February 9, 2022

A beautiful collection of Gunnedah history featuring black and white photographs of iconic homes and landmarks is now on exhibition at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery.

A Photographic Collection of Gunnedah Heritage features photographs taken by the Gunnedah Camera Club in 2006.

Gunnedah Camera Club members Grant Chambers, Thomas Rosenzweig, Catherine Chaseling, Judy Swain, Helen Patrick, Shane Brady, David Alderdice and Barry Geraghty photographed, developed and framed the photographs of six historical houses and a number of landmarks. The club donated them to the Gunnedah Town Collection as a Sesquicentenary gift to the community.

Properties included in the exhibition are Wandobah, Ruvigne, Pullaming, Burburgate, Gunnible and Round Hill, alongside photographs of the original Methodist Church, Roseneath Manor, the Convent of Mercy, Carinya School, the Hunter Street cemetery, Meggitt Ltd Flour Mill, the Cenotaph Monument and two homes in Barber Street.

The exhibition is not only a walk down memory lane, but encourages Gunnedah residents to share their own memories in a book provided for that purpose.

A Photographic Collection of Gunnedah Heritage will be on exhibition at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery until Monday, March 21.

Caption: An amazing slice of Gunnedah’s history is now on exhibition at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery.

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

January 27, 2022

As Gunnedah reflected, respected and celebrated with the rest of the nation on Australia Day yesterday, we also welcomed our five newest Australian citizens.

Under the gums of Anzac Park, Brian Goldrick (originally from Ireland), Orla Lyons-McKenna (originally from Ireland) and Alan, Cynthia and their daughter Shania Hobbs (originally from New Zealand and the Philippines) officially became citizens of Australia.

The ceremony was held as part of the full day of events across the Shire and was officiated by Deputy Mayor Cr Rob Hooke and attended by community members and supporting family members. The five new citizens received their Citizenship Certificates and took the Australian citizenship pledge of commitment making them officially Australian citizens.

More than 16,000 new Australians received their Australian Citizenship at ceremonies around the country yesterday.
For more information about Australian Citizenship Day, visit www.citizenship.gov.au.

 Caption: Gunnedah’s Deputy Mayor Cr Rob Hooke with Brian Goldrick, Orla Lyons-McKenna, Alan Hobbs, Gunnedah’s Australia Day Ambassador Fiona Simson, Shania Hobbs, Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell and Cynthia Hobbs.

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

January 27, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council is calling for interested community members to nominate for one of five positions on a working group to guide the delivery of inclusion initiatives.

Acting Director Planning and Environmental Services Sheridan Cameron said the Access Working Group aimed to identify and prioritise options for improvement to access in public areas of the Gunnedah Shire and community facilities owned and managed by Council.

“The working group supports the ongoing implementation of the Gunnedah Shire Disability Inclusion Action Plan,” Mrs Cameron said.

“Over the years, the group has delivered some great activities aimed at raising awareness of issues that people with mobility challenges face in our community.”

Interested community members can nominate by completing an expression of interest form available here (fillable online) and here (printable) or from Council’s Administration Building, 63 Elgin Street Gunnedah, downloaded from www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or by contacting (02) 6740 2100.

Completed forms can be dropped off to the Council Administration Building, submitted via post to PO Box 63, Gunnedah, NSW, 2380 or via email to council@infogunnedah.com.au.
Expressions of Interest close at 5pm on Friday, February 11, 2022.

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Community and Social Planner Debra Hilton on (02) 6740 2100.

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Caption: A Gunnedah Shire Council activity where staff and Councillors gained an understanding of the perspective of someone with a disability when accessing services and facilities.

Communications and Media Team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

January 26, 2022

Eleven Gunnedah Shire citizens and organisations have been recognised in the 2022 Gunnedah Shire Australia Day Awards.

Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Australia Day Committee Cr Rob Hooke said the annual Australia Day Awards Dinner paid tribute to those who went above and beyond in the community.

“The Gunnedah Australia Day Awards Dinner is held on the eve of Australia Day, and is a wonderful way to kick off the events,” Cr Hooke said.

“Last night, we announced that our Citizen of the Year (21 and Over) is Tracey Reid, who has been recognised as a compassionate and community-minded resident who has worked hard towards making a domestic violence shelter for women in Gunnedah a reality. Our sincerest thanks and congratulations to Tracey, who is building a better community for all of us.

“Our Young Citizen of the Year is Steven Hopwood. It is beautiful to see the community spirit and kindness of this young man. Well done Steven, and to the other people who were nominated for both Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year. Just to be nominated shows how appreciated you are for what you do.

“There were 11 awards presented to 11 outstanding people and organisations, in categories as diverse as Sportsperson and Junior Sportsperson of the Year and the Good Neighbour Award. The works of these people and all the others who have been nominated for and received awards over the years have made our Shire what it is today.

