Girls learning skills: A pilot program educating young women in male-dominated trades has been completed at Broken Hill Tafe. The "Girls Can Too" course introduced students to carpentry, construction and engineering. Female students in Year 9 and 10 from Broken Hill High School and Willyama High School also took part in work experience on local job sites. TAFE NSW constructions teacher Pat Nash says the program gives students an authentic taste of life as a tradie, and new career perspectives in an in-demand industry.
Image: participants at TAFE NSW Broken Hill displaying their timber boxes. Featuring (top L-R) Ella Clarke, Hayley Rae, Maddie Mullins, Evelyn Ramsay, Dakota Edwards, (bottom L-R) Gemma Jones, Isobelle Gogler. Image supplied: TAFE NSW
BHP partnership: Foundation Broken Hill and mining giant BHP have announced a financial partnership for the next three years, designed to help the city grow. The mining company, which began in Broken Hill, before expanding internationally and leaving the region will provide the group $35,000 every 12 months over the next three years. Foundation Broken Hill head John Lynch says it's "exciting" to be in a partnership with the mining giant and he's hoping it's a signal to investors about the longevity of the city. BHP's head of innovation and Xplor Marley Palin says it's about contributing to communities even after the company has left.
Silver prices: An independent mining analyst says the prices of all the commodities mined in Broken Hill are on the way up. Peter Strachan says silver, lead, gold and zinc, which are extracted in the city, are looking strong. It's only the third time in a century that silver has reached the US$40 an ounce mark and Mr Strachan says it's a positive outlook for Broken Hill's mines.
Airport funding: Broken Hill Mayor Tom Kennedy has expressed gratitude to the state government for its $5 million commitment to upgrade the city's airport. The money will go towards strengthening and increasing the capacity of the tarmac and taxiway to accommodate larger planes. Mr Kennedy says the construction will increase tourist numbers as well as improve aid during emergency situations.
Wilcannia weir funding: NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson has admitted the state government does not have the funds to refurbish the Wilcannia Weir. The government released its independent review of the design in July this year with Ms Jackson then putting the project on hold. She says the Minns government has put $70 million aside for the project to be the design the community had asked for. She says without the help of the commonwealth the project will not go ahead.
Fish migration plan revised:
The NSW government has reviewed its designs for fishways in the Northern Darling River after community pushback. Fish passages are tubing used to help native fish migrate and breed on the Murray and Darling Rivers. But the fish passages near Louth, Tilpa, Walgett and Collarenbri have caused community concern over potential impacts on weir heights.The government has responded by changing the design of fishways to include a small capping sill across weir crests to allow levels to be maintained at the current full supply. Investigations into the new design are underway, with community meetings to take place later this month. Meanwhile, the Fishheart unit, a state-of-the-art temporary fish passageway in the Lower Darling River near Menindee, is entering the second season of its
trial.
Fire ready: The head of the local Rural Fire Service says they'll be monitoring growth on the ground following solid winter rain. The fire season officially began on Wednesday and Sean Greenwood is reminding landholders to be prepared as temperatures continue to warm up. The 40.6 millimetres recorded at the airport was the fourth wettest July since 1950 and the most for the month in two decades. Mr Greenwood says due to the rain they'll be expecting a later start to the fire season.
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Scout fun: For the first time in nearly four decades, scouts from all across regional NSW and Victoria are in Broken Hill for a regional meet-up. Sixty scout members aged between five and 20 years old have come to Broken Hill and will travel out to Menindee and Silverton to take part in a week-long camp. Scout leader and organiser Kellie Molloy says the trip gives members an opportunity to explore the far west.
Junior cricket: The junior cricket coordinator in Broken Hill says he's looking forward to the return of the first under 15s competition in more than a decade. It follows the re-introduction of the under 10s and under 12s last season which James Green says is an important step to increasing more senior participation in the sport. He says the under 15s competition rebuilds a bridge between the junior and senior competitions.
