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NSW Government extends financial support for tenants and landlords

The NSW Government has announced it will provide increased security for tenants and financial support for landlords by extending the Residential Tenancy Support package.
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson said the Residential Tenancy Support package will now be paid for a second month and eligible landlords can now apply for up to $3,000 to cover the two months from 14 July 2021, assuming they have reduced rent for their tenant by at least that much.
“The NSW Government is ensuring both residential tenants and landlords have ongoing support by extending financial assistance for private landlords who pass on rent relief,” Mr Anderson said.
“Keeping people safe doesn’t just mean reducing the health threats of the virus. It is vital we help keep a roof over the heads of those who may be suffering financial hardship at this difficult time.”
Mr Anderson said landlords who have already applied can make an additional application and those who are yet to apply will be able to make one application for the total amount of rent waived, up to $1,500 a month.
“We have always encouraged landlords and tenants to work together to negotiate on rental agreements and the NSW Government has now made that conversation easier by supporting landlords so they can reduce rent for their tenants,” Mr Anderson said.
“It’s hard enough having to lockdown in your home while we stop the spread of the virus, but this NSW Government support means you can do that without fear of being evicted.”
Landlords will also have the option to apply for the COVID-19 land tax benefit instead of applying for the Residential Tenancy Support Payment, which is an offset of the land tax liability equal to the rent reduction granted.
Eligible COVID-19 impacted residential tenants who cannot meet their residential rent payments will be protected from eviction during the moratorium period commencing from 14 July and finishing at the end of 11 September 2021.
For more information on the package or to apply go to Residential tenancy support package | NSW Fair Trading

Increased fines, test and isolate payments and new compliance measures as NSW battles Delta

Increased fines of up to $5,000 for COVID breaches, $320 COVID-19 Test and Isolate Support Payments, permits to enter regional NSW and a heightened police presence will be introduced, as NSW continues to battle the Delta variant.
In addition, in Greater Sydney and other lockdown areas, the 10 kilometre rule will be reduced from 12.01am Monday, August 16, with shopping, exercise and outdoor recreation to be done in a person’s local government area (LGA) or, if outside their LGA, within 5 kilometres of home. LGAs of concern must still exercise and shop within 5 kilometres from home only.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the vast majority of people are doing the right thing but there are a handful of people who are wilfully breaking the rules and putting the rest of the community at risk.
“The increased fines and heightened police presence are about ensuring people who are doing the wrong thing are caught and punished appropriately,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Under the changes, there will be increased fines for Public Health Order breaches, a permit system to enter regional NSW and tightened rules for people in LGAs of concern to help reduce the spread of the Delta variant.
Increased fines for Public Health Order breaches (from 12.01am, Monday, 16 August):

  • $5,000 on the spot fine for breaching self-isolation rules;
  • $5,000 on the spot fine for lying on a permit (already a criminal offence);
  • $5,000 on the spot fine for lying to a contact tracer (already a criminal offence);
  • $3,000 on the spot fine for breaching the two person outdoor exercise/recreation rule; and
  • $3,000 on the spot fine for breaching rules around entry into regional NSW for authorised work, inspecting real estate and travelling to your second home.

Permit system to enter regional NSW (from 12.01am, Saturday, 21 August):

  • Any person who wishes to travel to regional NSW for one of the following reasons must have a permit which will be made available on Service NSW.
    1. authorised workers from LGAs of concern;
    2. Inspecting real estate. Any person inspecting real estate in the regions must now genuinely need a home to live in (no investment properties); and
    3. Travelling to your second home. This is now only allowed if you are using the home for work accommodation or if the home requires urgent maintenance and repairs (if so, only one person may travel there).

Changes for residents in local government areas of concern:

  • From 12.01am, Monday, 16 August: only exercise and supervision of children allowed (no outdoor recreation);
  • From 12.01am, Saturday, 21 August: People who live alone must now register their “singles bubble”. Registration will be made available on nsw.gov.au.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the NSW Police Force will also have an increased and more visible presence across Greater Sydney, backed up by 500 additional Australian Defence Force personnel.

