In recent weeks the team has spent time at council's small animal pound, the Scallywags Long Day Care Centre and attended a mental health workshop at Charles Sturt University.

At this week's meeting they had the opportunity to meet with council's gallery staff, Sarah and Julian, to talk all things art and Instagram.

The Youth Council provides our young, aspiring leaders with an opportunity to develop their leadership skills and make a difference in our community.

Five youth councillors will be participating in the annual NSW Youth Council conference at Blacktown in coming days and this will give them opportunities to network with other young leaders from across the state.

Stronger Country Communities Fund

A RANGE of projects have been funded from rounds one and two from the State Government's Stronger Country Communities Fund in our local community.

A number of these projects which have been undertaken jointly with council are creating valuable new infrastructure for the community.

These include the new tennis clubhouse at the John Matthews Sporting Complex which was officially opened yesterday, and the extension to the Bathurst Skate Park which is now underway.

Council has also used this grant funding program to assist with works at Kelso Community Hub and it will help fund the new multi-sport courts at Perthville, works at Freeman Park and the installation of exercise equipment and water stations at Berry and Cousins parks.

These valuable partnerships help council bring projects online sooner for the benefit of the community.

FOSTER and kinship carers across the region are being celebrated this week for the work they do in providing safe, loving homes for vulnerable children.

There are many children and young people who need the safety, care and stability that most of us take for granted and we're committed to finding them a forever family.

Foster and kinship carers are doing an exceptional job every day parenting some of our most vulnerable children, but the reality is we need more.

The $7 million My Forever Family NSW program was established last year to recruit, train and support carers and 390 people have been referred for assessment in 2018-19.

My Forever Family NSW is giving carers the support they need to ensure children reap the benefits of permanency in their lives.

We also recognise the importance of keeping Aboriginal children connected with their culture, their family and their community.

If you're an Aboriginal family interested in caring for a child, I encourage you to contact My Forever Family.

For more information on how to become a carer, contact My Forever Family NSW on 1300 782 975 or visit www.myforeverfamily.org.au

Jobs for veterans

FOLLOWING the success of the Veterans Employment Program in the NSW Public Service, the Minister for Veterans and Minister for Local Government have extended the program into local government.

The initiative includes a Rank to Grade Guide which compares the skills obtained from a career in defence to those required in NSW local council jobs.

We are the first government in Australia to take veteran employment to local councils and we are leading the nation when it comes to helping our ex-servicemen and women transition into the civilian workforce.

Final CTP call

WITH the September 30 deadline approaching, and more than $29 million still unclaimed from 759,592 policyholders, NSW vehicle owners are urged to check their eligibility for a CTP Green Slip refund.

More than $194 million has been claimed by more than three million policyholders. Any unclaimed money will go towards further reducing green slips by lowering the motor accidents levy.

We are committed to easing the cost of living for households, which is why we delivered this refund, potentially worth up to $120 per refund.

Claiming a refund is simple and can be done via Service NSW either online, over the phone or in store.

The refund is a double win for drivers, who are paying $492 on average for premiums - the most affordable since 2012.