January 25, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Council has announced the recipients of the 2021 Australia Day Awards.

Thirteen community members and groups received their awards and certificates of recognition during last night’s Awards Dinner at the Gunnedah Town Hall.

Gunnedah Shire Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Australia Day Committee Cr Rob Hooke congratulated the winners for their leadership and service.

“I would like to commend both the winners and nominees for going above and beyond helping make Gunnedah Shire an even better place to live,” Cr Hooke said.

“The Australia Day Committee had a challenging job selecting winners from a strong pool of candidates. It was inspiring to read the nominations and hear about the extraordinary people we have here in our community.

“One of these extraordinary people is Citizen of the Year Ray Williams, a long-serving volunteer who has demonstrated passion and commitment in helping the Gunnedah community. Ray’s ongoing service to Gunnedah Public School, WIRES, local sporting clubs and many other charities is sincerely appreciated.

“Junior Citizen of the Year Aidan R de Luzuriaga has also had an extraordinary impact on our community. He has advocated for his peers through Gunnedah’s Youth Council, shown leadership in his position as Vice-Captain of Gunnedah High School and is a respected teammate with a bright future ahead of him.

“I applaud all recipients for their ingenuity and determination during what has been a challenging year. They are wonderful role models who have all made outstanding contributions to their community.”

Gunnedah’s Australia Day Award recipients for 2021 are:

• Citizen of the Year: Ray Williams
• Young Citizen of the Year: Aidan R de Luzuriaga
• Ossie & Beryl Campbell Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award: Helen Cygan
• Eve Turner Perpetual Trophy: Bruce Hill
• Community Organisation &/or Events Achievement Award: Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce & Gunnedah Eisteddfod (joint winners)
• Max & Mikie Maas Good Neighbour Award: Mercy Associates & Friends
• Sports Person of the Year: Andrew Cygan
• Junior Sports Person of the Year: Aaron Osmond
• Sports Team of the Year: Gunnedah Bulldogs AFL Women’s Team
• Junior Sports Team of the Year: Gunnedah & District Soccer Junior Competition
• Ivan Towns Memorial (Coach of the Year): Philip Hinshelwood
• Environmental Citizen of the Year: George Truman

Awards are presented annually and the community is encouraged to think about a resident, service or organisation they would like to see recognised ahead of next year’s event.

ENDS

Media contact: Communications Team (02) 6740 2100.

January 20, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Council will celebrate International Women’s Day 2021 with our biennial exhibition at The Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery.

Council’s Cultural Precinct Team Leader Lauren Mackley said the theme for International Women’s Day 2021 was #Choose to Challenge.

“We encourage artists, creative collectives, hobbyists, community organisations and schools to participate in a celebration of women in our lives and in our community,” Ms Mackley said.

“We are encouraging women to celebrate their own achievements through creativity.

“Gunnedah Shire has a wealth of talent and a vibrant community of women who create unique artworks, from art on canvas to metalwork, jewellery, pottery and a whole lot more. Why not #Choose to Challenge yourself to enter something in this celebratory exhibition.”

Artwork submissions close at 5pm on Monday, March 8 with all artwork to be dropped at The Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery with an attached and completed entry form.

The entry form is available at https://www.thecivic.com.au/art--exhibitions

The official exhibition opening will be held at 1pm Friday, March 12 with light refreshments provided. We ask all of the community to come along and celebrate! Please prebook your ticket through a link which will soon be available on the www.thecivic.com.au website.

The exhibition will continue until 3pm, Sunday, April 11.

ENDS

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

January 20, 2021

The hugely successful Business Partner Program has opened for 2021, offering new and existing businesses a helping hand for new projects.

Some of the 12 recipients of the previous round of the program were congratulated by Gunnedah Shire Council today at the Civic.

Chair of the Business Partner Program Advisory Group Cr Ann Luke said the last round had been aimed at projects that would grow the economy and create more local employment opportunities.

“Gunnedah Shire Council’s Business Partner Program contributed $127,550 towards 12 projects for the last round of the program in 2020,” Cr Luke said.

“The standard of projects included in the round show just how successful this program is in assisting new initiatives that boost employment and secure a stronger local economy.

“We really encourage anyone who is thinking about expanding their business or starting something new to submit an application. Even a small amount can make a big difference in getting a project off the ground.”

