August 9, 2023

Gunnedah Shire’s biggest annual art exhibition will open the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery on Friday, August 11, with exciting artworks across 14 categories.

The 52nd Art & Ceramics Exhibition, held by Arts Gunnedah, will showcase the work of artists from not only the North-West, but from Tamworth, Armidale, Scone and Coonabarabran, with prize money totalling $9600.

Arts Gunnedah president Helen Stanley said the exhibition had become a Gunnedah institution.

“This is an exhibition Gunnedah looks forward to every year,” Mrs Stanley said. “It is always a wonderful collection of a wide variety of art and ceramics - a colourful expression of the talent we have in this area and beyond.

“The 52nd Art & Ceramics Exhibition will include everything from watercolours to graphics, miniatures, mixed media and ceramics.

“We invite everyone to come along and take a look while this exhibition is open at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery. You can even vote for your favourite artwork for the People’s Choice Award.”

Gunnedah Shire Council is a sponsor of the exhibition that will have its opening at 6pm on Friday, 11 August. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children under 18, and can be reserved at www.thecivic.com.au and paid for at the door, or bought at the event.

The exhibition will be open daily from 10am to 4pm and will continue until Saturday, August 26.

Caption: Visitors enjoy the opening night of the 2022 Art & Ceramics Exhibition.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

July 31, 2023

The Gunnedah Shire Council will proudly join Local Government Week celebrations this week.

Starting today, Local Government Week (31 July – 6 August, 2023) aims to shift the focus beyond roads, rates and rubbish to the broader role that councils play throughout Australia to support their local communities.

Gunnedah Shire Council is one of 128 local councils in NSW and currently employs a full-time equivalent of 200 staff, manages a budget of nearly $66 million and is responsible for a number of major projects including the Saleyards Precinct Upgrade, the Water Treatment Plant, the Airport Tarmac Works and the Koala Sanctuary.

Council strongly values the significant contribution of its staff each year and, to commemorate Local Government Week, will feature several of its employees in a series of short video interviews on its Facebook and Instagram social media channels. These pieces will provide some insight into the different roles they play within the organisation.

The Gunnedah Shire Library will also be recognised at the Local Government Week Awards ceremony at Doltone House in Sydney this Thursday evening, having been named as a finalist in the Innovation in the Special Events category (Division A 0- 30,000 people) for its Book Paper Folding for Fairytale February.

Mayor Councillor Jamie Chaffey said Local Government Week presented a prime opportunity to further explain the many important functions of a council and the role of its employees.

“We have a highly dedicated and genuinely passionate team working at the Gunnedah Shire Council and this is a chance to recognise them and allow our community to get to know some of the faces behind the names that work tirelessly to make day to day living in our region safe and enjoyable,” Cr Chaffey said.

“These people are also great ambassadors for working in local government and with recruitment a key focus for all councils, it’s important to hear from the very people who are at the coal face of our operation serving our community and just how rewarding they find their work.”

As part of Local Government Week celebrations, Council will host a free barbecue in the Smithurst Courtyard from 11am - 2pm this Friday, August 4.

25 July, 2023

Revered Australian puppet show A Little Bit of Blue is set to delight young members of the Gunnedah community at The Civic next week.

A Little Bit of Blue is an interactive environmental detective story that unravels the mysterious habits of the satin bowerbird, an extraordinary Australian animal that has a unique fascination with the colour blue.

The performance, aimed at pre-school age children, will be staged by Australian company Little Wing Puppets which specialises in original heart-warming shows and is committed to environmental education, weaving together light-hearted and entertaining stories about the nation’s unique natural heritage.
They have performed to more than 50,000 children and in numerous festivals, theatres and country halls in every state and territory of Australia as well as overseas.

The story of A Little Bit of Blue begins with the strange disappearance of items from Mrs. Mavis Hooley’s home. Every day something new goes missing including a $10 note, pegs and a ball of wool, but then the mischievous Bowerbird takes it one step too far so she calls in a detective to investigate.

Jenny Ellis, a puppeteer with more than 20 years experience leads the show and invites the audience to become part of the theatrical experience by helping to solve the mystery.

Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Economy and Growth Susan Frater welcomed the addition of A Little Bit of Blue to The Civic’s entertainment schedule.

“This fantastic show will be a fun and interactive way for our community to gain a better understanding of the idiosyncracies of a unique Australian bird,” Ms Frater said.

“We are thrilled to have a theatre company the calibre of Little Wing Puppets come to Gunnedah and inform and educate our young people in such an unforgettable way.”

