The process to complete an application for funding can be challenging and is often approached with a degree of apprehension. RDA Central West has developed a Guide to Successful Grant Writing to help individuals, organisations and communities in our region develop an understanding of how to apply for funding assistance.

The Guide to Successful Grant Writing will help you to:

• Identify which grants will support your project.
• Research and collect background material for your proposal.
• Clarify the components of grant applications.
• Learn to write an effective application.
• Have confidence in the final result.

Download the Guide to Successful Grant Writing

Protests in the Pilliga Forrest about the region's coal seam gas (CSG) project are only going to get bigger, according to Dubbo resident Dave Mould.

The proposed Narrabri Gas Project area covers about 95,000 hectares of land in and around the Pilliga, south of Narrabri. It is expected to supply up to 50 per cent of NSW's gas needs.

Earlier in the week farmers blocked access to a CSG wastewater plant with a six-metre high wall of hay. There have also been numerous blockades at different work sites.

Northerners are being urged to help map the NSW koala population west of the Great Dividing Range to save them from localised extinction.

The Western Woodlands Alliance (WWA) said its project was the first step towards creating a landscape-wide koala park.

The group is calling on people from the New England region to share their memories and records of koalas over the past 50 years.

WWA spokesman Noel Plumb said koalas and their woodland habitats were being lost rapidly due to intensive over-logging, coal mining, coal seam gas extraction, land clearing, and climate change with record drought.

Koala numbers in the Pilliga forest have fallen from about 10,000 to less than 100 in only 20 years, while numbers in the "Koala Capital" of Gunnedah are down significantly.

"Koalas are nearly extinct in the mighty Pilliga forest, after decades of intensive industrial logging and fire management that has put the interests of the logging industry before the wildlife, the woodlands and the safety of the broader community," Mr Plumb said.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was robbed at knifepoint in Narrabri yesterday morning.

About 9.45am yesterday (December 16), a 25-year-old man was walking on Violet Street, when he was approached by a man.

Officers have been told the man threatened him with a knife and demanded his wallet.

Healthwise New England North West was so thrilled to be part of this fantastic initative at the start of the month. Over 72 children showed up to the Healthy Kids Bus Stop in Wee Waa, New South Wales.

Over 54 Children were identified for referrals to local and specialised health services. Well done to everyone involved!

Our Healthy Kids Bus Stop team are making their final visit for 2015 this week in the town of Wee Waa. A huge thanks to all of our supporters who have helped make this visit possible. A special mention to the Hunter New England Local Health District, Healthwise, Auscott, Ronald McDonald House Charities and Wee Waa Public Schoo