Country Change
Providing information on career and business opportunities, affordable housing, tourism, infrastructure and the like, the Country Change website is your portal for change.
Looking for a tree change? Country Change can help you make the move to the Riverina and Murray regions.
Providing information on career and business opportunities, affordable housing, tourism, infrastructure and the like, the Country Change website is your portal for change.
Country Change is made up of a collection of communities or Local Government Areas (LGAs) that are working together to promote the wonderful opportunities on offer by relocating to the country. The Country Change project is under the auspices of RDA-Riverina and exists purely to help you make the move to the Riverina and Murray, not to make a profit.
Want to make the move to the Riverina and Murray? Visit the Country Change website for further information.
Grant Writing Workshops
RDA-Riverina offers grant writing workshops to community groups and individuals across the Riverina region throughout the year to provide advice and tips on how to produce a high-quality grant application.
RDA-Riverina offers grant writing workshops to community groups and individuals across the Riverina region throughout the year to provide advice and tips on how to produce a high-quality grant application.
The popular workshops assist participants with their writing skills, provide advice on how to locate relevant grants, share the importance of producing a comprehensive application and why you need to have a plan of attack.
Want to brush up on your grant writing skills or learn new ones? Visit the Upcoming Events page to find a workshop in your area. or contact Marg Couch
Finance and New Technologies to Improve Energy Productivity
The Finance and New Technologies to improve Energy Productivity Industry Workshop was held at the E3 workshop space at the Wagga Wagga City Art Gallery.
The Finance and New Technologies to improve Energy Productivity Industry Workshop was held at the E3 workshop space at the Wagga Wagga City Art Gallery. Thanks to all the speakers and partners including Industry Capability Network, City of Wagga Wagga, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage ABC Riverina Business NSW WIN News Riverina.
Riverina Development Officer (RDO) Network Forums
RDA-Riverina hosts three Riverina Development Officer (RDO) Network Forums each year, bringing together development officers from across the Riverina region.
RDA-Riverina hosts three Riverina Development Officer (RDO) Network Forums each year, bringing together development officers from across the Riverina region.
Development Officer is a broad term and can include attendees such as community & economic development officers from local government, government departments and agencies, business/industry representatives (arts, culture, tourism, health, education, environment), regional organisations, NGO's and community members.
The Forums provide an opportunity for these groups and organisations to promote programs, services and funding. There is always a presentation from a Council representative highlighting activities within that particular Local Government Area where the forum is being hosted. The forums also showcase community projects and provide time for networking, collaboration and a partnership approach to addressing the opportunities and challenges facing the communities across the region.
Please see the Upcoming Events page to see the agendas & presentations from previous RDO Network Forums.
West Wyalong Presentations:
- Agenda
- Framework for Regional Development
- Deloittes: Purpose of Place
- CSIRO SME Connect
- Majors Mulch
Contact for inquiries: RDA Riverina Project Officer, Marg Couch
Riverina Regional Business Accelerator Program
Businesses that invest in their futures grow and create new, sustainable jobs. How does business find the support it needs to grow?
Businesses that invest in their futures grow and create new, sustainable jobs.
How does business find the support it needs to grow?
Riverina Top Plates
Riverina Top Plates is an RDA Riverina initiative for TASTE Riverina Food Festival. It is also an eat local campaign to be launched online in September 2016 to coincide with Riverina’s flagship event TASTE Riverina Festival.
RIVERINA TOP PLATES is an RDA Riverina initiative for TASTE Riverina Food Festival. It is also an eat local campaign to be launched online in September 2016 to coincide with Riverina’s flagship event TASTE Riverina Festival.
The concept is designed to attract visitors ravenous for new culinary tourism experiences to the door of Riverina food retailers who serve or sell Riverina grown or produced food during the month of October. This encouragesa rigorous regional food economy. Those who agree to the criteria for participation will have their regional signature menu included on www.tasteriverina.com.au
Click here for more information
Contact for inquiries: RDA Riverina Project Officer, Marg Couch
Grow Our Own
The Western Riverina Grow Our Own initiative is a national partnership lead by Bendigo Bank and Deakin University in partnership with RDA Riverina, TAFE Riverina Institute, local councils and other organisations and networks across the Western Riverina.
[ WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR REGION TO]
Retain young people?
Develop workplace skills at higher levels?
Enable employers to support young people?
Maintain sustainable economic growth?
GROW OUR OWN
Grow Our Own is an industry led and RDA Riverina coordinated network that connects everyone working in the western Riverina workforce development, education, and training sector.
The Grow Our Own partnership has been successful in establishing a recognisable brand that advocates for workforce issues, connects people and business and develops and supports learning pathways into local careers with the view of encouraging people to live, learn and earn locally. The program connects and integrates business, industry, education, and employment sectors.
Grow Our Own aims to encourage people to build a career while living locally and to encourage local business to invest in local people employment, training, mentoring and motivation for sustainability and future expansion.
The industry led steering committee provides the direction with the support of stakeholders to :
Foster an integrated approach across education, business, government, and community for careers education & planning.
Explore ways to assist cultural groups to achieve their educational aspiration.
Enable integrated workforce planning for industry and pathway information to reach students and families in time for annual decision making.
Build local awareness of local pathways into growth industries (and pathways support such as scholarships, Work Integrated Learning, and cadetships.
Increase alignment between education provision and local industry need.
Maintain a solid regional education and industry network that is collaborative, progressive, and responsive to the changing industry needs of the region.
Contact for inquiries:
Marg Couch: po@rdariverina.org.au
RDA Riverina Senior Project Officer
Steering Committee
Supporters
Softwood Plantation Expansion - Business Case
This project funded under the Energise Enterprise Fund supports the development of a business case to identify the financial and economic returns in establishing softwood plantations which support the expansion and growth of timber processing facilities.
This project funded under the Energise Enterprise Fund supports the development of a business case to identify the financial and economic returns in establishing softwood plantations which support the expansion and growth of timber processing facilities.
The timber industry across the south west slopes of NSW (Tumut, Gundagai, Tumbarumba, Greater Hume, Albury and Wagga LGA's) is a significant component of the regional economy, is valued at approximately $970 million/year and supports a regional workforce of approximately 5000 employees.
It is of critical importance that a plan of potential action be developed to provide a coordinated and pragmatic approach to ensure regional growth and prosperity and the creation of new jobs
For more information contact: RDA Riverina Chief Executive Officer Rachel Whiting
Review of current industry, regional and farm workforce development activities and human resource practices on farms
RDA Riverina is committed to ensuring the economic sustainability of the Riverina Region. Industries need to ensure access to a skilled and reliable workforce for continued economic growth.
Prepared by Dr Jennifer Moffatt and Associate Professor Ruth Nettle, The University of Melbourne
Funded by - Cotton Research and Development Corporation
RDA Riverina is committed to ensuring the economic sustainability of the Riverina Region. Industries need to ensure access to a skilled and reliable workforce for continued economic growth. Additional employee education and training is also critical to continued capacity building and long term viability.
RDA Riverina supports various projects across the Riverina and has recently been a co sponsor of the “Riverina agriculture workforce: finding, training and retaining” workshop in Griffith. This workshop was facilitated by the University of Melbourne as part of their review into regional and farm workforce development activities for the Cotton Industry.
To view the Review of current industry, regional and farm workforce development activities and human resource practices on farms please click here.
Careers in Agriculture
RDA Riverina has developed a series of videos which promote the diversity in Agricultural careers.
RDA Riverina has developed a series of videos which promote the diversity in Agricultural careers.
Agronomist and Fish Farmer Matt Ryan
Ag Science Student Eliza Star
Communications Liz Stott
Baiada
Chef Luke Kerlin
The Rural Career Guide- A new and comprehensive industry resource-
19 May 2014
Rural Skills Australia announces the launch of the new web-based Rural Career Guide, designed to consolidate and advance the breadth of available information about the prospects for a fulfilling career in one of dozens of Australia’s flourishing rural industries. “The Rural Career Guide is a comprehensive new product and it has far wider scope and reach than anything previously produced in Australia.”
