6 March 2020

Good news for sailing enthusiasts with a much-loved event back on the Weeks of Speed calendar.

Lake Keepit Sailing Club’s Keepit Kup Regatta will go ahead this year, as recent rain has seen lake levels reach in excess of 10%.

The Keepit Kup is an anticipated activity on the Weeks of Speed agenda and will be a weekend affair, commencing 9am on Saturday 14th March and wrapping up on Sunday 15th March at 4pm.

Highlights of the weekend include the Keepit Kup Trophy, and heats of the NENW Zone Regatta, Travellers Trophy and the Thunderbolt Trophy. Attendees will be kept busy on land with evening entertainment.

The following week will see the Weeks of Speed Festival in full swing and on Saturday 21st March the Gunnedah CBD has something for everyone.

At 10am burn rubber to Conadilly Street to catch the Tractor Trek Street Parade. The Rural Museum will have you travel through time with an array of wheels on show including Tractors, Cars old and new, Bikes, Utes, Model Aircraft, Drag Cars, Street Stockers and Speedway Cars.

Afterwards revellers can see their favourite vehicles up close at the Show ‘n’ Shine held in Woolworths Carpark from 10.30am, with the official opening of Weeks of Speed Festival held amongst the engines at 11am.

2MO will be broadcasting live from the event and there will be a barbecue to raise funds for the Rural Fire Service.

Festivities will shift gears and spill across the road to Wolseley Park on Saturday for the Gunnedah Autumn Market Day. The markets are hosted by the Two Rivers Arts Council (TRAC) and Gunnedah Shire Council as part of Gunnedah’s Harmony Week 2020 celebrations.

Visitors are invited to browse the arts and craft and fresh produce stalls and stay to enjoy street food and live music.

The full Weeks of Speed Festival programme can be found at: http://www.visitgunnedah.com.au/index.php/week-of-speed-festival

Photo caption: Sailors in action on Lake Keepit.

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Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

10 March 2020

Gunnedah Shire Council has extended a heartfelt thank you to the people of our Sister City Lane Cove for their recent drought relief fundraising efforts.

In December, Lane Cove residents helped spread the Christmas cheer by donating gift cards to help our farming families. Distribution of the cards using the Gunny Money initiative ensured the local economy also benefited with money flowing to Gunnedah businesses.

The community of Lane Cove also held a number of fundraising events, including the December “Rain Bringer” Christmas Concert which featured performances from Hunters Hill High School and Lane Cove Youth Orchestra. Local organisation In The Cove collaborated with The Allcott Bar in Lane Cove to host two trivia nights.

These efforts raised in excess of $12000. Lane Cove Council accompanied this with a generous donation of $2500.

These donations were sent directly to local service clubs such as Rotary and Lions to provide the aid quickly before Christmas to families in need. A portion of these donations were provided to Council for distribution in the New Year.

At the February ordinary Council meeting, Councillors approved the distribution of the remaining drought donations to the Rural Financial Counselling Service and to local services clubs undertaking drought relief work.

Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey said it was great to see the sister city program make a tangible difference to Gunnedah shire residents.

“We are all extremely thankful for the recent support provided by Lane Cove. It is a wonderful example of community service and an important gesture to our farming families that they have not been forgotten during this drought,” Cr Chaffey said.

Cr Chaffey plans to visit Lane Cove later in the year to formally thank those who worked tirelessly with fundraising efforts in such a strong show of support to our rural community.

Photo caption: Mayor of Lane Cove, Councillor Pam Palmer, and Councillor Scott Bennison dropped off their gift cards for residents of Gunnedah. Photo courtesy of Lane Cove Council.

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Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Shire Council is proud to present the Community Participation Plan, a document that will inform our community on planning matters that affect it, and ensure that citizens have an opportunity to be involved in decisions that have the potential to impact their way of life. We acknowledge that engaging our community in open, meaningful, timely and relevant ways delivers better outcomes for the Shire and helps us to build a bright and sustainable future together. The Plan articulates how, when and to what level, Council will engage the community when exercising relevant planning functions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and associated regulations.

