Across regional New South Wales, opportunities aimed at building skills, confidence, and economic independence for women are once again on the move. The NSW Government has announced the return of its Free Essential Skills Roadshow for Regional Women, a program designed to support women with practical skills for work, business, and everyday life.
It is a positive initiative. It responds to a real need. And it has been welcomed in many parts of the state.
But once again, the Clarence Valley is not on the list.
This is a familiar story for our region. Time and time again, programs intended for “regional NSW” bypass the Clarence Valley entirely, landing instead in larger centres or the same rotation of towns. While neighbouring communities benefit from in person workshops, networking, and direct access to government funded support, Clarence Valley women are left watching from the sidelines.
That gap matters.
The Clarence Valley is home to thousands of women balancing small businesses, caring responsibilities, paid and unpaid work, recovery from natural disasters, and the rising cost of living. Many are sole traders, community leaders, volunteers, or women re entering the workforce after time away. These are exactly the women the roadshow is designed to support.
Access is not a small issue. When programs are delivered in person, distance becomes a barrier. Travel costs, time away from work or family, and limited public transport all mean that “nearby” is often not accessible at all. For many local women, especially those already stretched, missing out is not a choice. It is the only option.
There is also a broader concern here about equity. Regional NSW is not one size fits all. When the same regions are repeatedly overlooked, it reinforces a sense that some communities are considered less visible, less urgent, or less worthy of investment.
Clarence Valley women are not short on talent, resilience, or ambition. What they are short on is fair access.
If government programs are truly about supporting regional women, then regions like the Clarence Valley must be included by default, not treated as an afterthought. That means consulting locally, understanding community needs, and ensuring roadshows and initiatives reach beyond the usual stops.
The return of the Free Essential Skills Roadshow is an opportunity. It is also a reminder that good intentions are not enough if whole communities continue to miss out.
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