March 16, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council was today presented with the framed first cut of the official Koala Tartan.

Weavers and brother and sister Fred and Marie Lawson, of The Crofters Weaving Mill at Spring Ridge, today presented Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Councillors with the special memento of the world’s first Koala Tartan.

Cr Chaffey cut the first weave of the tartan in a Cutting-Off the Loom Ceremony at the mill in October last year.

Marie Lawson said they had been overwhelmed by the worldwide response to the Koala Tartan.

“The cloth has gone to Scotland, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada and the USA,” she said in the presentation held at the Gunnedah Visitor Information Centre where koalas sporting the special tartan are sold.

“We are still in shock. We just scratch our heads and go and sit and have a cup of tea under a tree. It’s going all over the world.”

Ms Lawson said one buyer had told her that she was Scottish by birth, but now lived in Australia, and the tartan was a wonderful way to celebrate both countries.

Cr Chaffey thanked the Lawsons for the gift he said would find a special place in the Koala Capital of the World.

“These two amazing people, who have already created a number of official registered tartans, are having world-wide success with this design inspired by the koala,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Through their innovation, creativity and hard work, they have come up with a beautiful product that is celebrating our national icon. I’m proud to wear a tie made from the Koala Tartan, and look forward to presenting them to other people in the future.

“Fred and Marie Lawson are also very generous people, who have donated funds and products to projects including Project Koala Gunnedah and the Australian Koala Foundation.”

The presentation was also attended by the manager of Moripo Research Plantation Paul Goss who was dressed in the first kilt made from the Koala Tartan, along with a Koala Tartan tie and hat band.

The Lawsons originally learnt to weave at a Gunnedah TAFE course more than 20 years ago.

Since that time, they have successfully designed and created about 10 registered tartans, using only natural materials which are often dyed at their property. As well as designing tartans for the Australian Heritage Tartan, the Australian Heavy Horse Tartan and many other designs, Fred was commissioned to weave a Victorian State tartan for the Queen as a gift after the Victorian bushfires.

Caption: Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey with Marie and Fred Lawson and the framed tartan piece.

ENDS

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

March 15, 2022

A number of community positions are vacant on both the Crime Prevention Working Group and the Community Safety Conference Working Group, and interested community members wanting to make a difference in improving the safety amenity of the Gunnedah Shire are encouraged to nominate.

The Crime Prevention Working Group supports the ongoing implementation of the Shire’s Crime Prevention Plan, and has been a driving force behind the extension of CCTV throughout the CBD, providing input into Alcohol Free Zone declarations and lobbying to state and federal government for changes to domestic violence legislation.

The group has also been involved in the planning and delivery of a number of drug and domestic violence community awareness events including the Say No to Drugs Walk around Wolseley, Gunnedah Says No to Violence messages on Council’s waste and water fleet and the Gunny Get Your Home Secure and Gunny Get You Home Safe initiatives.

The Community Safety Conference Working Group is new, and members will help plan the delivery of a crime prevention and community safety conference in Gunnedah that will seek to attract delegates and key note speakers from within NSW and interstate.

Interested community members can nominate by completing an expression of interest which can be obtained from Council’s Administration Building, 63 Elgin Street Gunnedah, downloaded here:

Crime Prevention Working Group

Community Safety Conference Working Group

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 Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

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

ENDS

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

March 15, 2022

What is most important for our community as we plan for the future in Gunnedah Shire?

That’s what Gunnedah Shire Council is looking for the answers to as we review our 10-Year Community Strategic Plan for Gunnedah, and look at the path for the four years ahead.

Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the Community Strategic Plan was the document that looked at the community’s priorities and set a clear direction for the way forward.

“Our Community Strategic Plan is the roadmap for our Shire and guides our course in everything we do,” Cr Chaffey said.

“You wouldn’t set off on a road trip without a map, and this is what this plan will do. It gauges what we all want for the future and how we can work together to get there.

“This document will build on all the community consultation we have conducted over the last two years – in 22 plans, along with surveys and other forms of engagement. We have heard what is important to the community of Gunnedah through your responses and submissions, but we need to know if we are missing something.

“Gunnedah Shire Council is calling on the community to answer one simple question - What is the one most important thing that Council should focus on in the next four years?

“We want to hear what people have to say. You can let us know through a one-question survey and help us build our Roadmap for Tomorrow.”

The survey is available through https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Shire_Road_Map

ENDS

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

March 15, 2022

Gunnedah’s Mayor Jamie Chaffey has this month been elected to two positions which will ensure the voice of Gunnedah Shire continues to be heard at the highest level.

Cr Chaffey was last week elected as Deputy Chair of the Country Mayors’ Association of NSW (CMA), an organisation that brings mayors from across NSW together to discuss rural and regional issues. Parkes Mayor Ken Keith was re-elected as the Chair.

