Gunnedah Shire Council has installed a loading ramp at the Bicentennial Creative Arts Centre to enable the precinct to attract high profile and national exhibitions to the region.

The building required modification to bring it to a standard that meets the requirement of touring exhibitions.

Council secured funding from the NSW Community Building Partnership Program, which is aimed at community infrastructure projects that deliver positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes; and promote community participation, inclusion and cohesion.
This project saw the installation of a loading ramp at the rear of the gallery to enable the safe transfer of art work, sculptures and gallery pieces into the gallery storage bay.

“Council is confident that the loading ramp will add value to the overall cultural amenity and enable Council to attract a higher caliber of exhibitors who require a higher standard of facility infrastructure,” Tourism and Cultural Precinct Supervisor Chris Frend said.

“This is another step towards Gunnedah Shire Council’s goal of accessing art experiences that would otherwise be only available in the larger shires or major cities, and to expand the gallery program to provide greater opportunities to our community.”

The project forms part of Council’s Community Strategic Plan to create a vibrant precinct and to become a cultural destination for artists, performing artists, photographers, live theatre shows, and the local community.

Photo Caption: Arts and Cultural Officer Lauren Mackley and Tourism and Cultural Precinct Supervisor Chris Frend using the new loading ramp.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner (02) 6740 2100.

We want to say a HUGE thank you to the community for their support and involvement in the Gunnedah Vibrant Precincts Project. We’ve been so pleased to have so much community interest in the project, which, through many workshops, has given us the opportunity to work alongside community members who are passionate about invigorating spaces in Gunnedah. We received some amazing submissions and you will see plenty of projects popping up around the community very soon!

We also had a number of amazing entries for the mural installations that will help transform some spaces in the Downtown and Cultural Precincts.

We’re excited to present the murals that have been selected to be installed in the pictured locations. Please remember, these designs are concepts and could change slightly once they are actually installed based on community feedback and constraints when transferring to the actual environment.

The winning submissions come from local artist groups, community members and professional street artists.

These design concepts were selected by the panel because of the designs ability to reflect Gunnedah’s Cultural identity, bring vibrancy to Gunnedah’s CBD and demonstrate a connection to place.

You can make comments about the designs via email council@infogunnedah.com.au until Thursday, 17 August before 5.00pm.

Gunnedah Shire Council is seeking support of the corporate and business community for the delivery of the 2018 Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund (GCSF).

The scholarship fund is an initiative of the local community and provides an opportunity for local youth to succeed in their tertiary education by encouraging students to embark on a journey of learning by financially supporting those moving on to pursue tertiary studies.

Since the fund’s inception 14 years ago, more than $300,000 across more than 332 scholarships has been awarded to local students.

“Scholarships have covered many disciplines including accounting, agriculture, allied health, animal science, law, architecture, arts/theatre, civil engineering, education, information technology, medicine, nursing and social work,” Council’s Youth Officer Sewa Emojong said.
“By supporting the scholarship fund, it is a fantastic way to support our youth in furthering their studies.”
2017 recipient Sirrah Harris credits her scholarship as a major benefit in subsidising university costs.
“The funds have helped me tremendously to purchase textbooks and cover the cost of residential schools in Wagga Wagga,” Miss Harris said.

“In order to commence studies in an agricultural degree, it was compulsory for me to be tested for and vaccinated against Q-Fever. The GCSF helped significantly to cover the cost of and to meet this requirement.

“I am grateful for and appreciate the financial support that has been provided by the GCSF so far throughout my studies as it has helped significantly to take away the financial burden associated with tertiary education.”
The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund working group has introduced sponsorship packages to provide local businesses with advertising opportunities throughout the next round of funding.

The Gunndah Community Scholarship Fund applications open 1 September 2017.

For further information or to donate to the fund contact Council’s Youth Officer Sewa Emojong on (02) 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au 

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner (02) 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Shire Council celebrated Local Government Week with the community from Monday, 31 July to Sunday, 6 August. The events and activities aimed to showcase the services Councils provide to local communities.

The celebrations began with a pop-up stall in the Smithurst Theatre Forecourt in conjunction with National Tree Day – where free trees were handed out to the public – to promote environmental awareness.

A range of Council services were on show throughout the week with meet and greets and morning teas, tours and information sessions held at GoCo Community Care, Gunnedah Youth Council, Gunnedah Shire Library and the Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery. Visitors were also invited to join in an art class at the gallery.