The guide covers career pathways in some 40 separate rural industries, from mainstream agricultural industries like beef, sheep and grain production to horticulture, land management and animal care and management. It also highlights the many related rural careers, in thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing, aquaculture, environment and conservation and forest and wood products. The Rural Career Guide is a result of considerable research over several years and has been produced with support from the Australian Governments’ Australian Apprenticeships Advisers program.
Food I am Receives Government Funding
Wagga Wagga based agri-tourism enterprise Food I Am was announced as a recipient of the Australian Government Tourism Industry Regional Development Fund (TIRF) Grants funding in 2013.
Wagga Wagga based agri-tourism enterprise Food I Am was announced as a recipient of the Australian Government Tourism Industry Regional Development Fund (TIRF) Grants funding in 2013.
The funding will allow Food I Am to construct the Food I Am Headquarters in Wagga Wagga, providing facilities for hands-on classes, demonstrations and meeting rooms. Modern contemporary facilities will be built to assist in the enterprises aims of supporting regional producers and providing quality food experiences.
As part of the TIRF Grants application, RDA-Riverina provided Food I Am with a letter of support. The aims of the grants were to boost the quality of tourism visitor experiences in regional areas and Food I Am demonstrated this on a number of levels. RDA-Riverina is a strong supporter of innovative projects and initiatives in the region and encourages organisations to apply for grant programs which may assist in achieving this.
Learn more about what Food I Am has to offer.
Food Futures Forum 2013
RDA Riverina hosted two Food Futures Forums in July this year. The first on Wednesday, July 10 was held in Griffith at Westend Estate attracted 69 attendees.
RDA Riverina hosted two Food Futures Forums in July this year. The first on Wednesday, July 10 was held in Griffith at Westend Estate attracted 69 attendees.
The second was held on Thursday, July 11 in Wagga Wagga at the Country Club with 70 attendees.
The two days event culminated in the Riverina Grown Regional Dinner held on the Thursday night at the Wagga Country Club.
Chaired by Rose Wright of Knowledge Transfer Services, Rose was also a Key Note Speaker across the two days.
The event was supported by Griffith City Council, Wagga Wagga City Council, ABC Riverina, NSW Trade and Investment, Riverina Regional Tourism, TAFE Riverina Institute and the EH Graham Centre.
Speakers covered a range of topics including:
- The Future of Agriculture in a Changing Market
- Consumer Trends What Drives Purchasing Decisions
- Coss Sectorial Collaboration-Leverageing the Visitor Economy
Presentations from local producers was a highlight of the two day regional event. To view interviews from local producers please visit
Riverina Youth Mental Health Forums
RDA-Riverina is working alongside Rising Generations to conduct a number of Youth Mental Health Forums across the Riverina.
RDA-Riverina is working alongside Rising Generations to conduct a number of Youth Mental Health Forums across the Riverina.
The Forums involve inviting young people from regional high schools, youth services, faith based groups, refuges and community groups from across the Riverina to identify and discuss the major issues with Mental Health facing young people.
Gaining insight directly from young people into the gaps in service provision in the school system and community has helped in fostering resilience, leadership and strategies to address Mental Health issues for our young people. The overall aims of the programs are to develop leaders who realise their own potential to serve others and make a difference in their school and community. It is hoped that through these leaders, vibrant and positive school and work communities can be created which will further encourage and empower the youth of the Riverina.
RDA-Riverina has been a major supporter for this program by funding the project through a government grant.
2013 National Rural Women’s Conference
As part of an ongoing commitment to youth leadership across the Riverina, RDA-Riverina announced its support for the 2013 National Rural Women’s Conference and sponsored three young women to attend the inaugural conference.
As part of an ongoing commitment to youth leadership across the Riverina, RDA-Riverina announced its support for the 2013 National Rural Women’s Conference and sponsored three young women to attend the inaugural conference.
The NRWC was held 18 – 20 February 2013 in Canberra and featured more than 30 exceptional presenters who shared their experiences of business, community, rural issues and the joys and challenges of rural life. 380 women from across the country attended the conference, with more than 35 representatives from the Riverina region.