Cr Chaffey has also been re-elected to the position of Chair of joint local government organisation Namoi Unlimited for the next two years.
Councillor Eric Noakes, Mayor of Walcha Council, is the Deputy Chair.

Earlier this year, Cr Chaffey became the first Gunnedah Shire Councillor to be elected to the board of Local Government NSW (LGNSW). He is the only councillor from the region to sit on the board.

Cr Chaffey said he believed it was important to ensure strong representation for the region.

“It is an honour not only to represent Gunnedah Shire, but to be able to be a voice for regional and rural New South Wales,” Cr Chaffey said.

“It is an enormous time of change, and we can ensure we are well positioned to build a very strong future for our community, for those around us, and for people across country New South Wales.

“We need to make sure our concerns are heard as loudly as those of metropolitan areas. We face different challenges, and different opportunities, and together we can not only continue with our enviable lifestyle and strong economy, but grow.

“By working together regionally and at a state level, we have real strength to advocate for our communities.

“I’ve seen Namoi Unlimited produce some extraordinary results in both the Regional Jobs Precinct declaration, prioritising where the road network needed attention, and a new approach to planning for agricultural development.

“The Country Mayors’ Association and Local Government NSW are both important avenues to advocate for our regional communities, and I am pleased Gunnedah has a seat at the table.”

ENDS

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

March 8, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council is calling for community members to join one of three economic development working groups.

Gunnedah Shire Council Director Planning and Environmental Services Andrew Johns said Council was seeking expressions of interest to join:

• the Gunnedah Shire Economic Development Working Group
• the Gunnedah Shire Skills and Training Working Group
• and/or the Gunnedah Shire Business Partner Program Advisory Group.

“Community members bring invaluable experience and insights to these important working groups,” Mr Johns said.

“The Economic Development Working Group works towards growth and balance in our economy. The Skills and Training Working Group looks at where growth is needed to help meet our business and industry needs, and the Business Partner Program Advisory Group is instrumental in guiding this important program and reviewing applications.

“If you are passionate about our economy and have knowledge and experience you think would be useful, we encourage you to apply for the appropriate group.

“Group members work together with elected Council representatives to help Gunnedah Shire’s economy to grow while keeping the lifestyle balance so important to our residents.”

Group members are appointed for two-year terms, and the working groups meet bi-monthly on dates and times yet to be determined.

Nominations for each working group close at 5pm on Friday, March 18. Applications forms are available at the Council Administration Centre in Elgin Street, or click below for:

• the Gunnedah Shire Economic Development Working Group
• the Gunnedah Shire Skills and Training Working Group
• the Gunnedah Shire Business Partner Program Advisory Group.

Caption: Recipients of one of the 2021 Business Partner Program rounds. Council is seeking expressions of interest from community members interested in joining The Business Partner Program Advisory Group.

ENDS

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

NSW Youth Week 2025 will run from 9-17 April 2025.

Youth Expo

Youth Expo is the highlight event of Youth Week in Gunnedah Shire.

Gunnedah Shire Council is calling on local businesses and service providers to be part of the Gunnedah Youth Expo to be held on 9am-3pm Thursday, April 10, 2025 at teh Gunnedah Town Hall.

More than 20 exhibitors will be at the Expo, including universities and TAFE, Gunnedah-based businesses and service providers.

1 March, 2022

Gunnedah Shire is all fired up for the 25^th anniversary of the Weeks of Speed, with a program of events fast enough to give you whiplash.

From the Mt Porcupine Hill Climb to Australian Whipcracking Titles, drag racing, Show and Shine and speedway racing, the Weeks of Speed 2022 has something for everyone in one action-packed month.

The festival will officially open at 10am on Saturday, March 5 with the traditional Tractor Trek down Conadilly Street and a Show and Shine at the Woolworths Car Park with a working steam engine on display. The festival will be opened by Chris Frend, who is a former Gunnedah Shire Council Tourism Team Leader who has been involved in organising the event for 20 years.

The opening day will also include an Observation Rally from 2pm to 3pm including a 45 minute drive around Gunnedah to test your local knowledge and observation skills, hosted by Gunnedah Motoring Enthusiasts.

Speedway Racing kicks off at 5pm at the Gunnedah Speedway on Bluevale Road with fast-paced action include the V8 dirt modifiers, the RSA NSW Street Stocker Title and AMCA’s Fender Benders.

The first day is just the beginning, with greyhound racing, the Australian Whipcracking and World Bullock Whip Titles, motorcycle racing, drag racing and other events leading up to the Mt Porcupine Hill Climb on Sunday, March 27.

