2 March, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council is calling on local businesses and service providers to be part of the Gunnedah Youth Expo to be held on Wednesday, March 30, 2022.

The Gunnedah Youth Expo was very successful in 2021, featuring 30 exhibitors including tertiary education providers, health and community services and local businesses.

More than 250 young people visited the Expo, which is a joint initiative of Gunnedah Shire Council, Gunnedah Youth Interagency and NSW Youth Week.

Gunnedah Shire Council Manager of Customer and Community Relations Charlotte Hoddle said the Youth Expo provided the perfect opportunity to showcase the many opportunities that are open to young people who were just starting on their career path.

“There are so many advantages to opening young people’s eyes to the range of options available to them,” Ms Hoddle said.

“The Gunnedah Youth Expo is a great way to bring many of those options together in one place – whether it is further education, joining a service agency or discovering a trade.

“There are also advantages for the businesses who have a presence at the Expo. Whether they have apprenticeships available or are looking to employ people further down the track, it is important to let people know just how many different careers are open to them.

“Last year, we had five TAFE NSW mobile training units providing hands-on examples of industries like hairdressing, beauty, welding, engineering and hospitality.

“This free event is for youth aged 12-25, as well as parents or carers. There are giveaways and prizes to be won.”

Business and organisation who would like to register to be part of the event can complete the online form located at https://gsc2380.wufoo.com/forms/2022-youth-expo-stall-holder-registration-form/ by Friday 25 March 2022 at 5pm.

Exhibiting at the Youth Expo is free and a trestle table and two chairs will be provided. Powered stalls are available on request.

Youth Expo is the highlight event of Youth Week in Gunnedah Shire. The aim of NSW Youth Week is to celebrate young people and the contributions they make to their local communities. NSW Youth Week 2022 will run from 4 -14 April 2022. The theme for 2022 is ‘It’s up to YOU’th’.

Caption: The 2021 Gunnedah Youth Expo was visited by more than 250 young people.

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

March 1, 2022

Gunnedah’s newly elected Councillors have been appointed to nearly 40 very diverse community committees and groups to represent the Shire.

Gunnedah Shire has many dedicated volunteers and industry representatives who contribute a huge amount to the Shire’s services, economy, events and lifestyle. Each term, Gunnedah Shire Council is asked to provide a listening ear and a voice on some of these groups.

Council also is a lead agency in many working groups and committees, including a new Housing Working Group which will include seven community representatives, and a new Social Wellbeing Working Group, which will also include seven community representatives.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said Councillors were honoured to have a role in groups throughout the Shire.

“The incredible scope of events and issues covered in these committees and working groups is an indicator of just how committed our community is to making this a great place to live,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Council is part of everything from the Australia Day Working Group, to the Access Working Group, the North West Weight of Loads Committee and the Rural Fire Service Bushfire Management Committee.

“Gunnedah Shire Council is a leading organisation in our community, and Councillors are happy to support the committees and groups that help make things happen.”

At the February Council meeting, Councillors resolved the appointment of the following Councillors as representatives and delegates:

