11 April, 2023

“Noise” has been transformed into art in Michelle York’s first solo exhibition at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery.

Mushy – opening on Friday, 21 April – will give viewers a “glimpse” into Ms York’s  “innermost thought processes” as she made the move to Newcastle after calling Gunnedah home for 30 years.

Ms York said she felt “drawn to document the process and preserve the memories surrounding this change”, so her exhibition pieces capture “details and memories” from Gunnedah and “the path to my new home-away-from-home” in the metropolis.

“My internal dialogue was full of noise as I came to terms with the bittersweet feelings of moving,” Ms York said.

“I felt drawn to document the process and preserve the memories surrounding this change. Through the expressive capability of mark-making in art, I was able to deeply examine my emotions about this transition. Guided by intuition and spontaneous movement, my feelings were pulled forward organically and translated onto the canvas.

“My childhood and memories from Gunnedah are so special to me; I wanted to document the process of moving as it is such an important part of my story.” 

Mushy will feature 40 works of mixed media, combining digital and traditional techniques to create abstract pieces, and is self-titled.

The unique name is drawn from the nickname she is known by among her friends in Gunnedah.

“Mushy” has been painting since she was a child and grew up in a creative environment.

“My mum was a talented, creative soul and always nurtured artistic expression. In high school, I was blessed with inspiring, encouraging teachers and it was my favourite subject. Their advice still often comes to mind when I paint now,” Ms York said.

“During different stages of my life, my friends have given me the courage to dive into my work and have supported me in pursuing my passion. Transitioning my hobby into a career is a transformative experience I am still journeying through.

“Painting and creating helps me process my thoughts in a productive way and brings me so much peace. I am constantly seeking inspiration, whether in person, through memories, media, or very often these days, online.

“My phone, computer, and sketch books are continually filling with ideas and concepts. Part of me thinks I have no say in the matter any more — I will always find a way to create.”

Mushy will open at 6pm on Friday, 21 April at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery at 81 Chandos Street and will continue until Wednesday, 24 May.

Caption:

Mushy is Michelle York’s first solo exhibition and documents her life-altering move from her home town of Gunnedah to her “new home-away-from home” in Newcastle.

Michelle York’s love of painting stems from childhood. Images: supplied.

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For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.

5 April, 2023

Harvest Gunnedah is back, and the call is out for stallholders to help make this a great Gunnedah event.

Harvest Gunnedah, the festival that urges people to eat good food and discover and celebrate our region, will be held on Sunday, May 21 from 10am to 2pm at the Gunnedah and District Kennel Club.

The event is being supported by the NSW Reconnecting Regional Communities Fund.

Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Economy and Growth Susan Frater said Harvest was a wonderful way to celebrate everything this vibrant region had to offer this autumn.

“This year, our theme is ‘Grown in Gunnedah Shire’,” she said.

“Our Shire not only has productive farmland, but we have hard-working and skilled primary producers who bring it to life, as well as a talented community who make great products, create amazing food, and bring us the best of the rest of the world.

“We are calling for stallholders to take advantage of the free stall sites and help make this a colourful and fun community event showcasing the best of what we have to offer.”

Gunnedah Shire Council is calling for people who would like to have a fresh produce, beverage, retail and home-made or hand-made wares stall to apply before 5pm on Friday, 5 May.

Application forms are available on www.harvestgunnedah.com

Caption: Harvest Gunnedah 2021 brought together a crowd of people to enjoy local food and fare.

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

5 April, 2023

The 2023 Gunnedah Youth Expo will bring a smorgasbord of career options to Gunnedah as part of the Shire’s Youth Week celebrations.

The Youth Expo will be held in Gunnedah Town Hall from 9am to 3pm on Thursday, April 27.

Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Economy and Growth Susan Frater said the Gunnedah Youth Expo, held annually during Youth Week, was being jointly funded by a grant from the NSW Department of Communities and Justice matched by Gunnedah Shire Council and supported by employers and services from across the Shire.