The iconic Hill Climb makes a great spectacle with drivers testing their skills on the winding Apex Drive to the summit of Mt Porcupine. The Rural Museum Demonstration Day and Tractor Pull will also be held on Sunday, March 27.

Gunnedah Shire Council Tourism Team Leader Nikki Robertson said the Weeks of Speed were an ideal opportunity to welcome back visitors.

“It has been a difficult couple of years for events, but we are roaring into a full year in 2022 with the Weeks of Speed,” Mrs Robertson said.

“It’s an high-speed program full of popular events, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming back both those who come every year, as well as some new faces to Gunnedah.

“The Weeks of Speed Committee have been working hard to bring a great standard and variety of events. There’s something for everyone.

“A big thank you goes to local Gunnedah businesses who have got behind these events to be sponsors, despite the challenges of the last years, have jumped on board to help make this happen.”

For the full Weeks of Speed events program, visit www.visitgunnedah.com.au or drop in to the Visitors Information Centre.

Weeks of Speed Gunnedah 2022:

Saturday, March 5:                Official festival opening

                                                Show and Shine

                                                Observation Rally

                                                Speedway Racing

Sunday, March 6:                  Greyhound Racing

Saturday, March 12:              AWPA Australian Whipcracking Titles and

                                                World Bullock Whip Titles

Sunday, March 13:                AWPA & Many Fabrication & Engineering Novice Whipcracking

                                                Motorcycle Racing Round 1, Club Championships

Saturday, March 19:              Multicultural Markets

1/8 Mile Drag Racing

                                                Clash of the Sirens

Sunday, March 20:                1/8 Mile Drag Racing

Saturday, March 26:              ½ Mile Single Sprint

                                                Hill Climb practice

Sunday, March 27                 Mt Porcupine Hill Climb

                                                Rural Museum Demonstration Day and Tractor Pull

Caption: Tractors on parade during the Tractor Trek on the first day of the 2019 Weeks of Speed.

ENDS

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

2 March, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council is calling on local businesses and service providers to be part of the Gunnedah Youth Expo to be held on Wednesday, March 30, 2022.

The Gunnedah Youth Expo was very successful in 2021, featuring 30 exhibitors including tertiary education providers, health and community services and local businesses.

More than 250 young people visited the Expo, which is a joint initiative of Gunnedah Shire Council, Gunnedah Youth Interagency and NSW Youth Week.

Gunnedah Shire Council Manager of Customer and Community Relations Charlotte Hoddle said the Youth Expo provided the perfect opportunity to showcase the many opportunities that are open to young people who were just starting on their career path.

“There are so many advantages to opening young people’s eyes to the range of options available to them,” Ms Hoddle said.

“The Gunnedah Youth Expo is a great way to bring many of those options together in one place – whether it is further education, joining a service agency or discovering a trade.

“There are also advantages for the businesses who have a presence at the Expo. Whether they have apprenticeships available or are looking to employ people further down the track, it is important to let people know just how many different careers are open to them.

“Last year, we had five TAFE NSW mobile training units providing hands-on examples of industries like hairdressing, beauty, welding, engineering and hospitality.

“This free event is for youth aged 12-25, as well as parents or carers. There are giveaways and prizes to be won.”

Business and organisation who would like to register to be part of the event can complete the online form located at https://gsc2380.wufoo.com/forms/2022-youth-expo-stall-holder-registration-form/ by Friday 25 March 2022 at 5pm.

Exhibiting at the Youth Expo is free and a trestle table and two chairs will be provided. Powered stalls are available on request.

Youth Expo is the highlight event of Youth Week in Gunnedah Shire. The aim of NSW Youth Week is to celebrate young people and the contributions they make to their local communities. NSW Youth Week 2022 will run from 4 -14 April 2022. The theme for 2022 is ‘It’s up to YOU’th’.

Caption: The 2021 Gunnedah Youth Expo was visited by more than 250 young people.

ENDS

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

March 1, 2022

Gunnedah’s newly elected Councillors have been appointed to nearly 40 very diverse community committees and groups to represent the Shire.

Gunnedah Shire has many dedicated volunteers and industry representatives who contribute a huge amount to the Shire’s services, economy, events and lifestyle. Each term, Gunnedah Shire Council is asked to provide a listening ear and a voice on some of these groups.

Council also is a lead agency in many working groups and committees, including a new Housing Working Group which will include seven community representatives, and a new Social Wellbeing Working Group, which will also include seven community representatives.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said Councillors were honoured to have a role in groups throughout the Shire.

“The incredible scope of events and issues covered in these committees and working groups is an indicator of just how committed our community is to making this a great place to live,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Council is part of everything from the Australia Day Working Group, to the Access Working Group, the North West Weight of Loads Committee and the Rural Fire Service Bushfire Management Committee.