WHEN

Tuesday 1 August 2023

Session 1 – 10am – 11am
Session 2 – 1pm – 2pm

LOCATION

The Civic Theatre
83 Chandos St, Gunnedah NSW

TICKETS

$10 

For bookings or more information, go to https://thecivic.com.au/live-theatre--events

July 25, 2023

The already strong Sister City relationship between Gunnedah Shire and Kolomotu’a in the Kingdom of Tonga has become even closer with this month’s delegation visit.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the visit, led by Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho, the High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Tonga to the Commonwealth of Australia, had been an amazing experience for the community and everyone involved.

“This is the second time we have been blessed by a visit from Her Royal Highness, and it was truly a productive four days,” Cr Chaffey said.

“This Sister City Agreement is now a year old and has grown into a family relationship, with strong cultural and friendship ties between our regions. It was particularly exciting to see so many of our community members,
organisations and businesses welcoming the delegation, including at the Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce Gala Ball.

“Community groups were very generous with their time and their talents. Our Tongan visitors have commented on how much they enjoyed visiting Gunnedah and meeting our community.

“We are cementing the way forward for our partnership, particularly in the areas of the arts and culture, sports, education and employment.

“To this end, a delegation of business people and Council representatives will visit Tonga in early October for an employment expo to outline the many opportunities there are on both sides. Tongan people have worked in Gunnedah for many years, and are very much part of our community.”

The visit from the Tongan delegation was also the beginning of fundraising for a new library for the Government Middle School of Kolomotu’a which was badly damaged in a tsunami in January 2022. The principal of the school, Lose Kuluka, was among the visitors to Gunnedah.

“We visited the Middle School on our visit to Kolomotu’a in October last year and witnessed first hand how difficult it was to teach with limited buildings and resources,” Cr Chaffey said. “This is a wonderful way we can assist our friends to get back on track.”

The Gunnedah Shire Council Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships Working Group will meet in the coming weeks to discuss the next steps.

If you are interested in joining the delegation to Kolomotu’a that begins on October 7, 2023, or are an individual or community group that could help in the fundraising effort for a new library for the Government Middle School of Kolomotu’a, please email the Working Group via council@infogunnedah.com.au

Caption: Gunnedah Shire business and community members joined members of the delegation from Kolomotu’a in the Kingdom of Tonga and the Annual Mayoral Breakfast.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

July 24, 2023

New faces for working groups

Three new faces will join two Gunnedah Shire Council working groups.

Council this week endorsed Troy Silver as a community representative on the Gunnedah Shire Council Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group, and Sharon Aldridge and her alternate Sally Wilson as Community Corrections representatives on the Gunnedah Crime Prevention Working Group.

Nominations for the Skills and Training Working Group, the Economic Development Working Group, the Business Partner Program Advisory Group, the Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships Working Group, and the Australia Day Working Group are open.

For further information, visit www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au, or contact the Manager Economy & Growth on (02) 6740 2100.

Council to apply for Growing Regions Program Round 1

Gunnedah Shire Council will apply for Australian Government Growing Regions Program Round 1 funding to go towards a new animal impound facility.

Council will seek funding of approximately $2.2 million to go towards the project. Escalating construction and labour costs have put the total for the project well above initial estimates and the funding made available last year through the Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 5. Council will also contribute additional funds.

The Gunnedah Animal Impound Facility would deliver a safe, accessible, legislatively compliant, secure community facility that supports current and future animal impounding and rehoming requirements.

Amended Asset Management Policy on display

Gunnedah Shire Council’s amended Asset Management Policy has been endorsed by Council to be placed on public exhibition for 28 days.

The policy, which is required under the Local Government Act 1993, contains the principles and guidelines by which Council will manage its assets so that current and future local community needs can be met in an affordable way.

The policy can be viewed at the Gunnedah Shire Council administration building in Elgin Street, or online here.

Caption: Council will seek funding towards a new Gunnedah Animal Impound Facility.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

July 14, 2023

Planning for the Gunnedah Crime Prevention and Community Safety Conference on 23-24 November 2023 is well underway, with a line-up of notable and knowledgeable speakers already confirmed.

Speakers will include 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame, and 2020 Young Australian of the Year finalist Hunter Johnson, NSW Minister for Police and Counter Terrorism Yasmin Catley, social researcher and futurist Mark McCrindle, and crime prevention and community safety specialist John Maynard.

The two-day conference is aimed at local government and practitioners in community safety and crime prevention and is being organised by Gunnedah Shire’s Crime Prevention and Community Safety Conference Working Group.

CEO of the Grace Tame Foundation, Ms Tame has turned her traumatic experience into advocacy and is dedicated to eradicating child sexual abuse in Australia, and supporting survivors of child sexual abuse.

