The Northern Rivers Times
February 15, 2024!!!
16 NEWS
Yulgilbar Travelling Fellowship Exhibitions Engaging Diverse Voices in Regional NSW Opportunities with Multicultural NSW Multicultural NSW is inviting residents from Northern NSW and New England North West regions who are deeply connected to their communities to provide valuable advice to the NSW Government through various advisory functions. Expressions of interest are sought for three distinct advisory functions, with a strong emphasis on reflecting the rich diversity of NSW in terms of gender, age, geographic location, cultural background, and inclusion of people living with disabilities. Successful candidates will be appointed by the NSW Minister for Multiculturalism, Steve Kamper MP. Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, is encouraging interested local residents to submit their expressions of interest by the closing date of Sunday, February 18, 2024. Advisory Board Multicultural NSW Multicultural NSW is currently seeking expressions of interest for Advisory Board members who come from diverse backgrounds, possess deep community ties, and exhibit crosscultural understanding and community leadership. Advisory Board members will leverage their skills, expertise, and lived experiences to amplify the voices of their communities, informing the initiatives of Multicultural NSW. The current Advisory Board Chairperson is former NSW Police Deputy Commissioner, Nick Kaldas APM. Regional Community Networks (RCNs) and
Multicultural Youth Network (MYN) Additionally, Multicultural NSW is seeking expressions of interest for two state-wide community engagement programs: the Regional Community Networks (RCNs) and the Multicultural Youth Network (MYN). The RCNs will consist of 10 networks across NSW, each with up to 20 members. RCN members will provide invaluable insights into local issues affecting their lives and communities. Furthermore, each RCN will include at least one representative from the local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community. Three RCNs will be situated in the Greater Sydney area, namely North and East Sydney, Western Sydney, and South Sydney. The remaining seven RCNs will be based in various regional areas of NSW, including Northern NSW, New England North West, Western NSW, Illawarra and South East NSW, Hunter and Central Coast, Murray Lower Darling, and Riverina. Each RCN will also feature up to three young people aged 18-24 years, who will additionally form the Multicultural Youth Network (MYN). MYN members will convene regularly to provide insights and advice on issues pertinent to young people across the state. For further information and to submit expressions of interest, please visit the Advisory Positions page on the Multicultural NSW website.
Cher Breeze, The Chess Game Hyde Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artist.
The Grafton Regional Gallery proudly presents the solo exhibitions of the 2021 Yulgilbar Travelling Fellowship recipients, Cher Breeze and Madeleine Richey, unveiling on Saturday, February 17. Official Exhibition Opening: Saturday, February 17, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Artists Talk: Saturday, April 13, 11 am Cher Breeze’s exhibition, “339 Steps…,” is the culmination of her Yulgilbar Travelling Fellowship, during which she retraced the footsteps of her ancestors through the back alleys and cemeteries of Sydney. “339 Steps…” delves into Breeze’s reflections and recollections from this journey, interpreting them through markmaking as a means of discovering significance, expression, and empathy for the human experience. Continuing her lifelong exploration of her Kamilaroi heritage, Madeleine Richey utilized her 2022 Yulgilbar Travelling Fellowship to delve deeper into her cultural
roots. Focused on her familial connections to Gunimaa (Mother Earth), Richey’s exhibition, “Proud To Be A Binge,” encapsulates her personal growth and cultural evolution during this period. The collection features mixed media pieces incorporating natural pigments alongside materials reflecting her off-country experiences, such as acrylic paint and raffia. The Yulgilbar Travelling Fellowship stands as a cornerstone program designed to enrich and broaden
the professional development of artists in the Clarence Valley. Supported by the Yulgilbar Foundation and Clarence Valley Council, the fellowship provides financial backing for travel, materials, and associated expenses, empowering artists to pursue meaningful projects. Cher Breeze expressed gratitude for the invaluable support provided by the Yulgilbar Travelling Fellowship, stating, “The Travelling Fellowship gave me the support I needed
Cher Breeze, The Chess Game Hyde Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artist.
to take time out and work on a specific project, one that was both professionally and personally significant to me.” Echoing similar sentiments, Madeleine Richey reflected, “My home country is a long way from here, and it is often hard to find the time and capacity to travel back there and connect to country. The Yulgilbar Travelling Fellowship gave me the opportunity to work on a larger project – something I haven’t done before – so this has been really valuable.” “339 Steps…” and “Proud To Be A Binge” will be on display at the Grafton Regional Gallery until Sunday, April 28, 2024, alongside other compelling exhibitions including “Jennifer Keeler-Milne: Close Focus,” “Kellie O’Dempsey: Wish You Were Here,” and “Rindi Salomon & Andrew Shillam: Interior with Figures.” Bookings are recommended for attendance at the Official Opening. Please visit the Grafton Regional Gallery on Humanitix to secure your spot.
WARDELL WHARF REPAIRS SET TO START Commencing on Thursday, February 15, 2024, remediation works will begin on the flood-damaged Wardell Wharf. The council has enlisted the services of Hunter Wharf and Barge to execute the repairs, encompassing the restoration of the damaged wharf and boardwalk piles, along
with the installation of armour along the adjacent riverbank. To facilitate the repair process, two temporary piles will be installed in front of the existing jetty on Byron Street’s south side. This will enable a barge to transport rocks to the north side of the riverbank for the rock revetment works.
While the boat ramp will remain operational during the repairs, users should anticipate delays as the contractor will utilize the ramp for deliveries. Weather and site conditions permitting, the project is slated for completion by April 2024. Funded partially by the NSW Government’s
Natural Disaster Relief Assistance Program, the total project cost amounts to $1.53 million, with $1.03 million allocated to Council for these essential repairs. For inquiries regarding this project, please reach out to the Civil Services Team at 1300 864 444.
