Regional Development Australia - Orana

04/09/2026

The Welcome Experience Orana held its first Mid-Western co-planning workshop on 1 September, bringing together 18 stakeholders in Mudgee, schools, health services, TAFE NSW, Service NSW, real estate, early childhood providers and Mid-Western Regional Council.

The session focused on one question: what helps essential workers and their families settle in the region, and what helps them stay. Participants mapped what already exists locally, identified gaps particularly around GP access, rental housing and school enrolment timelines and discussed how services can work together rather than in isolation.

Mudgee Medical Centre's Colleen Best spoke about the practice's approach to supporting new staff from day one: "It's not about the big things, it's actually about the little things." The practice has gone from struggling to recruit to oversubscribed.

Since the program began, The Welcome Experience has supported 411 essential workers and 788 people (including family members) to relocate to the Orana region. The Mid-Western region now has its own Local Connector, Meredith Shannon, based in Mudgee.

RDA Orana's The Welcome Experience works across 12 local government areas. Learn more at https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01lDXC0.

02/09/2026

💙 Dollar For Dusty Hits the Road 💙

Dollar For Dusty left Warren on Sunday, beginning an extraordinary mission. He's walking 540km from Warren to Canberra to meet the PM and raise $1 million for children’s charity Little Wings, helping more paediatricians reach families across western NSW.

At just 12 years old, Dusty Langby is shining a powerful light on what many regional families know all too well: getting timely access to paediatricians and specialist healthcare can be incredibly tough in the bush. His walk is a powerful reminder of why improving health access for country kids matters.

Dusty’s determination is truly inspiring!

💙 Every dollar helps Dusty get closer to his $1 million goal and helps country kids get the healthcare they deserve.

Make sure you follow along their journey across the state (their live updates on socials are so good!) and get behind this incredible cause 👉https://www.givenow.com.au/dollar-for-dusty

24/08/2026

As part of The Welcome Experience Orana expansion, RDA Orana is calling for expressions of interest for casual Local Welcomer positions in Warren, Nyngan, Brewarrina, Warrumbungle, Cobar, Coonamble, Gilgandra and Narromine. One position is available in each community.

The Local Welcomer is a casual, place-based role. You provide the local, in person welcome in your own community: meeting essential workers and their families when they arrive, sharing what you know about the town, and helping them connect into local life.

To apply or find out more, visit our website: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01jHfY0

Any questions, reach out to Alana Copelin, The Welcome Experience Orana Coordinator.
Email: [email protected] Phone: 0419 436 360

Warren Shire Council Bogan Shire Council Brewarrina Shire Council Warrumbungle Shire Council Cobar Shire Council Coonamble Shire Council Gilgandra Shire Council Narromine Shire

22/08/2026

21/08/2026

WOW. That’s a wrap on an EXTRAORDINARY Orana Youth Forum!!

✅ 685 people
✅ 40 exhibitors
✅ 25 speakers
✅ Countless conversations, connections and opportunities sparked.

Yesterday showed exactly what happens when our region comes together to back its young people. Curiosity turns into confidence, ideas turn into pathways and futures start to take shape.

Thank you to every student, school, exhibitor, speaker, sponsor and team member who made this day unforgettable. The future of the Orana is bright, bold and incredibly energising.

19/08/2026

Meet Sarah Dimitrievski, Director of Chandolin Construction & Indy, speaking on our Youth Forum panel about Women in Construction! Buckle up everyone!! 🏗️

Sarah Dimitrievski grew up in Bourke, spent twelve years in manufacturing, and has been buying and renovating property since her early twenties. She founded Chandolin Construction, named after the mountain in Switzerland where she got engaged. Sarah says it remains the most romantic thing Peco has ever done. She said yes, and that was the end of the romance and the start of the business.
She is a director who is still happiest covered in mud. Her words, not mine: she would rather a sore back than a busy head. Give her a problem and she will find a solution, and she will call that a good day. She also has a rule that "can't" is just "can" that has not been thought about hard enough yet.

Indy comes from a family out at Warren, where nobody grows up with any illusions about hard work. She went to school at MacKillop College in Bathurst, where wanting a trade is very rare. Indy figured out fairly quickly that school was not built for someone like her. School rewards sitting quietly. The trade rewards getting up, having a crack, and finishing the job. Two completely different worlds. So at sixteen she made her call, and she was already better at making decisions than most of us are now.

Her dad taught her plenty growing up. Now she teaches him, which he complains about loudly and is quietly very proud of.
She is stronger than most of the blokes on site, which they have all quietly noticed and none of them mention. But strength is the least interesting thing about her. What sets Indy apart is determination. She loves this work. She chases the hard jobs, asks the questions nobody else asks,.and spots the thin

19/08/2026

With almost 700 participants expected tomorrow, the third Orana Youth Forum will be our biggest and best yet! Bringing together students, exhibitors, speakers and sponsors from across the region for a jam packed day. It's going to be an EXTRAORDINARY!

Exhibitors
Walan-Mayiny Aboriginal Corporation, headspace, Tomingley Gold Operations, Charles Sturt University, Dubbo Regional Council, Fletcher International Exports, TL Rural Contracting, Bourke & District Children's Services, Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Sydney School of Rural Health, TAFE NSW, ACCIONA Energía, Energy Co, DTE Group, Squadron Energy, Joblink Plus, Inland Petroleum, Marathon Health, Mission Australia, Brewarrina Shire Council, Net:Zed, Westpac

Sponsors
Acerez, Charles Sturt University, Dubbo Regional Council, Energy Co, Venn Energy, One Key Resources, NSW Department of Education

19/08/2026

Meet two of our Mining Panel speakers, both forging their careers at Tomingley Gold Operations!🔧⚡

Cooper Schofield is a first-year Heavy Diesel Apprentice who began his trade in November 2025. A Dubbo College Senior Campus graduate, he built his early skills through work experience at Inland Petroleum Truck Centre and is now developing a strong foundation in heavy vehicle maintenance in a fast-paced mining environment.

Lachlan Hollingworth is a second-year Auto Electrical Apprentice, having started his apprenticeship in November 2024. Also a Dubbo College Senior Campus graduate, he gained core diagnostics and electrical systems skills at Furney's Auto Electrical, and continues to build his technical capability supporting safe, efficient fleet operations on site.

18/08/2026

And the winner is Pete McGlynn 🤩

WIN A FAMILY PASS!! Dr Karl Kruszelnicki AM
To enter:
✅ Like this post
✅ Follow RDA-Orana (Facebook and Instagram
✅ Share this post
✅ Tag a family member you'd bring along.
Winner will be announced Monday 17th August GOOD LUCK!!

Dr Karl is presenting a night of curiosity, wonder and mind‑bending science as Australia’s most iconic science communicator. Known for his infectious energy, trademark humour and ability to make even the wildest scientific ideas easy to understand. A night your family does not want to miss!

T&C - A family pass to this event - 2 Adults & 2 Children.