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Community programs and events
Contributing to Council Objective 1.1.4 To develop and support partnerships that increase community benefits and create a sense of community
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.
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. 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.
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.
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 Annual Community Grants Program has provided financial support to eleven local not-for-profit community based organisations and groups to foster community partnerships, promote access to community resources and encourage initiatives that provide benefits to the wider community.
Applications were received in April 2021 for grants under the four categories of Community Development, Cultural and Local Studies, Leisure and Recreation, and Environment and Sustainability, and were awarded in June 2021.
Successful applicants received grants up to $5,000 to deliver a range of initiatives including Sunnyfield Disability Services Green Thumbs program,
Morpeth Men’s Shed to upgrade disabled access, and Maitland Family
Support to deliver the Family First Aid Program. Further information on the successful applicants and the range of projects they will be delivering can be found at maitland.nsw.gov.au/our-services/community/grants-andsponsorship/community-grants.
Contributing to Council Objective 2.2.2 To service community creative needs through the effective management of Maitland Regional Art Gallery
HUGE WINTER SEASON AT MAITLAND REGIONAL ART GALLERY
Maitland Regional Art Gallery (MRAG) had a dynamic Winter season of exhibitions and community programs headlined by the exhibition ‘Shadow Boxer’, bringing to life Maitland’s Les Darcy collection along with the work of contemporary Australian artists with a keen interest in the cultural, historic and physical aspects of boxing.
The Gallery presented its Arts Health programs to foster creativity and enable inclusion through the Journeys: Creative Connections program. Journeys is a monthly facilitated workshop for people with a lived mental health experience and provides a great way to connect with art and each other in a supportive environment.
The Maitland Regional Art Gallery (MRAG) Bursary is funded entirely by the MRAG Members
Committee to recognise the vital role artists play in the Gallery and in Maitland. The bursary initiative was developed in response to the challenges brought about and experienced by artists in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
Over 60 applications were received and assessed by the MRAG Members Committee who announced Clare Weeks and Fiona Lee as the beneficiaries of the $5,000 bursary. The Artisan
Gallery Creative Collection, East Maitland, was announced as the recipient of the $3,000 studio bursary which will go towards a program of inclusive workshops. To find out more about the successful artists, visit mrag.org.au
The panel, which included Members Committee representatives Sui-Linn White, Elizabeth O’Brien, James Marshall and Courtney Novak, also provided $1,000 in project funding to Jakeob Watson.
GALLERY WINS ANOTHER SUITE OF NATIONAL DESIGN AWARDS
At the Museums Australasia Multimedia & Publication Design Awards in June 2021, the Gallery took out the award for best Children’s e-Activities for the ‘MRAG Home Delivery’ videos created in 2020. The Gallery also received a winning Exhibition Branding Package award for designer Clare Hodgins’ collaboration with artist Lucas Grogan on his 2020 exhibition Long Story Short.
Contributing to Council Objective 2.5.2 To ensure our libraries are vital community resources that create opportunities to connect, learn and grow
NEW WORKSHOPS KEEP YOUNG PEOPLE CONNECTED WITH COMMUNITY, CULTURE, AND THE ARTS
Young people of all experience levels had the opportunity to get a taste of art, drama, creative writing and musical expression during a series of new workshops held through Maitland Libraries from April 2021. Specialists from each discipline taught techniques and tips to engage young people in creative thinking to produce their own art piece. Ten workshops in total were held at East Maitland Library, and children had the chance to sign up for as many as they wished. The NSW Government’s $100 Creative Kids vouchers were redeemable for the workshops.