“Volunteer work by passionate and compassionate residents makes a huge difference in our lives.”

The Gunnedah Shire Australia Day Award recipients for 2022 are:

o Citizen of the Year (21 and Over) - Tracey Reid
o Young Citizen of the Year (20 and Under) - Steven Hopwood
o Ossie and Beryl Campbell Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award - Gunnedah Golf Club
o Eve Turner Perpetual Trophy - Lynette Gleeson
o Community and Cultural Achievement Award - Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society
o Max and Mikie Maas Good Neighbour Award - Olwyn Jones
o Sportsperson of the Year (21 and Over) - Paul Brady
o Junior Sportsperson of the Year (20 and Under) - Alice Edmunds
o Junior Sports Team of the Year Award (20 and Under) - Gunnedah Swimming Club
o Sports Team of the Year Award - Gunnedah Touch Association
o Ivan Towns Memorial Award Coach of the Year - Amanda Randall

Gunnedah Shire’s Australia Day Ambassador is Fiona Simson, who spoke at the awards about her own journey as a farmer and a leader for regional women and young people. Ms Simson is the President of the National Farmers Federation.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire celebrates its citizens at the Annual Australia Day Awards Dinner 2022.

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

January 19, 2022

UPDATE: The Raft & Craft Race has been cancelled following a safety inspection of the river.

Break out the zinc cream, prepare for a sausage sandwich brekky and get your paddles in order – Australia Day is on its way to Gunnedah!

Our celebrations rival anywhere in this wide brown land, with utes draped in the Aussie flag, new citizens taking the oath and a bonza barbie by the pool.

Gunnedah Shire Council Australia Day Committee chair Cr Rob Hooke said the Australia Day 2022 Event Program was packed tighter than a primary school hat-rack.

“All our favourites are back,” Cr Hooke said. “The Australia Day 2022 Event Program combines the solemnity of the occasion with some cracker events like Aussie Fest 2022 at Donnelly Fields.

“The Australia Day Awards Dinner will be held on January 25, where Gunnedah will pay tribute to those who make an outstanding contribution to our community. Our Australia Day Ambassador, farmer and president of the National Farmers’ Federation Fiona Simson, will share her story as the guest of honour.

“Breeza is the first cab off the rank with its breakfast starting at 8.30, with the Rotary brekky also getting underway in Gunnedah at Anzac Park from 9am.

“Morning events include a church ceremony under the gums at Anzac Park followed by a citizenship ceremony. There’s also Aussie Fest 2022 at Donnelly Fields, Summer Playground with free entry all day at Gunnedah Memorial Pool, and fun and games at Kelvin and Tambar Springs.

“In the afternoon, there’s a free screening of Kangaroo Jack at the Civic, along with free entry all day to the Gunnedah Memorial Pool, the Water Tower Museum and the Dorothea Mackellar Centre. There are other events at venues throughout the Shire – it’s a big Australia Day this year in the villages - and a chance for Curlewis families to jump on a free bus to join the fun at Gunnedah Memorial Pool.

“This is a true-blue chance for all our residents to show their pride in being Australian in a thousand different ways, while still observing COVID-safe advice.”

Take a look at the full Australia Day Events Program here.

Caption: Australia Day in full swing in 2021 as Raft and Craft Race competitors cross the line.

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

January 18, 2021

As Gunnedah welcomes in a new team of Councillors, Gunnedah Shire Council’s End of Term Report for the past five years shows this term will build on very solid foundations.

“This has been an unprecedented term in many respects, not the least of which has included the challenges of a record drought and the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the opportunities presented by economic stimulus through local government by the State and Federal governments not seen since the Second World War,” an introduction by Mayor Jamie Chaffey and General Manager Eric Groth states.

Highlights of achievements detailed in the introduction to the report include:

• Continued financial security and sustainability despite the significant environmental challenges faced during the term
• Delivery of a works program unparalleled in both scope and volume for Council
• Tremendous success in attracting grant funding for infrastructure and community service projects which have enabled significant project delivery
• The delivery of a large tranche of strategic planning including finalising Council’s Local Strategic Planning Statement and substantial progress on the Economic Development Strategy, Housing Strategy, Open Space Strategy and Destination Management Plan review
• Bedding down of an enterprise-wide audit and risk management framework, including internal audit and audit and risk committee.

The report details Council’s progress in implementing the Community Strategic Plan during the 2016-21 term, a term extended by 15 months due to COVID-19.

