28 May 2019

Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery is proud to present ‘Rose Coloured Glasses’; an exhibition featuring the artworks of Terri-Ann Crothers and Kate Owen.

Kate and Terri-Ann’s artworks are bold, gestural and expressive. Inspired by the beauty of the everyday, their surroundings, their memories and their desire to explore and express the beauty and vibrancy of regional life.

‘Rose Coloured Glasses’ shows glimmers of impressionism through the artist’s purposeful and joyful use of colour palettes. Their liberated use of acrylics, oil pastel, graphite, collage and pencil create densely layered and vibrant works.

“I paint to capture the life we have on our property but with an infusion of colour to add my personality and outlook on life. The often harsh environment I live in is a subdued, muted landscape, so I often need to interpret the subject matter with an intensity of colour and try to create something aesthetically pleasing to the viewer” said Artist Terri- Ann Crothers.

“I also create to put a smile on people’s faces. It is so rewarding to produce paintings that people from both the city and country can relate to and enjoy” she said.

Terri- Ann Crothers is from Yelarbon, Queensland (east of Goondiwindi) and studied Visual Arts in Melbourne, completed a Communications Degree to work in public relations and marketing communications and boasts an extensive CV with exhibitions at Goondiwindi Regional Council Gallery, Texas Regional Art Gallery, Aspects Art Show, Glennie School Art Show, Inverell Gallery, St George Brushstrokes exhibition and the Gateway To Training (GTT) centre and has received several art prizes and commissions. She also initiated an annual Pop Up shop bringing together artists from her region and recently began conducting creative wellness workshops.

Kate Owen is from North Star, Gwydir Shire in Northern NSW. Kate has an extensive history of creativity in many disciplines starting as a student of Fashion design at college in Sydney, and then becoming a small business entrepreneur running various retail operations in fashion, food and home-wares. Kate now works solely as an independent artist and has exhibited works in her first solo show at The Makers Shed Glen Innes in March this year. Also entering numerous art shows and competitions such as Toowoomba Grammar Art Show, Inverell Art Prize, Nundle Art Show and Aspects Art Show for which she also operates in the role of curator. As part of the Landscape project in Goondiwindi last year Kate designed and painted a mural on a shipping container in Bowen Lane.

“A few years ago I made a promise to myself that I would get back to painting when my youngest son went away to boarding school and I no longer had children at home.

That was at the start of 2017, and I have spent the time since making as much art as possible in order to improve and evolve my work” Artist Kate Owen said.

“I use acrylics on canvas and paper because I love the way they allow me to work quickly. I can achieve a variety of different finishes by diluting or adding mediums to the paint to create textural effects and contrasts in opacity. I mostly start with experimentation of colour palettes on paper sometimes these are works of art in themselves other times I apply paint directly onto the canvas and just mix colours to see where it leads. I love contrasts of thick vivid and luscious colours with pale and transparent layers.

Mixing colours directly on the canvas gives me a new and unexpected result each time.”

“The outcome is never apparent from the start, the work takes on a life of its own as I go and dictates a certain path” concluded Kate.

‘Rose Coloured Glasses’ will be officially open at 6:00pm Friday, 7 June 2019 at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery, 81 Chandos Street, Gunnedah NSW with light refreshments provided on the night.

The exhibition will continue until 5 July, 2019. For more information contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Cultural Precinct Team Leader, Lauren Mackley on 6740 2100.

Photo Caption: Image 1: Terri-Ann Crothers, Image 2: Kate Owen in studio

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

16 May 2019

The Delivery Program 2017-2021 and Operational Plan 2019/20 for Gunnedah Shire Council is officially placed on public exhibition and Council will receive submissions in relation to the documents up until 5:00pm Thursday 13 June 2019.

The document is available to view below.

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This is an opportunity for members of the public to lodge submissions in relation to the items considered and strategies applied in the Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan. Council will meet again on Wednesday 19 June 2019 to consider all submissions, formally adopt the documents.

Submissions can be emailed to council@infogunnedah.com.au or mailed to PO Box 63, Gunnedah NSW 2380.