RDA-Riverina offers a number of youth-focused sponsorship opportunities throughout the year and encourages youth with a passion for improving and contributing to their communities to apply.
Visit Media Releases to learn more about the young women who attended the conference.
Taste Riverina Food Festival
In 2012, RDA-Riverina collaborated with a broad range of community groups to see the region’s inaugural Taste Riverina Festival roll out over a month-long calendar of events.
In 2012, RDA-Riverina collaborated with a broad range of community groups to see the region’s inaugural Taste Riverina Festival roll out over a month-long calendar of events.
From 100 mile meals, celebrity chefs, wine events, food classes, food treks, agriculture tours and community garden programs, the event brought together all sectors of the communities across the Riverina and provided a great source of pride and excitement.
Events such as the Taste Riverina Food Festival have helped showcase the region’s leading industry – agriculture – and have contributed to a number of key priorities for the Riverina, namely youth leadership, skill and workforce development, and promotion of the region.
“From the ‘paddock to the plate’ there is much to celebrate in our region and the Taste Riverina Food Festival provided the opportunity to reinvigorate local perceptions and allowed the Riverina to increase awareness of the exciting nature of our leading industry, educating people regarding the key importance of the growing food and fibre industry to not only our region but also the nation as a whole,” Tom Watson, RDA-Riverina Chairman.
Learn more about the Taste Riverina Food Festival.
Riverina First Community Fund
The Riverina First Community Fund is a philanthropic fund used for improving social, cultural and community services and facilities in Riverina communities.
The Riverina First Community Fund is a philanthropic fund used for improving social, cultural and community services and facilities in Riverina communities.
RDA-Riverina Chairman, Tom Watson, said “The Riverina First Community Fund is all about engaging and assisting community activities and allowing people in the region to develop regional solutions to community challenges and direct funding toward the things that matter to them most. We are pleased to be able to see these worthy projects get the funding that is sometimes difficult to raise yet desperately needed.”
A number of vital projects have been completed as a result of funding from the Riverina First Community Fund, including mobile base stations in Rankins Springs, Walla Walla, Marrar and Holbrook, the delivery of ADSL to several communities throughout the Riverina.
Since its inception in 2003 the Riverina First Community Fund has benefited a broad cross section of the community including art, charity, school, Indigenous and sporting groups, with in excess of $350,000 contributed to the various projects.
Visit the Funding page for more information.
RDAF boosts Riverina industry development
The former Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon. Simon Crean MP, visited Wagga Wagga on 6 June 2012 to make an announcement regarding a new Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics Hub.
The former Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon. Simon Crean MP, visited Wagga Wagga on 6 June 2012 to make an announcement regarding a new Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics Hub.
The new development, which will deliver strong economic dividends for Wagga, has been given the green light after securing $14.5 million from Round Two of the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF).
The Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics Hub will provide freight consolidation, logistics support and open access to rail transport services for businesses throughout the Riverina and Murray regions. The RDAF funding will support the construction of master siding, an access drive and rail underpass. RDA Riverina is at the forefront of boosting regional business growth and supporting economic development and this investment will be a major contributor to the region’s future prosperity.
100 Mile Challenge
On 30 October, 2011 five NSW regions competed in the inaugural 100 Mile Challenge, including the Riverina, Mid North Coast, South Coast, Southern Highlands and Central Ranges.
On 30 October, 2011 five NSW regions competed in the inaugural 100 Mile Challenge, including the Riverina, Mid North Coast, South Coast, Southern Highlands and Central Ranges.
The event was launched as part of Crave Sydney International Food Festival, with individual events held in the five regions and culminating in Sydney with a gigantic cook off.
The aim of the 100 Mile Challenge was for each of the regions to create a three course meal using produce sourced from within a 100 mile (or 160km radius).
The Riverina team consisted of representatives from RDA-Riverina and TAFE NSW Riverina Institute – Wagga Wagga and Albury campus, working together to provide a sumptuous showcase of Riverina food and wine.
Watch the YouTube video to see the Riverina team in action at the 100 Mile Challenge.
For more information on the event visit 100 Mile Challenge. No Page