Fellow speaker Mark McCrindle is a social researcher, best-selling author, influential thought leader and TEDx speaker. He is a trusted advisor and sits on the board of a number of different organisations, after having developed his reputation as an expert demographer, futurist and social commentator.

Hunter Johnson leads The Man Cave, a preventative mental health and emotional intelligence charity that has impacted the lives of 20,000 young men across Australia. He also works as an advisor to The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust (QCT), a charity supporting young people throughout the Commonwealth alongside Prince Harry, the President of QCT.

Yasmin Catley was sworn in as New South Wales’ first female Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism in April this year.

Crime Prevention and Community Safety Conference Working Group Chairperson Colleen Fuller said members were excited about the high-calibre of the speakers.

We also have speakers from Cyber Security NSW, NSW Alcohol and Drug Foundation, Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, Just Reinvest NSW, NSW Police Engagement and Hate Crime Unit, Department of Communities and Justice, Qld Police and City of Logan, with more to be announced soon.

“This exceptional line-up of speakers are leaders in their fields and experts in topics ranging from rural crime to counter-terrorism, youth justice, cyber crime, crime trends, and domestic, family and sexual violence,” she said.

Cr Fuller said the conference was the ideal opportunity for delegates to network, exchange ideas, share experiences, and collaborate on projects and initiatives that contribute to building strong, safe and connected communities. To date, delegates from within NSW, Northern Territory, Queensland and Victoria have already booked for this event.

The working group includes a range of elected representatives, Council staff and representatives from local support services, Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce, business and industry, and interested community members.
“We are also thrilled to announce that Tamworth Family Support were first to come on board as a Silver Sponsor,” Cr Fuller said. “A range of community organisations have added their support as Local Partner sponsors including Gunnedah Family Support, Gunnedah & Districts Liquor Accord, Gunnedah Workshop Enterprises and Gunnedah Miners Support Incorporated.”

The event will be held in the Gunnedah Town Hall and Smithurst Theatre, and tickets are on sale at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/gunnedah-crime-prevention-community-safety-conference-23-24-nov-2023-tickets-630533220837.

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

Caption: Gunnedah Shire’s Crime Prevention and Community Safety Conference Working Group Chairperson Cr Colleen Fuller (left) and Conference Coordinator Debra Hilton.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

July 12, 2023

Gunnedah Shire will again host royalty this week to mark the first anniversary of the Shire’s Sister City Relationship with Kolomotu’a, in the Kingdom of Tonga.

A delegation led by Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho, the High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Tonga to the Commonwealth of Australia, will be in Gunnedah from Friday, July 14, to Monday, July 17.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the celebration of the first year of this special relationship would cement the ties between the two regions, and was an opportunity to raise money for a new library for the Government Middle School of Kolomotu’a.

“A Gunnedah Shire delegation of business representatives, community and Council members visited Kolomotu’a in the Kingdom of Tonga in October last year, a visit that was designed to help us better understand how to progress the relationship and achieve our joint vision,” Cr Chaffey said.

“The four key areas we are pursuing in our partnership are arts and culture, sports, education and employment and the economy. This visit will help in strengthening those partnerships, with tours of agricultural businesses, a mine, aged care and education facilities.

“This will also be an opportunity for Gunnedah Shire residents to see the Princess and help celebrate the Sister City relationship. Not only will Her Royal Highness be in attendance at the Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce Gala Ball on Saturday, July 15 at the Town Hall, but will be hosted at a special Welcome Event at Wolseley Park at 9.15am on that day, and a Combined Church Service at Gunnedah Town Hall at 10am on Sunday, July 16.

“There will also be a farewell event at Pensioners Hill Lookout with a picnic lunch at 12pm on the Sunday and members of the public are welcome to attend.”

The picnic lunch will be by gold coin donation, or people are invited to bring their own lunch – and a picnic rug or chairs. Money raised will go to the Middle School of Kolomotu’a.

There are various events being held to raise money for a new library for the Government Middle School of Kolomotu’a. School principal Lose Kuluka said the school’s library was destroyed in the devastating tsunami in January 2022.

“Having a library after it was damaged by a tsunami would be a huge accomplishment for our school,” Lose said. “The loss of a library was terrible since it served as the foundation of knowledge, learning and curiousity.

“Having a library would be a triumph and victory over difficulty and hardship.”

The Gunnedah Shire delegation visited the school in October and were touched by the joy and resilience of both the students and staff, who were continuing school life despite the challenges.

The Gunnedah community are invited to join the celebrations and help this wonderful Sister City relationship to grow.

