With something for everyone from market stalls, historical re-enactments, bush poetry, art, music and the muched-loved gumboot throwing competition, it’s not hard to see why the festival has been growing in popularity from year to year. It’s also fantastic to see people from all over travelling to the region to see just how much is on offer.

A great new initiative aimed at supporting and developing local businesses was launched this week. The Great Business Program, a council program supported by the business chambers in Dubbo and Wellington and sponsored by Regional Bank Australia, will give invaluable help and resources to registered businesses to help them grow. On offer will be workshops with business experts, research and customer feedback and promotional support.

There are also three $10,000 business development grants up for grabs for registered businesses. This program is for businesses of all shapes and sizes whether it be retail, professional services, home businesses, light industry, entertainment, trade or commercial. Council is dedicated to supporting the local businesses of the region so we can all enjoy a strong and thriving economy. The Great Business Program is an opportunity for businesses go from strength to strength and deliver the best for themselves and their customers. For more information or to register for the program go to www.greatbusinessprogram.com.au

Congratulations to all the community groups who were successful in securing funding from the second round of council’s Community Financial Assistance Program. Council dedicates $30,000 to the program each year to help ease the burden of not-for-profit organisations that contribute to our community.

This round’s recipients were: Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Mid Macquarie Landcare, Orana Education Centre Community Garden, Scouts Australia NSW Branch – the Golden West Region, First Dubbo Scout Group, Akela Playgroup, Dubbo Horse and Pony Club Incorporated, Terramungamine Bushfire Brigade, Dubbo Model Railway Club Incorporated, Gollan Hall Trust, Dubbo and District Branch of Can Assist, University of the Third Age Dubbo Chapter Incorporated, Dubbo Community Garden (Palmer Street), Mumbil District Progress Association Incorporated, Gagamin Aboriginal Men’s Group Dubbo, Dubbo Community, headspace Dubbo, The National Trust of Australia (NSW) Dundullimal Homestead, Dubbo Film Society Incorporated.

It was fantastic to present so many great and varied groups with the cheques last week and I look forward to seeing what they go on to achieve.

A number of Anzac Day commemorations will be held across the Dubbo Regional Council Local Government Area this year. In Dubbo the Dawn Service will begin at the Cenotaph in Victoria Park at 5.45am. The March from the RSL will start at 10.15am, with participants asked to gather from 10am. The Anzac Day Service will begin at 11am at the Cenotaph.

This year Group Captain Francis Frederick Grigson will be a guest speaker at the service. At Wellington the March prior the Dawn Service will begin at 5.45am at the Soldiers Memorial Club and make its way to the Cenotaph in Cameron Park. Those taking part in the second March are asked to gather at the corner of Lee and Gisborne streets at 10.25am for the March to the Cenotaph for the 11am Service. There will be a number of road closures in Dubbo, Wellington and Stuart Town for the services. For more information visit www.dubbo.nsw.gov.au.