His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d), Governor of New South Wales and his wife Mrs Linda Hurley were special guests at the Gunnedah Cenotaph this morning to aid in marking Gunnedah's contribution to the state-wide soil collection for the Anzac Memorial Centenary Project (The Anzac Memorial).

The Project is the multi-million dollar redevelopment of NSW’s pre-eminent memorial to the contribution of NSW and Australian veterans to the First World War in Hyde Park, Sydney. It will feature an artwork developed by artist Fiona Hall alongside Sydney architect Richard Johnson, displaying soil collected from approximately 1700 locations across NSW, including Gunnedah.

The place names from which the soil is collected are taken from the database of Great War enlistees, summing up the geographical reach of the call to serve.

Gunnedah Shire Council is set to formalise a Sister City Relationship with the Yinzhou District of Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China, with documents to be signed at an official ceremony tomorrow.

Six delegates from the Yinzhou Government accepted an invitation to visit the Gunnedah Shire, following trade and investment missions in March and the signing of Friendly Relationship Exchange Agreements.

“Entering into this relationship with the Yinzhou Government will see the exploration of social, cultural and economic co-operation between two great regions from worlds apart,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“This is a truly historic occasion for our community that will see many benefits well into the future and we invite everyone to share in it with us – all are welcome to attend the ceremony.”

An Official Sister City Ceremony will be held at the Wolseley Park Rotunda from 11:00am on Friday, 15 September. The ceremony will commence with a Welcome to Country and Gomeroi Elders will conduct a traditional Smoking Ceremony. The Australian and Chinese Anthems will be played by the Gunnedah Conservatorium of Music which will be followed by official speeches, the signing of Sister City Relationship documents and the symbolic planting of a Chinese Elm tree.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Messages of hope and resilience were the theme delivered at the 2017 Mayoral Dinner attended by more than 350 community members and special guests on Wednesday night.

His Excellency General, The Honourable David Hurley, Governor of New South Wales and Mrs Hurley were invited as special guests, alongside Former Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson and Mrs Anderson, Liverpool Plains Shire Council Mayor and Namoi Joint Organisation Chair Andrew Hope and Mrs Hope, Tamworth Regional Council Mayor Col Murray and Narrabri Shire Mayor Cathy Redding.

The event began as a breakfast in 1998 when the Gunnedah community was going through difficult times with the closure of the abattoir and mines, which resulted in more than 1000 jobs being lost.

“The Mayoral Breakfast, run in partnership with the Gunnedah Ministers Fraternal, began as a forum to think about hope from a Christian perspective and pray for the community. It was such a success that it became an annual event here in Gunnedah, with this year being the 20th anniversary,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“With the acceptance of our two very distinguished guests, I decided a Mayoral Dinner would be an appropriate way for the whole community to come together and celebrate our achievements and also those whose selfless acts for others in our community have truly changed lives.

“My pride in our Shire grows with each and every conversation I have with local residents and visitors, who tell me just how vibrant our community has become. Taking pride in the resilience in our community and moving ahead through tough times has given us a trust in our abilities and an unwavering belief in our values.
“It has provided all that we enjoy today, with the promise of an even stronger future.

“I would like to thank everyone for attending the dinner and for the very inspiring words shared with us by our distinguished guest of honour – His Excellency General, The Honourable David Hurley, Governor of New South Wales.”

The Vice Regal Couple visited a number of Gunnedah’s services while in town, including GoCo Community Care, Gunnedah High School and Gunnedah Girls Academy, Gunnedah Conservatorium, and took part in the Soil Collection for the Anzac Memorial at the Gunnedah Cenotaph.

“I was honoured to meet local community leaders at the Mayoral Dinner on Wednesday night and to speak about the role that service and faith plays in my personal life, as Governor of New South Wales and as former Chief of the Defence Force,” His Excellency General, The Honourable David Hurley, Governor of New South Wales said.

