November 12, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Council Events & Engagement Officer Madeline (Maddy) Buhagiar has been awarded a scholarship for a Diploma of Event Management in partnership with industry body Meetings & Events Australia (MEA).

Maddy is among 18 regionally based students selected by a panel of representatives from the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, MEA and the six Destination Networks.

Gunnedah Shire Council Director Corporate and Community Services Colin Formann said Council was delighted Maddy had been selected.

“We are proud that Maddy, supported by her manager Cultural Precinct Team Leader Jacinta Cipolla, has been given this opportunity,” Mr Formann said. “This is not only great for Maddy and Council, but for our community, which will benefit from the skills she will learn.

“As our Events and Engagement Officer, Maddy develops and delivers community events, and with a broader skills base and the most up-to-date learning, she can provide even more support to helping grow Gunnedah as a vibrant Shire.”

Maddy, who has worked at Gunnedah Shire Council for three years, said she looked forward to building on her events management skills.

“This is a great opportunity and I’m excited to expand our horizons through this MEA qualification,” Maddy said. “I am really enjoying my role in events management and would like to thank the MEA, the NSW Government, Destination NSW and Gunnedah Shire Council for making this possible.”

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney and Minister for Trade and Industry Stuart Ayres said  the scholarships would help stimulate business events in regional communities.

“The business events sector presents a major opportunity for the visitor economy, particularly for regional NSW,” Mr Ayres said.

“We know that the best way forwards is to help to create more jobs and these scholarships will do exactly that – giving people the tools and extra support needed to kickstart their careers.

“I congratulate the 20 scholarship recipients who are already making valuable contributions to their local communities and wish them every success as they begin their diploma studies and continue their journeys in the events sector.”

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Council’s Events and Engagement Officer Maddy Buhagiar has been selected for a Diploma of Event Management Scholarship.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.