MURRUMBIDGEE IRRIGATION SUPPORTING LOCALS

9 Feburary 2004

DOORS is an exciting new initiative involving Murrumbidgee Irrigation and Southern Riverina Youth Support Services (SRYSS).

“Murrumbidgee Irrigation has a strong link to the communities of the MIA,” said Dick Thompson, Chairman of Murrumbidgee Irrigation. “As a government owned agency the Department of Water Resources was instrumental in founding many of the local townships throughout the area. Times have changed and we are no longer a government department yet we still feel the same commitment toward the people of the MIA”.

“DOORS is a fantastic program that gives us the opportunity to help young people in the region. Really, it’s the young people who will provide the strength for our rural communities into the future,” continued Mr Thompson.

DOORS has been established as a partnership program between SRYSS and Murrumbidgee Irrigation. “The program began early in 2003, and during that year we supported six local people. For some of these we provided specialist computer equipment to help them with their studies, for others we supplemented accommodation expenses while they studied away from home.

DOORS has a broad objective to help all young people in need. It is not about providing a particular service, but being able to provide whatever help young people in our community need to ensure they achieve their personal potential,” concluded Mr Thompson.

Applications for the DOORS program close on 27 February 2004. Forms and information packs are available from Murrumbidgee Irrigation offices in Leeton and Griffith.