Council’s Library and Art Gallery shine at recent state-wide awards ceremonies
Council is celebrating this week with both the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery and the Wagga Wagga City Library tasting success at recent state-wide awards for excellence.
The Art Gallery won the prestigious Engagements Programs Award (Medium Organisations Category) at the 2024 Museums and Galleries of NSW IMAGinE Awards in Sydney on Thursday 21 November, for its Green 2023: Year of Environmental Exhibitions and Programs
The library received the Multicultural Excellence Award in the Regional/Rural Library Services category at the recent SWITCH Annual Conference, hosted by the NSW Public Libraries Association (NSWPLA) in Coffs Harbour.
The IMAGinE Awards judging panel praised GREEN 2023 for positioning the gallery and the artists that were part of this program, at the “forefront of community reflection and discussion on the climate-induced environmental challenges we face as an agricultural region, and as a global community”.
Art Gallery Director Dr Lee-Anne Hall said the judges applauded the innovative, integrated programming and extensive community partnerships
achieved by the gallery throughout 2023.
“This award recognises the hard work, creativity and commitment of the people who designed, implemented and contributed to GREEN 2023,” Dr Hall said.
“GREEN 2023 featured 20 exhibitions, with associated programs throughout the year, as well as hoding workshops for children, teenagers and adults that explored waste and sustainability, singleuse plastic and upcycled material.”
The Multicultural Excellence Award received by the library was in recognition of its exceptional multicultural library services, specifically the establishment of the Wagga Wagga Multicultural Youth Group in partnership with STARTTS (NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors).
The Multicultural Youth Group is comprised of young people from diverse refugee backgrounds aged 18-24 years.
Library Services Manager Christine Bolton was delighted to receive the award on behalf of the library.
“It is a credit to our Outreach Services team for their advocacy and commitment to providing multicultural services,” Ms Bolton said.
“An unexpected positive outcome has been the bridges built between participants, their families, communities, and the library. Many participants have introduced their families and friends to the library services and programs.”
STARTTS Youth Worker Kellie Chapman said the award “celebrates not just a fabulous project, but the power of community collaboration.
“It’s an honour to join with the Wagga Wagga City Library to create a space where multicultural youth can thrive and we can all learn from each other.”
EXCEPTIONAL: Wagga Wagga City Library Multicultural Services Office Maryanne Gray and Library Services Manager Christine Bolton with the Multicultural Excellence Awards received at the recent SWITCH Annual Conference.
say Wagga Wagga City Council is not only decorating the city for the holiday season and sponsoring great events like ‘Carols by Candlelight’, but also encouraging the community to shop locally.
Christmas is less than four weeks away!
Wagga Wagga City Council’s Christmas decorations are going up across the city.
Destination & Events Coordinator Kim Parker said that the CBD has been transformed with festive decorations along Baylis and Fitzmaurice streets.
“This year, the streets are adorned with an array of decor, with the striking trio of large stars shining brightly in the Civic Centre forecourt as its stunning focal point.
“Council is also sponsoring two major Christmas events for the community.
“Carols by Candlelight is a two-day event scheduled for 6-7 December at the Wagga Wagga Music Bowl at the Botanic Gardens.
“And Christmas with the Con, a free evening of live musical performances, will be held Saturday 14 December at Riverside: Wagga Beach.”
Ms Parker said Council is encouraging locals to shop closer to home this festive season.
The popular 'A Very Wagga Wagga Giftmas' digital Advent calendar has more than $4000 in gifts up for grabs. A new local prize is revealed each day from December 1 to December 12.
“Entry is free, all you need to do is head over to the Visit Wagga website to take part,” Ms Parker said.
Council has also teamed up with the Wagga Wagga Business Chamber, and with the help of 35 local businesses and producers put together six specially curated hampers.
"Hampers, and many other great Wagga Wagga souvenirs, can be purchased from the Wagga Wagga Visitor Information Centre,” Ms Parker said.
“And tickets are still available for the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre’s ‘Tis the Season on Monday 9 December.”
Ms Parker added that the Wagga Wagga City Library will also be presenting a special Christmas themed Storytime program at the Botanic Gardens on Wednesday 4 December and Friday 6 December.
To discover more Christmas events occurring across the city, head to visitwagga.com
SHARE YOUR INPUT: Deputy Mayor Cr Georgie Davies and Destination and Events Coordinator Kimberly Parker want to see the community have their say on the draft plan.
Help shape the future of tourism in Wagga Wagga
Council is encouraging the community to give their feedback on a draft Destination Management Plan, which will be a roadmap for Wagga Wagga to develop and grow its tourism potential over the next ten years.
The draft plan is on public exhibition from Friday 29 November 2024 to Sunday 16 February 2025, and submissions can be made online through Council’s Have Your Say Wagga Wagga website.
Council will also host pop-up activities for residents to come and speak with staff and offer targeted face-to-face industry sessions for local tourism businesses to provide their feedback.
Deputy Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Georgie Davies is urging the community to give their input.
