Category: NSW News

The launch of a NSW Higher Education Strategy will drive strengthened and effective partnerships between government and the higher education sector that will be vital to supporting a strong COVID-19 recovery.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the five-year strategy will help the government to harness the power of the sector to meet emerging social, economic and environmental challenges.
“Recent challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, bushfires and ongoing drought in parts of NSW, have highlighted the importance of strong partnerships between the NSW Government and the higher education sector,” Mr Lee said.
“The Strategy will build on the strong working relationship we already have with our world class higher education institutions and will guide the development of new and ongoing collaborations as the state recovers.
“Universities and other higher education institutions play a key role in our state, they educate our citizens, produce world class research and make a significant contribution to our economy.”
The Strategy is the result of extensive consultation across the higher education sector and NSW Government.
The Convener of the NSW Vice-Chancellors’ Committee Professor Barney Glover AO said that the new Strategy recognises the pivotal role of the sector to generate opportunities for the people of NSW.
“The university sector in NSW and the ACT is diverse, dynamic, impactful and accessible and is world class for research, teaching and student experience.
“The Strategy provides a clear vision for bold and innovative collaboration across a range of priority areas aimed at contributing to the economic and social productivity of NSW,” Professor Glover said.
“Universities look forward to working closely with the NSW Government on implementation of the Strategy over the next five years and I commend the NSW Government for its leadership and strong support of the sector.
The Strategy identifies five priority areas for greater alignment between the higher education sector and NSW’s priorities for social and economic development:

• Develop and broaden post-school options to foster lifelong learning;
• Ensure wider participation in quality higher education;
• Drive job growth, skills and innovation;
• Strengthen collaborations to bolster research outcomes; and
• Position NSW globally by reinvigorating and diversifying international education and engagement.

 
Implementation of the Strategy will be led by the NSW Department of Education in close consultation with the higher education sector and key stakeholders across government.
Please click here for more information.

Students in Dubbo will be the first to benefit from the record-breaking investment in regional digital education when they return to school this week.
The upgrade is the first rollout of the NSW Government’s $365.8 million Rural Access Gap investment, providing rural and regional schools access to the future of digital technology.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said she wants to see all students have access to the same educational facilities and opportunities no matter where they live.
“I want every student learning at our schools in regional NSW to enjoy the same opportunities as their metro peers,” Ms Mitchell said.
“This investment in technology will provide students and teachers learning in the regions with more opportunities than ever before.
“Students can access subjects previously only available in larger schools, and teachers have additional support and a broad library of professional development options.
“As someone who was educated in regional NSW, I know how important and life-changing creating these opportunities will be and how important improving regional education is for our communities.”
The package will support more than 1000 regional and rural schools across the state with the very best digital teaching and learning tools including new devices in the classroom for students, laptops for teachers and training for staff so that they can drive the best use out of this investment.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said this program would provide teachers with laptops, improve student device ratios and allow all regional schools to be upgraded with high-speed access.
“High-performance web-conference tools will allow our regional students and teachers to use a mix of telepresence and on-site teaching resources which will push them into endless development and curriculum possibilities,” Mr Dominello said.
Orana Heights Public School in Dubbo is one of the first schools to have their classrooms fitted with smart boards, five times faster internet access, laptops for all teaching staff  and additional student devices.
Local Member Dugald Saunders said he is excited to see 28 schools in the region equipped in the same way as Orana Heights public school.
“I am excited to see the delivery of the Rural Access Gap to our Dubbo students. We all know the importance of technology, and it’s really exciting to see our country students have access to it,” Mr Saunders said.
After being rolled out in Dubbo, the RAG will be provided to a further 81 schools in Term 2 this year, with the remaining schools upgraded by mid-2023.
The Program is estimated to generate around 5,000 jobs, including 1,786 regional jobs directly created by program spending.