$1 million rewards announced for information into 1979 disappearances and suspected murders of Robyn Hickie and Amanda Robinson

The NSW Government, together with the NSW Police Force, has announced two $1 million rewards for information regarding the disappearances and suspected murders of Lake Macquarie teenagers Robyn Hickie and Amanda Robinson more than 40 years ago.
In April 2019, Lake Macquarie detectives established Strike Force Arapaima to re-examine the investigation into the unsolved disappearances and suspected murders of Robyn Hickie, Amanda Robinson and Gordana Kotevski.
Robyn Hickie, aged 18, left her home around 7.15pm on Saturday 7 April 1979, and was last seen standing at a bus stop on the Pacific Highway, Belmont North.
A fortnight later, Amanda Robinson, aged 14, was last seen walking along Lake Road, Swansea, on Saturday 21 April 1979, after attending a dance at her high school in Gateshead.
Despite extensive investigations at the time, and over the years, neither of the girls have been located.
A subsequent Coronial Inquest into their disappearances found that the teenagers were deceased, most likely as a result of foul play.
As investigations continue, police are renewing their appeal to the community to come forward with any information that may assist detectives with their inquiries.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott, said the increased rewards demonstrates how strongly the NSW Government is supporting the Lake Macquarie Police District investigators.
“For far too long, Robyn and Amanda’s families have lived with the pain of losing a child but without any idea of how it happened or who is responsible,” Mr Elliott said.
“They have been in limbo for four decades not knowing. They deserve answers now and we believe that offering these new rewards should be sufficient incentive for those with information to come forward.
“If your conscience won’t make you act, maybe $2 million will,” Mr Elliott said.
Lake Macquarie Police District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Steve Benson, hopes this reward will encourage those who have been holding onto vital information since 1979 to share what they know with police.
“The disappearances of these teenagers triggered every parent’s worst nightmare. The Hickie and Robinson families have been fighting for the truth for four decades, they deserve to know what happened to their girls,” Det Insp Benson said.
“Our dedicated detectives under Strike Force Arapaima have re-examined all the evidence compiled over the past 40 years and are hoping this government reward will result in further information being provided to detectives to follow up and investigate.”
Anyone with information about Strike Force Arapaima is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

Man dies after crash – Raymond Terrace

A man has died following a single-vehicle crash in the state’s Hunter Region at the weekend.
About 5.10pm on Saturday (14 August 2021), emergency services were called to Port Stephens Road, near Kangaroo Street, at Raymond Terrace following reports of a crash.
Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and identified that a Holden Barina had crashed into a fence after leaving the road.
Despite the efforts of emergency services, the driver and sole occupant – a 69-year-old man – died at the scene.
A crime scene was established and an investigation commenced into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

