INSIDE: 'ADOPT DON'T SHOP' SUCCESS, PET OF THE WEEK + MORE
Council News CITY OF WAGGA WAGGA
FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 16 JANUARY 2021
Issue No: 328
Weekly information from us to you
Creative vibe fills gallery at art Camp The Wagga Wagga Art Gallery has been full of wild and wondrous creations from the series of workshops held this week as part of the inaugural Art Camp program. The event featured eight workshops across four days from 12 January, catering to different age groups from children under 12 to teenagers and families. The Art Camp program was well patronised as budding creatives took advantage of the opportunity to get some hands-on and fun skills building in areas such as digital drawing and projection, paper flower making, screen-printing and embellishing.
City set for Australia Day celebrations The Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens will be the focal point of the city’s 2021 Australia Day community celebrations, with a free barbecue breakfast and a morning of live entertainment on Tuesday 26 January.
The Australia Day 2021 committee supported by Council has finalised its planning for the city’s Australia Day events, ensuring they will all comply with NSW Government COVID-19 restrictions. In a first for Wagga Wagga, the city’s
Australia Day 2021 Awards Ceremony on the evening of Monday 25 January, will be livestreamed and emceed by Stina Constantine. Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM said due to COVID restrictions the general public will not be able to attend the ceremony at the Civic Theatre. “We will have the nominees for the four award categories, along with their families at the Civic Theatre,” Cr Conkey said. “We are encouraging the broader community to show their support by joining the livestream to see the announcement of our Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Environmental Citizen of the Year, and our Walk of Honour inductee.”
The livestream will be available on Council’s website at wagga.nsw.gov.au/ australiaday Residents will have the chance to share in the celebrations in person on Australia Day itself with a morning program at the Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, followed by free entry at the Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre from 12noon to 6pm. From 7am the Australia Day 2021 committee, supported by Council, will host a free barbecue breakfast for the community, as well as the Australia Day 2021 Citizenship Ceremony and live entertainment for the whole family at the gardens. Director Community Janice Summerhayes said a stage will be set up on the grassy area opposite the main carpark – near the café -
Weekly waste tip If you have furry friends in your household, our tip is for you! Doggy droppings and cat scats should go in the red lid bin. But all their fur can go in the green lid bin.
with two designated areas set aside for the community. “It is wonderful an Australia Day event can be held this year to give everyone a chance to celebrate and take part in a fun community event,” Ms Summerhayes said. “Due to COVID restrictions, the overall number who can attend is limited to 3000. “We will have two entry points only and people will need to sign in via QR codes and will then be allocated to one of the designated areas, where they can set up a picnic spot. “We won’t be providing seating, so we encourage residents to bring along a picnic rug and chairs so they can relax and enjoy the event. Continued on page 2.
New adventure playground a popular choice The new adventure playground at Wagga Wagga’s Botanic Gardens has been popular with visitors since the Entwine project was completed late last year. Families with young children in particular have taken advantage of the unique play space during the school holidays. Wagga Wagga City Council Project Manager Tom Lemerle said the Botanic Gardens precinct has been abuzz with activity. “It’s a popular area for all ages … there’s the zoo and aviary which is always a great attraction and plenty of recreation areas to enjoy and relax as part of the whole gardens precinct
experience,” Mr Lemerle said. “The Entwine project includes a new nature-based adventure playground, signage and accessible pathways along with the refurbishment of the Brolga Pond outdoor event area. This project was completed on time and on budget in a challenging year dictated by the pandemic and delivers new spaces for the local community and visitors to the city to enjoy.“ The $930,000 Entwine project was funded through a $739,466 grant from the NSW Regional Growth – Environment & Tourism Fund with the balance contributed by Wagga Wagga City Council.
