I support the decision to give the vaccine to residential aged care facility staff and residents as a priority.

The vaccine roll-out will include regional and rural aged care facilities with the Coffs Harbour Health Campus one of 11 initial hubs.

It is anticipated the roll-out to aged care facilities will take about six weeks, with the aim to administer vaccines to more than 240 aged care facilities in the first week.

Vaccination for residents and staff will be through facilities where they live or work, and will be administered by an in-reach workforce provider.

Student Canberra trips boost

The annual school trip to Canberra is almost a right of passage for many students and now the federal government has boosted the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) by 50 per cent.

These school trips provide students with a close-up look at how our democracy works. Importantly too, the trips help form the skills and values students need to be active and informed citizens.

For more information go to https://pacer.org.au/

Local Drug Action Teams

One of the federal government's more successful programs to curb substance abuse is the Local Drug Action Teams.

These teams have access to initial funding of up to $10,000 to support prevention and health promotion activities, with further funding available.

We expect 40 new LDATs to be approved in this round.

I encourage local groups and organisations to consider their ideas on how to get involved. Applications close on Friday, March 5. Details at https://community.adf.org.au

Anzac Day

As strong supporter of veterans affairs I am particularly keen to promote the Anzac Day Schools' Awards which are a great way for students across Cowper to learn about veteran service and our wartime history.

I encourage all students to look at the question: What does commemoration look like in our community?

For the full details https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/