The week concluded with a free screening of three-part series ‘War on Waste’ on Sunday at The Civic to highlight the importance of waste management.

Gunnedah Shire Council resolved to approve the design for the proposed Livvi’s Place Inclusive Playground at last week’s Extraordinary Council Meeting.

The concept plan was developed by Kathryn Yigman of Stewart Surveys, following extensive consultation with the community and the Inclusive Playground Working Group.

Local mum Ashley Bender began the campaign for the playground by presenting a 300-plus signature petition to Council to consider the concept.

Council also moved to enter into partnership with the Touched By Olivia Foundation, whose purpose is to create inclusive play spaces to give every Australian the right to play, side by side, without discrimination or prejudice and to facilitate social and community inclusion for people with a disability as well as their families and carers.

“Play is the best way for people to connect. Touched by Olivia is thrilled that both the Council and community have agreed to create a place in the middle of town where everyone is welcome and included,” Touched by Olivia Foundation CEO Bec Ho said.

Council will now be seeking grant funding from the Stronger Country Communities Program to add to allocated funds for the Wolseley Park project.

“This project reaffirms Council’s commitment to inclusion in the Shire, following the recent adoption of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan and the reformation of the Access Working Group,” Director of Environment and Planning Services Andrew Johns said.

Council’s Community and Social Planner Debra Hilton said Touched by Olivia had created a Facebook Group to enable the community to keep up-to-date with the project – “Friends of Livvi’s Place Gunnedah”.

“We need to demonstrate to those that are assessing our grant application that this project is much-loved and needed in the community” Ms Hilton said.

“We encourage anyone interested in this project to ‘join’ this page to show their support for the project.
“This playground will be a fantastic and imaginative play space for children of all abilities, and will provide extensive recreational, social and community benefits.”

PHOTO: Gunnedah Shire Council Director of Planning and Environmental Services Andrew Johns and Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey with the concept plan for ‘Livvi’s Place Gunnedah’.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Yesterday it was announced Gunnedah Shire Council was successful in obtaining $2.6 million in funding from the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund for the Curlewis Pipeline Project. The project enables Curlewis to connect to Gunnedah’s town water supply.

The project, worth a total of $5.2 million dollars, involves the installation of a 15.8 kilometre pipeline including the construction of two storage reservoirs and a disinfection dosing station.

The project will provide 600 Curlewis residents with quality water and water security, and will increase the liveability of the village by improving household water for drinking and showering, as well as watering parks and gardens.

Curlewis is a high potential residential, industrial and economic growth area, with affordability and access to services attractive to investors and people looking to reside in the Gunnedah Shire.

“The pipeline is a wonderful outcome for current residents,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.
“It will provide social and economic benefits for Curlewis and the Gunnedah Shire into the future. It has the potential to attract families to the village, creating a flow-on effect for local businesses and the school.

“Gunnedah Shire Council has consulted with Curlewis residents over a long period of time regarding the water quality in the village, most recently during our Community Strategic Plan community engagement and this is a wonderful outcome, allowing us to deliver this solution that will greatly improve the village.”
The pipeline project affirms Gunnedah Shire Council’s commitment and plan to focus on key issues facing villages, such as sustainability, liveability and growth.

Council’s commitment to the villages includes projects such as the recent adoption of a Water Equalisation Proposal, by equalising water charges across the Shire with the aim to create a fairer system; a commitment to the beautification of villages; ensuring villages are vibrant and sustainable; maintaining quality transport links between Gunnedah and villages; and by supporting village hall committees and progress associations.
The support of Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash and the grant allocation means the project has potential to commence in the near future.

Further funding for the Curlewis Pipeline Project will be considered at Council’s Ordinary Meeting on August 16. 

PHOTO: Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Water Services Kevin Sheridan, Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton, Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Acting Director Infrastructure Services Edward Paas.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Three members of the Gunnedah Youth Council were joined by the Armidale Regional Youth Advisory Committee to attend a Luminosity Youth Summit in Port Macquarie last week (July 19-21), aimed at supporting youth in their personal and professional development.

The three-day summit saw a variety of speakers inspire and engage with the youth in attendance, including Survivor competitor and founder of mental health organisation LIVIN, Sam Webb; legally blind water ski and Spartan Race competitor Ben Pettingill; Constable Jarryd De Castro, who was the first respondent on scene at the Lindt Siege; hip hop artist and ambassador for cultural diversity, L-Fresh the Lion, who has featured at major music festivals; and Nixi Killick, a country girl who has now taken the fashion world by storm, including designing tour outfits for Lady Gaga.

