Many of us need advice from time to time on things like our pension entitlements, how much can be earned whilst claiming Centrelink benefits, what NDIS entitlements may be and information about visa status and overseas travel. The following government departments may be helpful.
Centrelink 132 468
Immigration and Home Affairs 131 881
National Disability Insurance Scheme 1800 800 110
Passport Office 131 232
Helplines
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
Kidsline 1800 55 1800 or https://kidshelpline.com.au/
Lifeline 131 114 or Text 0477 13 11
Mensline 1300 78 99 78
National Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Counselling 1800 737 732
Rural Financial Counselling 1300 834 775
Seniors Rights 1300 368 821
Information on support for veterans
https://www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/about-us/veterans-information-and-services/
Language service
Translating and Interpreting Services 131 450
Legal services
Legal services are available for free for those on low incomes.
LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529.
Legal aid
https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au
You can find the Office locations for legal aid at https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/contact-us/our-offices
Help to Make Bushfire plans
Bush fire is a part of life in much of rural and regional New South Wales. So it is important to have a bush fire plan ready should you find fire approaching your area.
It is important that you know your risk and have a plan for what to do during a fire.
You can make your plan online in as little as five minutes at www.myfireplan.com.au.
You can also sit down with your family and discuss what you will do using the guide to making a bush fire survival plan. Go to
https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/bush-fire-survival-plan
Community service information
Funding for community groups is always welcome. Both the Federal and State governments offer a range of grants for various community activities.
The NSW government has a dedicated webpage for grants that you can scroll through to see what is available.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding
Two grants currently available are:
Volunteer grants
https://www.grants.gov.au/Fo/Show?FoUuid=5dfb2962-c6ac-4d8b-995d-5de87cfb24f3
Sporting grants
https://www.sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding/local_sporting_champions
Local Council areas of Lyne
Further information about your local Council area can be found on the following websites
https://www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Home
https://www.dungog.nsw.gov.au/Home
https://www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/Contact-us
https://www.maitland.nsw.gov.au
https://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/council
Community Hubs in Lyne electorate
To help you access community services that are near to you, My Community Directory has compiled links that will direct you to relevant services. Choose the Council area that is relevant to you, click on the link, and choose the specific location that is closest to you.
When you click on that location, you will find links to a range of services; click on the ones that are most relevant.
https://www.mycommunitydirectory.com.au/New_South_Wales/MidCoast
All of the listed 29 community hubs are in the Lyne electorate.
https://www.mycommunitydirectory.com.au/New_South_Wales/Maitland
There is no specific community hub for the areas of Maitland that are in the Lyne electorate (Lorn, Largs, Bolwarra); residents of these suburbs would relate to the Maitland hub.
https://www.mycommunitydirectory.com.au/New_South_Wales/Port_Stephens
Karuah, Seaham, Brandy Hill, Wallalong, and Hinton are in the Lyne electorate.
https://www.mycommunitydirectory.com.au/New_South_Wales/Dungog
Dungog, Clarence Town, Gresford, and Paterson are in the Lyne electorate.
https://www.mycommunitydirectory.com.au/New_South_Wales/Port_Macquarie-Hastings
Towns to the south and west of Port Macquarie are in the Lyne electorate. This includes Bonny Hills, Bonny Hills West, Camden Haven, Lake Cathie, Wauchope, and King Creek