• Audit Risk and Improvement Committee: Cr J McArthur (Cr A Luke alternate)
  • Planning, Environment and Development Committee: All Councillors
  • Access Working Group: Cr C Fuller
  • Australia Day Working Group: Crs J Chaffey, R Hooke and J McArthur
  • Business Partner Program Advisory Group: Crs C Fuller, R Hooke, A Luke and R Hoddle
  • Community Safety Conference Working Group: Crs K McGrath, C Fuller, R Hooke and D Moses
  • Crime Prevention Working Group: Crs K McGrath, C Fuller, R Hooke and D Moses
  • Economic Development Working Group: Crs R Hoddle, A Luke and J McArthur
  • Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund Working Group: Crs J Chaffey (Cr C Fuller alternate)
  • Gunnedah Floodplain Management Committee: Crs R Hoddle and M O’Keefe
  • Local Traffic Advisory Committee: Cr D Moses
  • Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group: Crs J Chaffey and K McGrath (Community representatives Jack Conlan, James Hogbin, June Hurley and Tracey Towns were also approved)
  • Showground Working Group: Crs C Fuller, R Hoddle and R Hooke
  • Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships Working Group: Crs J Chaffey, C Fuller, J McArthur and R Hoddle
  • Skills and Training Working Group: Crs M O’Keefe, J McArthur, R Hooke and K McGrath
  • Housing Working Group: Crs M O’Keefe, C Fuller and R Hooke (7 community representatives to be appointed)
  • Social Wellbeing Working Group: Crs K McGrath, J McArthur and D Moses (7 community representatives to be appointed)
  • Australian Local Government Women’s Association: Cr C Fuller
  • Country Mayors Association: Cr J Chaffey
  • Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society: Cr K McGrath (Cr C Fuller alternate)
  • Gunnedah Rural Museum: Cr R Hooke
  • Gunnedah Shire Band: Cr J Chaffey (Cr A Luke alternate)
  • Northern Regional Planning Panel: Cr J Chaffey (Cr R Hooke alternate)
  • Murray Darling Association: Cr J Chaffey (Cr R Hoddle alternate)
  • Namoi Unlimited: Cr J Chaffey (Cr R Hooke alternate)
  • Northern Regional Air Quality Advisory Committee: Cr A Luke (Cr D Moses alternate)
  • Northern Inland Regional Waste Group: Cr A Luke
  • Northern Inland Weeds Advisory Committee: Cr A Luke (Cr R Hoddle alternate)
  • North West Weight of Loads Committee: Cr A Luke
  • Public Libraries NSW: Cr A Luke
  • RocGlen Community Consultative Committee: Cr C Fuller (Cr D Moses alternate)
  • Rural Fire Service Bushfire Management Committee: Cr R Hooke (Cr D Moses alternate)
  • Sunnyside Community Consultative Committee: Cr K McGrath (Cr C Fuller alternate)
  • Tarrawonga Coal Community Committee: Cr R Hooke (Cr D Moses alternate)
  • Two Rivers Arts Council: Cr C Fuller (Cr D Moses alternate)
  • Gunnedah Urban Landcare Group: Cr K McGrath
  • Vickery Consultative Committee: Cr R Hooke (Cr C Fuller alternate)
  • Whitehaven Coal Sponsorship and Donation Committee (Cr C Fuller)

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Council at the first meeting of the newly elected Councillors in February.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

February 22, 2022

The best of short films from Australia and around the world will be on the big screen in Gunnedah in March as Flickerfest returns.

Gunnedah Shire Director Corporate and Community Services Colin Formann said Flickerfest was Australia’s only Academy Qualifying and BAFTA Qualifying Short Film Festival.

“Flickerfest is a world-class film festival that includes Gunnedah on its national tour schedule each year, bringing the best of short films to our screen,” Mr Formann said.

“This is more than an event each year, it is an occasion, and with a Great Gatsby-1920s theme for the Bondi opening event of the festival this year, we encourage people to dress up and have a bit of fun.

“The Best of Australian Shorts will screen on Thursday, March 24 at 6.30pm, and the Best of International Short Films will screen the following Thursday, March 31 at 6.30pm.

“Flickerfest includes films hand-picked from more than 3200 entries. You never know what will come up next, and you are watching the absolute cutting edge of film-making in Australia.”

Flickerfest, a kaleidoscopic carnival of short films, has been running for 31 years, bringing entertaining and innovative short films from around Australian and the world to the kick-off event at Bondi Beach and then to more than 50 venues around the country.

Caption: The Flickerfest 2022 opening in Bondi.

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

February 17, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council will auction 16 properties on Friday, May 27 to recover rates and charges that have remained unpaid for more than five years in the case of occupied land, or one year in the case of vacant land.

Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager Eric Groth said it was necessary to take the action in cases where every attempt to contact and obtain payment from the property owner had been unsuccessful.

“For these properties, this is the final step in a lengthy process to recoup rates and payments after every other avenue, including payment plans, has failed,” Mr Groth said.

“It is not something that is undertaken lightly, and is carried out in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 which stipulates Council may sell land on which a rate or charge has remained unpaid for more than five years.

“This auction is being held to clear the total outstanding amount of $139,345.23 that is owed by the various property owners. Nearly all of these properties are vacant land.”

Eleven of the properties are in Breeza, two are in Tambar Springs, and there is one property in Gunnedah, Curlewis and Premer.

The Local Government Act 1993 states surplus funds from the auction of properties with outstanding debts are held with Council’s Trust Fund pending discharge to persons having interest in the properties. Where no claim is forthcoming, the balance of sale proceeds is remitted to the State Government in accordance with the Unclaimed Moneys Act.

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

February 16, 2022

The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund has helped another 15 young Gunnedah people on their tertiary learning journey.

The presentation for the successful recipients was held yesterday, with Mayor Jamie Chaffey congratulating the students who will be studying in a huge range of areas, from law to paramedicine and teaching.