2021 Australia Day Celebrations Monday 25 January 7pm – 9pm
Australia Day Livestreamed from Wagga Civic Theatre Awards Ceremony
Tuesday 26 January 7am – 9am
Free BBQ breakfast
2 x BBQs in each designated area
Botanic Gardens
7am – 7.45am
Harry & Tom
Main stage
Botanic Gardens
8am – 8.45am
Dane Kennedy
Main stage
Botanic Gardens
9am – 9.45am
Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony
Main stage
Botanic Gardens
10am – 10.30am
Khairi Darweesh
Main stage
Botanic Gardens
10.45am – 11.30am
Dane Kennedy and the Overflow
Main stage
Botanic Gardens
8am – 10am
Train rides
Willans Hill Miniature Railway
Botanic Gardens
9am – 4pm
Zoo visits
Wagga Zoo & Aviary
Botanic Gardens
12pm – 6pm
Free Entry to Oasis
Entry numbers restricted in line with current COVID rules and NSW Public Health regulations in place at the Oasis
Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre
pet
FUN AND GAMES: The nature-based adventure playground at the Botanic Gardens is a new attraction in the city which is proving popular during school holidays. Inset: Young adventurers Oscar and Isabella Cox at the bamboo tunnel in the new playground.
Australia Day in Wagga Wagga From page 1 “People can leave their designated area to visit the Zoo & Aviary or take a ride on the Miniature Railway, or use the amenities, but we ask that they otherwise stay seated within their designated area.” There will be COVID marshals on hand along with Council staff and Australia Day 2021
committee members to ensure this event is delivered safely and within the NSW Public Health requirements. Members of the Kooringal Rotary will provide a barbecue breakfast, along with the Wagga Wagga Multicultural Council which will provide both halal and vegetarian barbecue options, from
7am to 9am, with live entertainment from local musicians. The Australia Day 2021 Citizenship Ceremony will start at 9am and is expected to be one of the largest held on an Australia Day in the city. The National Anthem will be performed by the two finalists in Council’s Anthem Competition, Max
Schneider and Jazmin Castle, accompanied by the Australian Army Band Kapooka. The musical entertainment and activities will continue until midday. For more details about Wagga Wagga’s Australia Day 2021 activities, go to wagga.nsw.gov.au/ australiaday
OF THE
WEEK
#adoptdontshop
Sally was in the spotlight this week when she made her television debut as part of a local news story promoting Council’s recent “Adopt Don’t Shop” campaign over the Christmas and New Year period. Sally is a one-year-old tan kelpie X and has a huge personality. She loves the attention and will give her new owner plenty of opportunity for play and exercise. You can adopt Sally for $357 which includes de-sexing, vaccination, worming, lifetime registration, microchipping, heart worm test and ID tag. Contact the team at the shelter for more information. Impound number: D0022 R251000208
WHAT’S
ON WAGGA WAGGA + SURROUNDS
THIS WEEK: WAGGA LIBRARY SUMMER READING CHALLENGE (ONLINE)
Sat 19 Jan to Fri 22 Jan, online Wagga Wagga City Library, Cnr Baylis & Morrow Sts. Ph: 6926 9700
WAGGA WAGGA ROAD RUNNERS – SATURDAY RUNS
6971 4651 | graswagga.com.au
Sat 16 Jan, 7.30am Wagga Beach, Johnston St. Ph: 6922 6208
REWILD COMMUNITY MARKETS
Sat 16 Jan, 9am to 1pm Visitor Information Centre, 183 Tarcutta St. info@ rewildandco.com.au
DEMONSTRATION GARDENS VEGETABLE SWAP OR BUY
Sat 16 Jan, 9am to 12pm Demonstration Gardens, Cnr Shaw St & Albury St. Ph: 0411 417 956
RAILWAY RIDES
Sun 17 Jan, 10am to 2.30pm Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, Macleay St. Ph: 0412 439 455
THE WIZARD OF OZ Sun 17 Jan, 2pm to 3.15pm Basement Theatre – Civic Theatre, Tarcutta St. Ph: 6921 4678
SOUTH WAGGA TENNIS CLUB HOLIDAY CAMP
Mon 18 Jan to Wed 20
TARCUTTA MARKETS Jan, 9am to 12pm Sat 16 Jan, 9am to 1pm Ladysmith Railway Station, Cunningdroo St. Ph:0458 263 443
OPEN STUDIO GALLERY
Sat 16 Jan, 10am to 3pm Wagga Art Society Studio, 11 Small St. Ph: 0400 225 768
WILLANS HILL MINIATURE
South Wagga Tennis Club, Murray St & Morgan Ln. Ph: 0455 593 890
WAGGA SOCIAL NETBALL
Wed 20 Jan, 10am Bolton Park Stadium, Morgan St. caronne@ scvella.id.au
EDUKITS CREATIVE KIDS CODING EXPERIENCE
Thu 21 Jan, 10.30am to 11am Wagga Wagga, various locations. Ph: 0481 318 060
RIVERINA PRODUCERS MARKET
Thu 21 Jan, 1pm to 6.30pm Wagga Wagga Showgrounds, Bourke St. Ph: 0428 263 297
FRIDAY NIGHT PIZZAS
Fri 22 Jan, 5.30pm to 7.30pm Mates Gully Café, 38 Morrow St. Ph: 6921 4241
/waggaevents
For event organising and promotion support, contact Council’s events unit: events@wagga. nsw.gov.au or 1300 292 442 Mon - Fri.