“This is always a popular event that brings students and school leavers together with employers and tertiary institutions,” Ms Frater said.

“It is a great way to have a whole range of career and support options in one place.

“In the current employment market, school leavers have a wide range of options, and there are businesses right here in Gunnedah who can offer amazing opportunities. Alternatively, there will be universities and tertiary institutions there to talk to students about what they have to offer.

“This free event has been designed especially for young people aged 12 to 25 to bring a window to the world to Gunnedah for the day.”

The Youth Expo is one of the highlights of Youth Week in Gunnedah Shire.

To find out more about the other activities, visit https://www.thecivic.com.au/youth.

Businesses and services interested in hosting a stall at the 2023 Youth Expo are encouraged to apply by 5pm, Friday 21 April via the following link: https://gsc2380.wufoo.com/forms/q1r4xx591dpphe4/

Caption: The 2022 Annual Gunnedah Careers Youth Expo attracted hundreds of students.

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For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.

April 5, 2023

Residents between 12 and 24 are being urged to pick up their phone or their camera and start getting creative for NSW Youth Week 2023.

Gunnedah Shire Council has announced the Youth Week Short Film Competition as one of the headline acts for an action-packed Youth Week from April 20-30 that also includes a silent disco, a Youth Expo and movies.

Young people are being asked to make a film of between 60 seconds and three minutes with the theme of “Connect, Participate and Celebrate in Gunnedah”.

“Gunnedah Shire has a growing population and we are excited about this creative way to see and hear what our younger generation has to say,” Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Economy and Growth Susan Frater said.

“The Youth Week Short Film Competition is the ideal way for people to tell their own stories in their own way, using just their smartphone or a camera. We are looking forward to original movies and some really great visuals.”

Entries in the categories of 12-16 and 17-24 are due by Thursday, April 27 and will be screened at the Civic Theatre on Saturday, April 29, with $200 Gunny Money gift card for the winner, $100 Gunny Money gift card for second, a $50 Gunny Money gift card for third and $20 Gunny Money gift card for highly commended.

Other events planned for Youth Week are:

? Thursday, April 20: $10 movie screening of Super Mario Bros. Movie 1.30pm – with a free $5 combo!
? Friday, April 21: Free silent disco from 6.30pm to 9.30pm! Barbecue dinner and transport included. Please advise PCYC Youth Hub of attendance (02) 6742 1586
? Saturday, April 22: Free movie screening of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves at 6pm
? Thursday, April 27: ANNUAL YOUTH EXPO, supported by education providers, local employers and services to identify career pathways, Town Hall, free entry 9am-3pm
? Friday, April 28: Discobility all inclusive disco at PCYC from 6pm to 8.30pm. Theme: Superheroes. Please advise PCYC Youth Hub of attendance (02) 6742 1586.

To find out more about Youth Week in Gunnedah, visit https://www.thecivic.com.au/youth

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

29 March, 2023

The Easter School Holiday Program has plenty of activities to keep little bunnies busy.

Gunnedah Shire Library will host Book Buddies and Crafty Creations in Gunnedah and Curlewis, with a focus on Easter handicrafts. Over at The Civic Theatre, catch $10 movies My Fairy Troublemaker and The Super Mario Bros. Movie on April 13 and 20.

Get active with the NetSetGo School Holiday Clinic on Tuesday, 11 April, facilitated by Gunnedah Netball Association, and head along to Gunnedah PCYC for laser tag, multi-sports, Ninja gym and paint ‘n’ shake.

Love card games? Don’t miss the Uno tournament on Thursday, April 13 at The Smithurst. There’s also a free silent disco on Friday, 21 March, with a barbecue and free transport.

On Tuesday, 18 April in the Gunnedah Town Hall, Gunnedah Conservatorium and Arc Circus will present a circus workshop for ages 7 to 13 which will include juggling, basic acrobatics, dance and balancing, and a live theatre performance – A Bee Story – for all ages.

