Newsletter Dec14 Jan15
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Dubbo Artz Inc. Peak volunteer community organisation promoting culture and the arts in the region PO Box 356 Dubbo NSW 2830 ABN: 26 873 857 048 www.dubboartz.org.au Newsletter President – Di Clifford Secretary – Leonie Ward Phone: 6882 0498 Phone or Fax: 6882 6852 Email: [email protected] Mobile: 0409 826 850 December 2014 Email: [email protected] January 2015 Dubbo Cultural Forum News Thank you to all Dubbo Mayor, Matthew Dickerson, has dismissed the need for a cultural those who took development officer (CDO) in Dubbo, arguing Dubbo is "served quite well at the The Dubbo moment". the time to Artz Speaking at the Cultural Forum this month on the issue of a CDO, Dickerson contribute to this declined to outline the Dubbo City Council's position on the issue, instead going edition Committee straight to answering questions from the audience. Wish all When quizzed on what the plan for the provision of a Cultural Development Deadline for Officer was, Councillor Dickerson said: “In Culture, I think Dubbo is served quite February/March Newsletter Members a well at the moment." 15 January 2015 He proceeded to list the numerous cultural services already on offer and the very Happy hopetoun- many council employees who would willingly help community groups with the [email protected] Christmas issues pertaining to event co-ordination, grant applications and any other Fax 6882 6852 And a Safe difficulties volunteers faced, arguing the role of a CDO already existed within Council spread across several employees within the cultural designation. Reproduction of and He said: “I think Dubbo has changed, and part of that change is that we actually material in this Prosperous take notice of culture." Newsletter is Following a suggestion that a CDO could be employed part-time, as is already permitted New Year the case in Gilgandra, Dickerson agreed, quipping "“If we could have that provided the person, tomorrow, to work for free, then we could have him on staff source is immediately." acknowledged Many of those present at the Forum were disappointed with the Mayor’s Dubbo Artz rationale, so will continue to be a part of the united voice calling for the Membership employment of a full time CDO. Entitlements: *Concession In the interim the Dubbo City Council officers listed below are more than happy, tickets to according to the Mayor, to help with all enquiries: DRTCC shows David Dwyer, Director Community Services - 68014400 *Concession John Bayliss, Director Macquarie Regional Library - 68014501 subscriptions for Linda Christof, DRTCC Manager -68014378 DRTCC Season Andrew Glassop, WPCC Manager - 68014446 Subscription Renewal of Margie Clatworthy, Environmental Services - 68014615 *Bi-monthly Simone Taylor, Local Studies Officer at the Library - 68014510 newsletters Dubbo Artz Jackie Parish, Economic Development Officer - 68014000 brimming with Lana Willetts, City Promotions and Events Supervisor - 68014000 regional cultural Membership events and news Madeleine Allen, City Promotions and Events Assistant - 68014000 mailed or emailed Kristie Hallford, City Information Centre Supervisor – 68014450 for 2015 directly to you Please complete the Another issue raised at the inaugural Dubbo Cultural Forum, was that of an Spread the Word! membership form Arts/Cultural Award, possibly to be awarded at the Australia Day Celebrations. Being a member of included in this After several months of consultation and research, the formulated criteria were Dubbo Artz allows you to go to performances newsletter and forwarded to the Mayor, Mathew Dickerson, for consideration. The proposed at the Theatre for the criteria were also rejected by Councillor Dickerson, along with the idea of a Concession Ticket return with your Cultural Development Officer. It would appear that Dubbo Council is looking for price – Don’t forget to use your membership renewal fee of $20 “Excellence” in terms of an award, whilst the Cultural Community is looking for card to access this as per instructions recognition of contributions to the community of Dubbo. The letter, award great offer! criteria, as well as the reply from the Mayor will be posted on the website Support Dubbo Artz! www.dubboartz.org.au as soon as possible. As It Is – From Di We have enjoyed a wonderful variety of activities and events presented locally, throughout 2014. How very lucky we are, these days. Like many other people who are fond of historical novels, I have been reading tomes on our beginnings as a nation wherein the authors, in powerful narrative, remind us of the grim struggles in those early years of pioneer settlement. The struggles of life in regional areas through 2014 are The vibrant city of Dubbo in the Orana region certainly far removed from those in the early days of Port of New South Wales has been chosen to host the 2016 Regional Arts Australia Jackson, Emu Plains and Camden. Big