For the first time in its 160-year history, NSW cricket has a home of its own.
Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon was joined by Federal Member for Reid, Dr Fiona Martin MP, and State Member for Ku-ring-gai, Alister Henskens SC MP, to officially turn the sod for the $50 million NSW Cricket Centre at Wilson Park, Silverwater in Sydney Olympic Park.
Through the support and generosity of the NSW and Federal Governments, and funding contributions by Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW, construction for Stage 1 has commenced for the world-class training and administration headquarters.
The Centre has been made possible thanks to a $30 million contribution from the NSW Government and a $5 million contribution from the Federal Government.
Stage 1 construction includes a full-sized playing oval to International Cricket Council standard, about 50 outdoor turf practice nets, a 15-lane indoor cricket training facility and a high-performance gym and recovery facilities.
The Centre will be a dedicated year-round cricket training and administration facility that will cater for elite and developing male and female NSW players, as well as thousands of club and community cricketers.
Mr Germon thanked the NSW and Federal Governments for their strong support of cricket.
“This soon to be world-class facility will allow boys and girls to train alongside their NSW cricket heroes, inspiring the next generation of exciting young players,” Mr Germon said. “Thank you for your generosity and commitment to the future of our great game”.
Dr Martin said, “these new facilities will be used all year round and will support cricket at every level, from our local grassroots groups through to elite players. Importantly, the project will also create local jobs during construction that will help secure Australia’s economic comeback.”
Alister Henskens, NSW Parliamentary Friends of Cricket co-chair, said, “the Centre is an important community facility. By putting 35,000 community players with elite athletes, it will provide benefits for both groups. This facility will be great for our female athletes, who are the fastest growing group in cricket.”
The NSW Cricket Centre will be home to the NSW Blues and NSW Breakers squads and Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers BBL and WBBL squads as well as the headquarters for nearly 150 Cricket NSW staff. The Centre will also be utilised by more than 35,000 club and community cricketers annually.
Stage 1 completion is scheduled for mid-2022.

Restrictions will be eased across the Greater Sydney region following updated health advice from the Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant.
The following measures will be effective from 12.01am Friday, 29 January for the Greater Sydney region (including Wollongong, Central Coast and Blue Mountains):

• Visitors to households will be increased to 30 guests – including children.
• Outdoor gatherings will be increased to 50 people in total.
• Weddings and funerals will be capped at 300 people (fully seated) subject to the 1 person per 4sqm rule with no singing or dancing (except 20 nominated people in the wedding party can dance).
• All other venues including hospitality venues, places of worship and corporate event venues (fully seated with no singing or dancing) will be subject to the 1 person per 4sqm rule.
• Smaller hospitality venues will be allowed at least 25 people.
• Singing indoors including choirs or places of worship will be limited to five people.
• Masks will be recommended but no longer compulsory at retail shopping venues.
• Masks will remain compulsory for front-of-house hospitality staff, on public transport, in places of worship, hairdressers, beauticians and gaming rooms.
• Aged care facilities and other health settings such as hospitals will receive tailored advice from NSW Health specific to their locations in relation to requirements around mask wearing.

It is anticipated that all settings requiring the 4sqm rule will revert to the 1 person per 2sqm rule in two weeks’ time if current trends continue, subject to expert health advice.
Once the 1 person per 2sqm rule applies, it is anticipated fines will increase to reduce the risk of super spreading events.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian thanked the community for their patience and understanding over the past few weeks.
“The community has been outstanding in containing this outbreak. The sacrifice and efforts of everyone is why we can ease restrictions today,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We must remain vigilant – it is critical we are getting tested with the mildest of symptoms, follow the health advice and continue to be COVID-Safe right across the State.”
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said these eased restrictions will provide some relief for venues, businesses and communities state-wide.
“These changes will provide more certainty to plan events such as weddings and functions, and will give businesses more clarity around restrictions while still remaining COVID-Safe” Mr Barilaro said.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said even if you have tested negative before, it is critical you come forward again if you develop symptoms, no matter how mild.
“Anyone experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms, even if they are mild, must isolate immediately, get tested and continue to isolate until a negative result is received,” Mr Hazzard.
Dr Kerry Chant said high testing rates are critical to NSW Health’s efforts to identify COVID-19 cases and prevent the virus from spreading.
“This is particularly important in areas where we’ve had recent cases, particularly western and south-west Sydney,” Dr Chant said.
For the latest information and COVID-19 testing sites please visit: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-1

