Flickerfest remains a platform for celebrating the most entertaining and innovative short filmmaking from Australia and around the world.

Flickerfest Australia’s leading Academy Award accredited and BAFTA-recognised Short Film Festival returns to The Civic on Sunday, 18 February, with the Best of Australian Short Films and the Best of Comedy Short Films.

Best of Australian Short Films will be screened from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, with an intermission from 4.30pm to 5pm. Best of Comedy Short Films will follow from 5pm to 7pm.

Tickets are $40 for both sessions, $35 concession for both, or $25 a single session. Canapes will be provided on arrival from 2pm and drinks are available for purchase.

Tickets are available to be purchased from www.thecivic.com.au or in person at the Gunnedah Visitor Information Centre, Chandos Street or Gunnedah Shire Council, Elgin Street.

For any enquiries please contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Arts and Cultural Officer Lauren Mackley on (02) 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au 

Gunnedah saw 27 local and regional legends be a part of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) on January 31 as the baton made its way through the region.

Nine local schools in the area got the chance to get up close and personal to local heroes and a sporting great, Olympic champion and Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, Sara Carrigan OAM.

"I’m so excited to be back in my hometown, where I was born 37 years ago. When I was younger, I thought how could little old me from the country compete against the best in the world and wear the green and gold. The advice I have for the young kids here today is to do what you enjoy, find your passion and do it because you love it,” she said.

As the final baton bearer for Gunnedah, Ron McLean, made his way to the Wolseley Park Rotunda, in a true show of Gunnedah’s community spirit, a guard of honour was formed to mark the very special occasion. A community celebration followed the relay, with rides, a barbecue, slushies, icy poles and more.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is counting down the days until the start of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. It started on Commonwealth Day, Monday 13 March 2017, at Buckingham Palace when Her Majesty placed her message inside the Baton and will travel through the entire Commonwealth for 388 days and 230,000 kms. The Queen’s Baton will arrive on the Gold Coast for the XXI Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018, where HRN The Prince of Wales will remove Her Majesty’s message from the Baton and read it aloud to declare the Games open.

17 January 2018

Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery will be exhibiting the detailed and realistic works of four talented artists from Gunnedah, Tamworth and Narrabri.

The four artists, Peter Stewart, Judy Nobilo, Daniel Stanley and Lauren Miller, have collaborated to bring ‘Reflecting on Realism (S)’ to the gallery.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Arts and Cultural Officer Lauren Mackley said each artist is at varying stages in their artistic development, however their technical ability is “extraordinary”.

“This is a must see, the works that will be showcased are amazing. All of the exhibiting artists resonate with the core principles of realism; precision, detail and accurate visual representations of their subject matter,” Ms Mackley said.

“The exhibition will showcase famous masterpieces and stars remastered, the fine hair in animals fur coats and scenes that populate the world.

“This is an exhibition that takes the viewer on a voyage that blurs the lines of reality with fiction.”

Opening night will be held on Friday, 9 February at 6pm and the exhibition will be on display until 5 March.

For more information on the exhibition please contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Arts and Cultural Officer Lauren Mackley on (02) 6740 2100.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

10 January 2018

Gunnedah Shire Council is pleased to support eight local businesses and organisations after Round One allocations of the Business Partner Program were endorsed at the December Ordinary Council Meeting.

More than $36,000 was allocated under the 2017/18 Business Partner Program across eight local businesses and organisations. Applications were considered by a panel and the following were awarded funding:

• Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc allocated $5000 for Gunnedah Skills Group Opportunities Audit
• Li’l Achievers awarded $13624 to aid in extension costs
• Marval Designs to receive $5000 for a business update
• Tydd Motorcycles successful with $2500 to go towards a business expansion
• Kinfolk Student Cafes to receive $3000 for its project “Building a Field of Dreams: Growing positive childhood attitudes to food one Green Star Lunchbox at a time”
• Gunnedah Serviced Apartments were allocated $3000 towards the costs of business exposure and office efficiency
• Riley’s Furniture and Carpets, $3000 towards website construction and rebranding
• Gunnedah Diesel Service allocated $1000 for a business frontage upgrade and to provide level off-street parking for people with disabilities

The groups were allocated their funding at a ceremony on Wednesday afternoon.