struggles do exist, (RAA) conference and festival from 27 – 30 October. It will mark the return of and will continue: farming in an increasingly harsh the conference to NSW for the first time in 14 years, and will see the climate, living with financial strain, uncertain employment introduction of the Artlands brand to be used for all future RAA conferences. and other stresses. The handover to Dubbo from Kalgoorlie, host for the RAA conference for 2014, Thankfully, we are surrounded here by a progressively included a welcome from Wiradjuri elder, Uncle Stan Grant who presented lively, vibrant and enlightened community. We are elders of the Won Gatha people with gifts. The female elders received a informed on current events and trends, and feel linked to friendship pouch and carry bag made from hand-dyed raffia and woven by the the outside world. A vibrant U3A organisation keeps our Hands on Weavers from Wagga Wagga. The male elders were given a ‘Yinyamarra Murra-way’ wooden carving, a collaborative piece designed by mature citizens occupied in a most vigorous manner. Robert Perrin, carved by Malcolm Morris and finished by Dylan Goolagong, However, it is patently obvious that in 'the bush' we Wiradjuri men from the Orana Region. actually are still isolated. Regional Arts NSW (RANSW) Chair, Peter White said although RANSW is a small Any map of NSW reminds us of distances to capital cities. organisation, the extensive network of 14 Regional Arts Boards will engage For many years some wits have said that NSW stands for regional towns and communities through all areas of the state. ‘We are looking Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong. Medical issues can be difficult to overcome, educational forward to showcasing NSW,’ Mr White said. NSW Deputy Premier, Arts Minister and Member for Dubbo, the Hon. Troy matters for our families may present problems and retail Grant MP sent his wishes via video: ‘Dubbo is the capital of western NSW and supplies are sometimes extensively delayed. Family visits has plenty to showcase. It’s a strong region with the infrastructure needed to can certainly see us supporting the fuel/ transport industry. host a conference and festival of this size, and we can’t wait to welcome In modern times city visitors to regional centres and small delegates to the region in 2016, Mr Grant said. towns in remote areas can be very positively surprised and Mr Grant was also the guest speaker at the fundraising dinner for Artlands 2016 delighted to see modern galleries, theatres, sports at Walsh Bay Arts Table 2014 on November 11. complexes and shopping precincts. Cafes often do reflect Mayor of Dubbo, Councillor Mathew Dickerson brought a unique touch to the our growing fascination with global influences in food and handover with his bespoke poem about his city, inviting delegates to Artlands drink. But the isolation factor remains. 2016 to visit the ‘hub of the west’ for the conference and to stay on afterwards For Dubbo to be a vital, thriving centre in the next decade to visit the region. and beyond, the planning obviously is in train now. Speaking before the handover, Cr Dickerson said Artlands 2016 will provide the New cultural groups need to feel welcomed and supported. ideal opportunity to showcase the city’s state of the art facilities including the (Hello ... bobbin-lace makers and ukulele players, croquet award-winning Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre. ‘The centre has attracted a range of widely acclaimed international and national fans and harpists). Young artists, academics and athletes shows to the region and the Western Plains Cultural Centre, which is the largest need to travel away, even interstate and overseas to take gallery space west of the Blue Mountains,’ Clr Dickerson said. advantage of tutors and stimulating workshops. Incoming RAA President, Kate Fielding said the conference and arts festival Worldwide networks are vital. YouTube and Skype do transforms both the people who come to it and the place where it is held. offer great support, also. ‘It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the host town to experience the If the various activity groups continue to delight in breadth of the best thought and art from around the country in their own discovering new and fresh movements within our local backyard,’ Ms Fielding said. community, everyone will benefit. Co-operation in forging Delegates viewed a film of Dubbo and the surrounding region and the launch an even richer culture for this reason will benefit the wider culminated in the introduction of the new Artlands logo and fabric of our society. When we visit other centres it is a website, www.artlands.com.au joy to behold the different festivals and activities which CEO of RANSW Elizabeth Rogers said while the conference was two years away, are embedded there. Local groups and festivals can it was important to give people time to plan their time and travel.