Council News #451 - 24 June 2023

Wagga Wagga City Council

Get Ready! Civic Theatre to celebrate

60 years

Next week the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre celebrates its 60th birthday and everyone is invited to join the party.

Festivities will start with the Silver Circle Singalong on Wednesday 28 June 11am, and will feature local entertainers and musicians, Meredith Adams, Peter J Casey, and Jamie Way.

The following night on Thursday 29 June, the 60th Gala Concert will commence at 7:30pm on the anniversary of the 1963 official building opening date.

Presenting a collection of emerging artists and seasoned performers, the Gala will feature Darren Coggan, Australian Army Band Kapooka, musicians from the Riverina Conservatorium of Music, and Ivy and Geoff Simpson.

There will be short videos in between musical numbers with local people sharing their memories of love and fun at the theatre.

Civic Theatre Manager Isobel MacCallum, reflecting on her own story of love for the theatre, said seeing a performance at the theatre was her

“favourite way to travel”.

“When the lights go down you could be anywhere in the world, but you haven’t had to go through a single airport,” Ms MacCallum said.

“I’m constantly reminded how a visit to the theatre can be life changing, entertaining or just plain fun.”

Marketing and Education Officer Tracey Simond encourages all to attend and celebrate what the theatre has accomplished to date, emphasising that the Civic Theatre is so much more than just a building.

“The theatre prides itself on its inclusivity – it is a home for everyone and all forms of artistic and creative expression,” Ms Simond said.

“It sparks joy and imagination for all ages, from industry experts to young children attending their first show, or an emerging performer as they step on stage for the first time.”

The theatre is not only a professional venue for live entertainment, but a platform for upskilling and community engagement, with workshops and activities taking place every week inside the building.

Ms Simond and Ms McCallum both

highlight the importance of not only recognising the past, but focusing on the future of the theatre, as the creative industries are vital to a city’s liveability, bringing vibrancy to the place we call home.

“It is something we should be proud of. The Civic Theatre is a professional theatre with a team of highly skilled professionals,” Ms Simond said.

“The stage encourages professional and world-class performers to come to Wagga Wagga.”

Each ticket to the gala will include a drink on arrival and birthday cake following the concert. You can book tickets by visiting or calling the box office, or through the website civictheatre.com.au

If you cannot make it to either show, there are still ways for you to celebrate this milestone.

If you have images or memories of the Civic Theatre, you are encouraged to submit them for display during the celebrations by visiting the theatre during opening hours or by heading online: civictheatre.com.au/shareyourstory

Symposium on return of First Nations cultural artefacts being held in Wagga Wagga

A three-day symposium titled ‘RETURN: Reconnecting objects and collections with people and places’ will be held at the Charles Sturt University’s Riverina Playhouse next week.

The free event, which runs from Tuesday 27 June – Thursday 29 June, will be hosted by the Australian National University (ANU) in collaboration with the Museum of the Riverina, will also be streamed online.

ANU Research Fellow and the event’s convenor Dr Robyn McKenzie said this symposium is particularly timely.

“The return of cultural heritage is a topical issue with world-wide currency,” Dr Robyn McKenzie said. “This discussion is local and targeted.

“It will focus on projects to return objects, knowledge and decisionmaking to local communities and groups and what the future looks like in this area.”

There will be a range of speakers, including First Nations Elders, museum professionals, and university-based researchers involved in these projects.

Regional Museum Officer Sam Leah said the symposium is an opportunity for the local community to engage in conversations on the return of cultural artefacts and the importance of not only major centres, but regional and rural communities in creating change.

“The Museum of the Riverina, ANU and Wiradyuri Elders and community members have been working together on a series of projects around Wiradyuri storytelling, objects and cultural heritage for many years,” Ms Leah said.

“This symposium is a wonderful opportunity to look at the work that has been done to date, and to think about how we might continue this work in the future.”

Tickets are available for free online but bookings are required.

For further details on the symposium and to book your spot, visitmuseumriverina.com.au/ whatson/events

GET READY TO PARTY: Civic Theatre Manager Isobel MacCallum (left) and Councilor Mayor Dallas Tout (right) show their party spirit ahead of next week's events.

CULTURAL HERITAGE: Regional Museum Officer Sam Leah and Wiradyuri Elder Uncle James Ingram.

Arts & Culture

CELEBRATING FREEDOM: Emcee of the event at Wagga Wagga Civic Centre, Ali Hamza, speaks to the audience about his journey to Australia and his own experience with ‘Finding Freedom’.

