26 March, 2024

Gunnedah Shire Council has welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement of a new Inquiry into Community Safety in Regional and Rural Communities, and urges community members to have their say.

Council supported a Country Mayors Association of NSW call for an inquiry following a dangerous increase in crime in regional and rural areas across the state.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the statistics showed clearly there were disproportionate crime levels and fewer police resources in regional and rural New South Wales, and it was now up to community members to bring the full extent of the crisis to the attention of the State Government.

“It has been an enormous challenge to make this Inquiry a reality,” Cr Chaffey.

“This is a great first step and now that we have the attention of our Members of Parliament, it is up to us all to make sure that we are sharing our lived experience and any suggestions we have about how to stop the severity and instances of crime.

“We also need to make it clear that there is a real need for adequate support for both victims and perpetrators that will lead to a safer community. We need to share the importance of pro-active policing and a 24-hour police station in Gunnedah, a change that can only happen with an increase in police numbers.

“We also need to provide any other information that you feel our elected Members of Parliament need to understand when they are making decisions that will affect our confidence in our own safety.

“Whether you have been impacted by crime, know someone who has, whether you work or have previously worked in related services, or come from another state or country that has implemented great working strategies, you need to make your voice heard.

“We need Gunnedah Shire people to be outspoken on this critical issue. We want as many people as possible to seize this opportunity to let the NSW Government know what is happening in our community and help bring about real change.”

Cr Chaffey said he would be advocating for one of the Inquiry hearings to be held in Gunnedah Shire.

The terms of reference for the Inquiry into Community Safety in Regional and Rural Communities are that the Committee on Law and Safety inquire into and report on:

1. the drivers of youth crime across regional and rural NSW, particularly since the COVID pandemic;
2. how a whole of government approach can reduce the drivers and root causes of youth crime in regional and rural NSW;
3. the wraparound and diversionary services available for youth and families in the regions and rural areas and how they can be better matched to individuals, measured, improved and integrated into a coordinated approach to divert youth from crime, having regard to the NSW Government's commitment to working in partnership with Aboriginal people;
4. staffing levels and workforce issues, including police staffing, in regional and rural areas and how services can be improved to reduce youth crime in these areas;
5. recidivism rates in regional and rural areas, and related impacts on the community, services and law enforcement;
6. the range of functions being performed by NSW police officers, including mental health assistance and youth welfare, on behalf of other agencies in regional and rural areas, and the supports required to assist police; and
7. any other related matter.

To send in your submission:

• Online: Go to Community safety in regional and rural communities (nsw.gov.au) . You will be asked to:
  o fill in an initial page with your contact details
  o you will then be asked if you would like your submission to be confidential
  o the final page allows you to either upload your submission, or type it directly in.
• Mail: You will need to include:
  o Your contact details
  o Whether you would like your submission to be confidential
  o Post to:
  Att: Edmond Atalla MP,
  Community Safety in Regional and Rural Communities Inquiry,
  c/- NSW Parliament House,
  6 Macquarie Street,
  SYDNEY NSW 2000

Submissions close on 31 May, 2024 and the Inquiry will report back in February 2025.

If you would like further assistance in putting in your submission, please contact our Customer Service Team on 6740 2100.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey discusses regional crime with Shadow Minister for Police Paul Toole earlier this year.

ENDS

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

25 March, 2024

Did you know, if you read three children’s books a day, you can read more than 1000 books in a year?

The 1000 Books Before School is a program that has spread across the country – from the city streets of Sydney to the beaches of the Gold Coast and the Tasmanian town of Wynyard. And it started in Gunnedah.

Gunnedah Shire Library first held the 1000 Books Before School program in 2014.

Librarian Christiane Birkett says the program has great benefits for both children and their parents and carers.

“Study after study has shown reading books to young children not only helps endow them with a love of books, it improves their reading and cognitive skills,” Mrs Birkett said.

“It helps with language, literacy and vocabulary.

“But beyond that, it’s a really enjoyable activity to do with your child. Snuggling up with your child and a book or two before bedtime creates wonderful memories and can be a special time in the day.”

The 1000 Books Before School provides parents with a checklist to tally up the number of books – even if it is the same favourites over and over – with celebrations of milestones along the way, such as 50, 100, 250, 500, 750 and finally, 1000 books.

Hundreds of Gunnedah Shire children have taken part in events at Gunnedah Shire Library, often with the Mayor or Deputy Mayor in attendance, and collected certificates that commemorate their reading total.

