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The Shine Awards is a campaign by The Weekly Times, supported by Harvey Norman, celebrating the passion, dedication, spirit, belief, grace and courage of women across rural and regional Australia. Nominate a rural woman who makes a real difference in her community or industry, so we can share her story.

Visit The Weekly Times website to complete your nomination.

Grants are available for eligible horticulture enterprises operating in Victoria. The Program will provide for up to 50 per cent of eligible costs to purchase and commercially install new horticultural netting (fixed and demountable), to a maximum of $150,000 (ex GST). The application period for this grants program is between 17 August 2022 and 17 October 2022. Visit the Ag Vic website for more information.

The Victorian Government has announced amendments to the pandemic orders to align with recent decisions made by National Cabinet.

From 11.59pm on Thursday 8 September, the following changes apply:

• the self-isolation period for positive COVID-19 cases who don’t have symptoms on day five of their isolation will reduce from seven to five days – excluding people who work in high-risk settings
• the requirement to wear masks on domestic flights will also be lifted.

Additional self-isolation requirements
The new orders around the self-isolation period for positive cases include some additional requirements to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.Anyone leaving isolation after five days cannot visit or work at a sensitive setting – such as hospitals, residential aged care, disability care settings or in-home care for the next two days, or if they have COVID-19 symptoms.

Visit the Coronavirus website for further information

National Agriculture Day
Friday 18th November

National Agriculture Day is your chance to celebrate and learn about Australia’s incredible farm sector. Held on the third Friday of November each year, it’s one day to celebrate an industry that’s part of our lives every single day.

Ways to get involved:

• (i) Assesses the importance of the diseases, insects and weeds (plant pests) that can affect a horticultural industry;
• (ii) Evaluates the availability and effectiveness of fungicides, insecticides and herbicides (pesticides) to control the plant pests;
• (iii) Determines any gaps in the pest control strategy and
• (iv) Identifies suitable new or alternatives pesticides to address the gaps.

Hear from guest speakers and industry experts on topics ranging from:

• The importance of HSR's to business.
• How organisational culture impacts workplace mental health.
• What are your rights as a young worker?
• Construction sessions.
• Plus many more!

The events will be delivered as a series of webinars and face to face sessions throughout regional Victoria, so it’s never been easier to participate. Most events are free to attend.

Find a webinar or event to attend here