“One of the most important ways we can each serve is through our contributions to the community.
“Linda and I have been privileged to have seen many outstanding examples of service to the community of Gunnedah and surrounding areas in the past few days. To meet the leaders of those community organisations and listen to their views on building a strong community has been a highlight of this regional visit.”

Photo (1): 2017 Mayoral Dinner official party and special guests.

Photo (2): 2017 Mayoral Dinner.

Photo (3): Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey; His Excellency General, The Honourable David Hurley, Governor of New South Wales; Mrs Linda Hurley; and Mrs Judy Chaffey.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Applications are now open for the 2018 Community Scholarship Fund and Gunnedah Shire Council encourages those wishing to pursue tertiary studies to apply.

The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund is an initiative of the local community and provides an opportunity for local youth to succeed in their tertiary education by encouraging students to embark on a journey of learning by financially supporting those moving on to pursue further studies.

Gunnedah’s Bonnie Hayne was a scholarship recipient in 2017 and said the funds have greatly helped her expenses while studying a double degree – Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Interior Design.

“This scholarship has helped me immensely with the extra expenses that my Interior Design degree requires such as software and supplies,” Ms Hayne said.

“The scholarship has given me peace of mind that when I am required to spend money to complete an assessment, I am able to do so without having to change my concepts to fit in with my tight budget. I was also able to use some of the scholarship money to purchase a new laptop that I was required to get for my course.

“I am so appreciative and grateful that I received this scholarship.”

Since the Fund’s inception fourteen years ago, over $300,000 across more than 332 scholarships has been awarded to local students. Scholarships have covered many disciplines including accounting, agriculture, allied health, animal science, law, architecture, arts/theatre, civil engineering, education, information technology, medicine, nursing and social work.

Applications for the Community Scholarship Fund opened on 1 September 2017 and close on 18 December 2017, for the 2018 round – apply online at www.infogunnedah.com.au. 

For more information about the scholarship, contact Council’s Youth Officer Sewa Emojong on 02 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au. 

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Bush Fire Danger Period has commenced in Gunnedah Shire. A Fire Permit is now required for burning activities.

Substantial fines and prison terms of up to 12 months may apply to persons lighting fires without a permit. Persons responsible for lighting fires that cause damage to other properties may be required to pay damages.

Contact the Liverpool Range Office on (02) 6746 5800 for information and permits.

Described as ‘a breath of fresh country air’, country music artist Fanny Lumsden and her band the Thrillseekers will touch down in Mullaley as part of their annual Country Halls Tour. In celebration of the release of her brand new record ‘Real Class Act’, Fanny Lumsden is bringing the sixth annual event to the Mullaley Hall on Saturday, 23 September from 6.30pm.

Come and enjoy a night of live music, stories and an all ages community night out, with all proceeds to go to the Mullaley Hall. A barbecue and bar will be in operation.

The show will feature a local artist to kick things off, followed by Americana singer songwriter Melody Moko and headlined by Fanny Lumsden and the Thrillseekers.

The event is held by the Mullaley Progress Association, in conjunction with Gunnedah Conservatorium and Gunnedah Shire Council.

Tickets available here. View the Fanny Lumsden Country Halls Tour poster below for more information.

Gunnedah Shire Council has moved to enter into a Sister City Relationship with the Yinzhou District of Ningbo, Zhejiang Province China.

Council resolved at an Extraordinary Meeting yesterday to formally enter into a Sister City Relationship with Yinzhou, with documents to be signed at an Official Sister City Ceremony at Wolseley Park from 11:00am on Friday, 15 September.

A delegation from the Yinzhou Government accepted an invitation to visit the Gunnedah Shire, following trade and investment missions in March and the signing of Friendly Relationship Exchange Agreements. Six senior members of the Yinzhou Government will travel to Gunnedah to formalise the relationship.

“It is exciting that we are taking the next step in the development of our relationship with the Yinzhou Government,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“Economic development is the focus of Yinzhou, however, education and tourism are also noted as a key focus.

