New cohort of apprentices start at CSA

CSA Mine last week welcomed its new cohort of apprentices with a barbecue and site induction training.

The new intake includes five new 1st year apprentices and three school-based apprentices (SBATs) that have joined the ranks as permanent, full time employees after having completed some of their first year units while still attending Cobar High School.

General Manager Peter Christen welcomed the group and spoke about the opportunities being an apprentice can bring and what can be achieved with dedication and hard work.

The department supervisors and Human Re- source team made presentations providing insight into what it takes to be a successful tradesperson.

A special presentation was given by Brandt Pattison, CSA Business Improvement Manager, who recounted how he started out on the tools as an apprentice and has now developed his career and skills to be an integral part of the mine’s leadership team.

Representatives from Apprenticeship Support Australia were also on hand last week to ensure it was a smooth sign up process and were able to answer any questions from the apprentices and the CSA team.

Housing support coming to Cobar

The DCJ Housing NSW Mobile Support Team will be in Cobar next week to provide support and services to assist Cobar residents in finding accommodation.

Narelle Whitney, a Senior Specialist with the Mobile Outreach Unit said the team can assist Cobar residents with any social or government housing questions they may have.

They can also assist clients with lodging their housing applications online and also check on any applications that have already been made.

Ms Whitney said the team is able to provide information on a wide range of housing issues and can also provide information about what help is available for private rentals.

“The team will also have self-service kiosks for you to use on your own if you want to check something online or upload paperwork,” she said.

The mobile outreach service will bring information on services such as Rent Choice and Bond Loans, as well as access to housing support.

The mobile patrol will also connect with existing service providers in each area, such as specialist homelessness services, to build stronger relationships.

Funding for the outreach program was announced in August last year with Cobar included as one of 20 communities in the Far West region earmarked to benefit from it.

The program aims to help anyone at risk of being homeless to realise that help is at hand and it will provide meaningful advice and options to people to hopefully ensure they are able to put a roof over their heads.

Cobar was identified in need of the service as there is currently no Department of Communities and Justice office in Cobar.

See advertisement below for details of the visit.

Turn up the heat

Saturday’s top of 41.2 degrees is a taste of what we can expect again this weekend with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting more very hot weather is on the way.

We’re looking at a top of 41 degrees for Friday, Saturday and also next Monday, with Sunday not much better, when 40 degrees will be the expected maximum.

And it doesn’t look like we’ll be getting much of a reprieve overnight with 21 the predicted minimum for tomorrow night, 24 is expected on both Friday and Saturday and 20 is the forecast minimum on Sunday.

The Bureau reports it will be sunny today with a top of 35 with the mercury expected to reach 38 degrees tomorrow before it hikes up into the 40s on Friday.

Last Saturday’s very hot day was also accompanied by wind gusts of up to 54 km/hr which caused some damage around town with large branches reported to have fallen at a number of locations.

Where healthy pets are happy pets

DCJ Housing NSW: is coming to Cobar!

Mobile Outreach Team

February 21 10am—2pm Catholic Care Office 9A Barton St, Cobar

We can assist with questions on any social or government housing; lodging your housing application online; checking your application; providing information on any housing issues and tell you about help for private rentals.

Come and have a yarn!