Manager Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle said the Program is designed to actively seek new business opportunities and assist in the expansion of existing businesses in the Shire by providing support, advice and marketing, as well as the provision of incentives.

“The Business Partner Program is a key element of Gunnedah and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc and Gunnedah Shire Council to attract new business, or to expand existing businesses in the Gunnedah Shire by providing an assistance package as an incentive,” Ms Hoddle said.

“Support offered by this Program supplements the Gunnedah Economic Development Strategy by encouraging increased productivity, sustainability, growth and employment; and targeting new businesses and economic activity.”
Round Two of the Business Partner Program is now open and applications close on 28 February 2018.

“All projects are considered, big or small. I would encourage any local businesses or start-up businesses to apply, this is a great opportunity to maximise your growth,” Ms Hoddle said.

View more information on the Business Partner Program here, or contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Manager Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle on (02) 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au 

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Seen an abandoned Coles trolley? To ensure shopping trolleys are kept off the streets and in stores for customers to use, Coles has developed a new method of reporting abandoned Coles shopping trolleys.

To report an abandoned trolley, download the ‘Coles Supermarket’ app from your app store and select the ‘Report an abandoned trolley’ function and follow the prompts.
For more information visit www.coles.com.au/customer-service/abandoned-trolley or phone 1800 876 553.

Gunnedah Shire Council accepted a tender of $11.4 million from Hines Constructions of Bathurst to complete Stage 1a of the Master Plan at the Council Ordinary Meeting on 16 August 2017. Construction started on the project on 16 October 2017 and progress is well underway.

Gunnedah Shire Council is keeping the community updated with regular newsletters on the progress of the project. Hard copies of the newsletter are available at Gunnedah Shire Council Administration Building, Visitor Information Centre and the Heated Pool Complex.

For the latest online version of the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Renewal Project Newsletter click here.

20 December 2017

The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund has turned to crowdfunding to raise additional funds to help support local students in their quest to further their education at university, TAFE or in a trade requiring a Certificate IV or higher.

This is the first time the scholarship committee has considered crowdfunding as a source of funds, and are excited to kick-start the online campaign, just in time for Christmas.

“For many young people growing up in regional Australia, the decision to leave home to continue their education is a big one - and expensive,” Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund Chairperson, Councillor Gae Swain said.

“The idea of crowdfunding is new to us, but as a committee we are keen to explore innovative ways to raise as much money as we possibly can so that more scholarships can be awarded and more local students afforded the opportunity to chase their dreams."

“I absolutely love the idea of the community banding together for a great cause and believe our crowdfunding campaign provides a great opportunity for people to make a donation, big or small, and to be involved in a social cause that changes young lives at a grassroots level. It has given us the ability to open the fundraising up to anyone in the community who would like to contribute.”

Since the Fund started 14 years ago, over $300,000 has been raised and distributed to local youth with more than 332 scholarships awarded, with many returning to regional Australia to work and live.

Donations of any value are welcome and can be made on the Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund crowdfunding page via www.mycause.com.au 

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

21 December 2017

The contract to design and construct Gunnedah Shire Council’s Curlewis Pipeline Project was awarded to TCM Civil Pty Ltd at last tonight’s Ordinary Council meeting.

The $5.9 million project will improve water quality, storage capacity and water security for the village, and provide opportunities for economic growth, service improvements and wider social benefits for Curlewis.

“The Curlewis Pipeline project has been a priority infrastructure project for Council since 2011, and we are keen to get the ball rolling quickly so that the Curlewis community can begin to enjoy the benefits associated with better water quality and supply”, Acting Director of Infrastructure Edward Paas said.

“The bolstering of key infrastructure will also assist in attracting new families to the village, which will have a positive impact on business owners, the local school and community life in the village”, Mr Paas concluded.

The Shire’s economy is also set to benefit, with TCM Civil Pty Ltd electing to use several local subcontractors and suppliers during the construction period, with an estimated 20-25 jobs created during this phase.