Four Corrective Services NSW officers with a combined work history of 100 years were recognised today for their exceptional service in the Australia Day Honours.
Minister for Counter Terrorism and Corrections Anthony Roberts said the officers from Cessnock, Silverwater and Windsor earned the prestigious Australian Corrections Medal.
“We are honoured to have such esteemed individuals working for CSNSW and these officers should be very proud to be receiving this national recognition,” Mr Roberts said.
“The medal acknowledges these exemplary officers who have shown leadership and commitment to dedicating their working life to community safety and reducing reoffending.”
CSNSW Commissioner Peter Severin said the officers deserved the highest recognition for developing initiatives in correctional centres, which have helped staff and inmates.
“The medal holds special significance because staff are nominated by their peers, so they are true role models,” Mr Severin said.
“We come together today to acknowledge the wonderful efforts that Kieren, David, Vesna and Shaun bring to CSNSW and extend to them our deepest congratulations for shining a light on the positive work our staff do every day in managing offenders.”
The officers will be invested with their medals at NSW Government House later this year.
Kieren Shea ACM, Regional Support Manager Northern Region, Offender Services and Programs
Mr Shea commenced his service with CSNSW in 1985. He served in the correctional officer role in various centres, and in 2001 was appointed Manager of Offender Services, Programs and Employment at St Heliers Correctional Centre, in Muswellbrook.
At St Heliers he initiated work-release opportunities for minimum-security inmates, in the areas of local council, mining, building and abattoirs. His actions led to skills acquisition and future employment opportunities for many inmates.
In 2014, he was promoted to Regional Support Manager for the North Region where he is responsible for program and service delivery to inmates at nine correctional centres, and program delivery to offenders in 21 Community Corrections offices. He is also responsible for 111 staff.
As Regional Support Manager he supports the direct implementation and review of services and programs.
He was also influential in introducing the trial ‘Peer Support Program’ at St Heliers with CSNSW partner Red Cross.
His assistance to a diverse population of offenders with complex needs has contributed significantly to their rehabilitation and reducing reoffending.
“I am sincerely surprised and grateful to have been nominated,” Mr Shea said.
“Like most of my colleagues, we don’t do this role for the recognition, but because we truly believe that what we do on a daily basis contributes to the greater good.
“I have been fortunate to have worked with some amazing people throughout my career and could not have achieved what I have without the support of these colleagues and my team members.  To be recognised for my career and achievements is humbling.”
David Harrower ACM, Senior Correctional Officer, Cessnock Correctional Centre
Mr Harrower has served CSNSW for more than 30 years and is currently a Senior Correctional Officer at the Cessnock Correctional Centre.
During his career he initiated and introduced a range of programs to assist inmates with their education and rehabilitation, and provide a service to the community.  These programs included the Indigenous Weather Knowledge Program with the Bureau of Meteorology to conduct a detailed record from the Ngemba people, traditional owners of the land in the Brewarrina region.
While working at the Reception and Induction Centre at Long Bay, he was instrumental in having inmates participate in the South Sydney Touch Football Competition.
At Long Bay he introduced and facilitated the Young Offenders Program, which saw inmates mentoring young offenders in their transition to the main inmate population.
At Tomago Periodic Detention Centre in 1997, he introduced a range of programs to assist with inmate rehabilitation. Inmates maintained the grounds at St Peters Old Burial Ground at East Maitland, and others with appropriate building qualifications constructed a storage facility for the Caves Beach Surf Club.
He motivates inmates into employment roles within the Cessnock centre and actively promotes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, sport and education programs.
“When I was first told that I had been nominated I was embarrassed given that I have worked with so many amazing individuals over the years, who I believed would have been more deserving of this medal,” Mr Harrower said.
“They are now long retired but I wish the Australian Corrections Medal was around when they were working with me, as it really is such an honour to be receiving it.”
Vesna Mijatovic ACM, Senior Correctional Officer, Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre, Silverwater
Ms Mijatovic joined CSNSW in 1997 at the Long Bay Complex.  She later transferred to the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre (MRRC) and became a senior correctional officer.  She acted as Assistant Superintendent at the centre for three years.
As the MRRC Movement Coordinator, she manages new arrivals at the centre, by identifying their immediate needs and assessing any risks.  She ensures offenders undergo the assessment process prior to being placed in the centre.  The role requires dedication and attention to detail to ensure offenders are managed safely and effectively.
Additionally, she performs the role of a supervisor in the accommodation units, where she manages the day-to-day needs of offenders and the continuing security of the units.
She also conducts inmate classification, case management interviews and assessments, identifying each individual’s requirements to progress through the system, including programs and work opportunities.
“The role is challenging and different every day but I’m just grateful to be able to do a job that I enjoy,” Ms Mijatovic said.
“As a female officer working in a male-dominated area, I hope to encourage younger females to try this career, which has been rewarding for me.
“It can be daunting when you first start particularly for young female officers but I’ve always wanted to share my advice and assist my colleagues when I can.”
Shaun Danby ACM, Corrective Services Industries Operations Manager, Francis Greenway Correctional Complex, Berkshire Park
Mr Danby began his career with the NSW Government at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney in 1996, then Juvenile Justice in 2001 and six years later joined CSNSW as an overseer.
He later worked as a senior project officer at the Francis Greenway Correctional Complex, Windsor, and business unit manager for Statewide Infrastructure Supply.
Since 2017 he has been the Corrective Services Industries Operations Manager, leading a team of trade-qualified overseers on construction, emergency and urgent building and maintenance works throughout CSNSW.
He maximises inmate participation on all projects, providing training, programs and real life work to inmates, which ultimately leads to assisting their rehabilitation.
He develops inmates through managing, coaching, instructing and encouraging them to improve their work skills, enhances their post-release employment prospects, and contributes productively to the community.
The program provides significant savings to the taxpayer and his hands on approach whilst mentoring and training inmates has been highly successful in achieving positive outcomes for CSNSW and inmates.
“I am surrounded by a great group of people and I believe that I owe my success to my team,” Mr Danby said.
“I feel like I am just doing my job so you can imagine my surprise to discover that my peers had nominated me. It’s an honour I don’t take lightly.”

