The event has an inspiring speakers program and a diverse arts program showcasing the best of the Central West’s creative community, featuring a variety of visual arts, performances and music over the four days.

An opening ceremony is on tonight in Kings Parade at 7pm which will feature a collaboration between emerging artists, established professionals and participants from the community.

The opening will be an explosion of colour and movement, dance and song, storytelling and surprise that celebrates our region as a truly creative place.

I encourage you to come along and join in this celebration. For more information, visit www.artstate.com.au

The magnificent spring display of pansies and calendulas in Kings Parade has reached its ‘use by date’ and is due to be replaced by summer plantings.

We were joined by local school-children earlier this week to help us pick flowers to make posies for residents in some of the city’s aged care facilities.

I would like to say thanks to the students and teachers who came along and helped brighten someone’s day. I would also like to thank Vanessa Pringle and her staff who helped the children construct the posies.

Next week I will be travelling with a council delegation to Bathurst’s sister city Ohkuma. Bathurst has had a sister city relationship with Ohkuma in Japan since 1991.

Our communities have enjoyed an ongoing friendship over this long period of time. The trip will provide an opportunity to enhance and grow our professional, educational, cultural and personal links.

COUNCILS within the electorate are encouraged to apply for a share of $15 million the NSW Government is investing to support the increased movement of drought relief.

While parts of the region have experienced some promising rainfall in recent times, the funding will help offset the cost of works that will enable the further transport of stock, water and feed.

This funding will allow councils to do works that will enable road networks to cater for the significant increase we’re seeing in freight transport.

Eligible councils can apply for up to $300,000 to help with road maintenance and improvements.

Funding will be targeted to support improved productivity for road freight while maintaining or improving safety for road users.

More information is available at rms.nsw.gov.au/droughtaccessprogram, by emailing roadfreight@rms.nsw.gov.au or by calling your local Roads and Maritime Services regional office.

The NSW Government has delivered more than $1 billion in programs to support farmers through the drought.

Book an appointment

I ENCOURAGE all residents to make an appointment for help to access more than 40 NSW Government rebates and savings from around 12 separate agencies in the one location.

The new Cost of Living service available at Service NSW centres is about making it easier for families and individuals to potentially save hundreds of dollars.

People can already access cost of living programs online, but sometimes it helps to have someone talk through what a customer may be eligible for and that’s where Service NSW can help.

Take the time to go online and check your eligibility using the Savings Finder before making a booking with a specialist either online, by phone or in store.

Some eligible families with two or more children in NSW are already accessing more than $700 in savings through energy rebates, Active Kids vouchers and CTP savings through a premium reduction and refund and more.

A regional couple receiving the aged pension could be eligible for around $1300 in savings through energy rebates, CTP savings, pensioner water rebate and free registration for pensioners and could save even more through the Appliance Replacement Offer.

Other rebates and savings include Fair Go for Safe Drivers, Regional Travel Benefits, the Return and Earn scheme and many more.