Mayor’s Office adorned with The Art Factory artworks
A burst of colour has been given to the office of the Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout, through the loan of artworks from The Art Factory – Supported Studio.
Based at the Riverina Community College, The Art Factory provides professional support for the development of artists with disability through guidance, mentoring, networking and career progression.
Artists Paul Williams, Lorraine O’Hara, Lilly Salmon, Raine Mitter, and Rochelle Hapgood have loaned artworks for Cr Tout’s office and last week visited to view them on display.
The theme for the temporary loan is animals, and artworks selected include a shark, bull and cows, reindeer, dogs and Frank the Frog.
Cr Tout said “it is great to support The Art Factory and to have these bright and cheerful artworks on display.
“The colour and vibrancy of the works is appreciated by all who visit the office. The feel of the whole space has changed.
“This initiative, which is a partnership between Council and The Art Factory,
gives artists the opportunity to have their work seen by a wider audience but also to acknowledge the skills and abilities of all artists in our city and region.”
The artworks are on short-term loan and will be replaced by new artworks with a new theme in the coming months.
To learn more about The Art Factory – Supported Studio and the services they provide, visit theartfactorysupportedstudio.com
Community
FEEDBACK: Council are holding multiple pop-up stalls to hear your ideas and priorities for what the future of our local area looks like.
Community shares feedback on Wagga Wagga’s future
If you have a vision for our community heading toward 2050, we'd love to hear from you.
Over the course of a number of months, Council has been actively connecting with community members at all levels to explore the priorities for our city and surrounding areas.
Upon successful collection, the feedback captured from our residents will play a key role shaping the Community Strategic Plan (Wagga Wagga 2050): a 10-year plan for what we want the future Wagga Wagga to look like; a road map for how we’re going to achieve it; and a clear framework for those tasked with achieving those goals.
Council’s Executive Manager, Regional Activation Projects Christine Priest, has confirmed that new opportunities for residents to share ideas are still being added, both face-to-face and online.
“We want to engage with all sections of our local community through this consultation process, so Wagga Wagga 2050 is reflective of a shared vision that spans the whole local government area,” Ms Priest said.
“We have already been chatting to members of the community at some of our pop-up stalls at the Fusion Botanical festival, and during events held for the International Day of People with Disability held late last year.
“We have several pop-up sessions scheduled for February through to April this year and are still in talks with multiple groups and villages to organise a pop-up stall.
“We are also happy to come to your community group and have a conversation relevant to your group's particular needs or aspirations for the community moving forward.”
Council is also running an art competition encouraging people to draw or paint a picture of what they love about Wagga Wagga. Continued on next page
Residents are encouraged to get involved online and read more details through our Have Your Say website: haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au/ csp2050
Residents of all ages are invited to enter Council’s Wagga Wagga Art Competition and show us what you love most about our city and villages.
for this year’s Seniors Festival celebrations, to be held from Monday 11 to Sunday 24 March 2024.
Whatever your passion, there is something for everyone 65-plus to enjoy in this year’s program of fun, including engaging and diverse talks, workshops, and events.
Community Development Coordinator Alex Osgood said, “the Seniors Festival program is jam-packed, with over thirty low-cost or free activities designed to nourish mind, body, and soul.
“The two-week festival program promises to bring together family, friends and community to spark conversations and strike up new friendships in safe, supported and inclusive public spaces.”
Workshops will range from fun to educational, including a Dirty Dancing themed Salsa Dance Class, to a fourweek Retirement 101 financial planning series.
Council’s Director Community, Janice Summerhayes encouraged all the city’s older residents to take part in the 2024 Seniors Festival celebrations.
“Council is proud to fund and support social programs that promote positive attitudes towards older adults, and challenge stereotypes about the ageing process,” Ms Summerhayes said.
For more information, visit wagga.nsw. gov.au/seniorsweek or phone 1300 292 442.
After the successful completion of the NSW Touch Association Junior State Cup Southern Conference, work is scheduled to commence on the upgrade of the Bill Jacob Athletics Centre.
Contractors will begin demolition of the existing infrastructure on Monday 26 February 2024, weather permitting.
The upgraded Athletics Centre will include a 400-metre all-weather synthetic track, specialty athletics and warm-up facilities and lighting.
Manager Recreation & Economic Development, Ben Creighton said updates to the facility will attract future top-tier events to the region.
“The benefits of the upgrade to the Bill Jacob Athletics Centre include increased economic and tourism activity from event attendees and providing a high-quality year-round athletics facility for the Wagga Wagga community,” Mr Creighton said.
“The Athletics Centre will be closed during construction, however, Council has prepared an interim location at Wiradjuri Reserve for local schools and organisations to host athletics events.”
This project is funded through the NSW Government and Wagga Wagga City Council.
For more information visit haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au/billjacob-athletics-centre-upgrade
The Wagga Wagga Art Competition is being held in conjunction with community consultation for Wagga Wagga City Council’s Community Strategic Plan (CSP) 2050. See story on previous page
Executive Manager, Regional Activation – Projects Christine Priest said as part of planning for the CSP residents are asked to share their ideas through art.
“All local residents are welcome to participate in the art competition, and it's very simple to enter download an entry form or pick one up from Customer Service at the Civic Centre,” Ms Priest said.
“Draw or paint a picture of what you love about Wagga Wagga and surrounds, this could be a place, an activity or something you love to participate in.”
Entries can be submitted online, dropped off or posted to Council.
By submitting an entry, you will have the chance to win a gift card to a local business, including Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre, Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, The Wagga Wagga Shop, or a Shop Local Gift Card.
Entries are now open and will close on Friday 26 April 2024. Winning entries will be announced Tuesday 30 April 2024.
For more information and to enter visit haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au/ CSP2050
Super sweet Savannah
Savannah is a one-year-old
tabby short-haired feline. She is a very calm and relaxed cat that has been at the shelter since November when she came in with a broken tail and has since had it amputated. She adores humans and enjoys the
The
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Road closures
MARCONI ST
Road: Marconi St (between Lake Albert Rd and Kennedy Ave)
Date: Tuesday 27 February to Tuesday 5
March 2024 (weather permitting)
Duration: 7am to 4pm
Reason: Reseal preparation works
Detour: Access for residents maintained
NORTON ST
Road: Norton St
Date: Tuesday night 27 February to Monday morning 4 March 2024 (weather permitting)
Duration: 6pm to 6am
Reason: Road rehabilitation
Detour: Access for businesses maintained
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