A Bee Story is a physical theatre show that combines circus, acrobatics, dance and live music to tell the story of Queen Bee and Worker Bee who must work together to rebuild their hive after it was destroyed by a bushfire. However, things don’t go quite to plan. Come along on a buzzy adventure from 10am.

Gunnedah Town Hall will also play host to Sydney Youth Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Orchestra on Friday, 14 April from 2pm.

View the School Holiday Program here: https://www.thecivic.com.au/youth

Caption: Arc Circus will present a live theatre show and circus workshop in the Easter school holidays.

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For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.

29 March 2023

The Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships Grant Funding Program has opened for people or groups who have ideas to grow Gunnedah Shire’s Sister City partnerships.

Local organisations can access these funds to support new initiatives that help our partnerships to grow.

Gunnedah Shire has Sister City partnerships with Kolomotu’a, Tonga, and Lane Cove and Northern Beaches in Sydney, as well as an international agreement with the Yinzhou District of Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China.

Mayor Jamie Chaffey said: “It’s an exciting opportunity for local schools, volunteering cultural groups, and businesses, and I’m sure that Gunnedah will embrace this chance to strengthen our community and celebrate cultural diversity within the shire.

“We have wonderful relationships with our Sister Cities, and there are so many opportunities to build on those links. Whether it be in areas such as arts and culture, sports, education, employment or the economy, I urge people to think about the ways we can grow together.”

This new program aims to bring together interest groups in each city, facilitating an understanding between people and cultures and forging mutual opportunities for cross-cultural growth.

Grants are awarded for amounts up to $5,000, with additional funding available for organisations that make a 25 percent or greater co-contribution.

The Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships working group brings together local schools, volunteer and cultural groups, chamber of commerce, businesses and other interested parties to maximise the benefits from existing agreements with an eye to building new community alliances. The Working Group membership enhances community representation and consultation throughout the grant funding process.

 Applications for grants are now open and will close on Thursday, 27 April 2023. Applicants must complete an application form, available here, that can be emailed to council@infogunnedah.com.au

Photo caption: Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Princess Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho from Gunnedah’s Sister City of Kolomotu’a, Tonga, with young Gunnedah locals.

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Media Contact: 02 6740 2100.

23 March, 2023

Gunnedah Shire Council will auction five properties on Friday, 31 March to recover rates and charges that have remained unpaid for more than five years.

The auction comes following a lengthy process of contacting owners for payment, and public advertising.

The five properties are all vacant land, and are in Gunnedah, Breeza, Kelvin, and Emerald Hill. As at 22 March 2023, a total of $21,033.54 was owed on these properties by various owners, and this auction will be held to clear the total outstanding amount.

Property owners have until the time of the sale to make arrangements satisfactory to the Council for payment of outstanding rates and charges, otherwise the land will be sold by public auction by Lakeford Real Estate at The Civic, 83 Chandos Street, Gunnedah on Friday, 31 March at 11am.

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.

For more information on the properties up for auction, contact Council on (02) 6740 2100.

Caption: The five properties to be auctioned are in Gunnedah, Breeza, Kelvin, and Emerald Hill.

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For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.

March 21, 2023

Art has always pushed the boundaries.

From Manet’s nude at the picnic (Le Dejeuner sur l’herbe) to the digital art of Andy Warhol, art has challenged and provoked people, and delighted them with its daring.

Gunnedah Shire Council is calling on artists across the region to create something different for a new exhibition that will open in June this year.

Debatably Avant-Garde aims to push the boundaries of what has traditionally been considered art, and open the doors to ultra-modern expressionism in Gunnedah Shire.

Gunnedah Shire Council Cultural Precinct Team Leader Michael Cornford said the exhibition was an opportunity for artists to explore all the avenues of art.

“Debatably Avant-Garde is an opportunity to showcase artists practicing new art forms to our gallery; hidden, emerging and established artists all tasked to break out of traditional confines and create something quite different,” Mr Cornford said.

