Don’t miss your chance to nominate a local legend to carry the Queen’s Baton when it visits Gunnedah next year.

Batonbearer nominations are open for everyday Australians to be part of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR).

Across Australia, 3,800 batonbearers are needed to share the dream of the ‘friendly Games’ as part of the QBR.Starting on 25 December 2017, the Queen’s Baton will travel for 100 days in Australia, visiting Gunnedah on Wednesday, 31 January 2018.

Nominate someone today for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so their achievements don’t go unrecognised.

The GC2018 QBR will be the longest and most engaging in history, visiting communities large, small, urban and regional, giving everyone the opportunity to be part of Australian sporting history.

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Batonbearers must be nominated by someone else and nominees must accept their nomination to be considered for the role. It is important to remember that each nomination is judged on merit and all face the judging panel at the same time, so there is still plenty of opportunity to get your nominations in.

“We’re delighted to be a part of an event that will take Gunnedah to the world and I encourage you to nominate a local legend you think deserves to be a Batonbearer, whether they’re an aspiring young person or someone who is already accomplished,” Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

Batonbearer nominations are open until 11:59pm AEST on 15 May 2017 at https://www.gc2018.com/qbr and don’t forget to check your email to see if you have been nominated.

We are looking for people who:

• Have achieved something extraordinary or inspired others to achieve something extraordinary; or
• Have made a significant contribution to either sport, education, the arts, culture, charity or within their community; or
• Have excelled, or aspire to excel athletically or personally; or
• Contribute to a fun, friendly, vibrant and inclusive community;
• Are at least 10 years old as at 25 December 2017; and
• Are an Australian citizen or lawfully entitled to reside in Australia during the Relay period (25 December 2017 – 4 April 2018)

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

Arts North West and Accessible Arts NSW will be celebrating the launch of Enabling Community Creativity: A Regional Disability Resource at the Civic Centre Gunnedah on 22 May 2017.

Enabling Community Creativity: A Regional Disability Resource Manual is the direct result of The Heading West Project, a strategic two year partnership between Arts North West, Arts Northern Rivers (regional arts development organisations) and Accessible Arts NSW. This resource manual is a how-to-guide to deliver arts and disability projects and events in regional Australia including project development, marketing, and accessibility plans. It comprises step-by-step processes, templates, resources as well as a number of case studies to assist organisations and individuals to develop their own arts and disability events in their communities.

Everyone is invited to come along, participate in an inclusive art activity, and create a nature photo print and frame. All materials and morning tea provided.

WHEN:
11:00am – 1:00 pm Monday 22 May 2017

WHERE:
Creative Arts Centre, 81 Chandos Street
Gunnedah.

The Creative Arts Centre is an accessible venue.

COST:
Free

Further enquiries, please contact Arts North West via email office@artsnw.com.au, phone 67324988 or visit the website www.artsnw.com.au for more information.

BE PART OF THE ACTION.
GIVE SOMEONE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THE DREAM!

Batonbearers will inspire others with their passion and commitment to sport and community and be excited to represent and promote the Commonwealth Games.

A Batonbearer will share the dream and carry with pride the spirit of the Games embracing the diversity and values of the Commonwealth. They will inspire others with their passion and commitment to sport and community and be excited to represent and promote the Commonwealth Games.

Nomination & Selection Criteria

We are looking for people of all abilities to share the dream and become a Batonbearer for the GC2018 Queen’s Baton Relay. A Batonbearer is someone who meets one or more of the following criteria:

• Has achieved something extraordinary or inspired others to achieve something extraordinary.
• Has made a significant contribution to either sport, education, the arts, culture, charity or within their community.
• Has excelled, or aspires to excel athletically or personally.
• Who contributes to a fun, friendly, vibrant and inclusive community.
• The minimum age of a Batonbearer is 10 years old as at 25 December 2017 (the start date of the Queen’s Baton Relay in Australia).
• To nominate, explain in 100 words or less how the nominee (the person being nominated) meets one or more of the selection criteria and why they should have an opportunity to carry the Queen's Baton.
• Nominees must be an Australian Citizen or lawfully entitled to reside in Australia during the Relay period (25 December 2017 – 4 April 2018).

