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When Jorge Bergoglio was elected Pope, he took his papal name from St Francis of Assisi – as a model of humility, simplicity and love for the poor.

That is how Jorge Bergoglio lived his life – and that his how Pope Francis led the Catholic Church for over a decade.

To the end, Francis was a pope of the people.

As an Archbishop, he would catch the bus around Buenos Aires. And as Pope, he said no to the official limousine, and instead travelled across Rome in a blue Ford Focus.

Pope Francis understood that grace lives within every human being, whether they were born rich or poor, high or low.

Through the strength of his example and the quiet passion of his words, he showed us the power of the great Catholic teachings.

The Minns Labor Government is building a safer New South Wales for women and children escaping domestic and family violence with a new refuge in Goulburn set to begin construction this year.

The government is partnering with experienced service provider Anglicare in this project, with an investment of more than $5.5 million.

The refuge will feature six, three-bedroom crisis accommodation units, which Anglicare is expected to deliver by the end of 2026.

It will also be designed to accommodate women and children with disabilities, and includes a dedicated wheelchair-accessible unit.

Based on Core and Cluster design principles, the ‘cluster’ of self-contained units that promote independent living and privacy will be located near a ‘core’ of common areas that can be used to deliver support services for victim-survivors.

There will be child focused spaces such as a sensory play area, pet-friendly spaces, private rooms for counselling and one-to-one support, as well as larger common areas such as a community garden for group activities and programs.

The facility will also have culturally sensitive spaces, such as a yarning circle, to promote the healing and wellbeing of its future occupants.

Every aspect of the refuge’s design is focused on the safety, wellbeing, independence, and dignity of its future occupants.

The NSW Government has invested $426.6 million over four years in the Core and Cluster program, which once completed will help more than an additional 2,900 victim-survivors of domestic violence each year with housing and support services.

The Minns Labor Government is working hard to address the scourge of domestic and family violence in the state. This includes continuing to provide support and safe accommodation for victim-survivors, as well as justice reforms, intervening earlier, and rolling out a primary prevention strategy to stop the violence before it starts.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“The housing crisis disproportionately impacts women and families who are escaping domestic and family violence.

“The NSW Government is building more homes and delivering crisis accommodation, dedicated to women and children fleeing violence, to ensure they have a safe place to turn when they need it most.

“This refuge in Goulburn will provide the stability and support domestic violence victim-survivors need to recover and rebuild their lives.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“Women and children experiencing and fleeing violence and abuse are particularly vulnerable to homelessness.

“That’s why this government is investing in crisis accommodation for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, and ensuring they are supported to heal, recover, and reconnect with their community.

“Once built, this refuge will be a safe place for women with or without children to rebuild their lives and live free from abuse.”

Labor spokesperson for Goulburn Bob Nanva MLC said:

“There is nothing as important as having access to a safe and secure home. These refuges will not only provide shelter, they will provide a sense of peace and hope for families in need.”

Trevor Ament CEO of Anglicare NSW South, NSW West & ACT said:

“Anglicare provides advocacy, holistic care, and support to people in need throughout our regions, empowering them to fully participate in their communities.

“That’s exactly what we aim to achieve by building safe accommodation for women and children leaving domestic and family violence.

“When the doors open, we will offer a place where people feel safe, supported, and empowered to heal and rebuild their lives.”

Support:

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.

Applications for the Community War Memorials Fund 2025/26 are open, with $250,000 in funding available for the protection and conservation of war memorials.

The program supports the conservation, repair and protection of local memorials throughout NSW.

This year sees changes to enhance the grant program and deliver greater funding opportunities to organisations seeking to undertake conservation work on war memorials in local communities across NSW.

There is now one grant round per year with a total of $250,000 funding available. The maximum individual grant amount has also increased to $15,000.

Applications can also be submitted under a new category for works to war memorial precincts, as well as the existing categories for condition assessments and physical works.

Recipients of funding from previous rounds of the program include the Windsor and District RSL sub-Branch who received $6,700 for conservation works to two honour rolls at the Colo War Memorial dedicated to those from the local community who served in the First and Second World Wars. The memorial is a valuable part of the Colo community’s commemorative events honouring the service of its veterans, including Anzac Day services.

To be eligible for funding, the memorial must be listed on the NSW War Memorials Register: https://www.warmemorialsregister.nsw.gov.au.

More information on the program and details for how to apply are available here: https://www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/heritage/community-war-memorials-fund.

The 2025/2026 round of the Community War Memorials Fund closes on 25 June 2025.

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“I am pleased to announce that $250,000 is available to ensure the upkeep of memorials throughout our communities.

“Our war memorials are the cornerstones of commemoration on Anzac Day and other important days that honour the service and sacrifice of our veterans.