“The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund is a wonderful example of how the community and Council can work together to offer opportunities for our young people,” Cr Chaffey said.

“The scholarship was started by our former Mayor and long-term Councillor Gae Swain 19 years ago when a report showed how low our tertiary education entry figures were. She saw this as a way to encourage and support our students to take the leap that can be difficult, particularly if you have to move away to study.

“The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund Working Group has provided about 400 scholarships over the years, worth close to $400,000.

“This is just one of the reasons the Gunnedah community is a great home to come back to when our students are qualified and embarking on our career.

“I thank the sponsors who have helped make these sponsorships possible and wish the students all the best for the future.”

The guest speaker at the presentation was 2016 recipient Reanna Hill, who is now a qualified teacher working in Gunnedah.

The scholarships, awarded annually, are open to all local students under 25 who want to further their training and education at university, TAFE, or an accrediting training organisation. The scholarship can help with expenses like:
• Purchasing textbooks
• Relocation and other travel costs
• Living expenses
• Contribution towards tuition fees.

The successful 2022 Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund recipients are:

Medical Scholarships: Paige Gainsford, Kaitlin Newbery and Arielle Worthington.

Sciences, Arts, Business or Law Scholarships: Maddison Coombs, Chloe Devine, Mollie Hatton, Grace McCulloch, Chloe Perkins, Sophie Williams and Halle Woods.

Medical Engineering: Deagan Marchant.

Education: Pennie Broekman, Bella Gallaher, Lilian McNamara and Ashlee Roach.

Caption: The successful recipients of the 2022 Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund. A number of recipients were unable to attend the ceremony.

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

February 9, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council is asking the community to complete a survey to help review its Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2026 provided an opportunity to review how inclusive Council managed facilities and services are in our Shire, and to work with the community to improve on actions currently embedded in the Plan.

“The Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-26 will be an important way forward in ensuring ease of access to services and facilities for people with disability,” Cr Chaffey said.

“We want everyone in our Shire to be able to participate fully in everything we have to offer. In putting together this plan, we will be looking for the information and views of people who know the challenges people with disability face. We are asking people to fill in a survey, participate in a workshop or phone to tell us their ideas.

“People with disability in our Shire should be able to access Council buildings, tourism facilities and events, and be able to find jobs and housing that suits their needs.

“We are asking people to speak up about their experiences and how we can improve.

“This new plan will provide us with a clear set of goals to ensure our Shire remains accessible for residents and visitors.”

Cr Chaffey said over the past four years, Gunnedah Shire Council had made significant achievements against its existing plan.

All Councils across New South Wales are required to have a Disability Inclusion Action Plan developed in consultation with people with disability.
The 2022-26 plan will replace the existing plan which was developed following extensive community engagement, involving more than 340 residents and stakeholder groups.

The 2022-26 plan will focus on four priority areas:
1. Developing positive community attitudes towards disability
2. Creating liveable communities
3. Increasing access to meaningful employment
4. Improving access to mainstream services through improved systems and processes.

To take part in the survey, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/disability_action_plan or pick up a hard copy from the Council’s Administration Building, 63 Elgin Street, GoCo Administration Building at 80 Marquis Street, or the Gunnedah Shire Library in Conadilly Street.

The survey is open until Wednesday, March 9.

To find out more about the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, contact Gunnedah Shire Council Community and Social Planner Debra Hilton on 6740 2100, or email council@infogunnedah.com.au with the subject line “Disability Inclusion Action Plan”.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Council is seeking the community’s help to review its Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

February 9, 2022

The call is out for landholders to keep an eye out for the invasive Parthenium weed, which was discovered on three properties in Gunnedah Shire last year.

Gunnedah Shire Council Biosecurity Officer Lee Amidy said Parthenium weed was one of Queensland’s worst weeds and had the potential to become established in New South Wales.

“Parthenium weed has been discovered growing in roadside situations in past years,” Mr Amidy said, “however, last year was the first time it’s been found on private property .

“It is a quick-growing weed that spreads rapidly and causes health problems for both people and livestock. Parthenium produces seeds continuously over the summer season, and can produce up to 15,000 seeds a year. It is spread on harvesting machinery, grain and vehicles.

“We are asking people to keep an eye out for this weed, but not to remove it themselves. It can cause respiratory problems and dermatitis. If you suspect your property has an infestation, you are required under the Biosecurity Act to notify Gunnedah Shire Council.

“High-risk sites for Parthenium include places with disturbed, degraded or bare soil, such as over-grazed areas, stockyards and watering points, neglected areas and roadsides.”