Applications for the latest round of the Business Partner Program opened on Monday and will close at midnight on 28 February 2021. For guidelines and more information, visit www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au and click on the “Business & Industry” tab and then “Business Grants & Funding”.

Applications must be submitted through the online portal: https://gunnedah.smartygrants.com.au/BPP2021R3

The Business Partner Program has assisted many businesses and organisations over the years to get established and to grow. This financial year, as part of the Community Resilience COVID-19 Business Recovery Package Invigorate Gunnedah, the available funds through the Business Partner Program has been increased.

Caption: Some of the recipients of the most recent round of Gunnedah Shire Council’s Business Partner Program.

ENDS

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

January 19, 2021

Gunnedah will feature the art of talented Gilgandra duo Judy and Joe Shalhoub in the exhibition Creativity Coupled at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery from February 5.

Judy and Joe Shalhoub are a complementary, multidisciplinary couple who work with hot glass, paint, mixed media and more.

Joe is a glass artist who makes sculptures, bowls, platters and characters out of this unusual and painstaking medium. His craft has taken him years of trial and error to perfect.

Joe’s background in building, cabinet-making and leadlighting has inspired his current techniques of creation with hot glass.

Judy works in a variety of mediums with various subject matters and is an active community member in the Orana region. Judy is the president of Gilgandra Alive, the local arts council and is a member of the Cooee Choir Gilgandra.

The Dubbo Weekender has dubbed Joe and Judy “one of the most active creative couples in the region”. Judy and Joe Shalhoub have been part of the cultural fabric of Gilgandra and the wider region for decades and have exhibited in numerous galleries throughout NSW, with many of their creations in personal collections across the country.

Creativity Coupled will open at 6pm on Friday, February 5. Entry is free but bookings must be made through https://augsc.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/4971

The exhibition will continue until Sunday, March 7.

Caption: The artworks of Judy and Joe Shalhoub will feature in the Creativity Coupled exhibition.

ENDS

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

January 18, 2021

Australia Day is fast approaching and Gunnedah Shire residents are invited to a range of community events honouring the 2021 Australia Day theme: ‘Reflect. Respect. Celebrate.’ View the Program here.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Cr Jamie Chaffey said Australia Day was a chance for the community to unite after a challenging year and celebrate our opportunities and achievements.

“This year’s theme encourages us to reflect on our nation’s true history of the First Nations people - the world’s oldest living culture. We also reflect on our modern history, multicultural heritage and the stories, histories and contributions of all Australians,” Cr Chaffey said.

Gunnedah Shire Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Australia Day Committee Cr Rob Hooke said Australia Day was a day to celebrate the strength of the Gunnedah community spirit.

“The challenges of 2020 have highlighted how fortunate we are to live in Australia, especially here in the Gunnedah Shire,” Cr Hooke said.

“In particular, this year we thank those frontline and essential workers who have worked tirelessly to keep our community strong. The Australia Day Awards will help us recognise the contributions of local citizens who enrich our community and inspire us all.

“Our Australia Day ambassador is former Wallabies star and Gunnedah resident Tim Gavin. In 2018 Tim was inducted into the Rugby Australia Hall of Fame for his outstanding contribution to the sport and demonstration of the game’s core vales both on and off the field.

“This Australia Day I encourage the community to get out and celebrate being Australian together. Whether you attend one of the community events on offer, cool off with a swim at the pool or enjoy a barbeque with friends and family at home, we have a lot to celebrate and be thankful for.”

Gunnedah Shire Council Events and Engagement Office Jacinta Cipolla said the upcoming Australia Day program offered plenty of classic Aussie fun.

“Festivities will commence with the Awards Dinner on January 25 from 6:30pm, where our Australia Day Award recipients will be announced and we will hear from our ambassador Tim Gavin,” Ms Cipolla said.

“The much loved Raft and Craft Race is also back for 2021, kicking off at 9am at Cushans Reserve.

“One of the highlights of the Australia Day line-up will be the Citizenship Ceremony, held under the gums at Anzac Park. This year we will welcome four new Australian citizens to our Shire.

“As part of the celebrations, Council is providing free entry to the Gunnedah Memorial Swimming Pool throughout the day and the Civic Cinema will be holding a free Australia Day movie screening of Babe at 1:30pm.