visitwagga.com
Council News - A City of Wagga Wagga publication
New homes a great gift for shelter animals
It was a fantastic Christmas and New Year for more than 50 cats and dogs at Wagga Wagga City’s Council’s animal shelter who found new homes during the recent 'Adopt Don’t Shop' campaign. Animal Welfare Supervisor at the Glenfield Road Animal Shelter, Julie McPhail, said the overwhelming success of the adoption campaign had given 34 cats and kittens, and 17 dogs a second chance in a forever home. “It’s such a positive when we can unite some of these gorgeous animals with a new family or companion,” Ms McPhail said. “We really pushed the ‘Adopt Don’t Shop’ campaign this year and the results were outstanding. “We had many families
welcoming a new fur kid into their lives … there were also a number of single people and also couples looking for some extra companionship around their home. “There’s usually a suitable animal we can match with people and that’s a great outcome for the animals we have needing a new home.” Ms McPhail also paid tribute to the rescue groups who work closely with the shelter to ensure positive outcomes for the animals. “Our rescue groups really do a great job in finding new homes for a lot of the animals,” Ms McPhail said. “From 1 December last year to today (13 January 2021) we have seen 51 animals adopted compared to 30 for the same period the previous year … so
it’s been a fantastic result for us all.” The Glenfield Road Animal Shelter’s aim is to reunite animals which come into the facility with their owner. If that is unsuccessful, the animal is then put up for adoption. “Adoption is on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis,” Ms McPhail said. “We also like to make sure applicants understand the responsibilities of pet ownership and are making the right choice of pet.” The adoption fee for each cat or dog, puppy or kitten, covers desexing, first vaccinations, microchipping, deworming, lifetime registration and an ID tag. Find out more about pet adoption at graswagga.com.au
‘L ATE NIGHT AT THE GALLERY’ WITH CIT Y’S YOUNG CRE ATIVES
The Wagga Wagga community is being encouraged to support the city’s young creatives while enjoying an evening of art, music and good times at Late Night at the Gallery at the end of this month. The event is a youth-led initiative presented by the Gallery’s Young Creative Collective and will run from 6.30pm-9.00pm on Friday 29 January. Art Gallery Director Lee-Anne Hall said Late Night at the Gallery is the first event the Collective will be leading since it was formed in the wake of the Big Draw program that was presented in November 2020. “We had three Big Draw sessions encouraging the participation of local young creatives aged between 16 and 26 which were very successful,” Ms Hall said. “The main audience was senior school students, and TAFE and university students who are ready and poised to pursue and develop their creative and leadership opportunities here at the Gallery. “We wanted to engage with and encourage young people to get involved in making the decisions in shaping future workshops and creative events at the Gallery and
HELPING HAND: Animal Welfare Supervisor Julie McPhail with one of the shelter’s residents who is ready for adoption.
