The nation celebrated the achievements of its people across many communities on Australia Day. Gunnedah Shire hosted its own Annual Awards Dinner recognising the achievements and services of many community members and groups. Gunnedah’s Australia Day Ambassador Frank Coletta and The Hon. Sarah Mitchell MLC were special guests at the ceremony.

Award winners:

• Eve Turner Perpetual Award: Christine Hodges
• Cultural Award: Emma Costello and Dalton Dorrington
• Community Achievement Award: GoCo Support Volunteers...
• Ossie and Beryl Campbell Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award: Elle 'n' Pete
• Max and Mikie Maas Good Neighbour Award: Ron Rickard
• Ivan Towns Memorial Award: Maryanne Perkins
• Junior Male Sportsperson of the Year: Adam McGuirk
• Junior Female Sportsperson of the Year: Taryn Maher
• Junior Sports Team of the Year Award: GHS Open Boys Cricket Team
• Sports Team of the Year Award: Gunnedah Football Club
• Young Citizen of the Year Award (21 years and under): Tyson Hubbard
• Citizen of the Year Award (21-40 years): Lenelle Ritter
• Citizen of the Year Award (40+) Evelyn Wise Award: Delores Worthington

It is an honour to be nominated for these prestigious awards and Gunnedah Shire Council congratulates all award winners and nominees.

Australia Day 2018 celebrations kicked off with a Church Service and Citizenship Ceremony under the gum trees on Donnelly Fields. The famous Raft and Craft Race followed, which has become an iconic part of Australia Day in Gunnedah. Race goers launched their crafts or rafts of choice at Cushan’s Reserve and paddle, float or bob their way to Cohen’s Bridge. Rafts are often made from trampolines, 44 drums and floaties, and this year there was even a raft made from milk bottles.

The community were treated to a sausage sizzle by Rotary Club of Gunnedah and demonstrations from Fire and Rescue NSW Gunnedah. A pet parade for all creatures great and small was held at Woolshed Reserve and a number of children’s activities took place at Donnelly Fields. A free screening of Blinky Bill at The Civic was shown to a packed house in the afternoon.

Gunnedah welcomed Australia Day Ambassador, journalist Frank Coletta to the Shire. Mr Coletta attended the Australia Day Awards Dinner and was present at a number of events throughout the day, including the raft race.

A number of community organisations and businesses hosted Australia Day celebrations which were widely supported throughout the day.

Council thanks everyone for coming out and supporting the celebrations and hopes to see everyone again next year.

31 January 2018

Twenty two local young people in Gunnedah looking to pursue tertiary studies have received a helping hand from the Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund.

More than $22,000 was distributed to 22 local young people undertaking tertiary studies in 2018 at a ceremony at The Civic on Tuesday afternoon.

Special guests at the ceremony included Dr Grahame Deane and former scholarship recipient Aylish Flannery, who explained the importance of community support and “giving back to the community who supported you”.

Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund Committee Chair, Councillor Gae Swain said the Fund is designed to ease financial pressures on students and their families for the future benefit of rural communities.

“The Gunnedah community as a whole should be very proud as we support our very own students in taking their first steps out into the wider world,” Cr Swain said.

“In order to keep opportunities like this going for future generations of students, it is integral that we keep our passion for the cause alive. We are looking at ways to raise funds and the profile of this initiative for its long-term sustainability and urge anyone interested to contact Gunnedah Shire Council.

“Congratulations to this year’s recipients and best wishes for the future.”

The Fund is made up of the generosity of sponsors from the community and fundraising events throughout the year.

“We would also like to thank all of the sponsors for their ongoing support of the Fund, without your support this would not be possible,” Cr Swain said.

Since the fund’s inception 15 years ago, over $330,000 across more than 350 scholarships has been awarded to local students.

The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund Committee congratulates the following recipients:

Photo Caption: Twenty-two local students following tertiary studies in 2018 were awarded scholarships from the Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

29 January 2018

Gunnedah joined towns and regions across the country in welcoming the nation’s newest citizens on Australia Day.