After a year of exceptional challenges for our frontline agencies, 20 Police and Emergency Services personnel and volunteers have received awards today as part of the 2021 Australia Day Honours for their commitment and dedication to protecting the people of NSW.
The Australian Police Medal was awarded to eight members of the NSW Police Force, the Australian Fire Service Medal was awarded to seven volunteers from the NSW Rural Fire Service and three Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters, while two members of the NSW State Emergency Service and NSW Volunteer Rescue Association received the Emergency Services Medal.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott congratulated the men and women who have been honoured for their service.
“Over the past year we have seen exceptional heroism from our Police and Emergency Services who were on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic and the catastrophic bush fires,” Mr Elliott said.
“This is an opportunity to recognise those who have put their lives on the line to protect the community – and this honour is a reflection of our gratitude and thanks for their professionalism and selflessness.
“These recipients exemplify the resilience and mateship that are integral to our community.
“On behalf of the people of NSW, I’d like to thank our police officers, emergency services personnel and volunteers for their ongoing service, and reinforce the Government’s commitment to providing our frontline agencies with the resources they need to keep our communities safe.”
Australian Police Medal
Detective Superintendent Jonathan Andrew Beard, NSW Police Force
Inspector Gary John Coffey, NSW Police Force
Sergeant Lisa Marie Green, NSW Police Force
Chief Inspector Joseph Anthony McNulty, NSW Police Force
Sergeant Brett Raymond Samuel, NSW Police Force
Detective Superintendent Paul Andrew Smith, NSW Police Force
Chief Inspector Peter Francis Volf, NSW Police Force
Sergeant Scott David Weber, NSW Police Force
Australian Fire Services Medal
Group Captain Darren Breust, NSW Rural Fire Service
Inspector/Firefighter Guy Roland Duckworth, NSW Rural Fire Service
Group Captain Glen Vincent Howe, NSW Rural Fire Service
Captain Thomas John Marshall, NSW Rural Fire Service
Group Captain Kenneth Arthur Pullen, NSW Rural Fire Service
Captain Dennis Andrew Stannard, NSW Rural Fire Service
Captain Alice Joyce Strutt, NSW Rural Fire Service
Deputy Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell, Fire and Rescue NSW
Superintendent Norman Buckley, Fire and Rescue NSW
Captain John Dun, Fire and Rescue NSW
Emergency Services Medal
Matthew Chifley, NSW State Emergency Service
Glenn Hinton, NSW Volunteer Rescue Association
You can find a full list of the Australia Day Honours List here.