Should you have any enquiries, please contact Council on 02 6740 2100.

Eric Groth
GENERAL MANAGER

16 May 2019

May 20th – 26th is National Volunteer Week, and all across the region GoCo volunteers will be recognised, thanked and celebrated.

GoCo volunteers in Gunnedah, Barraba, Nundle and Kootingal dedicate their time to supporting ageing community members to attend medical appointments, go shopping, attend day centre activities and explore the region on day trips and social outings.

In 2018 GoCo volunteers provided 8156 hours of support, and are set to beat that record in 2019.

“GoCo Volunteers play a critical role in the successful delivery of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme.

Their dedication to the greater good supports people to remain living independently in their own homes for longer periods of time” said GoCo CHSP Team Leader Erin Mercer.

Planned events include celebration luncheons at the Gunnedah RSL, Nundle Mount Misery Mine, the Barraba RSL and a morning tea at Cockburn Cottage, Kootingal.

“We are always excited to have new volunteers come on board.” continued Ms Mercer.

“It is an opportunity to make new friends, learn new skills and share some knowledge. I would encourage anyone with some spare time to consider volunteering for GoCo. It’s a wonderful way to become involved in a meaningful program and give back to your local community” she concluded.

To become a GoCo volunteer, join a social group or get a helping hand in your home contact GoCo on 6740 2240.

Photo Caption: Hazel Woodley (L) with GoCo volunteer Roger Smith (M) and GoCo CHSP Coordinator Nicole Shields

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

16 May 2019

May 20th – 26th is National Volunteer Week, and all across the region GoCo volunteers will be recognised, thanked and celebrated.

GoCo volunteers in Gunnedah, Barraba, Nundle and Kootingal dedicate their time to supporting ageing community members to attend medical appointments, go shopping, attend day centre activities and explore the region on day trips and social outings.

In 2018 GoCo volunteers provided 8156 hours of support, and are set to beat that record in 2019.

“GoCo Volunteers play a critical role in the successful delivery of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme.

Their dedication to the greater good supports people to remain living independently in their own homes for longer periods of time” said GoCo CHSP Team Leader Erin Mercer.

Planned events include celebration luncheons at the Gunnedah RSL, Nundle Mount Misery Mine, the Barraba RSL and a morning tea at Cockburn Cottage, Kootingal.

“We are always excited to have new volunteers come on board.” continued Ms Mercer.

“It is an opportunity to make new friends, learn new skills and share some knowledge. I would encourage anyone with some spare time to consider volunteering for GoCo. It’s a wonderful way to become involved in a meaningful program and give back to your local community” she concluded.

To become a GoCo volunteer, join a social group or get a helping hand in your home contact GoCo on 6740 2240.

Photo Caption: Hazel Woodley (L) with GoCo volunteer Roger Smith (M) and GoCo CHSP Coordinator Nicole Shields

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

Residents are invited to join us for free, face-to-face support.

The Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW, in partnership with Gunnedah Council and Gunida Gunyah Aboriginal Corporation are hosting a Bring Your Bills and Community EXPO. Many different services will be on hand to assist with consumer issues, including energy affordability, legal problems, disability support and more.

WHERE:
Gunnedah Town Hall
152 Conadilly Street,
Gunnedah NSW

WHEN:
Tuesday 4 June 2019
10.00am - 3.00pm

View the Bring Your Bills & Community Expo Flyer for more information.

RECYCLING COLLECTION - GUNNEDAH
Monday 10 June 2019
Collection will be on Tuesday 11 June 2019.
Residents are requested to place their recycling bins out on Monday evening as collection will begin early on Tuesday.

RECYCLING COLLECTION - CURLEWIS
Monday 10 June 2019
Collection will be on Wednesday 12 June 2019.
Residents are requested to place their recycling bins out on Tuesday evening as collection will begin early on Wednesday.

Should you have any enquiries regarding the Recycling collection over the long weekend period please contact RECYCLIT on 67421522.

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

13 May 2019

Gunnedah Shire Council has committed to supporting staff through vocational education, with 26 employees currently enrolled in trainee and apprenticeship courses, and a further 10 in other certificate-based courses.