It includes a host of facts and figures about what has been achieved through Council during that time, including:

• A growth in population from 12,491 (2016) to 12,690 (June 2020)
  • A decrease in unemployment from 8% (2016) to 5.1% (June 2021)
  • 1416 resolutions were adopted by Council
  • $97,122 was distributed to Community Scholarship recipients in partnership with the community
  • $410,738 was provided to local businesses under the Business Partner Program
  • 23,239 customers requests were processed
  • There were 286,957 visits to the Gunnedah Shire Library
  • 450ha of parks, sports fields, open space/bushland reserves and cemeteries were maintained by Council staff
  • 43,182 tonnes of domestic waste were received at the Waste Management Facility
  • 12,141 tonnes of waste was diverted to recycling at the Waste Management Facility

To take a look at the Gunnedah Shire Council End of Term Report, visit https://bit.ly/3IjXbnb

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

January 11, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council has elected a Mayor and Deputy Mayor at the first meeting of the newly elected Council.

Cr Jamie Chaffey has been elected unopposed as the Mayor of Gunnedah Shire Council and Cr Robert Hooke has been elected as the Deputy Mayor.

The positions are decided through a ballot of the elected members.

Cr Jamie Chaffey, who has been the Gunnedah Shire Mayor for the past five years, said he was “humbled” to have the support of Councillors to continue in the role with the newly elected Council.

“As a group of elected members, we have a big responsibility ahead of us,” Cr Chaffey said. “Our community expects strong and effective representation, and we can’t lose sight of that.

“We need to advise the State and Federal governments on the needs of our community as we have in the past, very effectively.

“I really do look forward to, and am excited about, what’s ahead. We already have a strong list of projects to go on with in our delivery of the operational plan.

“There may be challenges. We faced challenges including COVID-19 in our last term, but as a united body, I am sure that we can do it again if it is needed.”

Cr Hooke said it was “a privilege and an honour” to be re-elected as Deputy Mayor.

“One of the main objectives of my role will be to make sure we have a very collegiate Council working towards the goals and aspirations we have enunciated over the last 12 months, with the focus being health and economic development,” Cr Hooke said.

Nine Councillors were elected at the December local government election. They are: Jamie Chaffey, Colleen Fuller, Murray O’Keefe, David Moses, Kate McGrath, Ann Luke, Juliana McArthur, Robert Hoddle and Robert Hooke.

These Councillors today attended an extraordinary meeting of Council, where they took an oath or affirmation of office declaring they would undertake the duties of the office of Councillor in the best interests of the people of Gunnedah and Gunnedah Shire Council, and would faithfully and impartially carry out the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in them under the Local Government Act 1993.

Caption:

Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Deputy Mayor Rob Hooke shake hands following the mayoral ballot.

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

January 6, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Council has expressed its disappointment at the action of vandals that has led to the closure of the Orange Grove Rd Bridge until a new one is constructed.

Gunnedah Shire Council Director Infrastructure Services Jeremy Bartlett said police had been informed after vandals set fire to the bridge on Wednesday night, causing significant structural damage.

“It is truly disappointing that people have vandalised this bridge to a point where it is no longer safe to remain open,” Mr Bartlett said.

“This bridge has already been earmarked for replacement, with construction due to start before May this year, but this closure will cause problems for residents along the road, for primary producers and for school bus services.

“We have no choice but to close the bridge until the new one is constructed. This thoughtless act will continue to inconvenience drivers and has occurred at a time when our Shire is already facing the major task of repairing roads damaged by the recent floods.

“Council will be required to close Orange Grove Road in the area of the bridge, with notification at either end of this lengthy road.”

Anyone who has information about the vandalism of the bridge is urged to contact Gunnedah Police.

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

January 5, 2021

The very popular Gunnedah Shire Council Business Partner Program is back in 2022, ready to help Gunnedah Shire businesses grow in innovative ways.

The Business Partner Program encourages business expansion and new businesses, helping to boost employment and keep the Gunnedah economy humming.

Round Three of the Business Partner Program has now opened.
Gunnedah Shire Council Acting Director of Planning and Environmental Services Wade Hudson said the guidelines had recently been changed to ensure the focus stayed on business expansion and employment.

“The Business Partner Program has been a true success story, helping hundreds of local businesses get started or expand their horizons,” Mr Hudson said.

“The program supports a wide range of initiatives, from business training, to website costs and transitioning to a larger premises. It is a great opportunity for business owners to get a little help in achieving their next business dream.”

The Business Partner Program offers grants that must have a co-contribution of 25% of the project cost from the applicant.
Applications will close at midnight on Monday, February 28.

For guidelines and to apply, click here.

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

January 4, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Council is welcoming in a new year with a newly elected Council.

The nine Councillors elected in the December 2021 local government election were formally declared by the NSW Electoral Commission as:

• Jamie Chaffey
• Colleen Fuller
• Murray O’Keefe
• David Moses
• Kate McGrath
• Ann Luke
• Juliana McArthur
• Robert Hoddle
• Robert Hooke.

The formal declaration of election results is attached here.