Memo from Mayo - 23 July 2021
Welcome to our 'lockdown' edition of the Memo from Mayo. I hope everyone is safe and well. The doors of the electorate offices might be closed right now but we're still here for you. If you need assistance with a Federal matter, you can call 8398 5566 during business hours - or better still, send an email to me directly at rebekha.sharkie.mp@aph.gov.au. All calls are being diverted to one of my team so please be patient if the line is busy, we will return your call. Meanwhile, the home page of my website www.rebekhasharkie.com.au has links to many useful COVID-19 resources so I encourage you visit.
COVID Testing Queues
Rebekha has called on the State Government to fast-track their promised digital booking system for COVID-19 testing as the lines at regional testing centres, including Mount Barker and Victor Harbor, continue to grow.
“I welcome recent news of extra testing sites being opened and the announcement of a digital booking system to prevent huge line-ups, but we need these measures implemented immediately,” Rebekha said today.
You can read more in her press release here.
COVID Business Resources
Business SA hosted a webinar today on COVID support for businesses and employee entitlements. You can access recordings of their webinars on their website here.
Information about government economic support for businesses and employees affected by COVID-19 restrictions can be accessed on the following link.
Department of Treasury and Finance | Support for businesses, jobs & the community impacted by COVID-19
If you need advice about COVID-19 restrictions and services, the most up-to-date source of information on the situation in SA – from health matters to directions – is the SA Government COVID website:
You can also access a range of COVID-19 resources on Rebekha's website here.
Positive Ageing Forums
More than 700 people attended two Positive Ageing Forums hosted by their local Federal MP Rebekha Sharkie late last week.
The forums were held at Mount Barker and in Victor Harbor on July 15 and 16, just prior to the announced lockdown. Around 350 participants attended each event where they listened to a range of speakers and visited an expo of stalls focused on supporting older citizens.
Some of the speeches were live-streamed on Rebekha's Facebook Page and Community Radio Station Lofty Radio has created a podcast of their live broadcast at the Mount Barker event. You can access the podcast links and read more about the forums here.
Some of the speakers have provided PDF copies of their presentations. If you would like to receive a copy, please email sue.rudall@aph.gov.au
Renewables in the Regions
Rebekha hosted a Renewables in the Regions event in Stirling on July 8 with her crossbench colleague and fellow chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Climate Action, Helen Haines MP, the Independent Member for Indi.
Helen spoke about her electorate’s journey with community renewable energy projects and their work to develop the Local Power Plan. You can access information about The Local Power Plan here: Welcome | Local Power Plan
A number of people who attended the Stirling event expressed some interest in the efforts of Totally Renewable Yackandandah (TRY), a regional town that has been working towards being powered 100 per cent by renewable energy.
"My office has been in touch with the management committee of TRY and together we are looking to host an online ‘virtual’ forum in mid to late September. If you would like to be involved, please contact my office," Rebekha said.
Black Summer Bushfire Grants
Applications are now open for the Federal Government’s $280 million Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program, supporting communities devastated by the 2019-20 bushfires.
"This grant program builds on measures implemented by the Government over the past 18 months to support disaster response, relief, and recovery in bushfire-affected areas," Rebekha said.
Grants are available in every Local Government Area that was disaster declared.
More details are available here.
Cherry Gardens Mobile Connectivity
Telstra has been selected as the preferred carrier to install 4GX equipment on the NBN tower near the Blackwood Golf Course to improve mobile and data coverage in the Cherry Gardens region.
In a joint announcement last week, Rebekha and the State Member for Davenport Steve Murray announced a $370,000 contribution towards the upgrade of mobile connectivity in the district.
The funding includes $220,000 from the Federal Government, which Rebekha advocated for in late 2019, and $150,000 from the State Government.
The project went to competitive tender with telecommunication carriers last year with the Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher last week announcing Telstra as the successful applicant.
You can read more in Rebekha's press release here.