Fee-free courses are being introduced locally including obtaining a white card, chainsaw and tree felling and health entry level courses.

These courses will equip communities with the skills they need to rebuild and repair critical infrastructure such as homes and businesses while creating new employment opportunities to help them get back on their feet as quickly as possible.

The NSW Government is not only committed to supporting industries and communities in need of more skilled workers to rebuild communities but also to support displaced workers or businesses severely impacted by the bushfires by funding various training courses.

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The training will be delivered across NSW by TAFE NSW and other registered training organisations.

For more information about the range of fee-free courses available to bushfire affected communities, visit www.training.nsw.gov.au or call 13 28 11.

Local residents are being urged to recognise female volunteers in their local communities, as nominations officially open for the 2020 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll this week.

The Honour Roll shines a spotlight on the contribution of women in regional New South Wales, who willingly lend their time and skills to make the community a better place.

This year, as we battle the ongoing drought, bushfires and now a pandemic, female volunteers have stood even taller.

So, this is the perfect opportunity to recognise their invaluable contributions by nominating them for the Hidden Treasures Honour Roll.

To nominate a Hidden Treasures volunteer, complete a nomination online: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/rural-support/rural-womens-network/hidden-treasures or contact my office on 65840977.

Nominations close on the 24th July.

Applications close soon for the 2020 Community Building Partnership (CBP) funding program. The program offers grant funding for infrastructure based projects that meet a need in the local community.

Under the Community Building Partnership program $300,000 can make a real difference to our community groups so I encourage local organisations to get involved.

Not-for-profit groups, local sports clubs, charities, men's sheds, school P & C's and scouts or girl guides are just some of the many that are eligible to apply for the funds.

The NSW Government is looking for projects that will deliver positive social, recreational or environmental outcomes through the construction or improvement of community facilities.

Applications can be made via the Community Building Partnership website www.nsw.gov.au/cbp where potential applicants can obtain additional information regarding the program and the types of projects that are eligible for funding.

For more information please call my office on 65840977. Application close at 5pm, Friday 12th June 2020.

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