August 3, 2020

Two exciting new mural projects and improvements to a preschool are three of the projects included in new funding following Gunnedah Shire Council’s call for new community resilience projects late last year.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society, Ooranga and Arts Gunnedah had been granted funding through the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Program.

“These are three really exciting and worthwhile projects that were nominated through our call for new projects to stimulate local spending, provide employment and use local businesses and supplier while delivering a long-lasting public benefit,” Cr Chaffey said.

“It is fantastic they have been approved by the Federal Government.

“The Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society has worked with Gunnedah Maize Mill to come up with a plan for a new silo mural to feature one of Australia’s best-loved poets, Dorothea Mackellar. This will be a wonderful addition to our appeal on the silo trail along with the popular mural already at Gunnedah’s Water Tower Museum.

“Arts Gunnedah will also create a new street art mural to follow on from those in place at the Conadilly Street arcade. This community project involves a number of artists and members of the community.

“Ooranga was successful in securing funding for upgraded facilities at Curlewis Preschool, including new toilet facilities. This preschool is an important service in the Curlewis community.

“All of these projects are initiatives that have far-reaching benefits for the community, and include employment or use of local businesses.

“We are very pleased to have been able to work with the Federal Government to support these and many other projects, and thank our federal colleagues for helping us to build our resilience during the time of drought and beyond.”

Captions: Gunnedah Maize Mill's Stephen Dangerfield and Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey with Phillipa Murray and Owen Hasler from the Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society at the site of the new Dorothea Mackellar silo mural.

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.