Newcastle & Hunter Region Vietnam Veterans Memorial Service

On the 12th of August, we remembered those who served in the Vietnam War.

At the Newcastle & Hunter Region Vietnam Veterans Memorial Service we commemorated all who fought and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.



19 men from the Hunter lost their lives while serving in the Vietnam War.

Lest we forget.

Cost-of-Living Hub

The Minns Labor Government has launched the Cost-of-Living Hub.

The Hub contains resources and tools to help ease cost-of-living pressures allowing people to access information from more than 80 government and non-government websites in one place. 

The Cost-of-Living Hub focuses on seven key areas covering everyday essentials including:

• Food and groceries – ways to save on your weekly food bill and reduce food wastage.
• Housing - NSW Government home-buyer incentives, managing rent increases and mortgage help.
• Energy and utilities - checking eligibility for Energy Bill Relief and gas rebates, reducing power usage to decrease your bills, requesting a payment plan and seeking emergency assistance.
• Managing money - accessing support and advice if you're experiencing financial hardship, avoiding scams and using a tool to more effectively manage your budget.
• Health – reviewing your private health cover to find a policy that’s right for you and understanding safety nets to access cheaper medicine.
• Families and care - eligibility for the childcare subsidy, finding children's education and care services to support working parents and affordable help around the home for seniors and older Australians.
• Transport, driving and fuel – tips for finding cheaper fuel, cost-saving driving techniques, transport alternatives and tips for choosing insurance.

The Cost of Living Hub can be viewed here.

Wyong Hospital's New Palliative Care Unit

The Minns Labor Government has announced construction on Wyong Hospital’s new Palliative Care Unit will begin next year.

But before that happens, our community is invited to have a say on the design of the new 12-bed unit.

The new facility will complement Wyong Hospital’s existing palliative and supportive care teams which are already such an essential service to families in the area. The new unit will provide an even higher level of care.

Community members who would like to contribute to the design process can register here.

2023 National Police Legacy Confrence

One of my favorite parts of being the Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism is meeting our amazing police officers and their families. For the first time, I had the honour to participate in the 2023 National Police Legacy Conference.

Police Legacy does incredible work not only in NSW but right across the country to support police families who have suffered the loss of a loved one.

Thank you for all that you do, it was a privilege to hear from so many of you.

Boost to Attract Health Staff to Regional Areas

The Minns Labor Government is doubling the incentives offered to health workers to relocate to remote and rural areas, from $10,000 to $20,000.

No matter where you live in NSW you should have access to vital services but that isn’t possible without our essential health workers. This is why we have also:

• Delivered the biggest pay rise to nurses and midwives in more than a decade.
• Announced a $97 million package to subsidise study for people choosing a career in health.
• Committed $175 million to recruit an additional 1,200 nurses into the healthcare system.
• Committed to hiring another 500 paramedics to be based in regional and rural NSW.

Our focus is on rebuilding our essential services and reinvesting in our frontline workers to ensure we can provide support when people in NSW need it most.

Belmont & District Residents' Action Group

The Belmont & District Residents' Action Group is a local community group that advocates on behalf of Belmont and surrounding suburbs on a range of local issues. The group engages with local, state and federal levels of government. The group is seeking new members and if you would like to join, please contact Robin Gordon on robingordon1942@gmail.com.

Habitat Action Grants

Calling all local anglers, community groups, and land managers. The latest round of Habitat Action Grants are now open.

Grants of up to $40,000 are available for projects including the:

• removal or modification of barriers to fish passage
• rehabilitation of riparian lands (river banks, wetlands, mangrove forests, saltmarsh)
• re-snagging waterways with timber structure
• removal of exotic vegetation from waterways and replace with native species
• bank stabilisation works.

Applications close at 5pm on 29 September. For more information or to apply visit the website.

Belmont Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary

The Belmont Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary truly are a great help to hospital staff. Beginning 50 years ago with a trolley service to patients and staff, the Auxiliary now has a team of more than 30 volunteers who provide 3 services:

• Patient Care which does administration work for all the departments within the hospital. It also sells craft and personal items to assist our patients and visitors
• Meet & Greet work from the foyer and assist visitors navigate around our hospital
• Kiosk provides food and beverages to staff, visitors and patients

All services run 5 days per week. The Auxiliary are always looking for more volunteers to join their team. They work on a weekly or fortnightly roster (with the option to work full or half days). If you are keen to join this wonderful team call Fay Smith (President) on 0427 488 499 or Doris Lack (Vice President) on 0405 059 747.

Savings for Pensioners 

The rise in the cost of living has been hitting many people hard, especially pensioners. Here are 10 ways for NSW pensioners to save:

1. Council rate rebates: Pensioners are entitled to up to $250 a year off their council rates. For more information visit the Lake Macquarie City Council and Central Coast Council websites. 
2. Electricity rebate: The Low Income Household Rebate will shave up to $285 a year off your electricity bill for households with a retail provider.
3. Gas rebate: This rebate will give you a discount of up to $110 a year.
4. Water rates: Eligible pensioners can access a quarterly rebate, shaving hundreds of dollars a year off a typical household bill. 
5. Revenue NSW Unclaimed Money: Find “lost” money waiting to be claimed from inactive bank accounts, shares and investments, insurance policies, unpaid wages, unclaimed super and deceased estates.
6. Travel vouchers: Pensioners are entitled to four Pensioner Travel Vouchers each calendar year. They can be used for two return or four single trips, giving access to free or discounted travel in economy class on NSW TrainLink Regional services within regional NSW.
7. Free car rego: Pensioners in NSW don’t pay registration fees or motor vehicle tax on one of their cars. They also receive free driver’s licences, free driving tests and concessions on the cost of Mobility Parking Scheme permits.
8. Free glasses: You can get yourself one pair of single vision glasses or one pair of bifocal glasses in a two-year period under the NSW Spectacles Program.
9. Seniors Card: The NSW Seniors Card is packed with discounts for thousands of retailers and services across the state from groceries to tradespeople and insurance.

I encourage all seniors to apply for these savings if they haven't already.