Take a stand against domestic violence during 16 Days of Activism
Wagga Wagga City Council is supporting the Wagga Domestic Violence Liaison Committee (DVLC) in calling on the community to say ‘no more silence’ during the upcoming 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
The global campaign starts on Monday 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and concludes on Tuesday 10 December, International Human Rights Day.
The campaign is led by the DVLC and is chaired by the Wagga Women’s Health Centre (WWHC).
WWHC Operations Coordinator and Wagga DLVC Chairperson Jessica Roberts said domestic and family violence is not limited to physical violence.
“It includes other forms of equally harmful abuse such as psychological and financial abuse or coercive control,” Ms Roberts said. “None of these forms of violence is acceptable, yet unfortunately they persist in our community.
“To commence 16 Days of Activism, the community is invited to join us for a poignant vigil at Council’s Museum of the Riverina – Botanic Gardens site,
where we will commemorate the lives lost this year to intimate partner violence.”
The Commemorative Vigil & Installation will be held on Monday 25 November, from 6.30pm – 8pm.
The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research states that one in four Australia women is impacted by domestic violence in her lifetime, with Wagga Wagga reporting 498 incidents from July 2023 to June 2024 (BOCSAR, 2024).
Council is an active member of the Wagga DVLC and will be hosting several community education programs promoting safe and respectful relationships, which is a key priority in its Community Safety Action Plan 20222026.
It is working with Paula Smith from Upstream Educators to present three key topics for services workers and their volunteers, including coercive control, online and technology facilitated abuse, and financial and economic abuse.
Director Community Janice Summerhayes said during the 16 Days of Activism, eradicating domestic and family violence should be a conversation everyone is having, because everyone deserves to be safe.
“To mark the campaign, we will temporarily illuminate Fitzmaurice Street
with purple lights,” Ms Summerhayes said.
“We are also partnering with Police and local emergency services to host a free Family and Community Safety Day at the Riverside precinct on Saturday 7 December, from 10am to midday, providing a safe space for people to raise concerns and ask questions.
“Council is committed to advocating for resources and funding levels that support front-line services and other organisations addressing coercive control, abuse, and violence as outlined in Council’s adopted Advocacy Plan.”
Find the full program here: waggawomens-health-centre.squarespace. com/16-days-of-activism
Wagga DVLC is a monthly interagency of key local domestic and family violence stakeholders.
Led by the Wagga Wagga Women’s Health Centre (Chair) and Sisters Housing Inc. (Auspice), the committee also includes Council, Mission Australia, Relationships Australia, Wagga Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service, Murrumbidgee Local Health District, Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga, CentraCare, Charles Sturt University, TAFE NSW, NSW Police, Ambulance NSW, and Rotary.
Council is asking residents and motorists who use Plumpton Road to plan their trips in advance and allow extra travel time, with traffic control measures coming into effect on Wednesday 27 November 2024 as part of planned upgrades in the area.
‘Stop/Go’ measures will affect Plumpton Road between Lansdowne Ave and Stirling Boulevard from 7am to 6pm each weekday until Tuesday 3 December, weather permitting.
Project Manager Darryl Woods said Plumpton Road will remain open to a single lane of traffic.
“These measures will play a key role in creating the space required for contractors to lay new sewer pipes in the area, as part of the Southern Growth Sewer Augmentation project,” Mr Woods said.
“The sewer upgrades form part of the wider Plumpton Road Upgrade and are set to occur before road construction gets underway.”
Council acknowledges there will be some impact for those accessing the city’s southern suburbs via this route.
“We want to thank residents of the area and the wider community for their ongoing cooperation and partnership as Council works to deliver this essential new infrastructure,” Mr Woods said.
“We encourage residents and pedestrians to prioritise their safety and remain aware of disruptions to the shared path, including trip hazards.
“It’s essential to respect all safety measures advertised in the area while works are occurring.
“Entry to the construction area behind fences is also prohibited for the duration of the works. Residents may rest assured there will be no interruption to sewer services during the works, nor will driveway access be impeded.”
Any interruptions to water services occurring during these works are overseen by Riverina Water. Separate advice will be provided directly by Riverina Water to any affected properties. To stay up to date about detours, closures, and access, visit livetraffic. com
NO MORE SILENCE: (from left) Wagga Women’s Health Centre Coordinator Jessica Roberts and Council’s Community Development Coordinator Alex Osgood highlight the activities and events being held in Wagga Wagga over the 16 Days of Activism against GenderBased Violence.