The Villamin family from the Philippines, Mr Allen Villamin, Mrs Lorena Villamin, Ms Airene Villamin (13), and twin boys Alex and Ace Villamin (4), pledged their loyalty to Australia on Friday morning.

Mr Villamin moved to Australia in 2008 for an employment opportunity as a mechanic, with wife Lorena and daughter Airene following two years later. The family later welcomed twins Alex and Ace and have called Gunnedah home for the past 10 months.

Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey presided over the ceremony and said citizenship is a public commitment to embracing Australian values.

“This is the biggest privilege as a Mayor – to give those people that have chosen Australia, not only as their home, but a place to be proud of and to raise their families, the opportunity to become Australian Citizens,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Citizenship brings responsibilities and duties – to obey the laws, to register on the Electoral Roll to vote, to serve on a jury if called to do so, and to defend Australia should the need arise.

“Citizenship also brings civil and social rights – the right to express your cultural heritage and beliefs coupled with a responsibility to accept the rights of others to express their heritage and beliefs,” he said.

“Our ceremony recognises that citizenship is a common bond made meaningful because it embraces an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of all people.”

Since 2012, Gunnedah Shire has welcomed 56 adults and 10 children as Australian Citizens, which includes the Villamin family.

Photo Caption: Deputy Mayor Gae Swain, The Hon. Sarah Mitchell MLC, Lorena Villamin, Airene Villamin, Allen Villamin and Mayor Jamie Chaffey. Front: Ace and Alex Villamin.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

We wish to advise motorists, business owners and community members of temporary changed traffic conditions to Conadilly Street scheduled for Sunday, 18 and 25 February 2018.

Road maintenance and repairs to Conadilly Street will occur between the Conadilly Street traffic lights and pedestrian crossing nearest Aldi between 7.00am and 5.00pm.

Traffic control measures will be applied to help guide traffic during this time, however car parking in the affected area will not be permitted.

Should you have any questions relating to the changed conditions please contact Council’s Customer Service Team on 6740 2100 or email council@infogunnedah.com.au.

We apologise for any inconvenience experienced during this time and thank you for your co-operation.

Eric Groth
GENERAL MANAGER

We wish to advise motorists, business owners and community members of the following road closure associated with the Queens Baton Relay event on Wednesday, 31 January 2018.

Chandos Street will be closed to vehicles from Conadilly Street to Little Conadilly Street between 6.00am and 4.00pm. The carpark located in Little Conadilly Street will also be closed. Pedestrian access is still permitted.

Information about the event and how you can be involved is available at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or from the Gunnedah Visitor Information Centre located in Chandos Street Gunnedah.

Should you have any questions relating to the changed conditions please contact Council’s Customer Service Team on 6740 2100 or email council@infogunnedah.com.au. 

We apologise for any inconvenience experienced during this time and thank you for your co-operation.

Eric Groth
GENERAL MANAGER

Flickerfest remains a platform for celebrating the most entertaining and innovative short filmmaking from Australia and around the world.

Flickerfest Australia’s leading Academy Award accredited and BAFTA-recognised Short Film Festival returns to The Civic on Sunday, 18 February, with the Best of Australian Short Films and the Best of Comedy Short Films.

Best of Australian Short Films will be screened from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, with an intermission from 4.30pm to 5pm. Best of Comedy Short Films will follow from 5pm to 7pm.

Tickets are $40 for both sessions, $35 concession for both, or $25 a single session. Canapes will be provided on arrival from 2pm and drinks are available for purchase.

Tickets are available to be purchased from www.thecivic.com.au or in person at the Gunnedah Visitor Information Centre, Chandos Street or Gunnedah Shire Council, Elgin Street.

For any enquiries please contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Arts and Cultural Officer Lauren Mackley on (02) 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au 

Gunnedah saw 27 local and regional legends be a part of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) on January 31 as the baton made its way through the region.

Nine local schools in the area got the chance to get up close and personal to local heroes and a sporting great, Olympic champion and Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, Sara Carrigan OAM.

