Preparation for the 2018 Commonwealth Bank AgQuip field days has commenced with the announcement of next year's dates - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 21, 22, 23 August.

Australia’s largest primary industry field days, Commonwealth Bank AgQuip will be celebrating its 46th anniversary next year – the famous field day is held in Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia. The largest agricultural event in the South Pacific is expected to showcase over 3,000 companies, over 32 hectares of static display and attact over 100,000 visitors over three big days from across the nation and overseas.

Kate Nugent, Fairfax Rural Events Group Manager, remarked the Commonwealth Bank AgQuip field days is a great success story – “it has enjoyed a long and rich history since its early beginning in 1973 and is recognised as a gigantic agri-marketing and sales promotion”. And the organising team will be placing a great deal of emphasis on market-place results.

“As AgQuip takes shape as the annual meeting place of rural Australia, we are thrilled to once again focus on the future of Australian agriculture showcasing the latest innovations in farming equipment and ideas,” said Kate.

Australia’s premier agricultural event will feature the most extensive range of state-of-the-art agricultural machinery and implements, information and technology available for today’s agricultural producers. The nation’s major agribusinesses, plus many regional and local manufacturers and suppliers are regular exhibitors. The Commonwealth Bank AgQuip field days has already attracted interest from Asian, European, North and South America and South Pacific agricultural companies wishing to exhibit or be represented at next year’s event. "Because of its size, diversity and national positioning, Commonwealth Bank AgQuip fulfils most marketing functions,” Kate said, “and by doing so, provides primary industry in Australia with an unparalleled opportunity to increase its already high efficiency." In 2018 Commonwealth Bank AgQuip organisers will continue their policy of field improvement and innovation to cater for the big annual visitation.

Commonwealth Bank AgQuip is now recognised as one of the biggest industry field days in the world and has established itself as a vital and integral part of Australia’s rural and agricultural marketing scene.

For more information about Commonwealth Bank AgQuip 2017, please contact the organisers Fairfax Rural Events - on phone 02 6768 5800, email agquip@fairfaxmedia.com.au, www.facebook.com/agquip 

Long-serving Councillor, the late Hans Allgayer, will be recognised with a road named in his honour to be officially unveiled this week.

Allgayer Drive will connect the existing Torrens and Mathias roads in an industrial subdivision, owned by Mackellar Excavations. The tribute will be unveiled on site by Gunnedah Shire Councillors, Bruce Mackellar and the Allgayer family.

Mr Allgayer served the community on Gunnedah Shire Council for 15 years and sadly passed away in Gunnedah in late August 2015.

Date: Wednesday, 18 October

Time: 1:00pm

Location: Allgayer Drive (Travel west from Gunnedah on the Kamilaroi Highway, turn left onto Quia Road, right onto Torrens Road and Allgayer Drive is the first right. The ceremony will be held at the intersection of Torrens Roads and Allgayer Drive).

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

GoCo Community Care is celebrating the role grandparents and older people play in the community with a Grandparents Day get together for residents to connect across generations.

The event, supported by Family and Community Services NSW (FACS), will be held on Sunday, 29 October from 10am to 1pm.

Grandparents, family and friends will be treated to a picnic on the lawn at the Gunnedah Shire Band Hall, with entertainment from the award-winning Gunnedah Shire Band and We Are One Community Choir; as well as a free tour and morning tea at Dorothea Mackellar Centre; and a tour and lucky door prizes at the Water Tower Museum. A jumping castle and sausage sizzle will also be available.

“It’s a day to spend time with an older loved one and to celebrate what they mean to you and the community,” GoCo Community Transport Co-ordinator Tammy Lumby said.

“The older generation has wonderful stories and memories to share, and we invite everyone to take some time out and enjoy a morning out for Grandparents Day.”

For more information contact GoCo Community Care on (02) 6740 2240.

Construction works on the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Renewal Project will commence next week, with Hines Constructions appointed by Gunnedah Shire Council to deliver the multi-million dollar upgrade to the complex.

Hines Constructions will be securing the site from Monday, with the outdoor pool complex and the western carpark adjacent to Anzac Parade to be closed to the public for the duration of the works.

Demolition of the 50 metre outdoor pool is expected to begin on Thursday, 19 October.

