In honour of National Police Remembrance Day, Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey was in Walcha last week to pay his respects to police officers and staff who paid the ultimate price in their service.

Mayor Chaffey was moved by the service and by remembering those who had given their lives whilst carrying out their duties.

“It’s humbling to remember those who gave their lives to protect the people of NSW,” Mayor Chaffey said.

“It’s very important for us to all remember those who work to safeguard our community, and take note that the work they do is incredibly important, but can also be incredibly dangerous.”

“We’re lucky to have these amazing people in our police force.” Mayor Chaffey said.

The service, held at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Walcha was held to commemorate those who lost their lives in service over the last year: Sergeant Geoffrey Graham Richardson, and Police accountant Curtis Shu Kei Cheng. Sergeant Richardson lost his life while on his way to attend an emergency in the Hunter Valley on 5 March this year, and Mr. Cheng was gunned down in front of Parramatta Police Station on 2 October 2015.

Attached is a photo of Mayor Jamie Chaffey with Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson, and Police Inspector Paul Johnson.

ENDS

Featuring some fresh faces after the recent Council election, the Gunnedah Crime Prevention Working Group met on Tuesday evening, to discuss initiatives to enhance community safety and reduce crime in the Gunnedah Shire.

Councillors attending were Colleen Fuller, John Campbell, David Moses and Murray O’Keefe. With the re-election of Councillor Fuller as Chair, the Working Group was quick to get down to business, with in-depth discussion taking place on topics ranging from crime prevention through environmental design, CCTV, alcohol-free zones, domestic and family violence, drug prevention educational materials and police crime statistics.

“I am delighted that Councillor Fuller has been re-elected unopposed to this very important working group; her contributions made in the previous term have been recognised and we look forward to her positive leadership over the next term.”

“Also Welcome to Councillor O’Keefe and Campbell, we look forward to their positive contributions and new ideas to the Working Group” Mayor Chaffey said.

Established in 2000, the Gunnedah Crime Prevention Working Group is an advisory group that meets bi-monthly. Adopting a whole of community approach to crime prevention within the Gunnedah Shire, membership is drawn from a broad range of stakeholders, including representatives from NSW Police Oxley Local Area Command, Gunnedah Family Support, PCYC, Winanga-Li Aboriginal Child and Family Centre, several community and youth members, as well as Council staff.

The Group played a significant role in the development of the Gunnedah Crime Prevention Plan 2014-2017 and has over time championed for changes to State and Federal government domestic violence policy and funding, supported the lodgement of several successful grant funding applications, and contributed to community safety projects including the implementation of CCTV in the Gunnedah CBD and the Gunny Get You Home Safe initiative.

Photo: Meeting of the Gunnedah Crime Prevention Working Group.

ENDS

We are proud to announce that Gunnedah’s GoCo has been nominated as a semi-finalist in the 1st Choice Rentals Volunteering category for the 2016 NSW/ACT Regional Achievement and Community Awards.

GoCo received the nomination for the work of two outstanding GoCo volunteers Jill Woodhead and Hope Cahill, who made an amazing community contribution by spending time comforting a dying man who was without family in his final days.

Out of the kindness of their hearts, Woodhead and Cahill regularly visited the man in Gunnedah District Hospital. When the man’s condition deteriorated and he was transferred to Tamworth Base Hospital, Woodhead and Cahill travelled every day to visit him, do his washing, and sit with him.

When his condition deteriorated further, Woodhead and Cahill brought his dog to his bedside, and he was able to spend his final hours with his beloved pet before he died.
“They are volunteers with a heart of gold, who really went above and beyond in their duties.” GoCo Community Care Team Leader Sharon Tibbs said.

“They only knew this gentleman from taking him on trips with Community Transport. If only the world had more people with hearts as big as theirs” she concluded.

GoCo Volunteers make an exceptional contribution to GoCo and to the wider community. They assist with everything from general lifestyle support to more dedicated medical support. Over the years, the Volunteers have done everything from laundry and mowing lawns, to dressing changes and wound cleaning.

GoCo prides itself on offering tailored packages, with as much or as little care as need, with their aim to preserve and maintain their clients’ independence. GoCo’s services are extremely diverse and include Aged care, disability support, Aboriginal support, assistance for those with dementia, and community transport – vital for those in towns with limited services. Additionally, GoCo’s Community Hub provides guidance for all members of the community, not just those in need of specialised care.

GoCo is also the point of contact in the Gunnedah Shire for the National Disability Insurance team.

“GoCo has 40 community Volunteers in Gunnedah, with 22 transport drivers. We’re able to transport anyone in the community who needs transport services, and school leavers can access help with resumes through our Community Hub, for example,” Ms Tibbs said.

Always looking to do more for the community, GoCo is seeking new volunteers to continue their great work in the community. If you (or anyone you know- rope in those bored friends and neighbours!) can spare as little as a few hours a week, just get in contact.

If you are in need of care or assistance, please contact GoCo on (02) 6740 2240, through the form on their website at www.gococare.com.au, or drop in to their offices at 80 Marquis Street, Gunnedah.

With over 127 years of combined experience in their community care team, GoCo started out as a small organisation in Gunnedah, and has since expanded to care operations in Moree, Quirindi, Narrabri, Tamworth, and everywhere in between. Two of the original three founding members still form part of GoCo today, and they continue to live up to GoCo’s core belief of empowering people to live their lives the way they choose.

ENDS

Gunnedah Shire Council ANZAC Working Group has launched ticket sales for the major musical event 100 Years Commemoration of ANZAC: The Music of War and Peace Time at the Gunnedah Town Hall on November 11 and 12 2016.

