
Photo from the visit: NSW Minister for Justice John Hatzistergos with Peter Draper MP and Tamworth Correctional Centre Governor Superintendent Doug Stanford inspect chairs which minimum security inmates refurbish for the Department of Education. This project is made possible through the construction of a new $210,000 industries building. Photo Courtesy: Northern Daily Leader. Werris Creek to Moree rail service guarantee 3 November 2004 Member for Tamworth Peter Draper has sought an assurance from the NSW Transport Minister, Michael Costa, that rail services between Werris Creek and Moree will be retained. Mr Draper contacted the Minister’s office after concerns were raised that the Countrylink Xplorer service between the two centres would cease by February 2005. It was understood that train driver’s rosters had only been completed to that date. “The Minister’s staff have given me an assurance that rail services will remain intact and that any talk to the contrary is based on conjecture and rumour,” Mr Draper said. “The only change has been to reduce the speed limit for the Xplorer at level crossings as a result of the tragic collision between a car and the train at Baan Baa earlier this year,” he said. “There is still a great deal of uncertainty among the community over the future of rail services in the region and it’s understandable that staff in particular are seeking assurances. “I’m pleased to report the Minister has assured me the service will remain as is,” he said. Small schools increase pressure on the NSW Education Minister to review staffing formula 1 November 2004
At a meeting in Uralla attended by Mrs Skinner, Member for Tamworth Peter Draper and Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay today, P&C representatives from eight small schools expressed strong conviction to increase pressure on the NSW Department of Education and Training Minister to review the formula which determines their teacher numbers. The public schools represented at the meeting included Black Mountain, Gilgai, Nundle, Niangala, Moonbi, Rocky River and Tintinhull. As the formula stands, if a school’s student body number drops from 26 to 25 students the school’s teacher numbers drop from 2 to 1. The schools expressed frustration that the NSW Minister for Education and Training, Andrew Refshauge, was continuing to avoid undertaking a review of the formula despite strong representations and evidence of the negative impact it was having on their schools. “The Government agreed to conduct a review of the formula in 2002 based on a motion put forward by Mr Torbay which passed unanimously through the House, yet the Minister continues to hide behind alleged budgetary constraints,” Mr Draper said. Some of the impacts to be highlighted at the meeting included having enough teachers on duty to ensure child protection obligations were being met; the loss of one teacher automatically triggering the loss of a demountable building; school bus routes discriminating against school catchment areas; school administration support staff shortages; teaching principal workloads and the impact of staff losses on the wider community. Photo: President of the Nundle Public School P & C Lyn Ryan; Peter Draper MP; the Shadow Minister for Education & Training Jillian Skinner; Administration Manager of Gilgai Public School (near Inverell) Sue Lowe; and Richard Torbay MP |
The expense of attending National Youth Science Week in South Africa this year has been eased for Oxley High School student, Tim Hansen, with the handing over of a $2500 cheque from the State Government today.
Opening of the Gunnedah Medical Centre on Monday, November 29, 2004. From Left Member for Tamworth Peter Draper MP with New England Area Health Service Administrator Terry Clout, NSW Health Minister Morris Iemma and Gunnedah Mayor Gae Swain. The $320,0000 medical centre and staff accommodation unit located on the grounds of the Gunnedah Hospital will offer patients access to a wider range of health services and houses, four consulting rooms that have been purpose built for medical staff to provide general practice and specialist services to local patients.
The achievements of Tamworth athletes who represented NSW in lawn bowls and soccer will be recognised today, Monday, 15 November, with the presentation of State Representative Certificates.
Member for Tamworth Peter Draper is urging the community to help him brighten the Christmas experience for less fortunate Australians by considering donating a gift to the Uniting Care and Target 2004 Share Christmas Gift Appeal in Tamworth.
“The Tamworth Correctional Centre was officially opened in 1991 and is today a major facility servicing police stations across the north west as a receiving institution for inmates. It’s pleasing to see the Government recognising its role both as a facility of regional importance and a major provider of employment in the district,” he said.
Small schools in the Tamworth and Northern Tablelands electorates have told the Shadow Minister for Education and Training, Jillian Skinner, they will not tolerate being ignored by the State Government over the impact the staffing formula is having on their schools.