One million doses of Pfizer vaccine from Europe boosting Australian supplies

One million additional Pfizer doses will begin arriving in Australia from tonight after a significant agreement was reached with the Republic of Poland.
The additional doses are on top of the 40 million Pfizer doses that Australia has already secured for 2021, and will provide a boost to the vaccine roll-out across the country.
The one million doses will be targeted to Australians aged 20 to 39 years of age, who were identified in the Doherty Modelling as the peak transmitters of COVID-19.
530,010 doses will be prioritised for express delivery to the 12 Greater Sydney Local Government Areas where the COVID-19 outbreak continues to grow, following advice from the Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly.
This will give everyone aged 20 to 39 years in the 12 LGAs the opportunity to be vaccinated.
The remaining 470,340 Pfizer doses will be distributed on a per capita basis to other states and territories, to fast-track the vaccination of 20 to 39 year olds and other high risk groups.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new Pfizer doses would start being administered in State Clinics across Greater Sydney this week.
“There are a million doses of hope on their way,” the Prime Minister said.
“Within days of landing in Australia, these extra Pfizer doses will be available to go into the arms of young Australians in our hardest hit COVID hot-spots.
“These young Australians are often the backbone of our essential workforce and these doses will not only protect them, but their loved ones, their state and our nation.
“We can get on top of this by working together to suppress and vaccinate.
“I want to personally thank Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and his government for their generous support of Australia’s COVID-19 response, during this challenging time.
“We continue to leave no stone unturned in the supply and administration of vaccines to protect Australian lives and livelihoods.”
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Marise Payne, said Australia’s network of diplomats was working hard to identify opportunities to secure additional vaccine supplies.
“This is a demonstration of the value of Australia’s close engagement with other governments and a strong example of countries cooperating and supporting one another as we face the pandemic together,” Minister Payne said.
“This deal also illustrates that our diplomatic capability is delivering in ways that protect and support Australians at home and abroad throughout this pandemic.”
Australia purchased surplus vaccines, which were produced at Pfizer’s Belgium facility, on a not-for-profit basis from the Republic of Poland. These are the same highly safe and effective Pfizer vaccines that are currently being administered in Australia.
These additional one million come on top of the three million doses of Pfizer brought forward from the fourth quarter to now, which has increased the weekly arrivals of Pfizer from 600,000 to one million per week.
Minister for Health and Aged Care said the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provided regulatory approval for the supply of these Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses manufactured at Pfizer’s facilities in Belgium.
“In order to ensure their quality and safety, the vaccines will undergo the same TGA batch release processes as all other COVID-19 vaccines,” Minister Hunt said.
“The TGA’s processes are I believe the best in the world and we have ensured that they are thorough.
“Our first foremost priority is the safety of all Australians and to ensure these, and all vaccines meet the stringent safety quality regulations set by our world leading TGA.”
Australia’s vaccination program has been based on the medical advice from the Science and Industry Technical Advisory Group (SITAG), Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
The 12 LGAs are: Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Strathfield and Penrith.
The per capita allocation to the remaining states and territories is: Victoria 175,500, Queensland 136,890, South Australia 47,970, Western Australia 70,200, Tasmania 17,550, Northern Territory 8,190, and the ACT 14,040.

Rapid antigen testing to be rolled out in Sydney aged care facilities

The Australian Government is providing COVID-19 rapid antigen testing (RAT) to residential aged care facilities in Greater Sydney, to further protect aged care residents, workers and their families.
The program will begin on Monday, 16 August at the Uniting Bankstown Aged Care Facility, and then progressively roll out to other facilities who expressed their interest in participating.
Respond Global has been selected to lead the program, providing the residential aged care facilities with training and protocols in using the tests and recording the RAT results.
Roche will supply the initial RAT, after being selected through a competitive tender process. It is anticipated that as the program expands, three more RAT suppliers will also supply their tests for use.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the program will allow fast COVID-19 screening of aged care residents and visitors to be done on-site and more regularly.
“Given the rate at which we know the Delta variant can be spread between people, the very fast turnaround of RAT – around 15 minutes – makes these tests useful in preventing asymptomatic transmission and outbreaks as they can be used on a daily basis,” Minister Hunt said.
“Sadly, the pandemic’s toll in Australia last year was highest among aged care residents. That is why, along with the increased infection control training and vaccinations, we are looking at further innovations such as RAT to provide an additional layer of protection for the most vulnerable Australians.”
We anticipate that regular use of RAT to screen aged care employees and visitors will provide much greater reassurance for those employees, their managers, residents, and families.
Those workers or visitors who test positive to a RAT or who have COVID-19 symptoms would then not go into the residential aged care facility and be required to have a PCR diagnostic test as soon as possible to confirm their COVID-19 status.
This initial program expands on a trial already undertaken at the Whiddon Residential Aged Care Facility in Glenfield. One of the key findings of this trial was that it gave workers more confidence that they were safe to come to work and were not putting themselves, their fellow workers and the residents at risk.
To date, more than 577,655 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in aged care and disability care facilities across Australia.

