Local Government News

Ian Causley
Canberra Connection

Harmony grants open soon

I am pleased to announce that the 2005 Living in Harmony community grants will open for applications in late April/early May.

This program is designed to develop solutions to the problem of racism at a local/community level. The grants are available to incorporated, not-for-profit organisations for new activities that promote community harmony and address racism.

Groups such as school communities, non-profit organisations, sporting groups, indigenous groups, churches, youth organisations, ethnic groups, local government associations and other sections of the community are invited to submit proposals.

Forms and guidelines will be posted on the Harmony website by early May, so keep this program in mind if you think your organisation, or one that you know, could come up with some local solutions to a global problem.

It has to be said, though, that Australia is a tolerant country and we have come a long way in regards to racism. What we need to do now is keep working toward making Australia even better.

The website is www.harmony.gov.au or you can call 1800 782 002 for more information.

Seniors surfing the net

I urge all seniors who have access to the internet to take a look at the new, revamped Australian Government Seniors Portal.

This is a one-stop internet site for older Australians and is dedicated to the needs and interests of people aged 50 plus. It is a terrific way to find out more about government and non-government services and benefits.

Some of the interactive features include: A Living History segment that enables users to submit their own recollections of an event that shaped our nation; an Events Calendar that provides information on local community events of interest to seniors; the Meeting Place, a discussion board for hobbies and other leisure interests; and the Q&A Forum, which enables older Australians to discuss wide variety of topics with experts online.

This site was designed specifically for seniors and is worth a look. If you are not able to use a computer and would like to learn, there are inexpensive opportunities in our local community to gain basic computing and internet skills.

As a point of interest, the proportion of over 65-year-olds using computers doubled between 1998 and 2002, so it's never too late to explore this technology.

The new seniors portal is found at www.seniors.gov.au.

$10,000 for innovative young Aussies

I would like to encourage young Australians with ideas for science or innovative technology that could benefit rural industries to apply for a prestigious national award to support their project.

The awards are called the Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and are sponsored by the Federal Government and nine rural research and development corporations.

There are 17 awards available - one from each state and territory, and nine industry-based. Each award is worth up to $10,000 and is open to farmers, fishers, foresters, processors, students and anyone else aged between 18 and 35 who is working in, or supporting, our agriculture, fishing and forestry industries.

Entries close on June 13. Applications and more information can be found at www.daff.gov.au/scienceawards.

Office contacts

Address: PO Box 1119, Lismore, NSW, 2480
Phone: 6621 9909
Fax: 6621 9959
Email: ian.causley.mp@aph.gov.au