CentaCare’s Family Mental Health Support Service recently hosted a pamper day in Wilcannia to raise awareness of their programs and services and to promote self-care as a step towards positive mental health and wellbeing.

Pampering activities included foot spas, manicures and nail art, hand and feet massages, face masks and make up. A qualified beautician, Alicia from Richmond Fellowship in Bourke was available for eye brow waxing and eyelash tinting which was the most popular activity of the day.

CentaCare’s Family Mental Health Support Service Workers Abi and Vanessa explained the Mental Health Support Service offers families support, education and information.

“The program has only recently commenced in Wilcannia and we thought it was important to meet people and get out in community to explain what the program is about.

Research published this year by NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), has made it clear that humans, not dingoes or wild dogs, are the apex or top-order predator in most Australian environments. In the struggle to protect local communities, livestock and native wildlife from wild dogs, it’s up to the human race to take the upper hand according to the latest scientific findings.

NSW DPI vertebrate pest research leader, Peter Fleming, said strategic wild dog management programs offered the best outcomes for rural communities and wildlife.

It has been suggested that the reintroduction of dingoes could help manage foxes and cats but the studies indicate that dingoes could have a negative impact on the survival of some endangered native species.

Dr. Fleming said that the risk assessment shows that up to 94 per cent of the native species in western NSW could be at risk of dingo predation, regardless of any effect dingoes might have on foxes and cats. 

As dingoes prey on the same threatened species as the cats and foxes – they also pose a real threat to livestock industries and the communities they support.

Principals Report Weekly Yarn Up Term 2 Issue 2

I would like to extend a further invitation to the community to join our secondary “Yarn Up” in the morning between 9.00am and 10.00am.

We are seeing improved attendance of students during this period and are enjoying the conversations that are emerging between students, staff and community. We have organised a reward for all secondary students who are attending school regularly and are engaging with their studies. Every second Friday, commencing on Friday 22nd June a group of students will be bussed to Broken Hill or other sites as determined by students/staff for the day.

The first trip was to Broken Hill TAFE where students joined the recent graduates of the IPROUD group for a BBQ lunch and learnt more about this great programme. Time for shopping followed.

We are currently planning a Community Forum for our first day back next term, 16th July (See page 8 for full program). This is a pupil free day with classes commencing on Tuesday 17th for all students. The purpose of the Community Forum is to provide information for families and the extended community around attendance and other student wellbeing issues. There will be opportunities for community to ask questions and talk opening with staff and agencies.