"I’m so excited to be back in my hometown, where I was born 37 years ago. When I was younger, I thought how could little old me from the country compete against the best in the world and wear the green and gold. The advice I have for the young kids here today is to do what you enjoy, find your passion and do it because you love it,” she said.

As the final baton bearer for Gunnedah, Ron McLean, made his way to the Wolseley Park Rotunda, in a true show of Gunnedah’s community spirit, a guard of honour was formed to mark the very special occasion. A community celebration followed the relay, with rides, a barbecue, slushies, icy poles and more.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is counting down the days until the start of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. It started on Commonwealth Day, Monday 13 March 2017, at Buckingham Palace when Her Majesty placed her message inside the Baton and will travel through the entire Commonwealth for 388 days and 230,000 kms. The Queen’s Baton will arrive on the Gold Coast for the XXI Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018, where HRN The Prince of Wales will remove Her Majesty’s message from the Baton and read it aloud to declare the Games open.

17 January 2018

Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery will be exhibiting the detailed and realistic works of four talented artists from Gunnedah, Tamworth and Narrabri.

The four artists, Peter Stewart, Judy Nobilo, Daniel Stanley and Lauren Miller, have collaborated to bring ‘Reflecting on Realism (S)’ to the gallery.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Arts and Cultural Officer Lauren Mackley said each artist is at varying stages in their artistic development, however their technical ability is “extraordinary”.

“This is a must see, the works that will be showcased are amazing. All of the exhibiting artists resonate with the core principles of realism; precision, detail and accurate visual representations of their subject matter,” Ms Mackley said.

“The exhibition will showcase famous masterpieces and stars remastered, the fine hair in animals fur coats and scenes that populate the world.

“This is an exhibition that takes the viewer on a voyage that blurs the lines of reality with fiction.”

Opening night will be held on Friday, 9 February at 6pm and the exhibition will be on display until 5 March.

For more information on the exhibition please contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Arts and Cultural Officer Lauren Mackley on (02) 6740 2100.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

10 January 2018

Gunnedah Shire Council is pleased to support eight local businesses and organisations after Round One allocations of the Business Partner Program were endorsed at the December Ordinary Council Meeting.

More than $36,000 was allocated under the 2017/18 Business Partner Program across eight local businesses and organisations. Applications were considered by a panel and the following were awarded funding:

• Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc allocated $5000 for Gunnedah Skills Group Opportunities Audit
• Li’l Achievers awarded $13624 to aid in extension costs
• Marval Designs to receive $5000 for a business update
• Tydd Motorcycles successful with $2500 to go towards a business expansion
• Kinfolk Student Cafes to receive $3000 for its project “Building a Field of Dreams: Growing positive childhood attitudes to food one Green Star Lunchbox at a time”
• Gunnedah Serviced Apartments were allocated $3000 towards the costs of business exposure and office efficiency
• Riley’s Furniture and Carpets, $3000 towards website construction and rebranding
• Gunnedah Diesel Service allocated $1000 for a business frontage upgrade and to provide level off-street parking for people with disabilities

The groups were allocated their funding at a ceremony on Wednesday afternoon.

Manager Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle said the Program is designed to actively seek new business opportunities and assist in the expansion of existing businesses in the Shire by providing support, advice and marketing, as well as the provision of incentives.

“The Business Partner Program is a key element of Gunnedah and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc and Gunnedah Shire Council to attract new business, or to expand existing businesses in the Gunnedah Shire by providing an assistance package as an incentive,” Ms Hoddle said.

“Support offered by this Program supplements the Gunnedah Economic Development Strategy by encouraging increased productivity, sustainability, growth and employment; and targeting new businesses and economic activity.”
Round Two of the Business Partner Program is now open and applications close on 28 February 2018.

“All projects are considered, big or small. I would encourage any local businesses or start-up businesses to apply, this is a great opportunity to maximise your growth,” Ms Hoddle said.

View more information on the Business Partner Program here, or contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Manager Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle on (02) 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au 

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.