4 October, 2023

As Gunnedah Shire’s Year 12 students finish their school years, it’s a great time to look at applying for the 2024 Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund had been helping our local youth set off on their tertiary education journey for 20 years.

“We are proud to continue to help our young people launch the first step of their careers through the Community Scholarship Fund,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Since the fund’s inception 20 years ago, more than 400 scholarships have been awarded, with close to $400,000 raised and distributed across the Shire.

“It is an innovative partnership between Gunnedah Shire Council and our community, where every cent donated by businesses, groups and individuals goes to the students to help meet the costs of tertiary education.

“I urge people to spread the word so that our young people can apply and receive a helping hand towards their future.”

The fund is open to all local students under 25 years who are looking to further their training and education at university, TAFE, or an accredited training organisation. Past scholarships have covered a diverse array of courses including accounting, agriculture, allied health, animal science, law, architecture, arts/theatre, civil engineering, education, information technology, medicine, nursing and social work.

The scholarship can help with expenses including:
• Purchasing textbooks
• Relocation and other travel costs
• Living expenses, and
• Contribution towards tuition fees.

Applications for the Gunnedah Community Scholarship fund are now open and will close at 5pm on Friday, 12 January, 2024.

Applications can be submitted via
https://gsc2380.wufoo.com/forms/2024-gunnedah-community-scholarship-fund/?fbclid=IwAR1Tx3fcqJhPAsIXrozhe1iFZ7oAdB742NVclxR-CVI-PB7TPCxMdVNivXs

Donations for the 2024 Scholarship Round can be received up to Friday 1 December 2023. To enquire about making a donation, please contact Gunnedah Shire Council on 02 6740 2100, or email council@infogunnedah.com.au with the subject line “Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund”.

Caption: 2023 recipients of the Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund. Image courtesy of The Gunnedah Times.

ENDS

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

Gunnedah has diverse community committees and groups to represent the Shire and many dedicated volunteers and industry representatives who contribute significantly to its services, economy, events and lifestyle.

At its September meeting, Council endorsed its Register of Committee, Advisory and Working Groups for the next term. Each will be represented by Councillors as well as staff and community members.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey thanked his colleagues for the important role they play in these groups and committees.

“Through their continued involvement in these committees and groups my fellow councillors show enormous commitment to our community and help make Gunnedah a great place to live,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Gunnedah Shire Council is a leading organisation in our community, and Councillors are always happy to support the committees and groups that help make things happen.”

Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee – Cr J McArthur and Cr A Luke
Planning Environment and Development Committee – Cr J Chaffey, Cr C Fuller, Cr R Hoddle, Cr R Hooke, Cr A Luke, Cr J McArthur, Cr K McGrath, Cr D Moses, Cr M O’Keefe,
Access Working Group – Cr C Fuller
Australia Day Working Group – Cr J Chaffey, Cr R Hooke, Cr J McArthur
Business Partner Program Advisory Group – Cr C Fuller, Cr R Hooke, Cr A Luke, Cr R Hoddle
Crime Prevention and Community Safety Conference Working Group – Cr K McGrath, Cr C Fuller, Cr R Hooke, Cr D Moses
Crime Prevention Working Group – Cr K McGrath, Cr C Fuller, Cr R Hooke, Cr D Moses
Economy & Growth Working Group – Cr R Hoddle, Cr J McArthur, Cr M O’Keefe, Cr R Hooke
Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund Working Group – Cr J Chaffey, Cr C Fuller
Local Traffic Advisory Committee – Cr D Moses
Gunnedah Shire Council Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group – Cr J Chaffey, Cr K McGrath
Showground Working Group - Cr C Fuller, Cr R Hooke, Cr J McArthur, Cr D Moses
Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships Working Group – Cr J Chaffey, Cr C Fuller, Cr J McArthur, Cr R Hoddle

Arts Gunnedah has been allocated $5,000 through the second round of the 2023/2024 Section 356 (Arts and Cultural) Small Grants Program for delivery of its 2023 Arts and Ceramics Exhibition.

Council’s Section 356 (Arts and Cultural) Small Grants Program has been in place since 2017 and supports the work of local not-for-profit, charitable arts and cultural focussed groups and organisations.

For Round Two, applications were assessed by a panel that included Gunnedah Shire Councillors Kate McGrath, Juliana McArthur and Robert Hoddle.

