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Community programs and events
The next stage of the Thornton Road network upgrades are a step closer with Council securing $200,000 in funding from the
NSW Government’s Resources for Regions program, to undertake a business case to support the Thornton Road and Glenwood Drive intersection.
This grant funding will enable the engagement of a specialist consultant to help identify design requirements, stakeholder engagement and business case development to help prioritise works and support evidence based requests for future infrastructure grant funding.
Contributing to Council Objective 5.1.2 To deliver improved safety, quality and amenity of local roads through increased road construction and maintenance programs
Contributing to Council Objective 1.1.4 To develop and support partnerships that increase community benefits and create a sense of community
YOUTH SPACE ACTIVATION PROJECT AT NORM CHAPMAN OVAL
Council once again teamed up with Newcastle based community youth organisation
UP&UP to bring colour to our youth facilities, this time at the rebound wall at Norm
Chapman Oval in Rutherford. Young people were encouraged to get hands on in designing and creating the space, with dozens coming down on the day to pick up a spray can and pitch in as the bright and engaging design came together.
The project was part of Council’s Youth Space Activation Project, funded by the NSW
Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund. The result is a rebound wall with a design that reflects the community and will encourage Rutherford’s young people to make the space their own in a respectful manner.
Contributing to Council Objective 1.4.2. To partner and collaborate with the community to build capacity to solve identified social issues.
As part of our response to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, Council contributed $12,000 to the
Maitland Neighbourhood Centre’s Christmas hampers program in the form of fresh food vouchers. The vouchers helped enhance the hampers by providing access to fresh meat and veg for more than 1,000 of the community’s most vulnerable people.
Staff supported the preparation, packaging, and readying for delivery of the 400 Christmas hampers for families in need, with Council a proud contributor and supporter of our ever growing Food Assistance Network, and the role it plays supporting our community.
Contributing to Council Objective 2.2.2 To service community creative needs through the effective management of Maitland Regional Art Gallery
PROJECTS, GRANTS AND AWARDS FOR MAITLAND REGIONAL ART GALLERY
Archibald Prize exhibition tour
Maitland Regional Art Gallery hosted the Archibald Prize 2021 exhibition tour from 22 January to 6 March 2022.
It was a ticketed event that saw over 13,300 visitors to the Gallery to experience one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious art awards. Artist talks were included as part of the event, with Kathrin Longhurst and Mirra Whale providing exclusive discussions around their Archibald Prize finalist portraits.
Digitisation project brings collection online
Over 6,000 pieces from Maitland Regional Art Gallery’s art collection can now be explored and enjoyed by the community from the comfort of their homes, with the culmination of an extensive digitisation project bringing the entire collection online. The digitisation and accessibility of the collection was identified as a priority for the Gallery in early 2020, with this major milestone under Phase One of Council’s Digital Collections: Opened Minds project now reached.