The Council employees are enrolled in metal fabrication, plant construction, plant maintenance, and business administration courses through Gunnedah TAFE.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said combining on-the-job training and study towards a nationally recognised qualification was an important step for Council in staff professional development.

“Apprenticeships and traineeships can unlock a lifetime of opportunities for the employee and employer,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Council has seen many benefits from providing this opportunity to staff.”

Cr Chaffey said in the lead up to the State Election, Gunnedah Shire Council identified the reinstatement of apprenticeship courses at Gunnedah TAFE and redevelopment of the facilities as one of its top advocacy priorities. The apprenticeship courses have since been re-established and an announcement has been made for upgrades to the TAFE.

“We realise TAFE has been disconnected in the past, however there has been huge changes. Community support will ensure that we will continue to have a local TAFE with a wide variety of course offerings that service the needs of our community and provide opportunities for local people.”

“The most recent construction course enrolments were made up entirely of council staff so we really want to highlight the need for business and industry to get behind our local TAFE. It really is a case of if you don’t use it- you lose it.”

“Overall, I understand enrolments at Gunnedah TAFE are up 18 per cent from last year, and Indigenous student numbers have increased by 40 percent. These are fantastic results, as a growing community with many job vacancies for skilled workers, ensuring that we have the ability to retain and train our young people is important to continuing to serve Gunnedah’s economic growth,” Cr Chaffey said.

Photo Caption: Image one (below): Council Staff enrolled in TAFE Left to right: Luke Crowley, Chad Palmer, Jess O’Hearn, Luke Duff, Josh Wells, Mick Nagle, Steve Woodward, Gordon Macauley, Nico Mills, Brett Green, Jeff Warner
Image two (above): Council Staff undertaking Certificate III in Business Administration Sophie Priestly, Madeline Buhagiar and Tiarney Douglass.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

14 May 2019

D. J. Blackmore is saddling her passion for the pen. From the Newcastle coal seam to the Hunter River, brigalow scrub to the Koala Capital, D. J. Blackmore is seeding a field in her love of the land and this nation, and what’s more, is calling Gunnedah the setting for her next novel.

She debuted with historical romantic suspense ‘Charter to Redemption’ when Newcastle took its first breaths as a penal colony. Whodunit,’Folly’ was its sequel.

Recently Australian publisher Rhiza put her rural romantic comedy ‘Central to Nowhere’ to print, and the author is backing this up with her next rural read set in Gunnedah.

The Kurri Kurri author began writing at a young age. Her love of books started earlier still. She has milked cows with a bucket between her legs, made cheese and kept bees. For many years she lived a simple life from paddock to plate, and even now you will find neither television nor microwave in the miner’s cottage the Cessnock author calls home.

One reviewer of the acclaimed author writes, “D. J. Blackmore just gets better and better … Her ability to write about what she knows makes Central to Nowhere a darn good read.”

D. J. Blackmore and Gunnedah Shire Council invites you to visit the library on Friday 24 May at 10.00 for a free morning tea and talk with the author. If you are a reader or a budding author, this is a date not to be missed. Call 02 6740 2199 to snag your seat.

Photo Caption: D. J. Blackmore

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

14 May 2019

Gunnedah Shire Council invites you to participate in a short survey to gather your opinion about the saleyard, and the economic benefits it brings to the regional economy. Results from the survey will help inform future planning and strategy for the region and its assets.

The survey takes approximately 5 minutes to complete and will assist the Council in improving their services and offerings. All information collected is confidential, the analysis and reporting will be in aggregate and will not be traceable back to any individuals.

For more information contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Customer Relations Team on (02) 6740 2100.

2 May 2019

The Gunnedah Shire Council Code of Meeting Practice has been reviewed and is placed on public exhibition in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993.

Council will receive submissions in relation to the Code up to 5:00pm Thursday 30 May 2019. The Code is available to view online below or at the Council Administration Building.

For further enquiries, contact 02 6740 2100.

Eric Groth
GENERAL MANAGER