The New South Wales Department of Justice is Failing First Nations Communities, say Greens

This week, an imprisoned First Nations man was tested for COVID-19 at Bathurst Correctional Centre and was released before the prison received his positive Covid result.
The man then returned to his community in north-west New South Wales which has a high population of First Nations people.
“The New South Wales Government and Department of Justice have again failed First Nations people, our Elders, our kids, and those of us living with chronic illness,” said DjabWurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjmara woman Lidia Thorpe, Senator for Victoria and Australian Greens spokesperson for Justice.
“There has been another COVID-positive case at Bathurst jail, it is impossible to socially distance in a jail. Imprisoned people are in grave danger, the New South Wales Government must responsibly begin urgent decarceration and COVID-19 prevention strategies in partnership with our communities.”
“The New South Wales Government is failing our people. In parts of Western NSW only 8% of First Nations people are fully vaccinated despite our people being eligible for vaccines since early June.”
“Instead of protecting and providing community led responses to the pandemic, the New South Wales Government is sending in the army and the police into some of our most over-targeted and under-served communities in New South Wales.”
First Nations people, our communities and First Nations owned and run services must be resourced so that we can lead ourselves out of the mess the New South Wales Government has put us in.
“When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we led the way in keeping our communities safe. Some governments sent us body bags before they sent PPE, assuming we would fail. When decisions are in our hands, our solutions work, and we take care of our communities.”
“Our communities, particularly First Nations health, legal assistance, and Elder support organisations must be properly resourced to look after our people, with our own solutions immediately. Our lives are in grave danger because the New South Wales Government didn’t do its job”. Said Thorpe

National Cabinet Statement

The National Cabinet met today for the 51st time to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response, recent outbreaks of COVID-19 and the Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy.
National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues and find solutions for the health and economic consequences of COVID-19.
Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 38,165 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 948 people have died. More than 27.5 million tests have been undertaken. Testing has increased nationally over recent days with 1,409,573 million tests reported in the past 7 days.
Globally there have been over 205.3 million cases and sadly over 4.3 million deaths, with 684,895 new cases and 10,185 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in many countries around the world.
Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out continues to expand. Australia hit another milestone of one in four eligible Australians fully vaccinated. To date 14,747,221 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia, including a record 270,898 in the last 24 hours. One in four Australians are now fully vaccinated. The primary care network of general practice (GPs) and pharmacy has ramped up significantly over coming weeks.
In the previous 7 days, more than 1.47 million vaccines have been administered in Australia. More than 46.6 per cent of the Australian population aged 16 years and over have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over 70.9 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 82.5 per cent of over 70 year olds.
More than 25 per cent of Australians aged 16 years and over are now fully vaccinated including more than 36.1 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 50.9 per cent of Australians over 70 years of age.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly provided an update on current outbreaks of COVID-19. The Chief Medical Officer has announced a number of hotspots across Australia in Greater Sydney, the Hunter, Greater Melbourne and the Australian Capital Territory.
National Cabinet noted the business support packages agreed between the Commonwealth and the Victorian and ACT Governments due to their lockdowns, and with the Queensland and Tasmanian Governments due to the impact of lockdowns along the eastern seaboard.
Lieutenant General John Frewen, Coordinator-General of Operation COVID Shield, provided an update on the vaccine roll out.
All leaders reiterated the importance of Australians, especially those in vulnerable groups, to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Both the AstraZeneca and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are registered for use in Australia and are proven to be effective in preventing serious illness and death, as well as limiting transmission.
National Cabinet discussed how state and territory safety regulators could amend their ‘statements of regulatory intent’ to ensure that businesses who made vaccinations voluntary would not be breaching workplace health and safety laws.
National Cabinet agreed to meet next on Friday, 20 August 2021.