“There is a lot we can learn from each other and this agreement will allow us to further promote a wide range of administrative, economic, investment, trade, agricultural, tourism, educational, cultural and other activities of mutual exchange benefit.”

Yinzhou District, China has a thriving economy characterised by large input and large output. Yinzhou has a population of 730,000, is the largest sea port in the world and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2015 was valued at more than $27 billion across more than 15,000 organisations.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

GoCo Community Care launches Assistance with Care and Housing, a support program to provide assistance in linking residents to housing options.

The Commonwealth funded support program allows GoCo to provide links to services and information, help clients with housing applications, provide linkages to financial and legal advocacy, and assist clients in connecting with their community, and accessing care and support.

“GoCo has the opportunity, with the introduction of the Assistance with Care and Housing program, to support clients to maintain or find more suitable accommodation.

This program is for people who may be struggling on a low income, having difficulty paying their rent or it might be that someone needs help around the house or in the community,” GoCo Care and Housing Support Facilitator Jacquie Goodhew said. “GoCo can find a solution under this program.”

The program supports residents aged 50 years and over, and Aboriginal persons aged over 45.

For more information contact GoCo Care and Housing Support Facilitator, Jacquie Goodhew on (02) 6740 2240 or goco@infogunnedah.com.au 

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Tammey McAllan is a local artist who has been practicing and refining her art for three years and is quickly gaining recognition in the area for her whimsical contemporary arts practice.

Tammey is currently installing works at the Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery as part of an upcoming exhibition titled ‘The Beauty in Adamantine’.

“Tammey’s works are colourful, gestural and bold and always signed with Tammey’s quirky signature: Love Tammey,” Gunnedah Shire Council’s Arts and Cultural Officer Lauren Mackley said.

“We are looking forward to showcasing the colourful works of an up-and-coming local artist.”

Tammey’s professional career is beginning to flourish, she has previously exhibited at the Annual Gunnedah Arts and Ceramics Exhibition, Gunnedah Show, Boggabri Arts show and Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery’s - Strength and Diversity Exhibition.”

Tammey has recently moved to Boggabri where she has been instrumental with the Boggabri Hardware Store, Men’s Shed and Lions Club in opening a community arts shed. It is anticipated to be open to the public in early October 2017.

Tammey’s colourful and inspiring exhibition ‘The Beauty in Adamantine’ will officially open at the Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery at 6:00pm on Friday, 8 September. Drinks and canapes will be provided.

The exhibition continues until 15 October.

Photo 1: Tammey McAllan’s colourful exhibition will open this Friday.

Photo 2: Tammey McAllan is a local artist who is quickly gaining recognition in the area.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d), Governor of New South Wales will aid Gunnedah in marking its contribution to the state-wide soil collection for the Anzac Memorial Centenary Project.

The Project is the multi-million dollar redevelopment of NSW’s pre-eminent memorial to the contribution of NSW and Australian veterans to the First World War in Hyde Park, Sydney. It will feature an artwork developed by artist Fiona Hall alongside Sydney architect Richard Johnson, displaying soil collected from approximately 1700 locations across NSW, including Gunnedah.

The place names from which the soil is collected are taken from the database of Great War enlistees, summing up the geographical reach of the call to serve.

An official soil collection will take place at the Gunnedah Cenotaph on Wednesday, 13 September from 9:45am.

“We are honoured the Governor of NSW will be available to mark this poignant event with Gunnedah,” Anzac Working Group Chair Owen Hasler said.

“The Gunnedah Historical Society’s book, In the Line of Fire amply demonstrates how over 500 men from the Gunnedah District were prepared to sacrifice their lives for their nation and the soil collection process is a fitting memorial to their courage and their families support and sacrifice.

“The soil collection ritual allows Gunnedah to remember their own and then bring together other communities from across NSW in the final artwork for a very moving tribute.”

During his visit, the Governor will also attend the 2017 Mayoral Dinner on Wednesday evening, where he has been invited as guest speaker.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.