Our team has been working at peak capacity and with that has come a succession of successful engagements. When we’re out in our regions, we make sure to speak to as many people as we can. We like to hear your perspectives, what’s challenging you and of course, what’s going really well. We meet with councils, tertiary educators, state government representatives, non-profit organisations, business advisors, chambers of commerce and most importantly businesses and the people who own and run them.

RDASI proudly sponsored the Goulburn Chamber of Commerce business awards which were held on Friday 5 August. A massive congratulations goes to the Goulburn Chamber for holding such a wonderful event. Congratulations must also go to the various winners of the awards. Small businesses are the economic backbone of our communities and supporting them is paramount to maintaining the strong regional communities we hold so dear.

Retail and hospitality businesses across the region are telling us this has been the quietest January on record and that the challenge to maintain their workforce while mitigating the covid landscape is overwhelming.

RDA Southern Inland received a letter of thanks for our short film, "For the Love of Ag", from The Hon Nola Marino MP, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories and Federal Member for Forrest.

The hospitality and tourism sectors seem to have moved into recovery mode with domestic visitation in NSW increasing each week. It's been great to see the streets of our towns and villages alive and bustling again. With school holidays starting next week, we’re certain the pick-up will continue right through the summer months.

With the expected upsurge in regional travel from this weekend, we know we’ll be hearing from many of our small business owners about the issues of finding staff. Workforce development is a key strategic pillar for RDASI and we’re pleased to be working closely with the Local Jobs Facilitators in the Illawarra South Coast and Canberra regions as part of the Local Jobs Program funded by the Federal Government.

The countdown is on to National Agriculture Day on Friday, November 20, with all Australians urged to start planning their celebrations.

Now in its fourth year, Ag Day is proudly supported by the National Farmers Federation and the publisher of this masthead, Australian Community Media, and seeks to raise the profile of agriculture right across the community.

There is more to Goulburn than grazing land and sheep. It’s a place for many different farming industries. When farmers have money, they circulate it round. When they are doing well, the towns are doing well.

National Ag Day is held on the 21st of November each year and brings awareness to the importance of Australia’s farmers and our agricultural sector. RDA Southern Inland, with support from a number of sponsors, organised the Southern Inland Ag Day Gala Dinner to recognise local farmers and agricultural businesses residing in the Southern Inland region.

Regional Development Australia Southern Inland (RDA Southern Inland) was delighted to receive a $10,000 grant from Coordinare - South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network, through their Empowering Communities Drought Support Program for Goulburn’s Ag Day Gala Dinners where the event will celebrate the contribution farmers make to our regional economy and provide an opportunity for farmers and the community to come together.