New recruits welcomed to the Police Force

The NSW Police Force has welcomed 182 police recruits after they were sworn-in as probationary constables at a private attestation ceremony, held in compliance with COVID-19 restrictions, in Goulburn today.
The new probationary constables have been assigned to police area commands and police districts across the state.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott congratulated the recruits who are starting their new careers in times of unprecedented challenges
“Congratulations to the men and women of class 348, who graduate today and will join the NSW Police Force when it most needs versatile, adaptable officers,” Mr Elliott said.
“The career path you embark on today will test your courage, your resilience and your decision-making.
“You are joining a police family of more than 17,000; a modern, well-equipped force focused on driving down crime rates and protecting the community.
“The NSW Government will be there, too, to support you and ensure you have world-class training, and the technology and resources you need to best serve the people of NSW,” Mr Elliott said.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller welcomed the new probationary constables acknowledging they’re commencing a challenging career at a challenging time.
“The pandemic is impacting many aspects of our lives but as police, we have taken an oath – a promise – to protect and serve the people of this state while exercising the highest level of integrity,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“Despite the challenges ahead, our newest recruits can expect a rewarding career and will have the camaraderie and guidance of their new policing family every step of the way.
“I hope these officers are as proud to join the NSW Police Force as I am to swear them in. I’m looking forward to seeing them out on the beat.”
Class 348 includes 121 men and 61 women. Twenty-three recruits were born overseas in countries including Canada, China, Columbia, Fiji, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Iraq, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea, Syria, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.
Many are from backgrounds where English is a second language Assyrian, Arabic, Dari, Greek, Hindi, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, and Urdu.
Six recruits are indigenous, with two recruits joining through the Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD) program.

NSW Government Weekly Update – 13 August 2021

For the latest COVID-19 advice & information please visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

LAND TAX RELIEF TO HELP LANDOWNERS AND TENANTS AFFECTED BY COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

  • Applications are now open for eligible commercial and residential landowners who provide rental reductions to tenants in financial distress due to COVID-19 to claim land tax relief or a tenancy support payment.
  • Through the package:
  1. residential landlords can choose between applying for land tax relief or a payment of up to $1,500 per tenancy if they agree to reduce the rent for COVID-19 impacted tenants from 14 July 2021 to 31 December 2021.
  2. eligible NSW landowners may receive a reduction of up to 100 per cent of their land tax liability for 2021.
  3. residential landowners can receive the land tax relief or, may elect to claim a payment of up to $1,500 per tenancy agreement if they provided a reduction in rent from 14 July 2021 to 31 December 2021, to a residential tenant who has lost 25 per cent or more of household income due to COVID-19.

HUNDREDS OF NEW EXPERTS TO LIFT LITERACY AND NUMERACY

  • Hundreds of new literacy and numeracy experts will join NSW public schools as part of the NSW Government’s continued focus on lifting student results.
  • As part of a $256 million investment, every public primary school across NSW will receive a dedicated Curriculum Assistant Principal.
  • More than 1,300 new positions will strengthen a continuous focus on literacy and numeracy and support curriculum implementation with the new K-2 English and Mathematics syllabuses rolling out from 2022.
  • The new positions have an explicit focus on leading schools with evidence-based teaching and assessments to improve student outcomes.
  • The leadership roles will support a strong instructional leadership model in all schools, coordinating professional learning for teachers, monitoring student outcomes, and supporting families to be key partners in student learning.
  • The new program will begin from 2022, with all positions in place ahead of full implementation of the new K-2 English and Mathematics Syllabuses in 2023.

IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO COVID-19 CHECK IN SYSTEM

  • Checking into venues and managing your check in history has become easier thanks to a new COVID-19 check-in card and suite of updates to the Service NSW app.
  • Customers can now register for a COVID-19 check-in card which they can present to supermarkets and other essential retail businesses to scan as a faster and safer way to complete the self-service webform check-in or paper sign-in currently used by customers without a smartphone.
  • Customers can download and print their COVID-19 check-in card or have a plastic card mailed to them. Their contact details will be securely stored within the QR code, which will prepopulate the webform when scanned by the business.
  • In response to customer demand Service NSW is also rolling out two further enhancements to the Service NSW app. The first allowing customers to review their check out history and add check out times and the second to make it easier for customers to sign into the Service NSW app wearing a mask.
  • Customers will be able to register for their COVID-19 check-in card via the Service NSW website or by calling 13 77 88 from 13 August and can opt to receive it via email to print at home, or via postal mail.

