Arts Roundtable

Federal Member for Nicholls, Sam Birrell MP, has partnered with the Special Envoy for the Arts, Susan Templeman, to host a roundtable with local art organisations from across the electorate to discuss regional arts and the new National Cultural Policy.

The roundtable hosted at the Shepparton Art Museum was an opportunity for Mr Birrell to highlight the importance of regional arts and for the government to explain how the new policy will support local creative organisations.

“I’ve always been interested and engaged in regional arts and as the Member for Nicholls, I’m determined to ensure arts organisations and projects in Nicholls continue to be supported,” Mr Birrell said.

“As with all issues that affect our region, I’m determined

Nagambie Seniors

We have planned a “Social Tea & Chat” event for Friday, 16th June at 12pm at the Seniors Hall. There will be a light luncheon provided. If you are a past member, or current member with a friend you would like to bring along to perhaps as a prospective member, please do so and we will make them most welcome. If this day is a success we plan to do it each month.

The bus trip planned to Echuca on Tuesday 20th June is almost fully booked. The day consists of travelling via Tongala to visit the Street Art, then going to the Echuca Workers Club for lunch (included in price). Next, on to the Paddle Steamer for an hour cruise along the Murray River. ($50 per head). Only a few places remain, but contact me quickly if you would like to come along.

Line Dancing is still our most popular activity, held on Wednesday and Friday from 9.30am. Beginners are welcome at both sessions, but have a dedicated time on Friday from 9.30 Both days have dances suitable for all levels. Come along and try if you have not been before, you will be made most welcome. Only $3 for members, and membership is only $5 for the year.

Movie Day is the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 1pm. Our next movie was due on our usual second Tuesday, 13th June, but unfortunately we have been advised there will be a power outage planned for the hall that day. Therefore, we will schedule the movie “Green Book” to show on Thursday, 15th instead. Mark it in the calendar and come along and support the club and Abe who does a lot of work to ensure we get some classic movies and of course lots of great interval treats.

Table Tennis is also held on Wednesday evenings at 7pm, open to the public, catering for all ages and skill abilities. Small group size at present, but able to put up more tables if required.

Our June newsletter has been sent out with the usual updates and news around the club. Happy to email any interested people who would like to receive the newsletter monthly. We also have collection points around town, at the Post Office, the Info Centre, and NLCH. Pick up a copy or email nagambieseniors@ gmail.com to go on the list. Or phone Jill on 0419 567 580 to work across the aisle with the Government to get better outcomes for our region.

“It was a great pleasure to bring Special Envoy for the Arts, Labor Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, to the region to discuss the Government’s Cultural Policy ‘Revive’ and the possible benefits it could bring for local arts organisations” he said.

Community galleries, Indigenous art organisations, theatre groups and festival organisations were among those invited to the meeting and came from across the electorate for the roundtable.

“The arts drives growth for regional areas like Nicholls,” Mr Birrell said.

“It’s important regional residents have the opportunity to engage in art and it is important that funding bodies understand that so much of the artistic and cultural offering in regional communities is delivered by the community, for the community.

“We have countless creative organisations doing amazing things and they need to be supported to ensure they have the ability to thrive,” he said. Special Envoy for the Arts, Susan Templeman MP, thanked local groups for coming together to share the challenges groups face in keeping the arts alive and well in the region.

“It's clear that in Shepparton and the surrounding areas that community arts have a very important place in the life of the region,” Special Envoy for the Arts, Susan Templeman said.

“I look forward to working with Sam Birrell MP in taking that message back to Canberra”.

“We want people to be able to tell their stories and to hear Australian stories right around the country” she said.

Farewell Sally Fyfield - Community House

For nine years Nagambie volunteer Sally Fyfield has worked tirelessly selflessly and with love, kindness, musical talents and computer skills, compassion and generosity to our community in many ways.

Sally has been a valuable member of the Nagambie Lakes Community House since it was in the Prentice Street establishment and when it moved into the old Catholic presbytery a couple of years ago.

St Malachy’s Catholic Church and the Lakeside Larks Choir and other community groups have benefitted from Sally’s unique ability to see the best in everyone.

On Friday, June 2, over 40 people gathered from the Community House and local groups to farewell Sally at a bring and share dinner to say “Au Revoir’ to her and give thanks for all her contributions to the community. This was one of many farewells given in her honour over the past few weeks.

Anna Close House co-ordinator and Edna James House President spoke of Sally’s exceptional work at the Community House and presented her with two gifts to take away to remember Nagambie by. One was a photo book of her activities at the Community house the other a Nagambie High street autumn scene painting by Valma Crerar. Inside the photo album, this message was placed to say thanks to this wonderful community volunteer.

“Sally Fyfield” Thank you for … Your kindness, generosity and ability to see the best in people. Thank you for being hard working, honest, caring and fun. Thank you for your ability to organise Dropbox, events, and people’s computers.

Thank you for all the times you took the bins out, got new paper, changed the ink cartridges, bought Anna lunch and filled in a power saving bonus application.

Thank you for research on instruments and sound systems. Thank you for proof reading, cleaning out the dove’s poop and mice spillings. Thank you for listening, making pandemic house calls, and handing out the newsletter. Thank you for writing minutes, sending out agendas and preferring apple computers.

Thank you for majoring in the majors, solving problems and oxford commas.

Thank you for all the times you said “Hi” to Mary, covered the office at the House and took up notes at the Carols committee.

But most of all thank you for everything you are. More than all the things you do. You are one of a kind. We love you!

Sally thanked everyone for their kind words and gifts and said she would remember how people taught her so much, accepted her and her funny ways, became friends to her, and let her into their lives in many ways. The Lakeside Larks sang a tribute song to Sally and had everyone in stitches with the words composed by Lark Wendy Mason.

Thank you Sally Fyfield on behalf of the Nagambie and district community for the nine exceptional years you shared with us all. You will always be remembered with much fondness and love.