Finding Freedom - Wagga Wagga celebrates Refugee Week 2023

Wagga Wagga residents have come together to celebrate Refugee Week, an annual event held with the purpose of engaging with the whole community and celebrating the contributions made by the refugee community to Australian society.

The theme of this year’s Refugee Week, which began on Sunday 18 June, is ‘Finding Freedom’.

On Tuesday, Wagga Wagga City Council hosted a keynote speaker Tariq Kareemi, to coincide with World Refugee Day, 20 June 2023.

At the event, Mr Kareemi shared his own story of finding freedom, detailing the strength and courage he and his family experienced when fleeing from Afghanistan to escape war, resettling in Australia in 2010, and reflections on the plight of refugees worldwide.

“I want to change the general narrative about refugees in Australia by practically showing that refugees are the same people as everyday Australians,” Mr Kareemi said.

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout is proud of our city’s diverse and inclusive community.

“Not only does the city welcome refugees but Wagga wraps it’s arms around them, actively supporting them, well beyond their initial arrival in the city,” Cr Tout said.

“I encourage everyone to celebrate the diversity of our community by attending an event during Refugee Week 2023.”

There are two main events on in Wagga Wagga this weekend.

The Refugee Week Family Fun Day is a free event at Henschke Primary School on Saturday (24 June) from 11am – 4pm.

It will include fun activities for all ages, from pony rides, a jumping castle and super slide, to cultural performances, sporting activities, and BBQ lunch.

On Sunday (25 June), there will be the Multi-faith Prayer Service for Peace from 2pm – 4pm at the Our Lady of the Blessed Eucharist church, with a free afternoon tea provided after the service.

For more information about Refugee Week 2023, visit refugeeweek.org.au

ON THIS WEEK

Council to undertake condition surveys of city’s footpaths

Wagga Wagga City Council will be undertaking footpath condition surveys, for one week commencing Monday 26 June 2023, to assess the city’s more than 300-kilometre network of footpaths.

Residents may observe contractors riding specially modified quadbikes, travelling on public footpaths conducting the assessments during this period.

The surveys are being undertaken by Council’s asset inspection contractor, Infrastructure Management Group, to obtain detailed video imaging and condition assessments of the community’s footpaths.

Director Infrastructure Services Warren Faulkner said these surveys are crucial for the management of the city’s footpath assets.

“This condition survey will identify areas of the footpath network that may need immediate attention, and other areas Council may need to continue to monitor,” Mr Faulkner said.

“Whilst Council undertakes footpath grinding in some Wagga Wagga suburbs to reduce trip hazards, this survey goes the next step and will help to locate areas where the footpaths may need replacing.”

During the footpath network condition surveys, the assessment vehicles will be operated by certified pavement inspectors traveling at a brisk walking pace. The operators will give way to pedestrians where possible.

Cameras mounted on the quadbikes will be recording the footpaths, cycle ways, and shared access ways. All cameras are focused on the footpath with some limited viewing of areas directly adjacent.

No images or recordings will be taken of commercial and private properties.

“The information gained from this survey will enable better management of the city’s footpaths which are an important community asset,” Mr Faulkner said.

It will assist with the development of effective maintenance and renewal strategies to improve connectivity, mobility and safety.

For further information contact Wagga Wagga City Council via council@wagga. nsw.gov.au or 1300 292 442.

Life Drawing with Drag King Jeffree

SAT 24 JUN, 8PM -10PM

The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St. P. 6921 5391 River and Wren Market

SUN 25 JUN, 10AM - 3PM

RSL Club, Cnr Kincaid & Dobbs St. P. 0411 675 953

The Four Seasons

SAT 24 JUN, 1PM – 3PM & 6PM - 8PM

Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way.

P. 6926 9688

Kyeamba Smith Hall, Bourke St. P. 0418 676 247

Landscape Adventures with Linzie Nardi

SUN 25 JUN, 11AM - 1PM

Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Morrow St.

WAGGA FIRST: (from left) Library Outreach Services Team Leader Wendy Harper and Library Services Manager Christine Bolton check out the interactive screen, which is part of the Convict Tokens exhibition.

Library chosen to be the first to display new Convict Tokens exhibition

A heartfelt collection of convict tokens is now on display at Wagga Wagga City Library until Wednesday 26 July, the first stop on a national tour.

