Andrew GEE MP INDEPENDENT FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CALARE In the 18 months since the Federal Labor Government came to power, billions of dollars worth of infrastructure funding has been seized More than $2.07 billion in announced funding for region-building projects has been robbed from our communities by a remorseless Federal Government. DON'T BE FOOLED BY FEDERAL FUNDING SLEIGHT OF HAND Our region has become a piggy bank for the Federal Labor Government to smash open and help themselves to whenever they cry poor. The Great Western Highway funding scandal stands as one of the biggest government snatch and grab jobs in our Nistory It's a reverse Robin Hood: stealing from the country to give to the city. Just when you think they couldn't get any more brazen, just three days after axing 50 road and rail projects across Australia including the $2.03 billion Great Western Highway upgrade, the Federal Labor Government was out spruiking new roads funding. They're trying to cover up what they've done to us with spin But our region won't be fooled by the government's sleight of hand. The storm and flood disaster hit our communities over a year ago and this money should have been provided by the government as a matter of course. They won't be getting many pats on the back from our region after being so late with the funding and killing off the Great . . . Westem Highway upgrades. the roads funding program they'd like to distract us with, called Roads to Recovery. isn't new. In fact, it's more than two decades old and the much-hyped further funding won't even become available until after next year's budget and even then, the full increase to the program won't come into play until mid-2027. Not only have they callously cut infrastructure projects in our region, like Dixons Long Point. Bathurst's second racetrack and the Great Westem Highway upgrade, the Federal Government would like us to now applaud funding that won't fully be delivered for another four and a half years. GRANTS! GRANTS! GRANTS! There are some fantastic Australian Government grant opportunities now available in our The region, which may be of interest to you or your organisation. You never know if you don't apply! This federal government must take us for fools, pocketing billions from Central West communities by cutting local infrastructure projects, and then expecting us to turn cartwheels for the scraps they throw us from the table. in their roads funding announcement, the Federal Government had the nerve to boast that they're 'strengthening their commitment to road safety, just days after binning the desperately needed Great Western Highway upgrade, and also refusing to build the Dixons Long Point project. There was money in the bank for both projects. This is government spin doctoring at its very worst Strengthening Rural Communities Small and Vital Grants cover a broad range of initiatives that directly benefit the community. The initiative must be undertaken in a town with 15,000 people or less. Individual applicants can apply for up to $10,000 until Monday. 4 December 2023. BATHURST ELECTORATE OFFICE 107 George Street PO Box 54 Bathurst NSW 2795 Strengthening Rural Communities Prepare and Recover Grants support communities in regional, rural and remote areas to implement initiatives that prevent and prepare communities for future climate events, or recover from existing natural disasters. Individual applicants can apply for up to $25,000 until Monday, 4 December 2023. . Strengthening Rural Communities Rebuilding Regional Communities Grants give remote, rural and regional communities across Australia the opportunity to access funds following the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding can be used for a broad range of initiatives that directly benefit local communities. The initiative must be undertaken in a town with 50,000 people or less. Individual applicants can apply for up to $10,000 until Monday, 4 December 2023. The Veteran Wellbeing Grants (VWG) Program provides funding opportunities for ex- service organisations (ESO) to undertake community-based projects and activities to support safe, accessible environments for veterans and families. The VWG Program aims to provide greater social connection and positive engagement in local communities. Grants of up to $150,000 are available to eligible ESOS. If you need further information, or require a letter of support, please don't hesitate to contact my office at andrew.gee.mp@aph.gov.au. A CATCH-UP AT THE NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRES! It was great to catch up with Jean and Terisa from the Oberon and Bathurst Information and Neighbourhood Centres recently! For more than 40 years, the not-for-profit has offered a helping hand to the local community, running wonderful programs which enable folks to learn, grow and thrive! The Neighbourhood Centre has a wonderful group of talented volunteers who run weekly programs like technology tutoring homework clubs, and even tai chi classes! That's why it was great to see the charity recently receive a $1500 Volunteer grant to replace old and damaged equipment and furniture at the centres. The Neighbourhood Centre also received a $7,510 grant through the Telstra Connected Communities Program to install Wi-Fi services. Congratulations to the wonderful Staff and volunteers who go above and beyond to help local residents be the best they can be. The Oberon Neighbourhood Centre is located at 12 Ross Street and is open from 9am- 1pm Wednesday to Friday. Your Country Your Voice This year's Dane Truck Show drew a big crowd to Bathurst Showground last weekend and was an outstanding success. There was plenty of gleaming chrome and tyre shine on display as proud owners showed their amazing trucks. The classic trucks also caught my eye and are a great addition to the show. DANE BALLINGER MEMORIAL TRUCK SHOW The show honours the late Dane Ballinger who was was a young leader of the transport industry. While I never got to meet Dane, I know that he was hugely admired. and respected across the region and the country. The show continues his legacy of leadership. Oberon's Clancy and Mickey Pye performed at this year's event. (02) 6331 0524 @andrew.gee.mp@aph.gov.au www.andrewgeemp.com.au Authorised by Andrew Gee MP. Suite 1/179A Anson Street, Orange, NSW 2800. For regular updates and news, follow me on Facebook and CELEBRATING VOLUNTEERS BLUE CIRCL SOUTHER Instagram @andrewgeecalare D CHOLE T f Andrew GEE MP INDEPENDENT FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CALARE In the 18 months since the Federal Labor Government came to power , billions of dollars worth of infrastructure funding has been seized More than $ 2.07 billion in announced funding for region - building projects has been robbed from our communities by a remorseless Federal Government . DON'T BE FOOLED BY FEDERAL FUNDING SLEIGHT OF HAND Our region has become a piggy bank for the Federal Labor Government to smash open and help themselves to whenever they cry poor . The Great Western Highway funding scandal stands as one of the biggest government snatch and grab jobs in our Nistory It's a reverse Robin Hood : stealing from the country to give to the city . Just when you think they couldn't get any more brazen , just three days after axing 50 road and rail projects across Australia including the $ 2.03 billion Great Western Highway upgrade , the Federal Labor Government was out spruiking new roads funding . They're trying to cover up what they've done to us with spin But our region won't be fooled by the government's sleight of hand . The storm and flood disaster hit our communities over a year ago and this money should have been provided by the government as a matter of course . They won't be getting many pats on the back from our region after being so late with the funding and killing off the Great . . . Westem Highway upgrades . the roads funding program they'd like to distract us with , called Roads to Recovery . isn't new . In fact , it's more than two decades old and the much - hyped further funding won't even become available until after next year's budget and even then , the full increase to the program won't come into play until mid - 2027 . Not only have they callously cut infrastructure projects in our region , like Dixons Long Point . Bathurst's second racetrack and the Great Westem Highway upgrade , the Federal Government would like us to now applaud funding that won't fully be delivered for another four and a half years . GRANTS ! GRANTS ! GRANTS ! There are some fantastic Australian Government grant opportunities now available in our The region , which may be of interest to you or your organisation . You never know if you don't apply ! This federal government must take us for fools , pocketing billions from Central West communities by cutting local infrastructure projects , and then expecting us to turn cartwheels for the scraps they throw us from the table . in their roads funding announcement , the Federal Government had the nerve to boast that they're ' strengthening their commitment to road safety , just days after binning the desperately needed Great Western Highway upgrade , and also refusing to build the Dixons Long Point project . There was money in the bank for both projects . This is government spin doctoring at its very worst Strengthening Rural Communities Small and Vital Grants cover a broad range of initiatives that directly benefit the community . The initiative must be undertaken in a town with 15,000 people or less . Individual applicants can apply for up to $ 10,000 until Monday . 4 December 2023 . BATHURST ELECTORATE OFFICE 107 George Street PO Box 54 Bathurst NSW 2795 Strengthening Rural Communities Prepare and Recover Grants support communities in regional , rural and remote areas to implement initiatives that prevent and prepare communities for future climate events , or recover from existing natural disasters . Individual applicants can apply for up to $ 25,000 until Monday , 4 December 2023 . . Strengthening Rural Communities Rebuilding Regional Communities Grants give remote , rural and regional communities across Australia the opportunity to access funds following the COVID - 19 pandemic . Funding can be used for a broad range of initiatives that directly benefit local communities . The initiative must be undertaken in a town with 50,000 people or less . Individual applicants can apply for up to $ 10,000 until Monday , 4 December 2023 . The Veteran Wellbeing Grants ( VWG ) Program provides funding opportunities for ex service organisations ( ESO ) to undertake community - based projects and activities to support safe , accessible environments for veterans and families . The VWG Program aims to provide greater social connection and positive engagement in local communities . Grants of up to $ 150,000 are available to eligible ESOS . If you need further information , or require a letter of support , please don't hesitate to contact my office at andrew.gee.mp@aph.gov.au . A CATCH - UP AT THE NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRES ! It was great to catch up with Jean and Terisa from the Oberon and Bathurst Information and Neighbourhood Centres recently ! For more than 40 years , the not - for - profit has offered a helping hand to the local community , running wonderful programs which enable folks to learn , grow and thrive ! The Neighbourhood Centre has a wonderful group of talented volunteers who run weekly programs like technology tutoring homework clubs , and even tai chi classes ! That's why it was great to see the charity recently receive a $ 1500 Volunteer grant to replace old and damaged equipment and furniture at the centres . The Neighbourhood Centre also received a $ 7,510 grant through the Telstra Connected Communities Program to install Wi - Fi services . Congratulations to the wonderful Staff and volunteers who go above and beyond to help local residents be the best they can be . The Oberon Neighbourhood Centre is located at 12 Ross Street and is open from 9 am 1pm Wednesday to Friday . Your Country Your Voice This year's Dane Truck Show drew a big crowd to Bathurst Showground last weekend and was an outstanding success . There was plenty of gleaming chrome and tyre shine on display as proud owners showed their amazing trucks . The classic trucks also caught my eye and are a great addition to the show . DANE BALLINGER MEMORIAL TRUCK SHOW The show honours the late Dane Ballinger who was was a young leader of the transport industry . While I never got to meet Dane , I know that he was hugely admired . and respected across the region and the country . The show continues his legacy of leadership . Oberon's Clancy and Mickey Pye performed at this year's event . ( 02 ) 6331 0524 @ andrew.gee.mp @ aph.gov.au www.andrewgeemp.com.au Authorised by Andrew Gee MP . Suite 1 / 179A Anson Street , Orange , NSW 2800 . For regular updates and news , follow me on Facebook and CELEBRATING VOLUNTEERS BLUE CIRCL SOUTHER Instagram @andrewgeecalare D CHOLE T f