YOUNG ARTISTS: Cultural Officer
Lauren Reynolds,
from Mount Austin High School and their art teacher Mrs Cook.
Tolland mural completed with help of local high school students
Over the past two weeks, people driving past Tolland Shopping Centre may have noticed some new splashes of vibrant colour or spotted a native Australian animal or two.
The large stretch of what was previously a plain brick wall on Nordlingen Drive is now a stunning mural, painted by Alex Sugar, as part of Council’s Public Art Plan’s Neighbourhood Engagement initiative.
Completed this week, the mural was painted in collaboration with students from Mount Austin High School. The students created designs in workshops with the artist who then guided them to paint on the wall with various spraypainting techniques.
Artist Alex Sugar said the design for the mural was a combination of consulting with the school’s students and teachers and incorporating his own signature style.
“We wanted to create something that resonated with the local community and also something the students wanted to paint,” Alex said.
“Most of my designs tend to incorporate native Australian flora and fauna, which is definitely something that appealed to the students.
“We spoke about what kinds of plants and animals they can see around them, and they drew their own designs in class which we were then able to transfer to a large-scale design on the wall.
“The students took to it really well and I was impressed at how quickly some of them adapted to this art method.”
Council’s Cultural Officer Lauren Reynolds said the students have been studying Alex’s past artworks as part of their preparation for the project.
“I think it was an awesome opportunity for these young artists to not only study Alex’s work, but then get to meet him and learn his techniques straight from him,” Ms Reynolds said.
“The Neighbourhood Engagement initiative is not only about brightening local neighbourhood spaces, but also creating opportunities for communities to contribute and have ownership of the artwork in their areas.
“The local students will now get to walk past this mural, our biggest one yet, and say ‘I helped create that’. They can also see it from the school across the road, that’s how large it is.”
Hall, White Ave.
Documentary Launch – 25,000 Objects (or how I learned to redevelop a regional museum)
ADD
Library launches Christmas Food Appeal
The Wagga Wagga City Library has launched its annual Christmas Food Appeal this week supporting local families and community members experiencing financial difficulties over the holiday season.
The library is encouraging residents to give the gift that gives back to our community by donating non-perishable food, toiletries and baby needs for those most in need.
The program launched on Monday 18 November and will run until Friday 10 January.
This year the library is partnering with Argyle Housing and a variety of local organisations and businesses, with all donated items to be distributed to those in need via the Kooringal, Tolland and Ashmont Community Hubs.
Council’s Manager Library Services
Christine Bolton says the library team knows from experience that the community will give generously.
“This program is a great success every year because of the generosity of Wagga Wagga residents and is the perfect example of how public libraries promote equality within communities and keep them connected through a variety of programs and services.
“Last year, more than 40 boxes of non-perishable items were donated. We’re incredibly lucky to have such a big-hearted community.”
Ms Bolton said donated items will assist families over the Christmas and New Year period who are experiencing difficulties covering the costs associated with the festive season.
“Household staples are particularly needed, including canned food, rice and pasta, flour, breakfast cereals and spreads, baby needs, toiletries, feminine products and long-life milk.
“It’s important donations are well within their use-by dates.
“They can be dropped in at the library or to a friendly Library Officer at any of the Agile Library sites in suburban and rural villages across the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area.”
RECORDER AND EDITOR: Museum of the Riverina Assistant John Riddell was responsible for the massive task of recording and editing 25,000 Objects (or how I learned to redevelop a regional museum)
25,000 Objects … and counting
A video documenting the redevelopment of the Museum of the Riverina’s Botanic Gardens site will be screened on Saturday 23 November.
The $8.6 million upgrade of the Council cultural facility included a spectacular new building, creating a new exhibition gallery, learning studio, collection storage facility, public spaces, and staff offices.
Museum Manager Luke Grealy said the documentary video will give viewers a look behind the scenes of what it takes to achieve a project of this scale.
“25,000 Objects (or how I learned to redevelop a regional museum) documents the unique challenge of a large infrastructure museum project,” Mr Grealy said.
