The countdown is on for Gunnedah Shire Council’s mega garage sale this Saturday.

Council has joined the national Garage Sale Trail and is hosting an event for all community members to join as stallholders or shop for treasures on Saturday, 21 October at the Gunnedah Showground from 9am-2pm.

“The idea behind the trail is to support reuse as the best option for people’s unwanted items so they don’t end up in landfill,” Gunnedah Shire Council’s Waste Management Superintendent Sheridan Cameron said.

“It is free to host a stall at the sale this weekend, which is the perfect opportunity for people to have a clean out, or even to find some treasures from other stallholders.

“This has become an annual event and last year was a huge success so we invite everyone to join and be a part of this valuable nationwide campaign.”

To register a stall visit www.garagesaletrail.com.au or pick up a registration form from Gunnedah Shire Council’s Administration Building, Visitors Information Centre or Gunnedah Shire Library.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Long-serving Councillor, the late Hans Allgayer, was recognised with a road named in his honour at an unveiling on site today.

Allgayer Drive connects the existing Torrens and Mathias roads in an industrial subdivision, owned by Mackellar Excavations. The tribute was unveiled on site by Gunnedah Shire Councillor Owen Hasler and Jo Allgayer.

Mr Allgayer served the community on Gunnedah Shire Council for 15 years and sadly passed away in Gunnedah in late August 2015.

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) has announced the 27 batonbearers who will carry the Queen’s Baton through Gunnedah during the 100-day countdown to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

From youngsters to some of Australia’s most accomplished legends, the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) recognises the achievements and aspirations of Australians from all walks of life.

Inspirational cultural contributor and staunch community woman Margaret Amos is a feature batonbearer announced for Gunnedah. Margaret has brought music to thousands of lives in Gunnedah and North West NSW, and facilitated numerous opportunities and experiences for country children and adults. She has been behind a myriad of community fundraising ventures, and convened Gunnedah Eisteddfod.

Across the community, hundreds of people will get the opportunity to engage with the Baton as it travels through Gunnedah on January 31. Community celebration details will be announced on 17 November.

“I am immensely proud of our batonbearers and the role they will take when the Queen’s Baton comes to town. Dedicating their lives to improving the lives of others and realising their dreams will be recognised as they take part in this memorable occasion,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“I encourage everyone to share in the moment as a community on January 31.”

The uniquely designed Baton starts its Australian journey on 25 December 2017, 100 days before the Opening Ceremony.

“We couldn’t be more excited for the batonbearers who will be a part of this rich tradition. We are honoured to have so many great Australians carry her Majesty’s message for Gold Coast 2018 and we look forward to celebrating their stories and inspiring generations to come. For the batonbearers, this will be a rare and unforgettable experience,” GOLDOC Chairman Peter Beattie AC said.

Batonbearers to relay through Gunnedah:

• Margaret Amos
• Richard Barry
• Noreen Boehm
• Sarah-Jane Bonner
• Sara Carrigan
• Stacey Chisholm
• Ronald Clissold
• Alisha Conomos
• Francis Crump
• Richard Day
• Kathryn Day-McGuirk
• Michelle Dunlop
• Ray Godkin
• Marie Hobson
• Christine Hodges
• Wade Hudson
• Kate Jenner
• Leslie Knox
• Peter Loveridge
• Josie Luckel
• Zara Mannion
• Ron McLean
• Gregory Piggott
• Lauren Robertson
• Isabella Sawyer
• Michael Silver
• Ken Thompson
• Laiken Watts

For a full list of batonbearer names and the communities that they will carry the Baton in, visit www.gc2018.com/qbr 

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson, and Minister for Disability Services, Ray Williams, visited Gunnedah Shire Council to announce $35,000 in funding to support the Council’s transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The funding will be used to continue to deliver frontline services, improve transparency and increase engagement with local Aboriginal NDIS participants.
Mr Anderson said the community was working hard to ensure local people with disability can access the services they need under the NDIS.

“It’s important the local Council is supported during the transition to the NDIS and can continue to provide services to local people with disability,” Mr Anderson said.

“This is major reform which is why I have been working closely with the Minister and stakeholders to ensure we get the best possible outcomes.”

Gunnedah Shire Deputy Mayor, Gae Swain, said the funding will support GoCo Community Care prepare for the NDIS and improve quality and efficiency in a number of areas to ensure this is a smooth process.