“There is a 12-month timeframe on the constructions works, however the heated pool will remain open until works commence on the indoor facility mid-2018,” Acting Director Infrastructure Services Edward Paas said.

“We are trying to minimise the inconvenience to the community, however, we will deliver a state-of-the-art facility at the end of the upgrades.”

The $11.375 million project, which has been four years in planning, will see a new 50 metre outdoor pool, Kids Wet Play Area and new pavilion established. A new water filtration system will be installed to ensure all pools in the complex meet current sanitation standards. The existing amenities in the 25 metre pool enclosure will also be refurbished and disability access improved across the complex under the contract.

“Consultation via bi-monthly newsletters will continue throughout the life of the project to keep the community and key user groups up-to-date. The newsletters will be uploaded to Council’s website,” Mr Paas said.

Photo caption: Hines Constructions, of Bathurst will complete the pool works. Pictured, Mark Damon (Site Foreman, Hines Constructions) Scott Lane (Site Manager, Hines Constructions) and Mike Silver (Gunnedah Shire Council Special Projects Manager).

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Youth Council’s (GYC) Dessert Bar was a sweet success on Friday night.

The pop-up style Dessert Bar was a youth initiative and raised $800 for Gunnedah Youth Council and Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund.

The community were treated to mouth-watering desserts including hot chocolates, triple decker mudcakes, ultimate brownie sundaes and more.

“The concept was created by our GYC members and they did a fantastic job planning, organising, cooking and serving at the event. This was their first event of this kind and I’m proud of all of the members’ efforts in making the night a success,” Gunnedah Shire Council’s Youth Development Officer Sewa Emojong said.

“The money goes back to the youth of our community, so it was great to see them work so hard for it.

“We have received positive feedback from people who attended and hope to bring more similar events to the community.

“We would like to thank Sally from Mitre 10, who created a vertical garden to decorate the area, the PCYC for lending us catering equipment, GYC parents and everyone who helped us to get the word out. It was a collaborative effort.”

The Dessert Bar is the first initiative of its kind for GYC and was supported by Gunnedah Shire Council and NSW Department of Industry’s Vibrant Precincts Project.
GYC is now preparing for their role in the upcoming Spirit of Christmas Fair.

GYC meet on Wednesdays from 4.30pm-5.30pm, youth aged from 12-25 are all welcome to attend.

Photo Caption 1: Gunnedah Youth Council members welcome the community to the GYC Dessert Bar.

Photo Caption 2: Gunnedah Youth Council members taking orders.

Photo Caption 3: Gunnedah Shire Council Youth Development Officer Sewa Emojong serving up sweets.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

GoCo Community Care is taking time to care for carers in Gunnedah during National Carers Week (15-21 October).

Carers are invited to GoCo’s ‘Peace and Pamper Day’ - for relaxing massages, manicures and a light morning tea. GoCo staff will be on hand to provide information about support and social activities for carers and the people they care for.

“National Carers Week provides GoCo with the opportunity to show appreciation to Gunnedah’s carers. We would like to invite anyone caring for a loved one with dementia, a disability or chronic illness to relax for a few hours,” GoCo Community Transport Co-ordinator Tammy Lumby said.

“Carers make enormous contributions to communities and save the country approximately $60.3 billion per year.

“In the Gunnedah Shire alone there were 1108 carers providing unpaid assistance to a person with a disability, long-term illness or old age in 2016 (PopID Data). We want to take time out to pamper the people who are often accustomed to looking after others.”

GoCo’s Peace and Pamper Day will be held on Friday, 20 October at GoCo Community Care, 80 Marquis Street, Gunnedah from 11am to 1pm.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Shire Council together with Gunnedah and District Chamber of Commerce are inviting local employers to support a business skills project.

A facilitated meeting will be held this week for anyone responsible for hiring, training or providing staff, as well as representatives from businesses, industries or community groups who have identified skills or training needs.

The outcome of the meeting will be a working group of interested people to work together over the next 12 months to problem solve skill shortages.

“The idea behind the project is to work together to attract and retain skilled workers, develop local training options and to support more pathways into employment. Local businesses working together will speed up the development of solutions and build a strong and skilled local workforce,” Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle said.