$10 MILLION BOOST TO SOCIAL SERVICES SECTOR

  • A variety of free online tools, courses and resources is being rolled out to organisations working in the social services sector as part of a $10 million investment which aims to support non-government providers through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
  • The NSW Government’s Social Sector Transformation Fund (SSTF) is delivering a $50 million boost to not-for-profits during the pandemic.
  • The SSTF will support organisations to improve how they do business by giving them access to better technology, free legal services, workforce development opportunities, practical support and resources to strengthen governance and strategy.
  • The Social Sector Transformation Fund assists organisations to improve outcomes in homelessness, disability, health, and child and family services.
  • For more information, visit https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/providers/deliver-community-and-sector-assistance/social-sector-transformation-fund.

SUPPORT FOR LEGAL AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GROUPS

  • More than 70 organisations providing legal advice or domestic violence support have now been awarded $4.45 million in grants to modernise and expand their operations.
  • A total of $2.06 million has been granted to 44 organisations that provide family and domestic violence services, while 28 groups, which deliver legal services, will receive $2.39 million in total.
  • This initiative will help these charities and not-for-profits increase capacity, provide better digital service delivery, and enhance remote working options. It will help future-proof their operations and enable them to remain efficient, effective and viable so they can continue their invaluable work to support domestic violence victim-survivors.
  • The funding comes from the NSW Government’s $50 million Social Sector Transformation Fund (SSTF) announced in the 2020-21 State Budget.

LOCKDOWN SUPPORT – NSW GOVERNMENT BOOSTS VIRTUAL SERVICES FOR NEW PARENTS STRUGGLING IN LOCKDOWN

  • Parents of newborns and toddlers impacted by the current COVID restrictions can access a range of free virtual early childhood health services, thanks to a $348,000 NSW Government grant to Karitane.
  • The not-for-profit parenting support service has recorded its highest ever number of referrals in the last four weeks, many from parents struggling to cope with recent restrictions.
  • This grant will allow Karitane to expand its virtual services to affected parents, including home visits, residential stays, breastfeeding clinics, mental health consults, toddler behaviour programs, playgroups and daily parenting workshops.
  • This is in addition to the recently announced joint Commonwealth and NSW Government COVID-19 mental health support package worth $17.35 million.
  • For information on Karitane’s services, please visit: https://www.karitane.com.au/.

PARRAMATTA ROAD PLANS READY TO PROGRESS  

  • The revitalisation of Sydney’s oldest road with thousands of new homes and jobs is one step closer following changes to accelerate the planning process.
  • The changes mean planning proposals for the Parramatta Road corridor can now be lodged and progressed to public exhibition to coincide with the completion of traffic studies.
  • The NSW Government is now welcoming proposals to deliver up to 27,000 new homes and 50,000 jobs along Parramatta Road. The changes will allow proposals to be assessed in consultation with the community, fully informed by the transport studies now being finalised.
  • The Ministerial Order is accompanied by an updated implementation plan to guide the preparation of planning proposals and development along the corridor.
  • The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment will now work with relevant councils to progress planning proposals already in the system to Gateway determination.
  • For more information visit www.planning.nsw.gov.au/parramattaroad.

YOUNG NSW RFS VOLUNTEERS HONOURED

  • The achievements of young members of the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) have been recognised with the announcement of two Young Volunteers of the Year and the NSW Secondary School Cadet of the Year.
  • The 2021 Young Volunteer of the Year recipients are Tim Hearn of Llandilo Brigade (Cumberland District) and Lavhynnia Lowe from Bathurst Brigade (Chifley District), while the Secondary School Cadet of the Year for 2021 is Nathan Hindmarsh from Braidwood Central School/Krawarree Brigade.
  • The effort and enthusiasm of young members in the NSW RFS is significant and these awards acknowledge their hard work, camaraderie and community participation.
  • These young people have demonstrated the commitment and enthusiasm that ensure our great volunteer emergency services will go from strength to strength in coming years and I congratulate each of them on their well-deserved awards.