The major musical event has been funded through the Australian Government ANZAC Centenary Arts and Culture Fund and will commemorate the sacrifice of Australian men and women during wartime. The show will tell part of the story of war through music of the time as well as songs which reflect on the experience of war such as “The Band Played Waltzing Matilda” and “I was Only 19”.

The 100 Years Commemoration of ANZAC: The Music of War and Peace Time will feature a large cast of local musicians and performers and a major drawcard will be the return of professional musicians, Anthony Snape and Cassie Carbliss (nee Berry) to the Town Hall stage. Both Anthony and Cassie performed in a similar event while students at Gunnedah High School and have gone on to work as professional musicians. Anthony is now based in Nashville and his return to the Gunnedah stage is eagerly anticipated.

Gunnedah-based band Streamline and students from the Gunnedah Conservatorium will also feature during the event which will condense 100 years of music into a 90-minute show.

There will be three performances of 100 Years Commemoration of ANZAC: The Music of War and Peace Time. A free matinee for schools on Friday 11 November will incorporate a minute of silence at the 11th hour marking the end of the First World War. The 7pm performance will be presented in cabaret style and incorporate a three-course meal by local caterers, The Verdict for $55. There will also be a matinee performance on Saturday 12 November at 2pm. Tickets can be purchased at The CIVIC or on the www.thecivic.com.au website by following the BOOK NOW link.

“In partnership with Gunnedah Conservatorium and artists Anthony Snape and Cassie Carbliss, the Gunnedah Shire Council’s ANZAC Working Group’s vision is to present a performance which examines how music has been the soundtrack to the Australian experience of war and peace time,” said Councillor Owen Hasler, Chair of the Gunnedah ANZAC Working Group.

“I would encourage those interested to book as soon as possible as tickets are expected to sell quickly. I look forward to a great show.”

100 Years Commemoration of ANZAC: The Music of War and Peace Time is presented by Gunnedah Shire Council’s ANZAC Working Group in conjunction with Gunnedah Conservatorium and supported by the Australian Government ANZAC Centenary Arts and Culture Fund.

ENDS

Ann Luke
Councillor
   02 6740 2100
   0417 677 827
annluke@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

Tammey McAllan
Councillor
   02 6740 2100
   0407 604 379
tammeymcallan@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au 

An election was held in Gunnedah Shire Council on Saturday 10 September 2016 to elect nine (9) Councillors. The counting of votes resulted in the election of:

• HOOKE Rob,
• CAMPBELL John R,
• O'KEEFE Murray,
• HASLER Owen,
• MOSES David,
• FULLER Colleen,
• LUKE Ann,
• CHAFFEY Jamie,
• SWAIN Gae,

Please view the full Declaration of the Poll here.

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At Gunnedah Shire Council’s Ordinary meeting held last night, Councillor Jamie Chaffey was announced as Mayor for the ensuring 2 year term with long term serving Councillor, Gae Swain elected as Deputy Mayor.

“I’m honoured and humbled to be offered an opportunity to represent my community as Mayor, and I look forward to leading the Council for the next two years,” Mayor Chaffey said.

“It is my vision to lead a dynamic council with a fresh approach, and I look forward to being a key player in the future to shape the continued growth of the Gunnedah Shire.”

“I want to ensure the Gunnedah Shire community can continue to live in a progressive and safe environment that provides an ideal place to rear children, for young people to build a future, for businesses to grow and succeed, and for the community as a whole to prosper with opportunities continuing to come our way.”

“As a member of the Gunnedah Shire community, I am heartily grateful to our outgoing Councillors, and in particular former mayor Owen Hasler, for positioning Gunnedah Shire Council in a strong financial position for the future. Achieving this status is no mean feat and I acknowledge the hard work and dedication of all Councillors that have served our community and in particular former councillors Gwen Griffen, Steve Smith, Rebecca Ryan and David Quince.”

“I congratulate my fellow Councillors Colleen Fuller, Rob Hooke, David Moses, Murray O’Keefe, Ann Luke, John Campbell, Gae Swain and Owen Hasler on their recent election and look forward to working with them to secure a promising future for our community.”

END

Mayor Jamie Chaffey in front of the Gunnedah Shire Council Chambers.

Contact: Tom Plevey 02 6740 2100

RECYCLING COLLECTION - GUNNEDAH

Collection will be on Tuesday 4 October 2016.
Residents are requested to place their recycling bins out on Monday evening as collection will begin early on Tuesday.

RECYCLING COLLECTION – CURLEWIS

Collection will be on Wednesday 5 October 2016.
Residents are requested to place their recycling bins out on Tuesday evening as collection will begin early on Wednesday.
THERE WILL BE NO CHANGES TO THE HOUSEHOLD WASTE AND

GREENWASTE COLLECTION

Please ensure bins are placed out the night before collection date, as contractors are not obliged to accept late bins.
If you have any enquiries regarding these changes please contact Council’s Customer Services Team on 6740 2100.

Eric Groth
General Manager

Final counting in the 2016 Gunnedah Shire Council Local Government Election has been completed. The following candidates have been elected:

• HOOKE Rob,
• CAMPBELL John R,
• O'KEEFE Murray,
• HASLER Owen,
• MOSES David,
• FULLER Colleen,
• LUKE Ann,
• CHAFFEY Jamie,
• SWAIN Gae,

Declaration of the poll will be on Friday, 16th September 2016 at 11am in the Gunnedah Shire Council Chambers.

View a copy of the Gunnedah Shire Council Election 2016 - Final Count results here.