Gunnedah and District Chamber of Commerce Secretary Stacey Cooke said local businesses are feeling frustrated over “the lack of suitable skilled workers” to fulfil job vacancies in the area.

“The skills workshop is a great initiative to bring together the local employment job agencies, business owners and government departments to brainstorm ideas and solutions. This will include information on different types of grants and government support, which will assist business owners in obtaining the skilled workers required,” Mrs Cooke said.

“We are grateful that we have a group of motivated people in Chamber and Council to assist in organising this workshop.”

The one-hour meeting will be held at the Smithurst Theatre from 9-10am on Thursday, 12 October. To register interest, email susan.sims@wixim.com.au by 5pm on Wednesday, 11 October.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Local photographer Christoph Nagele is known for his stunning photographic images and has gained renown through his Facebook page, My Gunnedah.

Christoph will be exhibiting his carefully selected and curated photographs of people and personalities from throughout Gunnedah Shire in his 2017 exhibition - ‘People of Gunnedah’.

This selection of images will celebrate people in the Gunnedah community; capturing moments of their achievements, beauty and soul.

“A natural smile is a beautiful thing to photograph, I love catching the perfect moment of a smile,” Christoph said.

Christoph has selected 100 photographs from his collection of 86,000 images of Gunnedah personalities. The photographs will be on exhibition at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery for two weeks and all proceeds from photo sales will go to local charities, Can Assist and Meals on Wheels.

Christoph exhibited his collection last year at the Work of Art Gallery raising more than $4000 for GS Kidd Memorial School.

Opening night of the exhibition will be held at 6:00pm on Friday, 20 October at Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery, with drinks and canapes provided. The exhibition will continue until 3 November, 2017.

Photo Caption: Christoph Nagele will showcase a collection of Gunnedah’s people and personalities at his upcoming exhibition titled ‘People of Gunnedah’.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

The NSW Government budget announcement earlier this year included a record investment of $1.3 billion to regional NSW through the Regional Growth Fund.

Gunnedah Shire Council is working with the NSW Government and neighbouring councils, Liverpool Plains Shire and Tamworth Regional Council, to develop Regional Economic Development Strategies (REDS) to ensure this investment is successful in growing business confidence, creating and encouraging business investment, maximising the potential for jobs growth and securing a strong future for the region.

The NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Centre for Economic and Regional Development (CERD) has engaged specialist economic consultants Sapere Research Group to work with councils, communities, industries and businesses on the REDS in the region.

“An important component of the Regional Economic Development Strategy is to ensure that regional communities, business and industries have a say,” Gunnedah Shire Council’s Manager Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle said.

“As part of this process, Sapere Research Group is undertaking a survey of businesses and other stakeholders to support the development of REDS.

“I would urge you to participate in the survey as it is your chance to have your say in shaping the economic future of our region.”

Complete the Regional Economic Development Strategies Survey here.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey is calling for a decision to be made on the future of the Gunnedah Rural Health Centre (GRHC).

After GRHC appointed voluntary administrator Alan Hayes, of Hayes Advisory on July 7 – a lengthy negotiation process and due diligence has been completed with preferred party Mackellar Care, however the future of the clinic still hangs in the balance, causing frustration in the community.

“Due diligence has been completed by Mackellar Care and now we just need to move forward and provide an outcome for our community, who have been heavily inconvenienced by the lack of access to health care,” Cr Chaffey said.

“There are doctors ready and waiting to go but they can’t wait forever.

“It’s integrally important that residents have access to doctors when they need to see them, both at the clinics and the hospital.

“Federal support for Mackellar Care to take over the facility has already been received. We have waited long enough and a commitment needs to be made by HNHE – not just for the community, but also for the creditors who are still owed money.”

The $6.2million centre was built under the GP Super Clinic funding program from the Federal Government on State Government land, with valuable support from mining companies and fundraising by the community.

If running at full capacity, the centre has the potential to house seven full-time doctors, pathology and a number of allied health services.

“It appears that the reassignment of the lease by Hunter New England Health is where the delay is occurring. All parties are waiting on confirmation from Hunter New England Health that they will commit to reassign the lease with the same conditions that Gunnedah Rural Health were provided,” Councillor Chaffey said.

“Health care is paramount and this centre was purpose-built for our community so it needs to be back up and running to its full capacity to service our growing region.”

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.