INSIDE: LAKE ALGAE ALERT LIFTED, MOU FOR LITTLE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL + MORE
Council News
THIS IS A PAID ADVERTISING FEATURE BY WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL
Weekly newsletter from Wagga Wagga City Council
First Printed Saturday 26 March 2022 | Issue #388
MILESTONE FOR Ri RiFL HUB
Week 1: 26 March – 3 April Program Highlights
Construction of the multi-million-dollar Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics (RiFL) Hub at Bomen in Wagga Wagga has marked another milestone, with more than one million individual pavers laid for the terminal base beside the new master rail siding. Continued inside
Forest Therapy at Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens Relax and get back to nature without ever having to leave the city. Forest therapy was conceptualised in Japan, where it’s called ‘shinrin-yoku’ and is said to improve your wellbeing by immersing yourself in nature. Safety Tips for Old(er) Drivers As we age, it’s important we take greater care with our driving habits. Friendly Road Safety Officer, Emma Reynolds will impart practical tips to ensure your safety and the safety of others when driving. Introduction to Sogetsu Ikebana presented by Ping Block Learn a modern school of the Japanese art of flower arrangement which encourages the development of personal style and places a strong emphasis upon creative, contemporary interpretation. A Lasting Tale: Audio App Workshop with Dimity Brassil Come along and learn how to capture a loved one’s audio life story and personal history yourself.
Learn more or book tickets: wagga.nsw.gov.au/fresh IMPRESSIVE EFFORT: More than one-million pavers covering 26,000 square metres have been laid for the new RiFL terminal base.
Tech Savvy Elders pilot program for First Nations Elders Wagga Wagga City Library has partnered with the NSW Department of Communities and Justice to develop a tailored Tech Savvy Elders pilot program for Wiradjuri and First Nations Elders. The initiative, which begins on Monday 28 March, is based on the Tech Savvy Seniors bi-lingual program delivered at the library in 2021 and will inform a
state-wide rollout through all public libraries in NSW. Wagga Wagga City Council Aboriginal Community Development Officer Bernard Higgins said the pilot will be delivered by Indigenous trainers, with support and equipment provided by the library, and funding from NSW Department of Communities and Justice. “It’s important to be able to support our Elders and give them the opportunity to learn these skills,” Mr Higgins said. “The COVID restrictions over the past two years have highlighted the increased reliance on technology for communicating with family and friends, yet many of our Elders are constantly having issues with the technology
that most of us take for granted.” The training course comprises classes held over four Monday afternoons. Three separate courses will be held over the coming months, with the first getting underway on 28 March. Participants will learn how to use online video apps, social media and emails, as well as how to access MyGov and ServiceNSW and how to keep using these apps once they have completed the program. Indigenous trainer Sarah Levett is looking forward to taking the classes out to the community hubs at Ashmont, Kooringal and Tolland. “It is a really great initiative because it’s free and more accessible because it’s out
designed the course to be be part of this program can in the suburbs where our be found at local community community lives,” Ms Levett comfortable for them and very relaxed and easy.” centres in Ashmont, said. Sign-up forms to register to Kooringal and Tolland. “I grew up with technology and using it is second nature to me, whereas it doesn’t come as easily to a lot of our Elders. This will help bridge the gap in the tech skills of our Elders.” Fellow indigenous trainer Wes Boney said there has been strong interest from within the First Nations community to take part in the sessions. “They are happy to be learning from Indigenous teachers because they feel safe and they know who they can talk to and there’s no shame; we break that PILOT PARTNERSHIP: Council’s Aboriginal Community stigma,” Mr Boney said. Development Officer Bernard Higgins and Indigenous “The ideal outcome would trainers Sarah Levett and Wes Boney meet ahead of the first Tech Savvy Elders course, which begins on Monday be to have people complete 28 March 2022. all four classes, so we’ve
Only compostable liners can go in the green lid bin. Plastic bags, including those marked degradable and biodegradable, should go in the red lid bin or taken to a local supermarket that collects soft plastics for recycling
To learn more visit: wagga.nsw.gov.au/householdwaste