FUN AND FABULOUS TIME FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AT GALLERY Get ready for some Summertime story fun with Storytime at the Gallery making its return this coming week. There will be four sessions held over four days, from Tuesday 19 January to Friday 22 January, with each session starting at 10am and running for 45 minutes. Digital & Programs Officer Tayla Martin said Storytime is set to be a fun and fabulous week of storytelling for the little ones - aged three to six years old. “The sessions have been inspired by the Gallery’s Summer exhibitions currently on display at the Gallery,”
Ms Martin said. “On Tuesday and Wednesday we’ll be looking at Hardenvale – our Home in Absurdia exhibition and stories will be read with the theme of home and kin, led by the team from the Wagga Wagga City Library. “On Thursday and Friday, we’ll be going inside the Miyagan (Relations) exhibition upstairs in the Gallery and hearing about Wiradjuri stories told by Wiradjuri storyteller Peter Ingram.” While admission is free, bookings are essential at waggaartgallery. com.au/whats-on/program-andevents
Vacancies to develop creativity, creative thinking and leadership. “We’ve got a fantastic team working here at the Gallery to support and mentor these young people in those leadership and creative roles.” The initiative is now bearing fruit in the form of the Young Creative Collective’s first event for 2021 - Late Night at the Gallery. “We’ll have an African drumming workshop outside at the lower ground entrance to the Gallery, as well as other performance artists and creative stations for people to interact
with,” Ms Hall said. “DJ Layla Bayco will be presenting a ‘silent disco’ in one of the gallery spaces as part of the new Art Factory exhibition, 5 Years, which officially opens on Saturday 30 January. “And DJ Engelbert and DJ Thomp will be performing in the main gallery for most of the evening too.” Admission to this event is free, but due to COVID protocols and limited numbers, everyone is required to book their spot by going to waggaartgallery. com.au/whats-on/program-andevents
Business Support Officer
Twelve (12) month term contract Remuneration: $2,228.56 gpf + super Enquiries: Tanya Jackson on 02 6971 4570 or Tara Donaldson on 02 6926 9216 Closing date: Tuesday, 19 January 2021
Circulation and Facility Assistant Team Leader
Permanent Part-Time - 18 hours per week (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) Remuneration: $1,195.06 gpf + super based on part-time hours of work Enquiries: Claire Campbell on 02 6926 9717 Closing date: Monday 25 January 2021
Accounts Receivable & Debt Management Officer Remuneration: $2,410.30 gpf + super Enquiries: Craig Katsoolis on 02 6926 9471 Closing date: Sunday 31 January 2021
Pump Technician
Remuneration: $2,537.82 gpf + super Enquiries: Bikash Paudel on 02 6971 4691 Closing date: Monday 1 February 2021
Information & Communications Technology (ICT) Systems Officer Term contract until May 2021 Remuneration: $2,537.82 gpf + super Enquiries: Vanesa Mlinaric on 02 6926 9224 Closing date: Monday 1 February 2021
Information Technology (IT) Coordinator Remuneration: $3,538.68 gpf + super Enquiries: Reece Hamblin on 02 6926 9243 Closing date: Sunday 14 February 2021
Wagga Wagga City Council is an EEO employer
To view these opportunities and apply, visit:
wagga.nsw.gov.au/jobs Council News - A City of Wagga Wagga publication
COUNCILLOR COLUMN
It frustrates me that I feel compelled to dedicate another of my columns to our local Federal MP Michael McCormack, but his words and actions inciting hatred and bigotry cannot go unchecked. I shake my head, thinking how
former local members from our region must cringe and want to distance themselves from this man who is clearly filled with hate. Clearly consumed by fear of losing power and constantly looking over his shoulder, it’s us, his constituents that pay the price. Even Mr McCormack’s local state colleague Wes Fang who normally champs at the bit to
proffer his opinions is remarkably silent. I won’t regurgitate the comments made; we’ve all seen them. Suffice to say McCormack is straying back into the bigoted commentary that once dominated his newspaper columns before he was dismissed as Editor. It’s disheartening that Wagga is tarnished
by McCormack’s behaviour in a feeble attempt to ‘out-Barnaby’ his predecessor. In Wagga and the Riverina, we’ve seen attacks from McCormack on the First Nations communities, workers from the Pacific Islands, local families, doctors and farmers desperate for action on tackling climate change and yet how he along with
Face masks mandatory at airport Passengers and visitors at Wagga Wagga Airport are now required to wear a face mask inside the facility. This directive is in line with the latest NSW Health Public Health Order which applies to all airport facilities in NSW. From Tuesday 12 January 2021, people over 12 years of age must wear a face mask when indoors at a NSW airport, including: • the passenger waiting area • during a domestic commercial flight when it is landing or taking off from a NSW airport or, • flying in NSW airspace. • NSW Health also advises the following: • You may be fined $200 on the spot for not wearing a face mask. • Children 12 years and under are exempt but are encouraged to wear masks where practicable. • Masks should not be worn by babies and toddlers under 2 years of age, as they are a
0418 445 131 | councillor.keenan@wagga.nsw.gov.au
choking and suffocation risk. Council’s Director Regional Activation Michael Keys said Council wants to ensure the safety of all community members as well as workers attending the airport facility. “Council will continue to follow all directives from NSW Health when managing its facilities … we have worked with the NSW Government to manage our public facilities and services since the start of the pandemic,” Mr Keys said. “We want to ensure people continue to have access and the confidence to travel when they need to and that everyone is appropriately protected. Council thanks community members for their understanding and continued support.” More information can be accessed at nsw.gov.au/covid-19/whatyou-can-and-cant-do-under-rules/ common-questions-face-masks
Scotty from Marketing turned their backs on those impacted by the Black Summer fires. Today, it’s honest workers who a year ago were making valued contributions to their community and as a result of the pandemic and inaction from the government are now struggling, only to be called names and hung out to dry.