Cr Kate McGrath warmly congratulated Arts Gunnedah on receiving the $5,000.

“Arts Gunnedah is a dynamic and progressive group that stages wonderful exhibitions in our region and our community is very fortunate to be able to access and enjoy these throughout the year,” said Cr McGrath.

“They should be commended on their recent Arts and Ceramics Exhibition which attracted strong visitation.”

Gunnedah Shire Councillors have re-elected the leadership team of Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Deputy Mayor Rob Hooke.

At the mayoral election this week, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor were elected by Councillors in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 that stipulates mid-term mayoral elections.

Cr Chaffey and Cr Hooke will hold the Mayor and Deputy Mayor positions until the council elections anticipated to take place in September 2024.

Of his re-election Mayor Chaffey said: “I am honoured to be elected to serve another term as Mayor of the Gunnedah Shire. I am deeply passionate about leading progress and development of our community and I look forward to working with my fellow councillors and staff over the next 12 months.”

Deputy Mayor Rob Hooke said: “I am pleased to be elected for another term as Deputy Mayor of the Gunnedah Shire and would like to thank my fellow councillors for having faith in me to continue in this position supporting Mayor Chaffey.”

Gunnedah Shire Councillors also voted to retain nine Councillor positions.

The 2024 Ordinary Council Meeting schedule ahead of the elections was endorsed at the meeting. Meeting dates are:

• 21 February, 2024
• 20 March, 2024
• 17 April, 2024
• 15 May, 2024
• 19 June, 2024
• 17 July, 2024

Council will seek expressions of interest from village hall committees and progress associations to host two Council meetings in 2024, subject to the declared date for Council elections.

20 September, 2023

There are more than 1530 businesses in Gunnedah Shire, and approximately 98.5% of them are classified as small, with less than 20 employees.

That’s about 1500 reasons to celebrate New South Wales Small Business Month and Gunnedah Shire Council, with the help of funding from the NSW Department of Small Business, is about to do just that.

The NSW Small Business Month events kick off with a joint Gunnedah Shire Council and Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce Welcome Breakfast at the Railway Hotel at 7.30am on Tuesday, 10 October.
This year’s theme is “My Small Business”, and business people from all types of industries will be able to make new connections and hear from knowledgeable locals Josh Launders, Donna Grant and Renee Torrens as they share their experience in small business teams, financial health and mindfulness.
The Welcome Breakfast will be followed by a program of events throughout October, including sessions in Busy Minded Business Owners and Leaders, Agri-Tourism, Grow Your Business Using Facebook, and HR and WHS Compliance. There is also a Zoom session at the Gunnedah Hotel on How to Start a Pro Brewery or Distillery.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said NSW Small Business Month was a great time to provide fresh opportunities for business people.

“Gunnedah Shire is lucky enough to have a really diverse blend of businesses,” Cr Chaffey said. “We’re proud to present a program of events that can help our business people in a range of ways, from understanding their workplace health and safety obligations, to improving their mental health, or starting a brewery.

“NSW Small Business Month is an opportunity to celebrate our business people and everything they have achieved – and help them to achieve even more.”

The Gunnedah Shire NSW Small Business Month program includes:

• Tuesday, 10 October: Welcome Breakfast at the Railway Hotel at 7.30am – $15, book at https://www.smallbusinessmonth.nsw.gov.au/activity/2023-small-business-month-launch-breakfast/
• Friday, 13 October: Busy Minded Business Owners and Leaders with Renee Torrens at Business and Life in Alignment, 155 Conadilly Street at 12.30pm – free workshop, book at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1114955
• Monday, 16 October: Busy Minded Business Owners and Leaders with Renee Torrens at Business and Life in Alignment, 155 Conadilly Street at 6pm – free workshop, book at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1114955
• Thursday, 19 October: How to Start a Pro Brewery or Distillery with Spark Breweries & Distilleries, via Zoom at the Gunnedah Hotel at 5.30pm – free workshop, book at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1114037
• Friday, 20 October: Agri-Tourism Information Session with representatives from Plains Inc, town planning, tourism and Destination Country and Outback NSW at the Commercial Hotel Curlewis at 3pm – free workshop, book at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1122059
• Saturday, 21 October: Grow Your Business Using Facebook with Taylah Hudson at the Bicentennial Creative Arts Centre at 1pm – free workshop, book at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1113801
• Thursday, 26 October: HR & WHS Compliance with Renee Torrens at the Namoi Valley Brickworks, 37 Mullaley Road at 4pm – free workshop, book at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1115405
• Tuesday, 31 October: HR & WHS Compliance with Renee Torrens at Business and Life in Alignment at 155 Conadilly Street at 12.30pm – free workshop, book at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1115423

ENDS

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

19 September, 2023

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey says the New South Wales Budget released today holds no pleasant surprises for Gunnedah Shire.