For a copy of the Plan check out:

5 March, 2020

Gunnedah businesses will have greater access to local opportunities thanks to a new initiative driven by Gunnedah Shire Council.

Council, along with the Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce are encouraging local business owners to sign up to Gunnedah Shire Localised, an online business directory.

Described as “your social network for local business,” Localised helps businesses increase their visibility by building connections with fellow business owners and new customers.

Local businesses can sign up to this platform for free, where they will see benefits including:

• Access to a library of resources and articles authored by local business experts
• Opportunities to attend networking and professional development events in the Gunnedah Shire,
• Free listing on the local business directory, connecting consumers to a large range of local businesses, and
• Access to an online community noticeboard where local businesses can collaborate and share positive news stories.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Cr Jamie Chaffey said Localised would facilitate increased spending between local businesses, keeping money within the Shire.

“We have great local businesses, but sometimes they can be hard to find. Through Localised the business community has a new way of coming together to promote themselves, share business tips and advice, find goods and services, connect to business events and discover upcoming local opportunities,” Mayor Chaffey said.

Council Manager of Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle said that Localised will be a fantastic local and collaborative tool for our businesses.

“Localised is a great tool to help businesses reach new customers, as well as connecting the local business community. That’s good for business, for jobs and the broader community,” Ms Hoddle said.

For more information and to join Localised, head to https://gunnedahshire.localised.com.au/

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Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

4th March 2020

Gunnedah’s Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery will soon host a new exhibition, Divine Voyeurism, which seeks to empower women through artful subversion of traditional representations of femininity.

Divine Voyeurism sees collaboration between artists Cat Long and Abby Jerrett, who originally hail from Gunnedah. Long and Jerrett’s interdisciplinary body of work challenges over-sexualised representations of the female body.

The two artists shift the male gaze of performative femininity to a more honest portrayal of womanhood and the female experience.

Jerrett’s work appropriates religious iconography taking inspiration from stained glass windows to challenge constraining aspects of spirituality. Using the traditional craft medium of embroidery, Jerrett’s textile pieces pay homage to her female predecessors whose expression was repressed by patriarchal values informing the art world.

Playing with the balance between positive and negative space allows Long to traverse the curves of the female body using stippling, a technical process that begins and ends with a dot. Through the arrangement and repetition of thousands of these marks, each piece is a collection that celebrates women and their unique strengths.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Cultural Precinct Team Leader Lauren Mackley said she was looking forward to this innovative exhibition.

“This is an inspired and provocative exhibition. It’s wonderful to see such a diverse range of works coming to a regional gallery,” Ms Mackley said.

“I really encourage everyone to come along and take a look.”

The exhibition opens at 6pm Friday, 20th March, 2020 and continues until Friday 24 April, 2020.

What: Official Opening of Divine Voyeurism

Where: Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery, 81 Chandos Street.

When: Friday 20th March 2020 at 6pm.

Photo caption: Abby Jerrett (left) and Cat Long (right) in their element with some of the works to be featured.

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Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

28 February, 2020

While the challenges of the drought continue, Gunnedah Shire has received good falls of rain in the past month.

Gunnedah Shire residents are invited to celebrate the rain at a Thanksgiving prayer at 3.30pm on Sunday, March 8 at the Smithurst Theatre.

The Ministers’ Fraternal will host the event with the support of Gunnedah Shire Council.

“Following the recent rain, our Shire is returning back to its normal vibrant conditions which has put much needed moisture into the ground and has our primary producers busy preparing for winter crops and a brighter future” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“We are very aware that the impact of the drought will go on for many seasons to come, but the rain has been a blessing for so many people across New South Wales.”

“Our Shire’s waterways have been rejuvenated with the Namoi River now flowing and the countryside is looking awesome.”

“This Thanksgiving event follows our earlier Prayers for Rain. The prayers of farmers, families and everyone impacted by the drought have been heard, and this is one way we can give thanks.”

“I encourage residents of the shire to come to this community event to give thanks and praise”

Light refreshments will be served at the event.

