Last year they pushed through new laws so they can transfer showgrounds, community halls, playgrounds and sporting clubs out of government ownership.

But the NSW Liberals and Nationals rejected pleas to require this land to remain as community land.

So now it can be sold off for development, just like the state government is selling off everything else.

The Agricultural Societies Council of NSW for instance has said this will ‘open the doors for showgrounds to be potentially sold off and slated for other development.’

Councils have little say in what land is being transferred to them.

Nor is the Government providing any money to help them pay for maintenance of this transferred land.

It’s just more unfunded cost shifting onto local councils and their ratepayers.

Older Australians living in aged-care facilities are five times more likely than their independent peers to experience depression and anxiety.

National Ageing Research Institute statistics shows about 10 per cent of older Australians have depression and/or anxiety, but more than 50 per cent of those living in aged-care facilities have either or both conditions.

The research also reveals just under 50 per cent of those entering permanent residential aged-care for the first time already have depression.

Physical deterioration and chronic illness, social isolation, loss of independence and loneliness can make this vulnerable group more likely to develop depression before entering permanent care and at increased risk once they become residents. 

To help meet this need beyondblue is offering a free online course to assist aged-care workers in recognising the symptoms of depression and anxiety, and better managing the care of their residents, while also safeguarding their own mental health.

The course, Professional Education to Aged Care (PEAC), is suitable for a variety of staff working in residential and community care settings including nurses, personal care assistants and community care workers.

The course also helps workers to look after their own mental health with videos of aged-care professionals talking about how they got assistance when they were struggling and how they stay well in a sometimes challenging work environment.

The simple, free and short courses allow workers to upgrade their professional skills without putting extra pressure on workloads.

People can register for the PEAC courses at beyondblue.org.au/peac.

Volunteers in Eden Monaro are among nearly 100,000 across Australia benefiting from $10 million in Australian Government grants to support community organisations.

The grants of between $1000 and $5000 enable Eden Monaro’s organisations to better support their volunteers by purchasing much-needed equipment, training and transport,

Next week is National Volunteer Week, when we acknowledge the important work of our volunteers and their organisations in building stronger communities. 

The energy, expertise and time our volunteers give to our community supports those most in need and represents what Australian communities are all about – giving a helping hand.