“There are art forms evolving all the time – digital art, graphic design, innovative sculpture and installation art – there are all kinds of ways you can bend the rules and push the boundaries.

“Art has always made people think and see things in different ways. This exhibition is all about challenging and expanding our views. Let’s throw some light on some off-the-wall or serious subjects.

“We are very much looking forward to seeing just how challenging our artists can be. We’re hoping this will be an explosive artistic experience.”

Submissions for the exhibition will close at 5pm on Monday, June 5 with artworks to be delivered during business hours to the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Centre in Chandos Street with a completed form that is available on www.thecivic.com.au.

Debatably Avant-Garde will open at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Centre at 6pm on Friday, June 9.

Caption: Manet’s Le Dejeuner sur l’herbe pushed the boundaries of art in 1863.

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

17 March, 2023

Wolseley Park will come alive for Gunnedah’s Multicultural Harmony Festival on Saturday, 25 March.

The annual festival is in celebration of Harmony Week (20-26 March) which recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from different backgrounds. It highlights inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.​

This year’s theme is “Everyone belongs” and the event is presented by the Multicultural Women's Association, Multicultural Gunnedah and Gunnedah Family Support. It is supported by Gunnedah Shire Council and funded by NSW Government Reconnecting Regional Communities Program.

The festival will officially open at 10am with a Welcome to Country by Gunnedah Shire’s Citizen of the Year, Mitchum Neave, followed by vocal and dance performances throughout the morning, a fashion show and an Easter Egg Hunt in Livvi’s Place.

There will also be a jumping castle, a coconut scraping game and a lantern-making workshop.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the Harmony Multicultural Festival was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the myriad of cultures in the Shire.

“The festival promises to be a carnival of colour and brings a vibrant atmosphere to our town,” he said.

“It’s the ideal event to bring your family along to, with interactive workshops and lively performances.

“This is a great opportunity to celebrate all of our community and the wonderful differences that have helped make Gunnedah Shire the great place it is to live in today.”

Keep an eye on Gunnedah Shire Council’s Facebook page and website for updates.

Caption: The Harmony Multicultural Festival will be a fun, family-friendly affair.

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

17 March, 2023

As the Gunnedah Airport tarmac is upgraded to ensure it meets federal standards, it opens up the exciting possibility of passenger flights directly to and from Gunnedah.

The tarmac at Gunnedah Airport was reaching the end of its lifespan and required replacement, which will also make it suitable for commercial flights.

Gunnedah Shire is in active discussions with businesses and organisations about a commercial air carrier for Gunnedah.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the Shire had changed and grown significantly in the nearly 20 years since commercial passenger flights operated from Gunnedah.

“Gunnedah Shire is a growing and thriving region,” Cr Chaffey said. “We’ve seen many exciting changes in the past five years alone and we are looking forward to the opening of the redeveloped saleyards, the new hospital and the new koala sanctuary.

“We are looking forward to continuing to grow, and are looking to address the transport needs of the future.

“To assist us in showing the demand for this service, we are asking the Gunnedah community and businesses – and their visitors, family and colleagues – to fill in the Gunnedah Air Travel Survey. The survey will show the interest there is in direct flights from our region.

“This is a truly exciting opportunity to form direct transport connections and we need to show the demand is there.

“We need as many people as possible to fill in this survey.”

Funding for the $8.35 million project has come from the State and Federal governments alongside Gunnedah Shire Council.

The project has been on Gunnedah Shire’s priority list since 2017 and was included in Council’s Delivery Program and Operational Plan.

Gunnedah Shire Council awarded the tender for the upgrade to Airport Consulting Group in November last year.

The Gunnedah Air Travel Survey will close on Friday, March 31. It is available in hard copy at Gunnedah Shire Council in Elgin Street, Gunnedah Shire Library, the Civic, and various other locations around the Shire.

To fill in the survey online, visit https://rb.gy/hzgn53

Caption: Gunnedah Shire is in active discussions with businesses and organisations about a commercial air carrier for Gunnedah.

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For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.