“This State Budget includes the big ticket items of $52 million for the Gunnedah Hospital Redevelopment, $5.6 million for the Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary and $2.5 million for an Early Childhood Education Centre at Gunnedah Campus,” Cr Chaffey said.

“This looks great on paper, but the Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary was already committed by previous governments, and it appears there is no additional funding to include all the critical services originally promised as part of the Gunnedah Hospital Redevelopment.

“In this case, no news is a long way from being good news.

“The real winner in this Budget is Western Sydney. The whole of regional New South Wales has $1.8 billion listed for new investment, while Western Sydney has in excess of $14 billion, including $7.9 billion for the Sydney Metro-Western Sydney Airport project.

“There are some encouraging commitments among the Budget documents. It is great to see funding going towards easing the cost of living in energy rebates and assistance for first home buyers.

“I’m also really pleased to see a commitment to additional paramedics and funding to transition part-time nursing staff to full-time positions.

“We are yet to know how some of these new initiatives – such as the Regional Development Trust Fund, the Working Regions Fund, Housing Infrastructure Fund and the Establishing Regional Future Jobs and Investment Authority – will work for Gunnedah Shire and for regional New South Wales. We will be looking for further details.

“We are also less than confident that roads funding will address the huge costs we face in our local government area, particularly given the recent flood events.

“This is a disappointing Budget that has not heard our concerns.”

ENDS

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

19 September, 2023

Gunnedah Shire Council and NSW Police are working together to address rising crime in the Gunnedah Shire.

Gunnedah Shire Council met this week with police representatives in Gunnedah.

“Council has been advocating the need for additional policing measures for some time, most recently in discussions with the NSW Police Ministers office last week in Sydney,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“To have senior representatives from both the Western Region and the Oxley Police District, as well as our hardworking local police, here this week discussing the community’s concerns, current actions and the way forward is very encouraging.

“As a community, we have a very strong part to play in supporting our police. As a community leader, Council has urged ongoing vigilance from our community. The best way we can support our local police is to report all incidents and suspicious behaviour.

“If you have CCTV, we encourage you to consider registering it through with the NSW Police Force CCTV Register available on www.police.nsw.gov.au”

Officer in Charge of Gunnedah Police Station, Inspector Michael Wurth, said police were aware of, and were taking action to address crime in Gunnedah.

“Oxley Police District, along with resources from the greater Western Police Region and Sydney, have been deployed to Gunnedah to assist with investigations into the ongoing property crime that has also involved incidents where the alleged offenders are reported to have been armed with knives,” Inspector Wurth said.

“In fact, additional resources have been deployed now for some weeks under the auspices of Operation Mongoose and will continue to be deployed as long as is required. Resources have and will continue to include specialist police along with plainclothes officers in unmarked police vehicles who will be working anytime of the day and night.

“Police are very aware of the angst and fear in the general community and wish to reiterate the ongoing commitment to putting the alleged offenders before the Courts. To that end, police need the assistance of the community to provide timely information to Crimestoppers (1800 333 000), PoliceLink (131444) or if the incident is urgent, ring Triple 000. The information a member of the community holds may be the piece police are after.

“Despite the angst, police caution against vigilantism. It may result in good people getting into trouble or worse, being injured. It also has the potential to deflect those additional resources away from performing the duties they were deployed to carry out,” he said.

“If you see something, report it.”

Caption: Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree, Western Region Commander, Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey, Superintendent Bruce Grassick, District Commander, Oxley Police District, Deputy Mayor Rob Hooke, and Inspector Mick Wurth, Officer in Charge, Gunnedah Police Station.

ENDS

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

September 18, 2023

Gunnedah Shire welcomed eight new Australian citizens on Australian Citizenship Day on Sunday.