“It is extremely important people living with a disability are able to access the support they need. GoCo will play a vital role in supporting residents with access to NDIS and this funding will ensure all the steps are in place,” Mrs Swain said.

Mr Williams said the NSW Government was committed to supporting local councils, particularly in rural and remote areas, who often provide frontline services.

“The success of the NDIS relies on the growth of a strong and diverse sector, and councils are often the lifeblood of local communities. Congratulations to Gunnedah Council on your successful application for funding,” Mr Williams said.

Twenty-seven local councils providing direct services to people with disability were successful in the $1.27 million Transition Assistance for Local Councils (TALC) program.

NSW is now preparing to fully transition to the NDIS across the state, which will be completed by 30 June 2018.

MEDIA: Hayley Ashburner│Minister Williams│0429 891 159 & Michael Hansen | Mr Anderson | 0405 167 861

Ghosts, goblins and ghouls will descend on Gunnedah as a zombie walk comes to life for the ‘Night of the Walking Dead’.

Gunnedah Shire Council is encouraging the community to dress up in their spookiest and funniest Halloween costumes to participate in the family-friendly, ‘Night of the Walking Dead’ march on Saturday, October 28.
Participants are asked to bring a gold coin donation, with all proceeds donated to Can Assist.

“Night of the Walking Dead will be a gathering of people dressed as zombies or in halloween costumes walking en masse through the Gunnedah CBD while raising money for Can Assist,” Gunnedah Shire Council Arts and Cultural Officer Lauren Mackley said.

“The idea behind the march is to increase community engagement and cultural experiences in Gunnedah, while having fun – it’s an event for the whole community to enjoy and to be a part of a visual phenomenon.

“Can Assist is hosting its annual Halloween Debutante Ball on the same evening at the Gunnedah Town Hall and participants of the Zombie Walk will gather briefly at the hall to welcome guests to the ball.”

Those in the Halloween spirit are asked to meet at the Gunnedah Post Office at 6.15pm for a 6.30pm start on Saturday, 28 October with the march to take place down Conadilly Street ending at The Civic Theatre at approximately 7pm, where new movie Bladerunner 2049 will be screened from 7.45pm.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Preparation for the 2018 Commonwealth Bank AgQuip field days has commenced with the announcement of next year's dates - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 21, 22, 23 August.

Australia’s largest primary industry field days, Commonwealth Bank AgQuip will be celebrating its 46th anniversary next year – the famous field day is held in Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia. The largest agricultural event in the South Pacific is expected to showcase over 3,000 companies, over 32 hectares of static display and attact over 100,000 visitors over three big days from across the nation and overseas.

Kate Nugent, Fairfax Rural Events Group Manager, remarked the Commonwealth Bank AgQuip field days is a great success story – “it has enjoyed a long and rich history since its early beginning in 1973 and is recognised as a gigantic agri-marketing and sales promotion”. And the organising team will be placing a great deal of emphasis on market-place results.

“As AgQuip takes shape as the annual meeting place of rural Australia, we are thrilled to once again focus on the future of Australian agriculture showcasing the latest innovations in farming equipment and ideas,” said Kate.

Australia’s premier agricultural event will feature the most extensive range of state-of-the-art agricultural machinery and implements, information and technology available for today’s agricultural producers. The nation’s major agribusinesses, plus many regional and local manufacturers and suppliers are regular exhibitors. The Commonwealth Bank AgQuip field days has already attracted interest from Asian, European, North and South America and South Pacific agricultural companies wishing to exhibit or be represented at next year’s event. "Because of its size, diversity and national positioning, Commonwealth Bank AgQuip fulfils most marketing functions,” Kate said, “and by doing so, provides primary industry in Australia with an unparalleled opportunity to increase its already high efficiency." In 2018 Commonwealth Bank AgQuip organisers will continue their policy of field improvement and innovation to cater for the big annual visitation.

Commonwealth Bank AgQuip is now recognised as one of the biggest industry field days in the world and has established itself as a vital and integral part of Australia’s rural and agricultural marketing scene.

For more information about Commonwealth Bank AgQuip 2017, please contact the organisers Fairfax Rural Events - on phone 02 6768 5800, email agquip@fairfaxmedia.com.au, www.facebook.com/agquip 

Long-serving Councillor, the late Hans Allgayer, will be recognised with a road named in his honour to be officially unveiled this week.

Allgayer Drive will connect the existing Torrens and Mathias roads in an industrial subdivision, owned by Mackellar Excavations. The tribute will be unveiled on site by Gunnedah Shire Councillors, Bruce Mackellar and the Allgayer family.