The Curlewis Pipeline Project involves the installation of a 15.8 kilometre pipeline from Wandobah Road, via Blackjack Forest Road, Booloocooroo and Preston roads to Curlewis, the construction of two 500 kilolitre concrete storage reservoirs and a disinfection dosing station.

Gunnedah Shire Council was successful in obtaining $2.6 million in funding from the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund. Council is also seeking funding under the NSW Safe and Secure Water Program for the project.

The project is expected to commence in late April 2018 and construction is projected to take 12 to 18 months.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

20 December 2017

Gunnedah is set to join the vast majority of New South Wales, with Council voting to request approval from NSW Health to commence fluoridation of the Gunnedah water supply at tonight’s Ordinary Council meeting.

The decision to add fluoride to Gunnedah’s town water supply is reflective of national practice and health policy, with 93% of the population of NSW connected to a fluoridated water supply.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey spoke in support of the decision, noting that the move to fluoridate Gunnedah’s water supply had been under consideration since 2009, with substantial amounts of information and data reviewed by Council over this period.

“Water fluoridation is safe and has long been common practice in Australia, with evidence clearly supporting long term health benefits, particularly for the prevention of tooth decay,” Cr Chaffey said.

“By adding fluoride to our water supply, we are able to ensure preventative measures are in place, in a socially equitable way, to safeguard the oral health of our community, particularly our youngest citizens who will benefit most from fluoridated water.

“Councillors have not made this decision lightly, and have considered all submissions tabled on the issue, both for and against. I am satisfied that the community has had the opportunity to present their views, and that the benefits of treating Gunnedah’s water supply is in the best interest of public health.

“I commend my fellow Councillors on the considered and measured approach taken in arriving at this decision, and understand whilst not everyone will agree with the outcome, that Council has a duty to make a decision on the matter and we have not shied away from that responsibility,” Cr Chaffey concluded.

Upon approval from NSW Health to proceed, Council will begin the process of planning for and constructing a fluoride dosing station which will deliver regulated volumes of fluoride into Gunnedah’s water supply.

Fluoridation of the Gunnedah water supply is projected to commence in 2020.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

20 December 2017

A Development Application (DA) to expand Carroll Cotton Gin’s production to 100,000 tonnes per year of raw cotton product has been approved by Gunnedah Shire Council at its December Ordinary Meeting.

Development approval was granted in 1999 for the production of 11,350 tonnes of processed lint cotton per year (28,375 tonnes of raw cotton product), which resulted in the addition of the gin’s fourth stand. A DA was lodged with Council in August 2017 to expand current production and approvals.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the $19,000,000 major upgrade project will not only increase cotton ginning production, but increase the speed of the process, maximising return on investment for growers in the region.

“This is a family-owned and operated business by the Davies family, and their innovation and dedication is a credit to them to be looking to the future with their expansion,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Council has a strong focus on economic development and this upgrade is an investment in the Gunnedah Shire economy.

“The annual production figures for Carroll Cotton Co will increase from approximately $65 million to $110 million – a huge plus for our Shire, local growers and the cotton industry,” he said.

“This will also have a flow-on effect into allied industries.”

Director Planning and Environmental Services Andrew Johns said work on the Carroll-based gin is proposed to begin in 2018 across three stages.

“The DA for Carroll Cotton Co was referred to Council as it is considered a major development. Stage one involves the construction of a farm building for the storage of machinery and other equipment,” Mr Johns said.

“Stage two will see the conversion of a farm building and the construction of another to accommodate the expansion. This stage will also see the installation of new ginning equipment, as well as water storage to support the upgrade. Stage three will see the installation of additional ginning equipment,” he said.

“Council has previously issued approvals for other buildings and structures associated with the gin facility on this site. These structures will be retained and utilised as part of the development.”

Carroll Cotton Co Directors Scott and Trudy Davies welcomed the news.

“This is a culmination of 18 months of work to get us to this point and we look forward to moving on with this project in due course,” Mr Davies said.

“A big thank you to staff and consultants who have worked with us on this process – it is very satisfying to have a positive outcome. There were also 43 submissions in favour of the DA, and we thank everyone for their support.

“The Carroll Cotton Gin has been in operation for 21 years and this will secure our future in the local community and the jobs we provide,” he said.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.