Australian Citizenship Day, celebrated on September 17, is a day for Australians to reflect on the meaning and importance of Australian citizenship, and the responsibilities and privileges we have as citizens.

Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey welcomed the eight people who have chosen to make Australia their permanent home at a ceremony at the Civic.

“Gunnedah grew by eight Australian citizens on Sunday,” Cr Chaffey said.
“We have a thriving, growing community that is the sum of all the people who have lived here. We are proudly multicultural, and it is a great pleasure to see the happy faces of people who have chosen to make Gunnedah, and Australian their home.

“I welcome them and look forward to our journey together.”

Gunnedah’s newest Australian citizens are:

• Ying-Hsuan Hsieh, who came to Australia from Taiwan.
• Jean-Marc Kunda Mezieres, who has moved to Australia from Zambia.
• Tomasi Matakitoga, who is originally from Zambia.
• Maida Macarubbo Smyth, originally from the Philippines.
• Divine Faith Alog, originally from the Philippines.
• Bruce Jiminez Vinarta, who was born in the Philippines.
• Mary Jane Cruz Vinarta, originally from the Philippines.
• Nicolas Andrei Silos Vinarta, originally from the Philippines.

This year, more than 19,000 people from over 140 countries were welcomed as new citizens on Australian Citizenship Day. The Gunnedah Shire citizenship ceremony held at the Civic and catered by Red Cross was one of more than 420 ceremonies across the country.

Caption: (From left) Ying-Hsuan Hsieh, Jean-Marc Kunda Mezieres, Tomasi Matakitoga, Maida Macarubbo Smyth, Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey, Divine Faith Alog, Bruce Jiminez Vinarta, Mary Jane Cruz Vinarta, Nicolas Andrei Silos Vinarta and Gunnedah Shire Deputy Mayor Rob Hooke at the citizenship ceremony.

ENDS

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

Gunnedah Shire Council has released its Spring school holidays program that offers a diverse and engaging range of activities for children of all ages.

Free activities being staged include ‘Splat & Snack’ which challenges children to create something as a group for the Waste into Art exhibition as well as individual pieces they can take home.

There are also free movies being shown at The Civic Theatre, Book Buddies storytelling and craft with a magical theme at the Gunnedah Shire Library, and a free skate workshop at the Gunnedah Skatepark.

And at Curlewis Hall, ‘Crafty Creations’ - activities and handicrafts all about the magic of books and reading - will take place on Monday 25 September.

The program, which contains all events and activities being held throughout the shire during the school holiday period (25 September – 6 October) can be accessed at; https://www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au/index.php/community/community-care-support/youth-services/item/949-school-holiday-program . Activities are funded by the NSW State Government Regional Youth Department.

Council encourages carers and parents to check out the full program. To book go to www.thecivic.com.au .

Gunnedah Shire Council is now calling on nominations for its 2024 Australia Day Awards.

Chair of the Australia Day Working Group, Councillor Juliana McArthur, encouraged locals to start thinking of who they would like to see recognised for their valuable contributions to the community.

“Now is the time to consider who you would like to nominate for the 2024 Australia Day Awards. We have so many wonderful people living in our Shire doing amazing things. While I respect there may be a wish to stay anonymous, it’s so important to celebrate them. These awards officially recognise them and also serve to inspire others,” she said.

The 13 categories in Gunnedah Shire Council’s Australia Day Awards are:

1. Citizen of the Year Award (21 and over)
2. Young Citizen of the Year Award (20 and under)
3. Ossie and Beryl Campbell Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award
4. Eve Turner Perpetual Trophy
5. Community Achievement Award
6. Cultural Achievement Award
7. Max & Mikie Maas Good Neighbour Award
8. Sports Person of the Year Award (21 and over)
9. Junior Sports Person of the Year Award (20 and under)
10. Junior Sports Team of the Year Award (20 and under)
11. Sports Team of the Year Award
12. Ivan Towns Memorial Award
13. Environmental Citizen of the Year Award (any age).

The 2024 Australia Day Awards Ceremony will be held at 6:30PM at the Gunnedah Town Hall on Thursday 25 January. Special guests will include Australian dancer, performer, TV personality and 2024 Australia Day Ambassador Todd McKenney as well as fun-loving Australian poet Murray Hartin.

Nominations are open at https://www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au/index.php/business/economic-development/australia-day and will close at 5PM on Friday, 24 November 2023.