The National Museum of Australia has 315 convict tokens, the largest collection of its type in the world. A small portion of them, 40 in total, are now on tour around Australia.

Wagga Wagga has been chosen as the first location to display Convict Tokens exhibition outside the National Museum, allowing new audiences to view and appreciate the tokens as a rich piece of convict Australia.

Library Outreach Services Team Leader Wendy Harper said that having this exhibition in Wagga Wagga has been in the works for a while and is an exciting opportunity for our community.

“Several libraries applied; we are lucky enough to be the first venue to receive the exhibition. The fact that that this exhibition is touring regional Australia is amazing”, Ms Harper said.

These tiny keepsakes are decorated with messages and illustrations farewelling loved ones.

Library Services Manager Christine Bolton said convicts often made these tokens shortly after receiving their sentence, as a farewell memento to leave with a significant person in their life.

“They really are incredibly unique objects, each one of them,” Ms Bolton said. “It’s a great opportunity for Wagga Wagga to host an exhibition like this.

“They are very small and precious, but each token carries an individual story about someone who was transported here against their will.”

Convict Tokens is on display at the Library until Wednesday 26 July.

To view the entire collection, visit the National Museum of Australia website: nma.gov.au

Rambler is a male 8-month-old Labrador x Wolfhound who is looking for his forever home. He is a friendly dog that would fit into a family and benefit from consistent training.

The adoption cost for Rambler (ImpD23/0279) is $274.00 and includes microchip, lifetime registration, vaccination, desexing, heartworm test, flea/worming treatment and ID tag.

Vacancies

Airport Reporting Officer

$2,165.98 gpf + super

Closing: Sunday, 2 July 2023

gpf = gross salary per fortnight

Wagga Wagga City Council is an EEO employer

For more details and to apply, visit:

wagga.nsw.gov.au/ jobs

Road closures

IVAN JACK DRIVE/TRAIL ST NORTH BOUND IS CLOSED BETWEEN MORROW AND GURWOOD STS. EAST BOUND ON JOHNSTON ST LEADING TO THE ROUNDABOUT IS CLOSED.

Date: 24 June

Duration: See Live Traffic for updates

Reason: Emergency roadworks

Detour: As per signage

THE ESPLANADE (BETWEEN THORNE & BEST STs) & IVAN JACK DR (BETWEEN MORROW & TOMPSON STs) – NIGHT

WORKS

Date: Monday night 26 June to Thursday morning 29 June

Duration: 6pm - 6am

Reason: Pavement rehabilitation works

Detour: Road closures in place to through traffic. Local residents will maintain access to their properties.

BAYLIS ST BETWEEN MORROW AND FITZMAURICE ST

Date: Saturday 8 July 2023

Duration: 8am to 12am

Reason: Festival of W event

Detour: As per signs

For information on road works across our city, visit livetraffic.com

P. 6926 9660 Silver Circle Sing Along

WED 28 JUN, 11AM - 12.10PM

Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way. P. 6926 9688

Riverina Conservatorium of Music Lunchtime Concert No.10Italian Arias & Songs

THU 22 JUN, 1PM - 2PM

St John’s Anglican Church, 6 Church St.

P. 6925 3522

Riverina Producers Market

THU 29 JUN, 1PM - 6.30PM

Wagga Wagga Showgrounds, Bourke St. P. 0488 102 835

Salon Series: Autumn Art with Sam Bowker

THU 29 JUN, 6.30PM - 8.30PM

Charles Sturt Winery, Mambarra Dr, CSU Campus, Wagga Wagga. P. 6933 2435 60th Gala Concert

THU 29 JUN, 7.30PM - 9.30PM

Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way.

P. 6926 9688

IMPACT! Wrestling Down Under Tour

- Professional Wrestling Event

FRI 30 JUN - SUN 2

JULY, 7PM - 9PM

Equex Centre, Copland

St. P. 0422 045 415

Decagon - 10 years of Zana!

FRI 30 JUN, 7.30PM

Zana Aerial Dance Academy, Copland St.

P. 0402 433 249

For event organising and promotion support, contact Council’s events team: events@wagga. nsw.gov.au or 1300 292 442. Mon – Fri. /waggaevents visitwagga.com

Public Notices

ALL NOTICES NOW ONLINE AT: wagga.nsw.gov.au/ publicnotices

1300 292 442 wagga.nsw.gov.au

6971 4651 graswagga.com.au

R251000208