What you will need to nominate someone

If you are under 18, you will need to confirm you have obtained parent/guardian consent to make a nomination. You will also be asked to accept the nominator terms and conditions.

For further information on the nomination and selection process, please read the Frequently Asked Questions.
Read more on how the Queen’s Baton Relay supports our GC2018 Reconciliation Plan.

Nominations must be made on or before 15 May 2017 (Nomination Due Date)
#GC2018

https://www.gc2018.com/qbr/nominate 

In NSW, there are more than 1.3 million people living with disability. The proportion of people with disability is on the rise as the population ages – with close to 40% of people having some form of disability by the time they are 70 years old. People with disability are increasingly expressing their right to participate as they choose in all areas of public life – this includes the right to complain.

Tips for Accessible Complaints Handling

The NSW Ombudsman has released two resources to assist organisations to deliver an accessible complaint handling service and both are designed to be included in training and induction packages, and on any organisations intranet and/or website. Hardcopies of the factsheet or a copy of the video on a USB (at no cost) can be obtained by emailing training@ombo.nsw.gov.au 

My Right To Be Heard

This video features five people with disability who provide personal insights into their lives and the importance of being heard. The Deputy Ombudsman and Disability Services Commissioner also appear in the video, sending a strong message about the obligation of all agencies and their staff to adopt an inclusive and ‘person centred’ approach to complaint handling. The Commissioner’s message is supported by practical advice from one of their most experienced complaints handlers. Check out the video below. 

Tips for Accessible Complaint Handling

This is a practical guide for frontline staff about adopting a person-centred and inclusive approach to complaints. Check out: NSW Ombudsman Tips for Accessible Complaint Handling

Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery will be a hub of upcycled, innovative creations from Friday, 2 June 2017, featuring Gunnedah’s Biennial ‘Waste into Art’ Exhibition.

Every two years, Gunnedah Shire Council asks residents to use their imagination and repurpose waste items into art. This year, the ‘Waste into Art’ Exhibition is expanding, allowing entries from throughout the New England North West to further spread the reduce, reuse, recycle message.

The theme for Waste into Art 2017 is ‘Technologic’. Each year Australians dispose thousands of broken, unwanted or upgraded electrical items into landfill. This exhibition is encouraging people to demonstrate imaginative uses for these discarded items. Artworks should incorporate the re-use or recycling of waste or pre/loved materials and/or may link to the theme ‘Technologic’.

The categories include:

• Section 1 – Early Childhood / Preschool (Group entries)
• Section 2 – Primary Schools (Group entries)
• Section 3 – Secondary Schools (Group entries)
• Section 4 - Individual under 16 years (Individual entries)
• Section 5 – Open Community (Group and Individual entries)
  • 16 years and over- Most Creative
  • Best suits theme of ‘Technologic’
  • Functional Art (Furniture/Homewares/Inventions)
• Section 6 - People’s Choice Award
  • An artwork voted the best by the guests attending the Exhibition will be awarded at the end of the Exhibition period.

The prize money for this year has increased, with winners of each category receiving $150 prize money. One entry will also be selected to be permanently displayed at the Gunnedah Waste Management Facility to promote the recycling message and to celebrate innovative waste turned into art.

“The message of recycling is important for our future. Discarded and preloved items can be transformed into art. We are constantly looking for innovative ways to turn waste into worth and this exhibition is just one way Gunnedah Shire Council is spreading the recycling message,” Gunnedah Shire Council’s Arts and Cultural Officer Lauren Mackley said.

“Waste into Art is a great way to get the community thinking outside the square and into a mindset that focuses on waste reduction. Every year we are continually amazed at the innovative and imaginative creative entries” Gunnedah Shire Council’s Senior Environmental Health Officer Sue Cox said.

Entry forms are available for download below and hard copies can be picked up at the Gunnedah Visitor Information Centre and The Gunnedah Shire Council Office at 63 Elgin Street.

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For enquiries contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Arts and Cultural Officer, Lauren Mackley on (02) 67 402 100. All entries are required to be submitted to The Visitor Information Centre, 81 Chandos Street Gunnedah before 5:00 pm on Friday 26 May 2017.

