THIS IS A PAID ADVERTISING WAGGA WAGGA CITY publication COUNCIL Council FEATURE News - ABY Wagga Wagga City Council
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Wagga Wagga City Council weekly newsletter
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Issue #468
Community
Parks & Recreation
FAMILY COMMUTING: Rob Owers was joined by Toby Owers in commuting to work for National Ride2Work Day on Wednesday.
Wheelie fun! Ride2Work Day celebrated in Wagga Wagga
Australian Army Band exercises Freedom of Entry to the City WHO GOES THERE? Riverina Police District Inspector Jillian Gibson issues a ‘challenge’ to the band as it marched down Baylis Street after being granted Freedom of Entry to the City of Wagga Wagga. In a colourful military spectacle, the Australian Army Band was granted and exercised its Freedom of Entry to the City of Wagga Wagga with a parade down the main street on Sunday, 15 October 2023. There was plenty of pageantry on display during the event, including the formal granting of the Freedom of Entry by Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout and a traditional ‘challenge’ issued by Riverina Police District Inspector Jillian Gibson. With swords drawn, band playing, and drums beating, the Australian Army Band Kapooka then marched along Baylis Street, before moving to the Victory Memorial Gardens to host a free concert for the community. Commanding Officer of the Australian Army Band and Head of Corps of the Australian Army Band Corps, Lieutenant Colonel Glenn Rogers said the band was “deeply honoured” to be granted Freedom of Entry to the City of Wagga Wagga. “Today (15 October) is a significant day not just for the Australian Army Band, but also, for the Australian Army,” Lieutenant Colonel Rogers said. “We gather here to celebrate over 70 years of the Australian Army Band, not
just for the work we do at the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, but also for the work they do in the community. “I sincerely thank the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Wagga Wagga for the trust and high regard that you have placed in the Australian Army Band. “In return, the Australian Army Band is committed to telling Army’s story right here in the Riverina for many more years to come.” In addition to the parade and community concert, a Mayoral Reception was held at the Civic Centre to say ‘thank you’ to Army’s current and former soldier musicians for their service and sacrifice. Mayor Cr Tout described the day’s activities as a celebration of the strong relationship between Wagga Wagga and the Australian Army Band Kapooka, as well as the broader Defence community. “Since 1952 the Army Recruit Training Centre has been home to the Australian Army Band Kapooka,” Cr Tout said. “Their dedicated service to Army and the community of Wagga Wagga has been instrumental in ensuring a continued relationship that now exceeds 70 years to the people of the city and the surrounding region. “There are very few, if any, instances
where either Council or community request the assistance or attendance of the Australian Army Band Kapooka and they are unable to assist, so strong is the relationship.” A framed illuminated address featuring the Freedom of Entry to the City was presented to the Australian Army Band, while another will be displayed here in the Civic Centre.
FREEDOM GRANTED: Council General Manager Peter Thompson reads the scroll declaring the granting of Freedom of Entry to the City to the Australian Army Band during Sunday’s parade.
Wednesday was National Ride2Work Day which saw Council staff and residents of Wagga Wagga join people all over Australia in riding to work. Held annually, National Ride2Work Day is an initiative that encourages all Australians to commute to work by bike. According to Bicycle Network, currently two thirds of Australians do not get enough exercise to maintain their health. A simple solution to this is to ride a bike to work each day which has many physical and mental health benefits, such as increased productivity, improved fitness and decreased risk of developing illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, obesity, and depression (Bicycle Network, 2023). Council’s Manager Recreation and Economic Development Ben Creighton said it was great to see the participation in National Ride2Work Day. “Council has developed the Active Travel Plan (ATP) network of shared paths to facilitate cycling and walking as a form of commuting and exercising,” Mr Creighton said. “While some of the stages of the ATP are yet to be completed, there are currently more than 50 kilometres of paths throughout the city for residents to use. “It was also great to see local businesses encouraging their employees to ride to work.” National Ride2Work Day is held every October and coincides with Biketober, an annual nation-wide biking challenge that encourages traveling and exercising by cycling. Residents from Wagga Wagga and surrounds, including local businesses and Council staff, are currently undertaking the Biketober challenge to clock up the kilometers for our city. If you missed National Ride2Work Day, there is always the opportunity to ride to and from work any other day, especially now that the weather is mild. To view the ATP shared pathways that are available and are in planning, go to wagga.nsw.gov.au/projects/cyclingnetwork
Broken garden hoses go in the red lid bin. Garden hoses are not recyclable, they consist of a variety of materials which are difficult to separate. However, a quick internet search shows lots of garden hose upcycling ideas rather than sending them straight to landfill!
To learn more visit: wagga.nsw.gov.au/householdwaste