Mr Allgayer served the community on Gunnedah Shire Council for 15 years and sadly passed away in Gunnedah in late August 2015.

Date: Wednesday, 18 October

Time: 1:00pm

Location: Allgayer Drive (Travel west from Gunnedah on the Kamilaroi Highway, turn left onto Quia Road, right onto Torrens Road and Allgayer Drive is the first right. The ceremony will be held at the intersection of Torrens Roads and Allgayer Drive).

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

GoCo Community Care is celebrating the role grandparents and older people play in the community with a Grandparents Day get together for residents to connect across generations.

The event, supported by Family and Community Services NSW (FACS), will be held on Sunday, 29 October from 10am to 1pm.

Grandparents, family and friends will be treated to a picnic on the lawn at the Gunnedah Shire Band Hall, with entertainment from the award-winning Gunnedah Shire Band and We Are One Community Choir; as well as a free tour and morning tea at Dorothea Mackellar Centre; and a tour and lucky door prizes at the Water Tower Museum. A jumping castle and sausage sizzle will also be available.

“It’s a day to spend time with an older loved one and to celebrate what they mean to you and the community,” GoCo Community Transport Co-ordinator Tammy Lumby said.

“The older generation has wonderful stories and memories to share, and we invite everyone to take some time out and enjoy a morning out for Grandparents Day.”

For more information contact GoCo Community Care on (02) 6740 2240.

Construction works on the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Renewal Project will commence next week, with Hines Constructions appointed by Gunnedah Shire Council to deliver the multi-million dollar upgrade to the complex.

Hines Constructions will be securing the site from Monday, with the outdoor pool complex and the western carpark adjacent to Anzac Parade to be closed to the public for the duration of the works.

Demolition of the 50 metre outdoor pool is expected to begin on Thursday, 19 October.

“There is a 12-month timeframe on the constructions works, however the heated pool will remain open until works commence on the indoor facility mid-2018,” Acting Director Infrastructure Services Edward Paas said.

“We are trying to minimise the inconvenience to the community, however, we will deliver a state-of-the-art facility at the end of the upgrades.”

The $11.375 million project, which has been four years in planning, will see a new 50 metre outdoor pool, Kids Wet Play Area and new pavilion established. A new water filtration system will be installed to ensure all pools in the complex meet current sanitation standards. The existing amenities in the 25 metre pool enclosure will also be refurbished and disability access improved across the complex under the contract.

“Consultation via bi-monthly newsletters will continue throughout the life of the project to keep the community and key user groups up-to-date. The newsletters will be uploaded to Council’s website,” Mr Paas said.

Photo caption: Hines Constructions, of Bathurst will complete the pool works. Pictured, Mark Damon (Site Foreman, Hines Constructions) Scott Lane (Site Manager, Hines Constructions) and Mike Silver (Gunnedah Shire Council Special Projects Manager).

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Youth Council’s (GYC) Dessert Bar was a sweet success on Friday night.

The pop-up style Dessert Bar was a youth initiative and raised $800 for Gunnedah Youth Council and Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund.

The community were treated to mouth-watering desserts including hot chocolates, triple decker mudcakes, ultimate brownie sundaes and more.

“The concept was created by our GYC members and they did a fantastic job planning, organising, cooking and serving at the event. This was their first event of this kind and I’m proud of all of the members’ efforts in making the night a success,” Gunnedah Shire Council’s Youth Development Officer Sewa Emojong said.

“The money goes back to the youth of our community, so it was great to see them work so hard for it.

“We have received positive feedback from people who attended and hope to bring more similar events to the community.

“We would like to thank Sally from Mitre 10, who created a vertical garden to decorate the area, the PCYC for lending us catering equipment, GYC parents and everyone who helped us to get the word out. It was a collaborative effort.”

The Dessert Bar is the first initiative of its kind for GYC and was supported by Gunnedah Shire Council and NSW Department of Industry’s Vibrant Precincts Project.
GYC is now preparing for their role in the upcoming Spirit of Christmas Fair.

GYC meet on Wednesdays from 4.30pm-5.30pm, youth aged from 12-25 are all welcome to attend.

Photo Caption 1: Gunnedah Youth Council members welcome the community to the GYC Dessert Bar.

Photo Caption 2: Gunnedah Youth Council members taking orders.

Photo Caption 3: Gunnedah Shire Council Youth Development Officer Sewa Emojong serving up sweets.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.