The exhibition will officially open at 1:00 pm on June 2, 2017. Community members are invited to come along and place their vote for the People’s Choice Award. The winner will be announced at the close of the Exhibition on Monday, 3 June 2017.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Shire Council has received funding from the Department of Industry through The Future Towns Plans Project that was rolled out across Regional NSW earlier this year.

The grant allocation is being used to kick-start the Gunnedah Shire Council Vibrant Precinct Project which will focus on site activation in order to increase vibrancy within the Downtown Precinct. The project will explore a number of themes including how contemporary and accessible arts may assist in creating vibrant spaces that are activated all year round.

As part of the project, Council will be undertaking consultation with a number of stakeholders to explore the concept of site activation within the Gunnedah Shire.

Gunnedah Shire Council welcomes business and industry representatives to share their ideas on site activation and creating vibrancy in our CBD and Downtown Precinct at a Business Breakfast from 7.30am to 9.00am Friday, 5 May 2017 at the Smithurst Theatre, Conadilly Street, Gunnedah.

There are also opportunities for Gunnedah’s young people and youth representatives to participate in workshops from 10:00am – 11:00am at the Smithurst Theatre; with mapping and interactive activities that will explore innovative and fresh ways to inject colour into our CBD.

The Creative Industry Workshop taking place on Friday, 5 May from 2:00pm – 5:00pm will provide a forum for arts enthusiasts and Indigenous groups to participate in community brainstorming to assist with development of new ideas relating to vibrancy. This workshop will include a site tour through the CBD. The
site tour is expected to take one hour with non-walking options available.

For others who would like to have their say or are unable to participate at other times, there is an open day at the Smithurst Theatre for community members to explore what site activation can look like. This is the perfect opportunity to further explore how we can make our town more vibrant. The Smithurst will be open from 9:00 am to 2:00pm on Saturday, 6 May for all to come along and share their ideas.

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“We’re so excited about the Vibrant Precinct Project and the potential benefits for Gunnedah and the CBD. We’re looking forward to seeing how arts and culture, among many other factors, can contribute to site activation and how creating vibrant spaces can attract and enhance visitor numbers through cultural participation. We see lots of potential and we’re keen to explore this with the community.” Gunnedah Shire Council’s Arts and Cultural Officer, Lauren Mackley said.

For more information about how to participate with these workshops or to RSVP your attendance, please call Gunnedah Shire Council’s Arts and Cultural Officer Lauren Mackley on (02) 6740 2100 or email on laurenmackley@infogunnedah.com.au. 

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

The 2017 summer inspection program targeting Alligator weed and Honey Locust in the Peel and Namoi Rivers has been completed by local Councils across the North West and New England.

The program took around two weeks to complete and covered an area from Sandy Creek near Somerton to Narrabri township. The project is an important step in the containment of the world’s worst aquatic plant, Alligator weed.

Inspections in the Namoi commenced slightly later than usual due to high water levels following good rainfall and significant water releases from Keepit Dam. High rainfall prior to the program, coupled with one of the hottest summers on record produced the perfect environment for Alligator weed.

The program funded by the Northwest Local Lands Service now in its sixth year, located in excess of twenty infestations of Alligator weed in the Namoi River from the Peel River junction to Gunnedah.

“Although the infestations were relatively small and in close proximity to existing sites, a couple of larger plants outside those sites caused us some concern,” Gunnedah Shire Council’s Senior Weeds Officer Lee Amidy said.

“It’s not surprising given the season we’ve just experienced, that these plants were a little more advanced than in previous years” he added.

All infestations in the Peel and Namoi Rivers have since been removed manually or treated with chemical. The sites will be continually monitored for regrowth.

“The program also provided us with an opportunity to assess the extent of regrowth of Honey Locust trees along both rivers following three separate treatment programs over the last ten years” Mr. Amidy said.

The results from control programs targeting this thorny invasive tree were described as extremely encouraging, with local weeds officers agreeing that the platform had been set for the containment and eventual eradication of Honey locust in the Namoi River.

Education and awareness programs have been conducted over the last three weeks with displays of Alligator weed along with other aquatic pest being presented at fishing competitions at Carroll and Lake Keepit as well as local agricultural shows.