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor congratulates the 2021 Australian of the Year recipients, acknowledging their inspiring achievements and contribution to society.
For only the second time in the history of the awards, women have won all four Australian of the Year categories.
“These women have shown remarkable bravery in breaking down barriers to drive positive change and it’s fantastic that their achievements have now been recognized nationally.” Mrs Taylor said.
“These awards shine a light on the enormous efforts of women to make our communities a better place, whether it be in the city, regional or rural areas.”
Local Hero Rosemary Kariuki, of Oran Park in Sydney’s southwest, has worked tirelessly to help migrants fleeing domestic violence as well as helping migrant women to make social connections in their new home.
Australian of the Year Grace Tame, of Tasmania, is a sexual abuse survivor who has advocated for legal reform and raised public awareness about the impact of violence against women and girls.
Senior Australian of the Year Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann AM, of the Northern Territory, is an artist, activist, writer and public speaker who has devoted her energy to bridging the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal culture.
Young Australian of the Year Isobel Marshall, of South Australia, has used her business skills for social change by improving access to female hygiene products and improving education for women and girls in Sierra Leone and Uganda.
“Women are often quiet achievers, giving so much of themselves and asking for so little in return so it is wonderful to see these four women recognised for their significant contribution,” Mrs Taylor added.
“I congratulate the winners, finalists and nominees in the Australian of the Year Awards and thank them for their dedication to improving society and changing lives.”

A woman has been charged with domestic violence and assaulting police officers, following an incident in Sydney’s south-west yesterday.
About 5pm (Monday 25 January 2021), a woman allegedly drove her vehicle into another car at a shopping centre in Bradbury, causing extensive damage.
The woman then left her vehicle and removed the windscreen wipers from the other car, allegedly using them to assault the other driver, a woman who is known to her.
The woman then assaulted a man, also known to her, who was a passenger in the other car.
Responding to calls, officers attached to Campbelltown City Police Area Command attended the scene a short time later. The woman allegedly struck out at the officers, who eventually apprehended her.
The 49-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Campbelltown Police Station, where she was charged with predatory driving, common assault (DV), armed with intent commit indictable offence, and assault police officer in execution of duty whilst occasioning actual bodily harm.
The Rosemeadow woman was refused bail and will appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Tuesday 26 January 2021).
No police officers were injured.

