Regional event organisers are invited to apply for new one-off annual grants of up to $20,000 to support the creation of regional events and foster existing community events.

It is great to see the NSW government supporting regional tourism and local businesses.

These grants will drive awareness and attendance to regional events and showcase what our region has to offer.

With a third of people employed in Sydney now having a daily return commute to and from work averaging 90 minutes, this new funding opportunity provides us with a great opportunity to lure them out here and demonstrate that not only do we maintain a fantastic lifestyle, but great careers can be forged here too.

Applications for round one of the 2017 incubator event fund are open until October 30, with round two applications for events held in July to December 2017 period, set to open in February next year.

The 2017 fund is managed by the NSW government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

To lodge an application and to view the 2017 fund’s key criteria visit http://www.destinationnsw.com.au/rfep. 

Ben Foley 

Regional manager 

Murray-Riverina NSW Business Chamber 

DO YOU wheeze and sneeze during springtime?

The next four weeks or so may be a period of greater risk for asthma suffers, according to the Murrumbidgee Local Health District. 

Those who wheeze and sneeze during spring that they could be at risk of an asthma event during a thunderstorm.

The high risk time for thunderstorms and elevated pollen counts are predicted to be from now to November 14. 

The public health unit will be monitoring thunderstorm activity and pollen count levels and issuing alerts at these high risk times.

Thunderstorms can trigger asthma attacks even in people who have not previously experienced asthma. 

People who have asthma or hay fever and who are allergic to pollens, particularly rye grass pollen, are at greatest risk.

Anyone with diagnosed asthma should carry their asthma medication with them at all times during this high risk period.

If you have asthma, try to stay inside when the storms are around to avoid airborne pollen which may trigger an asthma attack.

Thunderstorms cause pollen grains to explode and release fine particles which can be inhaled more deeply into the lungs making even more people wheeze and sneeze.

Charles Sturt University has set up a SMS alert system when the pollen counts are high and thunderstorms are predicted, to register for this alert go to www.csu.edu.au/asthma alerts will also be sent from the public health smartphone app, which can be downloaded for free.

If anyone experiences breathing difficulties it is essential to seek medical help immediately. 

Breathing difficulties can be life threatening.

In the event of an asthma emergency dial triple zero (000) immediately. 

Tracey Oakman

Director public health unit

MLHD 

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Yay: To Antoinette’s Jewellers for being so accommodating and helpful. 

Yay: To Saturday’s Chill and Grill event. What a great day out. The organisers should be very proud for what was a top day for all.