COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
It is made up of over 13 local organisations providing free and low cost meals, hampers, parcels and reduced cost groceries to people who may need a little help, particularly due to the ongoing impacts of the pandemic.
Contributing to Council Objective 1.1.4 To develop and support partnerships that increase community benefits and create a sense of community
This year the Network received a commendation from the NSW Local Government Professionals for excellence in Community Partnerships for the coordination of emergency food relief services in the Maitland area. In June 2021 the program was the Community Partnerships category award winner for populations under 100,000 in NSW.
EXCITING PROJECTS CONFIRMED FOR MORPETH BICENTENARY CELEBRATIONS Preparations are well underway with Council and the Morpeth Bicentenary Working Group inviting community groups, businesses, schools, and other groups to get involved in the Bicentenary by developing and delivering activities, programs or resources to include in the official programming to commemorate this important milestone. While the uncertainties around COVID-19 restrictions have led to the celebrations being postponed until 20 and 21 November 2022, there is much to organise to allow the town of Morpeth and businesses the opportunity to engage with the most amount of people over the weekend. Small grants of up to $1,000 have been provided for exciting projects that will help raise awareness, build a sense of occasion and educate on this significant milestone. Project recipients include The Hunter River Dragon Boat Club, Morpeth Chapel Jazz Committee, It Must Be Morpeth for Morpeth Bicentenary post cards and a photographic competition, Sanjex Saratti to provide demonstrations of his Penny Farthing, and Morpeth Museum to provide receiver sets for the Morpeth Bicentenary attendees to use while on Heritage Walking Tours. The three Bicentenary infrastructure projects, including riverside and Steamer Street shared pathways and architectural lighting of Morpeth Bridge will progress as planned. Contributing to Council Objective 1.4.2 To partner and collaborate with the community to build capacity to solve identified social issues
MAITLAND SHRED INSPIRES LOCAL YOUTH To cap off National Youth Week in April 2021, Council hosted the Maitland Shred skate competition at Harold Gregson Skate Park with the support of Skate Connection. The event was proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund and included four categories: skateboard, scooter, and bike in Under 12’s, Under 18’s and Under 24’s age groups, and roller blading/roller skating in an Open age group.
Those interested in contacting a Food Assistance Network service can find the full list of suppliers and their details on the Food Assistance Network page on Council’s website maitland.nsw. gov.au/maitland-food-assistancenetwork.
CREATIVE COMMUNITY In May and June this year, the community was welcomed to join Up&Up’s professional artists in mural painting on rebound walls at Gillieston Heights Community Hub and Ashtonfield Reserve. The projects were enabled through funding from the NSW Stronger Country Communities Fund. Two more Community Art Days are planned under the funding, with one at Rutherford to be completed in November (subject to COVID-19 restrictions) and one at Woodberry scheduled for later next year.
The COVID-19 safe event attracted over 40 young people who competed across the numerous events in front of 200 spectators, resulting in a great day for all. The competition encouraged novices, more advanced, and even professional skaters, and allowed an opportunity for local skate companies and local service providers to connect with young people. The second event to be held at Rutherford Skate Park has been postponed until the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
FOOD ASSISTANCE NETWORK RECOGNISED The Food Assistance Network was established in April 2020 as part of Council’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery initiatives.
8 Maitland City Council
COMMUNITY ART EVENT, GILLIESTON HEIGHTS COMMUNITY HUB