“A range of other community run events will also be on offer. Check out the full program for details.”

All events have a COVIDSafe plan in place, and attendees will be required to follow NSW Health advice.

For further information about Australia Day events and bookings, visit www.thecivic.com.au

A copy of the entry form for the Raft and Craft Race is available here.

ENDS

Media contact: Communications Team (02) 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Shire Council resolved to place on exhibition the Policy – Medical Professionals Accommodation Support.

Council urges members of the community with an interest in the policy to review the document which can be viewed here.

Written submissions will be received by the undersigned until 4:00pm on 11 February 2021.

For further information contact Council’s Customer Service Team on 02 6740 2100.

Eric Groth

GENERAL MANAGER

January 13, 2021

There is still time to have your say in a survey to help shape Gunnedah Shire’s economic future.

Council has commissioned consultants SC Lennon & Associations to prepare the Gunnedah Shire Economic Development Strategy 2021-25.

People throughout the community and from all businesses and industries who would like to help shape this new vision and framework for economic development have been invited to fill in a survey – and go into the draw to win a $100 Gunny Money Gift Card.

The Gunnedah Shire Economic Development Strategy 2021-25 will focus on the things Council can do to help stimulate, attract and maintain business activity, investment and employment in the Shire. It will guide the economic development roles and functions of Council.

It will also provide Council with a blueprint to focus its support and promotion of economic development for the next four years.

The survey takes no more than five minutes to complete and is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/gunnedaheconomicdevelopment

The survey closes on Friday, January 29, 2021.

Caption: You can have your say about the future direction of Gunnedah’s economy in a Gunnedah Shire Council survey.

ENDS

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

RECYCLING COLLECTION - GUNNEDAH

Tuesday, 26 January 2021

Collection will be on Wednesday, 27 January 2021.

Residents are requested to place their recycling bins out on Tuesday evening as collection will begin early on Wednesday.

Should you have any enquiries regarding the recycling collection please contact RECYCLIT on (02) 6742 1522.

THERE WILL BE NO CHANGES TO THE HOUSEHOLD WASTE AND GREENWASTE COLLECTION

Please ensure bins are placed out the night before collection date, as contractors are not obliged to accept late bins.

If you have any enquiries regarding these changes please contact Council’s Customer Services Team on 6740 2100.

Eric Groth

General Manager

22 December 2020

Upcoming investigation works have been planned at Rangari Road.

Geotechnical Investigations will be obtained on the unsealed section of Rangari Road in the Tamworth and Gunnedah Local Government Areas.

Investigation works are scheduled for the week commencing Monday, 18 January 2021 and will take approximately one week to complete.

The commencement of the works will be approximately 3.8kms east of the Gunnedah / Tamworth LGA boundary and will continue for the full extent of Rangari Road within the Gunnedah LGA for a total length of 20 kilometres.

These investigations will inform the pavement design for the widening and sealing of approximately 20 kilometres of Rangari Road.  

The road will be reduced to one lane of traffic under traffic control at localised locations.

If you require further information please contact Gunnedah Shire Council on (02) 6740 2100.

December 22, 2020

Gunnedah Shire Council is inviting students embarking on tertiary studies in 2021 to apply for the Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund.

The fund is open to local students under 25 wanting to further their training and education at university, TAFE, or an accredited training organisation.

Since the fund’s inception in 2002, more than 370 scholarships have been awarded, with over $350,000 raised and distributed to local students.

Gunnedah Shire Councillor Gae Swain has thanked local businesses for their sponsorship of the 2021 Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund.

“Even during this challenging year we have received significant support from local businesses and groups, helping us reach more students and support their transition to tertiary education,” Cr Swain said.

“The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund is helping give our local students a head start, assisting with costs including textbooks, relocation and travel, living expenses or a contribution towards tuition fees.

“This initiative has a two-fold benefit for our Shire. Many past recipients have remained in Gunnedah for training or returned to the Shire upon completion of their studies to pursue their career.

“I really encourage all students who are eligible to take up this opportunity.”

For more information and to submit an application, visit https://gsc2380.wufoo.com/forms/m94azoc0w8src6/

Applications close 12 January 2021.

Photo Caption: Successful applicants of the 2020 Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund.

ENDS

Media contact: Communications Team (02) 6740 2100.