To RSVP for catering purposes, please email alexandraokeefe@infogunnedah.com.au

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Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

March 4, 2020

Gunnedah Shire has no shortage of talented, hard-working women, and this week is the time to celebrate.

It is International Women’s Week 2020, with the theme of “An equal world is an enabled world”.

Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Communications and Cultural Services Eliza Gallen said statistics from the last Census (2016) revealed the Shire’s population was an even representation of men and women, with 6107 females and 6105 males.

“Gunnedah Shire has a history of strong and innovative women,” Ms Gallen said.

“Census statistics also show that 48 per cent of the workforce in the Shire is female, a clear indication of what an important contribution women make to our economy.

“There are many women who run their own small businesses, or contribute to critical industries such as education, health and community services.

“It’s also heartening to have three female councillors on our own Council, and it is a pleasure to work alongside exceptional women both within Council and in our wider community.

“Women across Gunnedah Shire are making the world a better place every day.”

There are a number of activities happening in the Shire as part of International Women’s Week, including a $10 screening today of the movie Bombshell at the Civic with a 1.30pm lunch ahead of a 2.30pm screening.

Sunday is Wear Purple Day to support International Women’s Day. Gunnedah Shire women are invited to wear purple, put your arms out in front to create an equal sign, take a photo and post it on social media with the hashtags #EachforEqual, #IWD2020 and #gunnedah.

For the full program, see the attached program, but please note, the Bombshell screenin is on Thursday, March 5 and not Wednesday, March 4.

Gunnedah Shire has three current serving female councillors. Councillors Gae Swain, Colleen Fuller and Ann Luke have shared a little of their journeys for International Women’s Week…

Cr Gae Swain:

“My councillor journey has been challenging, rewarding, terrifying, uplifting, smooth sailing, and the bumpiest ride you can imagine... all of this combining to bring together the most amazing journey for me.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience which has given me the opportunity to make (I hope) a positive contribution to the community I love. What a privilege it has been.

“My hope for any future female councillors would be that they would put their hands up for the privilege of enriching their community's social fabric by serving their fellow residents.

“I would trust they would come in with the true vision of service for others and not with any fixed agenda which can hinder a person from seeing all sides of any issue.

“International Women's Week gives us all the opportunity to share our own particular life's journey with other women, in the hope that it may enrich, challenge, encourage and support other women who may have the opportunity and vision to work to make our communities, as well as our world, a better place.”

Cr Colleen Fuller

“As a councillor, I have seen so many changes over the past 16 years.

“The Australian Local Government Women’s Association has been a great supporter of local councils, improving domestic violence support and working to assist young women councillors with financial help for childminding.

“There has been an increase in the number of women going into local government. We are still some way from equal representation, but it has certainly improved. I believe very strongly in supporting women to represent their communities.

“To me, International Women’s Day is a reminder we are moving forward and have been improving every year.”

Cr Ann Luke

“My local government journey so far has been a good one, and I have seen no special consideration of me in respect to my gender. In my profession as a veterinary surgeon, gender has been a negligible issue for many years and I don’t expect special treatment in any sphere, and certainly have not received any in local government.

“I hope that no person (male or female) questions representing their community because of their gender, and I hope that continued support can be given to parents generally (such as childminding) if that would otherwise provide a barrier.

“I remember many years ago, a serving councillor said to me that my husband should consider running for council. He never seemed to consider that I should.

“Twenty years after that, I did indeed run myself.

“I hope that raising the profile of female participation during events such as International Women’s Week will change the norm and that gender becomes irrelevant.”

Photo caption: Some of Gunnedah Shire Council’s contingent of female staff show their support for International Women’s Day by making the equal sign.

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Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

25 February, 2020

It’s the end of summer – and 2019-20 has been a summer to remember.

Gunnedah Youth Interagency is inviting young people aged 10 and over to celebrate the second-last day of summer at a pool party at Gunnedah’s Memorial Pool.

The End of Summer Pool Party will go from 5pm until 8pm with entry free to the first 200 kids to arrive.