“It is important to arm those who use our rivers and dams with the skills to identify weeds such as Alligator weed, so they can assist us in keeping an eye out for invasive aquatic weeds that could threaten the health of our waterways” Mr Amidy concluded.

Information on all aquatic and other invasive weeds is available from your local Council Weeds Officers, Local Lands Services or New South Wales Department of Primary Industries.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Shire Council is hosting the biennial event 'Waste into Art' Exhibition 2017 to promote waste reduction on our community.

The exhibition officially opens 1.00pm Friday 2 June 2017 and will run until Sunday 2 July 2017.

Submissions are due 5.00pm Friday 26 May 2017 at the Visitor Information Centre, 81 Chandos Street Gunnedah.

Entry forms can be downloaded using the link below and hard copies are available at the Visitor Information Centre or Gunnedah Shire Council Administration building, 63 Elgin Street Gunnedah.

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All artworks must incorporate the re-use of recycling of waste or pre-loved materials and/or may link to the theme 'Technologic'.

For enquiries or for further information contact our Customer Service Team on (02) 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Shire Council is proud to announce renowned Walcha artist Linda Lockyer will be exhibiting her collection of works entitled ‘Country Meets Coast’ at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery this May.

Lockyer’s works investigate contrasting environments; ‘Country Meets Coast’ highlights her connection to two very different geographical places, The New England Ranges and beyond, in contrast to the coastal region of Camden Haven. Lockyer uses her canvas as a recording of her own perceptions of a particular place at a particular time, painted in her own distinct style.

“I feel a great sense of oneness with the ocean and the coast which I frequent often, and I love breathtaking scenes like the gorge country in which I live. Painting allows me to express all of my emotions fully” said Lockyer

Lockyer’s artworks are predominantly abstract using colours and rich texture, often using spatulas as well as brushes and varying types of cloth and sponges to apply the paint to canvas. Her paintings are colourful, textured and reflect her love of the Australian lifestyle and landscape.

“Colour, texture and form are very important tools of expression and can therefore record life experiences very differently to descriptions in words”. Lockyer said.

Her first solo exhibition was held in Sydney at Shepherd St Gallery, Chippendale in 2012. Since then, Linda has exhibited in group exhibitions at the Glasshouse, Port Macquarie and NERAM with recent solo shows at Ray Walsh House (Tamworth Regional Gallery) and regular solo shows at The Armidale Art Gallery.

The Official Opening will be held at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery at 6:00 pm on Friday 5 May 2017. The exhibition will continue until the Sunday 28 May, 2017.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100

Gunnedah Shire Council is proud to announce three of the comedic acts coming to town for the Gunnedah leg of The Melbourne International Comedy Roadshow of 2017.

Australian Comedian Daniel Connell will be gracing our stage with his laid back Aussie humour. The man of very few words has been dubbed ‘one to watch’ on the Australian Comedy circuit by The Age. A performer not to be missed, Daniel’s commentary on life will have you sniggering and giggling.

David Quirk is a stand-up comedian based in Melbourne. In 2006, David was a state finalist in Triple J’s ‘Raw Comedy’ competition, and in 2007, made his Melbourne International Comedy Festival debut and has since performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Quirk by name and by nature, his act has been reviewed as “An intelligent hour of comedy that is both funny and philosophical, full of uncomfortable truths, black humour, and brutal honesty."

Adam Hess is a big name from the UK, having received the Chortle Student Comedy Award 2011 and been nominated for best newcomer award at the 2015 Edinburgh Comedy Awards. He has been screened on The BBC, Comedy Up Late and Comedy Central. His credentials include his First Aid Training and ability to moon walk. This cheeky guy from London will have you roaring with laughter.

Don’t miss your chance to join the laughs at the Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow. Get on board, grab your mates and get giggling as the ultimate comedy road trip rolls into town!

Ticket purchases are available online at www.thecivic.com.au. Just follow the ‘Book now’ link or purchase in person at The Visitor Information Centre, Chandos Street or The Gunnedah Shire Council Office, 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah. For any enquiries call (02) 67 402 100.

Warning: Performances often contain coarse language, sexual references and material that can offend. It is recommended for people aged 16 years or older.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.