“Six young people from Gunnedah and Armidale had the opportunity of a lifetime, being inspired and empowered to be their best selves and create their ideal futures,” Gunnedah Shire Council Youth Officer Sewa Emojong said.

“These opportunities are so important for young people in our Shire – they are an invaluable capacity building tool to help our young people make positive change in our community and tackle issues they care about for the benefit of society.”

The Summit also provided an opportunity for the Gunnedah youth to connect with other active Youth Councils.

Gunnedah Youth Council meets on Wednesdays from 4:15pm-5:45pm at the Cultural Precinct (The Civic meeting rooms) and is a place to showcase information and opportunities for young people aged 12-25 years, in Gunnedah and the surrounding region.

To find out more about Gunnedah Youth Council or to get involved, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Youth Officer, Sewa Emojong, on (02) 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au

Photo (1): Participants enjoy a beats and yoga session at the summit. Photo credit: Lindsay Moller, Luminosity Youth Summit.

Photo (3): Gunnedah Shire Council Youth Officer Sewa Emojong, left, and Gunnedah student Charlene Winsor, right, networking at the summit. Photo credit: Lindsay Moller, Luminosity Youth Summit.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner (02) 6740 2100

St Mary’s College was awarded People’s Choice in Gunnedah Shire Council’s recent biennial ‘Waste into Art’ Exhibition at the Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery.

The Gunnedah community had their say and with the majority votes, St Mary’s College with their art work by the Logical Ark Collective. The wooden assemblage piece titled ‘The Ark of Reason’ has been named as the Gunnedah’s People’s Choice Awards for the 2017 ‘Waste into Art’ Exhibition.

“Every two years, Gunnedah Shire Council asks residents to use their imagination and repurpose waste items in to art,” Arts and Cultural Officer Lauren Mackley said.
“It was great to see St Mary’s College students collaborate and be rewarded for their creative efforts.”

Photo caption: St Mary’s College students work ‘The Ark of Reason’ was named ‘People’s Choice’.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Since it started in 1973, Commonwealth Bank AgQuip has provided professionals on the land with comprehensive access to the latest machinery, equipment and services available to Australian primary industry.

It has developed a reputation over the last three decades as the nation's premier agri-showcase. The first AgQuip attracted 69 participants and 30,000 visitors and was held at the Gunnedah Racecourse. Rapid growth in the '70s necessitated a larger site and in 1977 the move was made to a permanent, purpose built site six kilometres west of Gunnedah.

Today, some 3,000 individual companies will be at Commonwealth Bank AgQuip to interact with the 100,000 plus customers who attend. Commonwealth Bank AgQuip is the largest agricultural and rural marketplace in Australia and among the biggest in the world. The giant field days are staged over three days in August in Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia. Participating companies use the field days as a launching pad for new products and services, in the process using unique opportunities offered by AgQuip to make direct contact with their customers.

AgQuip is a great family day out, with lots to see and do. Grab a mouth-watering steak, visit the fashion stores, watch the reptile show, or get a shoe shine. With so many options for a great day out, you may to need to stay a few nights.

Gunnedah has a variety of events while AgQuip is running, such as: The Railway Hotel Billy Boiling Competition, The AgQuip Rodeo – held at the Gunnedah Showground, and the Art and Craft Exhibition – held at the Civic Centre.

Now you can download the AgQuip App to your devices to navigate your way around the massive site or you can visit the Information Stand at AgQuip for your free guidebook which includes a site map - which you can also download below.

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Gunnedah residents also open their homes for visitors to stay for home hosting, call the Visitor Information Centre on 02 6740 2230 for bookings and any information regarding AgQuip.

Photo credit: Namoi Valley Independent

Arts Gunnedah presents 47th Annual Art & Ceramics Exhibition  |  Creative Arts Gallery, Chandos Street

Join us for Opening Night on Friday, 18th August 2017 from 6.00pm  |  Entry is $15 which includes finger food and refreshments

The Exhibition continues until Sunday, 3rd September from 10.00am – 4.00pm daily.

This year the competition has introduced several changes which include more prize money and some new Art sections. These changes have come about from the incorporation of Arts Gunnedah Inc., an independent and dynamic group of artists and art lovers interested in providing a space for bringing our community together through art. We thank members of our business community for coming on board by sponsoring our Exhibition.

Entry forms are available from the Creative Arts Gallery or by emailing visarts.secretary@gmail.com