Where you can see the delegation from Kolomotu’a:
• Welcome Event at the Wolseley Park rotunda at 9.15am on Saturday, July 15
• At the rugby union game at Gunnedah Rugby Club at 2pm on Saturday, July 15
• At the Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce Gala Ball on Saturday, July 15 at the Town Hall (tickets available through https://www.gunnedah.org.au/event-details/gunnedah-chamber-of-commerce-gala-ball)
• At the Combined Church Service at the Town Hall at 10am on Sunday, July 16
• At the Farewell Event and Barbecue at Pensioners Hill Lookout at 12pm on Sunday, July 16 – bring your lunch and picnic rug, or enjoy lunch for a gold coin donation. Funds raised will go to a new library for the Government Middle School of Kolomotu’a.
The visit is just the beginning of fundraising opportunities to assist in healing for Kolomotu’a following the tsunami.
Caption: Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey, Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho and young people from Gunnedah during the royal visit for the signing of the Sister City Agreement last year.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

July 11, 2023

Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey has expressed his shock and disappointment over a revised scope and design for Gunnedah Shire’s new hospital.

Gunnedah Shire Councillors were briefed this week by NSW Health about the latest plans for the long-promised Gunnedah Hospital Redevelopment.
“We were absolutely appalled by the backpedalling on what has been promised to the Gunnedah community,” Cr Chaffey said.

“After all of the much-touted community consultation, all of the promises – including one from the ultimately successful Labor Government – we are left with a design that delivers nowhere near the services and facilities we desperately need.

“Council’s own community survey in March 2021 resulted in page after page of people expressing confusion, frustration, anger and in some cases disgust with the poor level of services available in our Shire. We had been assured a new hospital would go some way towards alleviating these life and death concerns.”

Cr Chaffey said Council was advised the new scope would include a new acute service building with an emergency department, a new maternity, birthing and inpatient unit, and a refurbished entry.

“Where is our promised infusion unit that will provide renal dialysis and oncology services? Where is the new theatre and day surgery? Where are the new medical imaging, new back of house, new plant room, new community health facilities, dental services, new front of house and the landscape we have all seen artwork of?

“And there has been no mention of the absolute commitment to 48 beds – how many beds will our new hospital provide?

“We are deeply shocked at what we have learnt, and horrified on our community’s behalf to be told the original master plan would only be delivered if new funding appeared or ‘someone won the lottery’.

“This is not a laughing matter. It is the health of our community. It appears the Inquiry into Health Outcomes and Access to Health and Hospital Services in Rural, Regional and Remote NSW has absolutely fallen on deaf ears.”

Cr Chaffey has written to the NSW Minister for Health and Regional Health Ryan Park to request his intervention to ensure the Gunnedah Hospital delivers everything that has been promised.

Caption: Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey with previous announcements about the Gunnedah Hospital Redevelopment and designs showing the original and scaled-back versions.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

July 4, 2023

Gunnedah Shire Council is looking for a number of community and business members to nominate for five different working groups.

The Skills and Training Working Group, Economic Development Working Group, the Business Partner Program Advisory Group, Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships Working Group and Australia Day Working Group are committees that work together with Council to further specific opportunities and inititatives, or events for Gunnedah Shire.

• The Skills and Training Working Group aims to proactively advocate for resources to address training gaps and skills shortages in Gunnedah Shire and provide support to Gunnedah Shire businesses to source skilled and unskilled workers.
• The Economic Development Working Group brings together groups with an interest in driving economic growth in the Gunnedah Shire and facilitates networking within the business community. The group assists in identifying and driving the economic development priorities.
• The Business Partner Program Advisory Group assists Council and staff in the assessment of applications under the Business Partner Program. The program aims to promote economic growth in the Gunnedah Shire by encouraging business growth and innovation.
• The Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships Working Group brings together local schools, volunteer and cultural groups, businesses and interested parties to foster existing and targeted Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships both nationally and internationally.
• The Australia Day Working Group coordinates, promotes and supports events and activities to celebrate Australia Day.

“Council works closely with the community to help achieve the actions identified in the Gunnedah Shire Community Strategic Plan,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“The working groups are vitally important in making good things happen for our community. They bring together representatives from across our Shire to further new ideas, new opportunities and to tackle issues in a practical way.

“Our working groups are a great example of local government working in true partnership with the community.”

Group members are appointed for two-year terms, and the working groups meet bi-monthly.

Nominations for each working group close at 5pm on 31 July , 2023. Applications forms are available at the Council Administration Centre in Elgin Street, or click below for:

• The Skills and Training Working Group
• The Economic Development Working Group
• The Business Partner Program Advisory Group
• The Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships Working Group
• The Australia Day Working Group.

Further information is available by contacting Susan Frater, Manager Economy & Growth at Council on (02) 6740 2100.

Caption: Committee members can help make good things happen for our community, including events such as Australia Day.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.