Knowing the commitment of a number of current councillors to bringing better social outcomes for disadvantaged people in the shire our GM, Jane Redden, has, with the concurrence of council, committed council to a partnership known as the Girls Program. This amazing initiative mentors young indigenous and socially disadvantaged girls for a period of three years in schooling, social, sporting, cultural and family issues within their lives. The benefits are significant. Retention in school rates much higher and the likelihood of these young girls going through to complete uni and become leaders within their peer groups and their families increases dramatically. They are left feeling confident and in control of the lives and their own destinies in almost all cases.
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All this can be achieved with a modest budget that affords outcomes beyond council’s means and abilities to deliver. All councillors have shown their overwhelming support for this wonderful initiative and I know that Jane is as thrilled as all the councillors and I am to be able to be a part of this program. We are already looking at a similar program for boys to start next year. Our community will see some truly wonderful benefits from these programs.
Our Inland Rail plans continue unabated and the potential of this massive initiative are boundless. Council’s intention is to ensure that every opportunity that presents itself during both construction and beyond are seized upon for the benefit of as many locals as we can help get involved. At the numerous meetings with Inland Rail we continue to impress the point that a meeting needs to be convened in a timely manner to bring forward all opportunities in which locals can become involved. This includes accommodation, bus hire, job opportunities, heavy earth moving contracts, gravel and ballast haulage to sandwich making and laundry facilities. Inland rail are committed to ensuring local involvement.
Narromine Shire’s importance in the economic well being of the state was recognised by a visit from the Dept of Premier and Cabinet recently where discussions were held regarding a number of council initiatives. Projects designed to strengthen the local economy, to provide jobs and business opportunities were discussed and I am confident of a positive outcome to many of these initiatives. The approach of this council to making things happen rather than letting them happen continues and the green shoots are starting to show in many areas. They will become more obvious over the next few months and we will witness a really exciting time with development and progress being made on many fronts following extensive planning.
Finally, warm congratulations to the Generosity church for the opening of their Third Space recently. They provide a wonderful service and deserve our encouragement and help at every opportunity, I look forward to more exciting times in this wonderful shire in which we live.