Research and development will become a key jobs creator in NSW as the Government launches a bold new plan to make the State an R&D world leader.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian today launched the Turning Ideas into Jobs – Accelerating Research & Development in NSW Action Plan.
The report, which was delivered to the Premier by her Parliamentary Secretary Gabrielle Upton, is the NSW Government’s first significant step towards reforming the R&D sector.
“The pandemic has reinforced to us the power of collaboration,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The private sector, academia and the NSW Government collaborated to unlock crucial supplies and to solve difficult problems on behalf of the people of NSW.
“We are now bottling that spirit of collaboration and applying it to how we support R&D across the State. This is only the start of the commitments we will be making to R&D.
“R&D will be a powerful jobs creator during our economic recovery. For every dollar invested in R&D there can be an economic benefit of 14 dollars in return.”
Ms Upton worked with an Advisory Council of eminent leaders chaired by David Gonski AC and undertook broad public consultation to finalise five priority actions.
The NSW Government has already committed $26 million from the NSW 2020/21 Budget to fund two of the priority actions in the report including launching a Small Business Innovation Research program and establishing an R&D matchmaking platform.
Ms Upton said the Advisory Council conducted extensive consultations with leaders in large, SME and start-up businesses, investors, educators, researchers and innovators across all sectors.
“Their message to our Government was the increasing need to be proactive in supporting and attracting new businesses, especially in future industries that will sustain economic growth, productivity and employment,” Ms Upton said.
“In a post–COVID-19 world, this means that the NSW Government’s record  investments in ‘hard’ infrastructure such as roads and public transport needs to be complemented by strategic investment in ‘soft’ infrastructure – R&D, research translation and infrastructure – which drives these growing and emerging industries.”
Mr Gonski welcomed the report and thanked the wide range of people and organisations who contributed to it.
“This report comes at a critical time. The devastating impact of COVID-19 on investment in R&D and the downstream impacts on economic growth and job creation makes this task an urgent one,” Mr Gonski said.
“Decisive government action to attract and leverage investment, improve cross-sector collaboration and rapidly translate ideas into new products and services will be integral to our recovery from this crisis.”
NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte said the Action Plan’s focus is on implementing its five Priority Actions in a coherent, integrated and sustainable way to accelerate the translation and commercialisation of research in NSW.
“Another crucial aspect is the recommendation of the launch of a program of NSW R&D Missions aimed at solving the state’s long-term strategic challenges in areas including bushfire response, drought resilience, health and the transition to renewable energy.”
The NSW push to turn ideas into jobs is already underway, with the homegrown AgTech pioneer, Agerris, developing robotic and AI technologies to increase on-farm operational productivity.
Agerris technology was partially supported by a $1.3m grant from the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer to develop and deploy an Agricultural Robotics STEM program.
Agerris can trace it origins to the world-class Australian Centre for Field Robotics based in Sydney and recently raised $6.5 million in new funding to commercialise its research. Agerris currently has 13 employees and is using these funds to build and scale their innovative robots here in NSW, providing high quality jobs.
Given the size of Australia’s agricultural sector, the opportunities for applying cutting edge technologies to increase productivity are huge.
To read more on the report and the five-point Action Plan, click here:https://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/accelerating-r&d

The youngest learners in NSW will benefit from additional educators, thanks to 40 scholarships awarded today to early childhood educators.
The 40 scholarships are worth up to $20,000 each, awarded under the 2020-21 Early Childhood Education Scholarships Program, making it easier for more people to commence or upgrade their qualifications to a bachelor degree in early childhood teaching.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the scholarships would help promising preschool and early childhood employees deepen their knowledge of early education.
“Education in the first years of a child’s life are some of the most important. They develop skills crucial to success in school and later life,” Ms Mitchell said.
“It also is an important time for the child’s health, educators and parents can pick up early signs of various conditions early.
“Our early childhood educators are key to this and these scholarships will help some of our best become even better.
“We recognise that these scholarship recipients will deepen their understanding of early childhood environments, and gain additional skills and capabilities which will be passed on to the children they teach.
“Congratulations to the scholars on their commitment to education, and I wish them every success in their studies and future careers as qualified early childhood teachers.”
Further details about the scholarships are available on the department’s website https://education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/working-in-early-childhood-education/professional-development-and-scholarships