The pool party will feature music by DJ Paper Thin, activities, on-the-ground inflatables, and a free barbecue.

The End of Summer Pool Party is being supported by Gunnedah Shire Council and Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network.
Come along and have fun!

Photo caption: Children and students aged 10 and up are invited to an End of Summer Pool Party.

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Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

25 February, 2020

Applications for round three of Gunnedah Shire Council’s Business Partner program are drawing to a close this week.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Business Partner program has been offering funding to support and nurture existing businesses to increase productivity, sustainability, growth and employment; and to attract new businesses and economic activity in the Shire.

Round three will wrap up at the end of this month, with established local businesses and start-ups encouraged to apply for a slice of funding.

Those looking to build resilience and capacity in their business should submit an application by the 28th of February. The guidelines and application forms are available at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

For more information regarding the Business Partner Program contact Council’s Manager of Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle on (02) 6740 2100 or email council@infogunnedah.com.au

Photo caption: Amelia Smith said the Business Partner Program helped her grow her business, Ameliorate Yoga, through the creation of a website and marketing material.

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Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

21 February 2020

Gunnedah’s Aboriginal heritage will be permanently celebrated with a large new sculptural installation about to take shape in Gunnedah Shire’s Cultural Precinct.

Work has begun on the Gunnedah Rainbow Serpent Water Feature, a sculpture that has been more than a decade in the making.

The impressive, 9.2m long sculpture is being constructed in the forecourt of the Civic Centre by Waterforms International and local contractors including Frank Capezio Concreting , Thompsons Electrical and Pete Jensen Plumbing.

Gunnedah Shire Council Cultural Precinct Team Leader Lauren Mackley said the water feature had wound its own journey through the last decade or two of Gunnedah history, beginning in 2001.

“The Gunnedah Rainbow Water Feature Project began as the third stage of a plan to create linkages and connectivity throughout the Cultural Precinct,” Ms Mackley said.

“The Two Rivers Arts Council was delivering and developing community arts projects that promoted a deeper connection to Gunnedah Shire. The then-Chair of the Red Chief Lands Council Ellen Draper took this idea and opened the door for extensive consultation with our Aboriginal community.

“It became apparent just how strong Gunnedah’s connection to the river, local fauna and flora was, and artists Max Powell and Bronwyn McKeon put together a plan for three sculptural installations.

“The first two were the River Red Gum Tree and the Water Mural which are on permanent display, and the third was the Rainbow Serpent Water Feature.

“This spectacular project will recognise the integral and important role of Indigenous heritage in our Shire. It will also be a meeting place to share stories.

The water feature incorporates mosaic tiles made over a six-year period by a dedicated group of women. Local indigenous women, Shirley Long, Janet Wanless, Delma Jones, Ellen Draper, Gloria Foley, June Cox, Alison Cox, Rita Long and Cindy Foley became the core group of artists who met regularly to create the glass mosaics that adorn the surface of the Rainbow Serpent Water Feature.

These women have been advocating for the completion of this project for just under 20 years.

In 2019 the project was awarded $155,725 through the NSW Government Regional Cultural Fund in December 2018, adding to the council's 54 per cent contribution to the total.

The Gunnedah Rainbow Serpent Water Feature Project is expected to take about two months to complete.

The story of the Rainbow Serpent
“In traditional Aboriginal storytelling, the Rainbow Serpent was not always a snake but a man who, by deception and lies, attempted to turn the people against their God, Baiame.

“The Elders in the Dreamtime went to Baiame and told him what Rainbow was doing. Baiame punished Rainbow for his treachery by causing him to slither along the ground and sending him from the Dreamtime, never to return. He was ordered to place all of the heavenly bodies and earthly objects in this land in such a way that balance was maintained.

“When he laid his head on the ground to rest from his labours, a waterhole or billabong was created; and where he travelled, rivers formed.

“When his creation work was finished, the Rainbow Serpent transported all living creatures, including the people, to the land he had made for them and deposited them in their rightful places”.

- As told by Late Elder Ellen Draper

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Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.