CATEGORY

Education & training

James Sullivan honoured

Liz Lawrence. The Sullivan name has been synonymous with Australian football in Narrandera for decades and now one of its favourite sons James Sullivan has been honoured for his commitment to the game as a teacher at St Francis de Sales Regional College. James, son of Barry and Debbie Sullivan of Narrandera, has been named as a NSW/ACT Secondary School Ambassador for the game in the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.

Training more doctors in the bush to benefit more rural communities

A program that provides young doctors with the experience of training in a rural general practice or Aboriginal Medical Services and provides more medical care to regional, rural and remote communities is being extended by the Federal Coalition Government. Federal Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie said extending the Rural Junior Doctor Training Innovation Fund (RJDTIF) for another year will mean 60 fulltime-equivalent rurally based interns and postgraduate doctors can undertake training in country practices.

Dunoon Preschool news

Kate Scanlon. Due to COVID lockdown we haven't had many preschoolers coming to play ... but we have still been connected! Through regular emails, Class Dojo, phone calls and Zoom group times we have been able to continue our connection with children and their families.

Outback Lifesavers are back!

The overwhelming success of the State’s first Outback Lifesaver program last summer will see the concept return to Wagga Wagga early next year. Wagga Wagga City Council and Royal Life Saving NSW will again partner in the delivery of the program which gives youngsters the chance to learn lifesaving water safety skills at pools and inland waterways.

Whether Australia’s regions rise, or fall, depends on the stories we tell

Professor Andrew Beer. Across Australia, one in five regions is struggling, but the one-dimensional solutions we commonly look for don’t work ... the future prosperity of regions lies with those who live there, rather than those who govern, especially when they do so from a distance. Mobilizing regions is a matter of empowering regional leaders – making sure they have the tools needed to bring about change while enabling them to both listen to others and be heard across communities.

Driving the future of car manufacturing in Geelong

The $13 million Next Generation Simulator project at Waurn Ponds will allow students, researchers and industry to do cost-effective prototype testing, engineering and commercial product design of driver and driverless cars.

CSIRO acquires new Forest Hill research station in Queensland

CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has purchased a 77-hectare property in Queensland to continue its research in support of agriculture in the north, including new and improved crop varieties, agricultural tools, and agronomy.

eSafety resources now available

QRAM would like to invite you to check out and use the eSafety resources we’ve developed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and other community members from remote communities.

Register now: Nuffield Virtual National Conference, 12-13 October 2021

Register now for Nuffield Australia's free Virtual National Conference, allowing you access to excellent speakers and discussion from your home, office, or tractor cab!

Latest research shows our schoolkids must be allowed to go back: Peter Walsh

The Nationals leader and Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh, says regional Victorian students – especially those at smaller schools – will be left at a significant disadvantage under the Andrews Labor Government’s staggered return to school plan ... Research released by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute found lockdowns and school closures – not COVID – are the main risks to children and adolescent health in this pandemic.

Satellites helping with NT mango harvest

Images beamed back from space are helping Territory farmers plan their harvests including to predict the equipment and number of staff that may be needed. The 3-year trial is winding up this harvest and has studied images of mango trees at different stages of growth to help estimate whether farmers are in for a productive season.

Primary school concert attracts hundreds

After the bitter disappointment of not being able to have a concert last year, there was an extra level of anticipation as an audience of several hundred family and friends gathered on the north oval in preparation for an evening of performances by the students with the theme “Books Alive”.

Softball success for combined team

Pam Dillon. Four schools came together to battle it out on the soft-ball field in Tennant Creek for the Annual Barkly Region Central Softball Cup ... As all teams had won a game, a countback of runs for and against had to be done to decide who was going to play in the grand final.

Crowds flock to college’s annual open day

Serena Kirby. The WA College of Agriculture Denmark showcased a wide range of activities this month at its annual open day ... From machinery maintenance and aquaculture to forestry and calf rearing, students and staff demonstrated the farm-based programs run by the school.

Regional youth taskforce tackles connectivity, staying safe online

The 2021 Regional Youth Taskforce have held their third meeting of the year, coming together over the weekend discuss how young people in regional and rural communities could better connect to outside services. Minister for Regional Youth Bronnie Taylor said the meeting focused on providing better access to training, services, work and recreational opportunities for young people across regional NSW.

Learning to learn online in lockdown

Emma Pritchard. Sitting dutifully at his computer with a copy of his study guide in his hand, Duncan Gray focuses intently on his work ... When asked how he is adjusting to learning from home, Duncan said one of the biggest challenges he is experiencing is waiting for a response from some of his teachers after he asks a question. Sometimes, he has to wait until the next class before he receives a reply.

New research hub to transform Australian agriculture with next-gen smart fertilisers

A new multidisciplinary Australian Research Council Research Hub for Smart Fertilisers at the University of Melbourne will develop a new class of fertilisers and inhibitors for Australian farmers.  

New ‘Disaster Ready’ resource to hit primary schools

This week Rockhampton Regional Council will be sending out copies of a new book full of age appropriate, tips and hints to help children be prepared and stay safe during a disaster.

Sawfish pictures – old and new – sought for research

Sawfish - one of the world's most endangered rays - have lost over half of their habitat worldwide and largely disappeared from the entire east coast of Australia. A collaborative study by the University of Southern Queensland and Sharks and Rays Australia will endeavour to fill in gaps in information about the ray’s ecology, biology and distribution.

The currawongs of Lord Howe Island

Richard Segal. The Lord Howe currawong is one of the most recognisable and commonly encountered native bird species on Lord Howe Island. They are often curious about people and always keen for a sultana or two. Until recently, little was known about the currawong, including where they prefer to nest and how many of them are breeding. For example, do all birds nest each year or only some of them? Do they nest across the island, or do they favour certain areas?

Truckies benefit from regional expansion of McGowan Government program

After four months of delivery in the metropolitan area, the Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations Skill Set will now be delivered through South Regional TAFE to address the shortage of truck drivers in regional WA.

Caloundra students deliver wild augmented reality concept

Caloundra State High School students have created a wildflower world with a difference at the  Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden. The  free augmented reality experience  is on until 10 September and  offers visitors  the chance to immerse themselves in nature while learning about these beautiful flowers through the magic of technology.

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