“This draft plan reflects Council’s commitment to the visitor economy and the significant economic and social benefits it delivers to our local and regional communities,” Cr Davies said.
“We want to get your input on this important draft document, which aims to identify opportunities, establish a shared vision, and outlines investments in priority projects that will elevate Wagga Wagga as a visitor destination into the future.”
The draft plan aims to provide a strategic direction for the development of Wagga Wagga’s visitor economy through to 2034/35 with a focus on building stronger awareness of our city.
Council's Destination and Events Coordinator Kimberly Parker said the draft plan has been developed through an extensive consultation process.
“Over the past 12 months, we have been engaging with community and industry, capturing their ideas about our city's economic and tourism potential, listening to what they want to see Council prioritise over the next 10 years,” Ms Parker said.
“We’ve drawn together all this feedback and conducted extensive research and data analysis, to shape the draft plan for our city.”
Find out more about how you can engage with Council and share your input at haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.
au/DMP
Following the public exhibition period, Council will receive a further report addressing submissions concerning the draft Plan.
LEAP INTO 2025: Adventure awaits for lovers of live performance with the announcement of the Civic Theatre’s 2025 Season, brimming with colour and the promise of good times.
Wagga Wagga
Civic Theatre reveals the adventures that await audiences in 2025
The Civic Theatre launched its 2025 Season this week with a party to announce what’s in store for the coming year.
Civic Theatre Manager, Claire Harris said the 2025 Season promises adventure and imagination with drama, comedy, dance, live music and the first Opera in the Vines event for Wagga Wagga.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Borambola Wines for a special end-of-year event for two nights only,” Ms Harris said.
“The 2025 Season includes the muchanticipated return of The Wharf Revue for their final performance ever and Gladys: A Musical Affair to satisfy those who need a laugh.
“Drama lovers will be pleased to see the new Australian work The Queen’s Nanny, the Tony Award winning God of Carnage and Bell Shakespeare’s classic Romeo and Juliet
“Audiences have the chance to see the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Circa’s Duck Pond, Are You Lonesome Tonight by Opera Queensland, Comfort Food Cabaret spotlighting cabaret star Michelle Pearson, the community choir 100 Women, 100 Stories and a local work by Joel Bray Dance in collaboration with the Wagga Wagga Wiradjuri community: Garabari.
“For the little ones, we have Alison Lester’s well-known story Imagine Live, David Walliam’s Ratburger, Tristan Bancks novel Detention, the stage adaptation of Jackie French and Bruce Whatley’s Josephine Wants to Dance, and Dinosaur Zoo by Erth Visual & Physical Inc.”
The 2025 Season is now on sale as part of a subscription package in an exclusive pre-sale for subscribers. Memberships and exclusive member pre-sales are also now on sale. Season show tickets will be open to the general public from 11 December.
For more information about the 2025 Season, memberships and subscriptions, contact the Civic Theatre on 02 6926 9688 or visit civictheatre. com.au
Railway SUN 1 DEC, 10AM – 2.30PM Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, Macleay St. P. 0412 439 455 Lazy Sundays at The Wild Vine –Bitter Shoosh SUN 1 DEC, 12PM – 3PM The Wild Vine, 1313 Oura
left) Wagga
Cr
in Tolland.
Esther (ImpD24/0512) is a five-year old female American Staghound looking for her forever home.
She has an excellent personality and plays eagerly with other dogs.
Upgraded amenities at Kessler Park in Tolland were officially opened this week (26 November 2024), creating safer spaces for women in sports and more accessible local amenities for people with disabilities.
The project was funded by the NSW Government via the Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 4, in partnership with Wagga Wagga City Council and the Tolland Football Club, who are long-term users of the popular sporting site.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout welcomed special guests to the site, including Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr MP and representatives from the club.
Council representatives were also on hand to speak about the upgraded site which now includes two designated female-friendly change rooms; a set of new male and female public toilets; a dedicated referees room; and a new accessible public toilet.
Additional safety measures have also been put in place, including CCTV and a swipe card-controlled access system.
The Mayor thanked all those who partnered in delivering the upgrade, which was designed with a focus on supporting social wellbeing and inclusion.
“Council is proud to have worked alongside our State Government partners and the Tolland Wolves, in delivering a space where all users can feel safe, welcome, and valued,” Cr Tout said.
Club President Josh Lang expressed equal gratitude and excitement on the club’s behalf, in response to the upgraded facility.
“Having modern and accessible facilities has been one of our club’s biggest priorities,” Mr Lang said.
“The new amenities building will provide immediate benefit to everyone in the sport, particularly for junior and female players. It is a huge asset not only for our club, but the sport in Wagga.”
Kessler Park is located on Cobb Street in Tolland.
The adoption fee is $389 and includes microchipping, lifetime registration, desexing, vaccination, heartworm test, flea and worming treatment and an ID tag.
SBAT Library Multicultural Services Trainee
Remuneration: Trainee Pay Rate Matrix (based on age) Closing: Wednesday, 18 December 2024
wagga.nsw.gov.au/ jobs
Road closures
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
