Real FM Local News

Western NSW Local Health District has announced that all visits to Aged Care and Multipurpose Service (MPS) facilities have been suspended until further notice. Acting Chief Executive for the district says that while there are NO active COVID-19 cases across the Western region, a highly precautionary approach was being taken across the State: “Visits to aged care residents, unless they are essential for medical or personal care issues, are currently suspended.  “This will be reviewed over the coming days and while we all hope we can resume some visitation in time for Christmas, the wellbeing of residents will take precedence. “This is a constantly changing situation and we will adapt to the level of risk as needed. “I want to urge everyone to be aware of the symptoms of COVID-19 and arrange to be tested if they have even mild symptoms. “Information about current cases, testing and symptoms are constantly being updated on the NSW Health website at www.health.nsw.gov.au and on the NSW an

With school completely wrapped up for Senior students, it’s time to start training for the future. A new two-year infrastructure trainee-ship, will provide the Class of 2020 year-12 school graduates with immediate employment opportunities in the infrastructure sector. The program will offer more than 100 school leavers across the State with trainee-ships in infrastructure-based roles starting in February 2021. Trainees will study one to two days per week towards a VET course, and once completed will gain full time employment or further education if they so choose. Students who want to apply can via: https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/career-and-study-pathways/infrastructure-traineeships.html    

Business owners are being reminded of their obligations when it comes to service animals, after a woman was refused service at a pub earlier this month. Police say that on December 1st, they received complaints that a 75-year-old woman, who was with her registered assistance dog, had been requested to leave the business in Dubbo. Police were told the woman was in line to order a meal from the bistro around 1pm, when she was approached by two staff members of the hotel. Witnesses told officers the woman was questioned about the presence of the dog and refused service. Following inquiries, a 56-year-old man was late last week issued with an infringement notice for deny an assistance animal entry to public building, under Section 59 of the Companion Animals Act, 1998.                                                            (Image sourced: https://www.assistancedogs.org.au/)

Australia will be tasted in certain countries this Christmas, with a dash of Mudgee in the mix. The first consignment of cherries from the Central West region have been harvested, packed and currently being flown to Vietnam. Cherries from local Mudgee and Orange farms contribute to some 1,000 kilograms of Central West cherries, also on route to South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong. This is all part of the Australian Government’s International Flight Assistance Mechanism. Member for Calare and Minister for Trade and Investment, Andrew Gee, says “local cherry growers are expecting a bumper season and we want to make sure they can continue to get their high-quality product out into the global market.”  “Our growers are renown internationally for their premium, safe and reliable produce. Each year, NSW alone exports around 1,200 tonnes of fresh cherries, worth an estimated $20 million. He also says, “Cherry growers in the Central West have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic,

Latest crime statistics from the third annual quarter show major crimes across the State have lowered. For trends recorded in the last two years, up till September 2020, overall for NSW 11 reported offenses were down with the greatest change in ‘stealing from persons’ – which dropped more than 36%.  Other categories that recorded the biggest fall in the State include: Steal from motor vehicle – decreased by 21.9 per cent; Steal from retail store – decreased by 20.6 per cent; Break and enter non-dwelling – decreased by 20.5 per cent; and Break and enter dwelling – decreased by 18.1 per cent For the Mid-Western region, in comparison non-domestic violence related results fell over 40 cases in the last 12 months compared to those reported between September 2018/2019. However, data collated over the past two years also reveal domestic violence assaults remain the highest recorded criminal incident in the region.