“Gunnedah Shire Council is a leading organisation in our community, and Councillors are happy to support the committees and groups that help make things happen.”

At the February Council meeting, Councillors resolved the appointment of the following Councillors as representatives and delegates:

• Audit Risk and Improvement Committee: Cr J McArthur (Cr A Luke alternate)
  • Planning, Environment and Development Committee: All Councillors
  • Access Working Group: Cr C Fuller
  • Australia Day Working Group: Crs J Chaffey, R Hooke and J McArthur
  • Business Partner Program Advisory Group: Crs C Fuller, R Hooke, A Luke and R Hoddle
  • Community Safety Conference Working Group: Crs K McGrath, C Fuller, R Hooke and D Moses
  • Crime Prevention Working Group: Crs K McGrath, C Fuller, R Hooke and D Moses
  • Economic Development Working Group: Crs R Hoddle, A Luke and J McArthur
  • Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund Working Group: Crs J Chaffey (Cr C Fuller alternate)
  • Gunnedah Floodplain Management Committee: Crs R Hoddle and M O’Keefe
  • Local Traffic Advisory Committee: Cr D Moses
  • Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group: Crs J Chaffey and K McGrath (Community representatives Jack Conlan, James Hogbin, June Hurley and Tracey Towns were also approved)
  • Showground Working Group: Crs C Fuller, R Hoddle and R Hooke
  • Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships Working Group: Crs J Chaffey, C Fuller, J McArthur and R Hoddle
  • Skills and Training Working Group: Crs M O’Keefe, J McArthur, R Hooke and K McGrath
  • Housing Working Group: Crs M O’Keefe, C Fuller and R Hooke (7 community representatives to be appointed)
  • Social Wellbeing Working Group: Crs K McGrath, J McArthur and D Moses (7 community representatives to be appointed)
  • Australian Local Government Women’s Association: Cr C Fuller
  • Country Mayors Association: Cr J Chaffey
  • Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society: Cr K McGrath (Cr C Fuller alternate)
  • Gunnedah Rural Museum: Cr R Hooke
  • Gunnedah Shire Band: Cr J Chaffey (Cr A Luke alternate)
  • Northern Regional Planning Panel: Cr J Chaffey (Cr R Hooke alternate)
  • Murray Darling Association: Cr J Chaffey (Cr R Hoddle alternate)
  • Namoi Unlimited: Cr J Chaffey (Cr R Hooke alternate)
  • Northern Regional Air Quality Advisory Committee: Cr A Luke (Cr D Moses alternate)
  • Northern Inland Regional Waste Group: Cr A Luke
  • Northern Inland Weeds Advisory Committee: Cr A Luke (Cr R Hoddle alternate)
  • North West Weight of Loads Committee: Cr A Luke
  • Public Libraries NSW: Cr A Luke
  • RocGlen Community Consultative Committee: Cr C Fuller (Cr D Moses alternate)
  • Rural Fire Service Bushfire Management Committee: Cr R Hooke (Cr D Moses alternate)
  • Sunnyside Community Consultative Committee: Cr K McGrath (Cr C Fuller alternate)
  • Tarrawonga Coal Community Committee: Cr R Hooke (Cr D Moses alternate)
  • Two Rivers Arts Council: Cr C Fuller (Cr D Moses alternate)
  • Gunnedah Urban Landcare Group: Cr K McGrath
  • Vickery Consultative Committee: Cr R Hooke (Cr C Fuller alternate)
  • Whitehaven Coal Sponsorship and Donation Committee (Cr C Fuller)

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Council at the first meeting of the newly elected Councillors in February.

ENDS

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

February 22, 2022

The best of short films from Australia and around the world will be on the big screen in Gunnedah in March as Flickerfest returns.

Gunnedah Shire Director Corporate and Community Services Colin Formann said Flickerfest was Australia’s only Academy Qualifying and BAFTA Qualifying Short Film Festival.

“Flickerfest is a world-class film festival that includes Gunnedah on its national tour schedule each year, bringing the best of short films to our screen,” Mr Formann said.

“This is more than an event each year, it is an occasion, and with a Great Gatsby-1920s theme for the Bondi opening event of the festival this year, we encourage people to dress up and have a bit of fun.

“The Best of Australian Shorts will screen on Thursday, March 24 at 6.30pm, and the Best of International Short Films will screen the following Thursday, March 31 at 6.30pm.

“Flickerfest includes films hand-picked from more than 3200 entries. You never know what will come up next, and you are watching the absolute cutting edge of film-making in Australia.”

Flickerfest, a kaleidoscopic carnival of short films, has been running for 31 years, bringing entertaining and innovative short films from around Australian and the world to the kick-off event at Bondi Beach and then to more than 50 venues around the country.

Caption: The Flickerfest 2022 opening in Bondi.

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