“It has been a really successful and popular program,” Mrs Birkett said. “So much so that we have expanded it to include the 1000 Books After School program for school-aged children. This keeps them reading!

“It is a wonderful gift to foster a love of reading in your child.”

After it was introduced in 2014, Hume Libraries in Victoria reached out to find out more about the program, and it was launched by the Victorian Premier in 2015, with more than 40 libraries running the program throughout the state.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said Gunnedah Shire Library should be proud of its innovative program and the success it was experiencing around the country.

“Congratulations to our Library staff for both starting this initiative and continuing the success story for a decade,” Cr Chaffey said.

“It is so important to give our children the best start, and this is a great way to do that. It not only builds a love of reading and books, but it is something all families can do. It has been wonderful to be part of this initiative and to see so many children proud of their successes.”

Former Gunnedah Shire Mayor Owen Hasler said he looked forward to the next 10 years of 1000 Books Before School.

“The fact that the 1000 Books Before School program is now in its 10th year since it was launched in January, 2014, while I was Mayor, clearly reflects the great value of the program in setting up our young children up for a lifelong love of books and learning-a terrific outcome for young people in this rural town of Gunnedah,” he said.

Our Library staff, ably led by Librarian Christine Birkett, are to be applauded for their efforts in sustaining the program and maintaining their enthusiasm in order to ensure the longevity of the wonderful initiative which has obviously benefitted hundreds of young people over the last 10 years.”

Some of the world’s best-loved writers have spoken about the importance of reading for children:

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” - Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
“If you are going to get anywhere in life you have to read a lot of books.” – Roald Dahl

Here are a few words from a grandparent about the program:

“My grandson was part of the original 1000 Books Before School and 1000 Books After School program. This was a great program for him and everyone that participated. His reading improved immensely and also his spelling. It gave him the ability to explore new authors that he would not have otherwise read. He did complete both programs and was very happy when he received his awards from the Mayor. Overall, I highly recommend this program as it encourages children to learn and improve their reading skills. Thanks again for this wonderful program that the Library has provided for the children of Gunnedah.” – Yvonne, grandmother.

Here are a few words from a participant about the program:

“My name is Mack and I participated in the 1000 Books Before and After School reading program. I had a lot of fun and enjoyed reading different books. My reading improved and so did my spelling. I still love to read and l would encourage kids like I was back then who struggled a bit to do this, as it has helped me a lot.” – Mack, student.

For further reading, here are links to just a few studies about reading to young children:

Reading to Young Children: A Head-Start in Life, from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Victoria and The University of Melbourne 2012. https://www.education.vic.gov.au/documents/about/research/readtoyoungchild.pdf
Early-initiated childhood reading for pleasure (rfp): associations with better cognitive performance, mental well-being and brain structure in young adolescence. Published online by Cambridge University Press, 28 June 2023.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/earlyinitiated-childhood-reading-for-pleasure-associations-with-better-cognitive-performance-mental-wellbeing-and-brain-structure-in-young-adolescence/03FB342223A3896DB8C39F171659AE33
From the Australian Government Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2022: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/children-youth/australias-children/contents/education/early-learning

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey at a 1000 Books Before School presentation.

ENDS

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

22 March, 2024

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Community Safety Team will visit shire villages and localities to provide responsible pet ownership advice during the next few months.

Through the Paws Up program, Compliance Officers will offer free checks on microchipped animals to ensure the Companion Animal Register is updated, process companion animal registrations and identify companion animals though microchipping.

Fees and charges may apply for applicable services such as registration and identification.

Manager Community Safety Wade Berryman encouraged local pet owners to take advantage of the popular annual initiative.

“Responsible pet ownership is hugely important for the wellbeing of animals and residents who live together in our community and this service is a great opportunity to get registration and identification of pets in order,” he said.

Scheduled visits will take place on:

Friday 12 April 10am to 12 noon at Tamba Park, Tamba St, Tambar Springs.
Friday 12 April 1.30 to 3.30pm at Mullaley Park, Oxley Highway, Mullaley.

Thursday 30 April 10am to 11am at Breeza Park, Kamilaroi Hwy, Breeza.
Thursday 30 April 1pm to 3.00pm at Carroll Park, David St, Carroll.

Thursday 13 June 10am to 12 noon at Hamilton Park, Goran St, Curlewis.

ENDS

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