Parthenium weed is classified as a Weed of National Significance. It grows 1-1.5m tall, but can grow to 2m tall, with pale green leaves, soft fine hair on stems, creamy white flowers that are 4-6mm in diameter that are star-shaped with five points. Remember not to touch the weed. Severe allergies can develop after a few exposures.

Parthenium weed is often confused with:
• annual ragweed (this has round stems whereas Parthenium has ridged or grooved stems)
• Farmers Friend/Sticky Beak(this has individual leaflets whereas the leaves of Parthenium are deeply divided)
• bishop’s weed (this has larger, distinct petals)
• hemlock (also has larger, distinct petals).

If you believe you have Parthenium weed on your property, please call Gunnedah Shire Council on 6740 2100.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Council is asking people to keep an eye out for the invasive Parthenium weed.

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

February 9, 2022

A beautiful collection of Gunnedah history featuring black and white photographs of iconic homes and landmarks is now on exhibition at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery.

A Photographic Collection of Gunnedah Heritage features photographs taken by the Gunnedah Camera Club in 2006.

Gunnedah Camera Club members Grant Chambers, Thomas Rosenzweig, Catherine Chaseling, Judy Swain, Helen Patrick, Shane Brady, David Alderdice and Barry Geraghty photographed, developed and framed the photographs of six historical houses and a number of landmarks. The club donated them to the Gunnedah Town Collection as a Sesquicentenary gift to the community.

Properties included in the exhibition are Wandobah, Ruvigne, Pullaming, Burburgate, Gunnible and Round Hill, alongside photographs of the original Methodist Church, Roseneath Manor, the Convent of Mercy, Carinya School, the Hunter Street cemetery, Meggitt Ltd Flour Mill, the Cenotaph Monument and two homes in Barber Street.

The exhibition is not only a walk down memory lane, but encourages Gunnedah residents to share their own memories in a book provided for that purpose.

A Photographic Collection of Gunnedah Heritage will be on exhibition at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery until Monday, March 21.

Caption: An amazing slice of Gunnedah’s history is now on exhibition at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery.

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

January 27, 2022

As Gunnedah reflected, respected and celebrated with the rest of the nation on Australia Day yesterday, we also welcomed our five newest Australian citizens.

Under the gums of Anzac Park, Brian Goldrick (originally from Ireland), Orla Lyons-McKenna (originally from Ireland) and Alan, Cynthia and their daughter Shania Hobbs (originally from New Zealand and the Philippines) officially became citizens of Australia.

The ceremony was held as part of the full day of events across the Shire and was officiated by Deputy Mayor Cr Rob Hooke and attended by community members and supporting family members. The five new citizens received their Citizenship Certificates and took the Australian citizenship pledge of commitment making them officially Australian citizens.

More than 16,000 new Australians received their Australian Citizenship at ceremonies around the country yesterday.
For more information about Australian Citizenship Day, visit www.citizenship.gov.au.

 Caption: Gunnedah’s Deputy Mayor Cr Rob Hooke with Brian Goldrick, Orla Lyons-McKenna, Alan Hobbs, Gunnedah’s Australia Day Ambassador Fiona Simson, Shania Hobbs, Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell and Cynthia Hobbs.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

January 27, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council is calling for interested community members to nominate for one of five positions on a working group to guide the delivery of inclusion initiatives.

Acting Director Planning and Environmental Services Sheridan Cameron said the Access Working Group aimed to identify and prioritise options for improvement to access in public areas of the Gunnedah Shire and community facilities owned and managed by Council.

“The working group supports the ongoing implementation of the Gunnedah Shire Disability Inclusion Action Plan,” Mrs Cameron said.

“Over the years, the group has delivered some great activities aimed at raising awareness of issues that people with mobility challenges face in our community.”

Interested community members can nominate by completing an expression of interest form available here (fillable online) and here (printable) or from Council’s Administration Building, 63 Elgin Street Gunnedah, downloaded from www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or by contacting (02) 6740 2100.

Completed forms can be dropped off to the Council Administration Building, submitted via post to PO Box 63, Gunnedah, NSW, 2380 or via email to council@infogunnedah.com.au.
Expressions of Interest close at 5pm on Friday, February 11, 2022.

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Community and Social Planner Debra Hilton on (02) 6740 2100.

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Caption: A Gunnedah Shire Council activity where staff and Councillors gained an understanding of the perspective of someone with a disability when accessing services and facilities.

Communications and Media Team contact: (02) 6740 2100.