With Australia Day coming up, it’s got me thinking. You can’t get more unAustralian than Michael McCormack. We talk of Australian values as helping each other out, a fair go, compassion, equality, tolerance and respect. To assist Mr McCormack for our upcoming citizenship ceremony on Australia Day, I suggest he take a few moments to visit
the Department of Home Affairs website and take a look at the Statement of Australian Values and does a refresher beforehand to remind himself of what it means to be a good Australian. His constituency and the Australian public expect no less.
Councillor Vanessa Keenan
STAYING COOL AT THE ZOO A S THE TEMPER ATURE SOARS!
From fun ice blocks with treats inside to misters for birds and sprinklers for the large mammals, it was a busy day for Wagga Zoo & Aviary curators keeping everyone cool on Wednesday (13 January). The zoo closed at midday for the welfare of animals and staff as the temperature headed towards 40 degrees. Recent arrival at the zoo, young Russell the wombat, found a cool spot at the back of one of the tunnels in his enclosure, while the pair of emus at the Zoo & Aviary made good use of the small watering hole in their enclosure.
SALVOS COLLECT FOOD APPEAL DONATIONS
Public Notices RFT 2018-16 TRADE SERVICES: PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, DATA CABLING, RADIO COMMUNICATION, PAINTING AND HVAC MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE – REFRESH 2021 Suitably endorsed Tenders marked “RFT 2018-16 Trade Services - Refresh 2021” are invited and will be received by the undersigned until 2.00pm Wednesday 10 February 2021. This Panel Contract is to provide Council with the trade services involved for the
Contact us
supply of plumbing, electrical, data cabling, radio communications, painting and the mechanical maintenance of air-conditioning plant and equipment. All existing suppliers on this contract are NOT required to re-apply. Enquiries should be directed to Melinda Conolly on 02 6926 9437 or email conolly.melinda@wagga.nsw.gov.au. A non-refundable fee of $155.00 will be charged for each hard copy of the specification or specifications at nil cost can be accessed at: info.vendorpanel. comworkwithwaggawagga citycouncil
p 1300 292 442 e council@wagga.nsw.gov.au w www.wagga.nsw.gov.au a Civic Centre Cnr Baylis & Morrow Sts PO Box 20, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
Peter Thompson, General Manager
Salvation Army Wagga representatives and Wagga Wagga City Library staff this week loaded up the bags and boxes full of non-perishable food and drink items donated to the library’s Christmas Food Appeal, which ran from 24 November to 24 December 2020. At the handover were (from left) Salvation Army Wagga Mission Coordinator Ros Robinson, Luke Anderson, Library Team Leader Programs, Promotions and Partnerships Christine Bolton (back), Trent Anderson, Salvation Army Welfare Volunteer Kylie Anderson, and Library Programs & Promotions Officer Jeannie Hazell.
Follow us
Subscribe Share your #waggaview
@cityofwaggawagga
Subscribe and you’ll receive Council News in your inbox every week!
wagga.nsw.gov.au/councilnews