“The video shows what it takes to redevelop something on the scale of the Museum of the Riverina Botanic Gardens site and was recorded and edited by local film maker John Riddell.”
The video takes the viewer on the journey from the relocation of more than 25,000 objects from the original museum site to the opening of the redeveloped facility in February 2023.
Museum Education and Public Programs Officer Angus Cawdell-Smith said there were many challenges and highlights on that journey, including dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and coordinating the return of significant Aboriginal objects from other museums.
“At the event on Saturday audience members will be able to take part in the conversation during a facilitated Q&A panel with team members instrumental in the museum’s redevelopment,” Mr Cawdell-Smith said.
“The screening and Q&A panel will give local residents and visitors the opportunity to get a first look at the documentary and a chance to engage with the museum team who worked on the project and ask any burning questions they have.”
The special screening of the video will be held at the museum at 11am on Saturday 23 November.
While entry is free, people are encouraged to book by contacting the museum on 6926 9650.
The video will also be available online on the museum’s website and YouTube channel.
For more information visit: museumriverina.com.au/whatson
Demonstration Gardens – Vegetable Swap and Buy
SAT 23 NOV, 9AM – 12PM
Cnr Shaw & Albury St. Wagga Stamp and Coin Fair
SAT 23 & SUN 24 NOV, 9AM – 3PM Sturt Primary School
SAT 23 NOV, 11AM – 12.30PM Museum of the Riverina, Botanic Gadens Site, 127 Lord Baden Powell Dr. Musical Bingo at Tilly’s
SAT 23 NOV, 3PM – 6PM Tilly’s Wagga, 109 Baylis St. Saturday Night Roller Discos! SAT 23 NOV, 7PM – 9PM Bolton Park Stadium, Morgan St. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein SAT 23, THU 28 & FRI 29 NOV, 7PM CSU Riverina Playhouse, 8 Cross St. Lunchulele with Brian Beasley MON 25 NOV, 12PM – 2PM The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St. Painting Classes with Leigh Hewitt MON 25 NOV, 6PM – 8PM
The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St. Riverina Producers Market
THU 28 NOV, 1PM – 6.30PM Hammond Hall, Wagga Wagga Showground, 27 Bourke St. Thursday Trivia at Thirsty Crow Brewery THU 28 NOC, 7PM – 9PM Thirsty Crow Brewery, 153 Fitzmaurice St. Pottery & Pints –Christmas Gnomes THU 28 NOV, 7PM – 9PM
North Shore Studios, 57 William St, North Wagga Wagga Infusion Games Trivia and Karaoke THU 28 NOV, 8.30PM
The Victoria Hotel, 55 Baylis St. Exhibition
@cityofwaggawagga
wagga.nsw.gov.au/
Road closures
RAYE ST
Roads: Raye St (between Bruce St and Maher St)
Date: Wednesday 20 November and again on Monday 25 November 2024
Duration: 7am to 5pm
Reason: Road Stabilisation and Seal
Detour: Access for residents maintained where possible
MORGAN ST (BLAKE-TARCUTTA)
Roads: Morgan St (between Blake St and Tarcutta St)
Date: Wednesday night 27 November to Wednesday morning 4 December 2024 (weather permitting)
Duration: 6pm to 6am
Reason: Road Rehabilitation Detour: Access for residents maintained where possible
PLUMPTON RD (LANE CLOSURE)
Roads: Plumpton Rd – from approx. 270m south of Lansdowne Ave, to approx. 70m north of Lansdowne Ave.
Date: 29 November to 3 December 2024
Duration: whole period
Reason: Plumpton Road Project – Sewer
Augmentation Works Commencing MORGAN ST (DOCKER-MURRAY)
Roads: Morgan St (between Docker St and Murray St)
Date: Wednesday night 4 December to Tuesday morning 10 December 2024
(weather permitting)
Duration: 6pm to 6am
Reason: Road Rehabilitation
Detour: Access for residents maintained where possible
BAYLIS ST
Roads: Baylis St from Morgan St to Morrow St
Date: Saturday 7 December 2024
Duration: 11.45 am to 12.30 pm
Reason: Combined Riders Wagga TOY RUN
ALL NOTICES NOW ONLINE AT: wagga.nsw.gov.au/publicnotices
Artist Alex Sugar, student artists