“I want to encourage all community groups to apply as it is essential that we protect our local war memorials to ensure future generations continue to remember the efforts of our diggers and the sacrifices made during periods of war and conflict as well as peacekeeping missions.”

Windsor and District RSL sub-Branch Vice President Colin Richards said:

“The Community War Memorials Fund grant enabled the Windsor and District RSL sub-Branch to arrange heritage cleaning and restoration of the plaques that had fallen into disrepair over many years.

“A recent Anzac service held at the memorial with approximately 50 locals in attendance, was well received and many thanked the sub-Branch for taking the time to care for and help restore the memorial.

“The Windsor and District sub-Branch appreciates the allocation of the grant. It adds to our purpose and legacy to never forget those brave men and women whose names are etched in the marble. For the first time in a long time, we can clearly read the names of those veterans who served in the Second World War. Both the First and Second World War plaques are now clean and preserved for the benefit of local families and community members to remember, with thanks to the NSW Government for the funding.”

NSW Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Minister Steve Whan today announced former Department of Education executive Chloe Read will continue to lead TAFE NSW as the government moves to rebuild the institution after more than a decade of poor planning and neglect under the former Liberal-National government.

Ms Read has been Acting Managing Director of TAFE NSW from January 2025 and will now serve in the role in an ongoing capacity. Ms Read has extensive experience in leadership roles in the NSW Public Service and a track record of driving change and effective implementation of reform.

Most recently, Ms Read worked with government to deliver the NSW VET (Vocational Education and Training) Review and the first NSW Skills Plan in more than 15 years.

Since her appointment to Acting Managing Director, Ms Read has already established strong working relationships with key stakeholders, launched the new TAFE Charter and is overseeing the implementation of the new Operating Model.  

The Minns Labor Government is committed to restoring TAFE NSW to the heart of the VET sector and ensure it continues to deliver education and training to around 400,000 students a year, across 85 industry sectors and more than 250 occupations.

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:

“TAFE NSW plays a critical role in delivering a pipeline of skilled workers for industries and communities and the institution will benefit from Ms Read’s strong leadership during a transformational period.

“Ms Read has demonstrated her effectiveness in driving positive change and has an exceptional track record in delivering critical projects in the NSW skills sector.”

Managing Director of TAFE NSW Chloe Read said:

“I am thrilled and honoured to have been chosen to lead TAFE NSW, which is central to equipping the State with the skilled workers it urgently needs.

“TAFE NSW is an amazing place to work and study. Since stepping into the role, I have been blown away by our dedicated teachers and staff and the difference they make every day for students and local communities.

“A strong skills sector is more vital than ever, and along with the fantastic team at TAFE NSW I look forward to preparing students across NSW with the skills needed for the career they want.”

The NSW Government is today launching its official winter vaccines campaign ahead of the peak respiratory virus season this winter.

International experience indicates the possibility of a higher than usual influenza activity season this year.

To ensure people have the essential services they rely on, the Minns Labor Government has worked to get the supply of vaccines out to doctors and pharmacists.

Vaccination rates for vulnerable groups have been declining nationally as well as globally.

In NSW, the influenza vaccine rate for six-month to five-year-olds has declined from 28.3 per cent in 2023 to 25 per cent in 2024, and for over 65s it was down from 62 per cent in 2023 to 60 per cent in 2024.

Influenza vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for:

• children aged 6 months to less than 5 years
• people aged 65 years and older
• aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and older
• pregnant women
• those with serious health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, immune disorders, obesity, severe asthma, kidney, heart, lung or liver disease.

People can access flu vaccinations through their pharmacist or local GP.

Last month, the NSW Government announced an investment of $16.6 million to ensure all newborns in NSW can be protected from serious illness from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

It means newborns can either receive free protection from RSV through maternal vaccination or immunisation before they leave the hospital.

The NSW Government has invested $15 million to improve vaccine access to vulnerable communities across NSW such as culturally and linguistically diverse groups.

Acting Premier of New South Wales Prue Car:

“Today we are urging people across NSW to top up their yearly vaccinations ahead of the worst of the winter flu season.

“Whether you’re a member of a vulnerable group, or you want to protect your family members from sickness, it’s important to stay up to date with your vaccinations.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park:  

“We are today urging the community to get vaccinated ahead of the peak respiratory virus season this winter.

“Respiratory viruses such as flu are expected to rise this winter – and we are expecting higher flu activity this season.

“The best way to protect your loved ones is to get vaccinated.

“That’s why we’re offering free flu vaccines for all children aged six months to under five years and people aged 65 years and older, as well as vulnerable individuals such as pregnant women and people with medical risk factors.”