Wentworth Showgrounds Community Pavilion Officially Opened by Deputy Premier Paul Toole

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The Wentworth Showgrounds Community Pavilion was officially opened by Deputy Premier Paul Toole on 31 January 2023.

The new building, completed in December 2020, replaces the old Barrett Pavilion which served the community for 114 years.

The pavilion will be used by the Wentworth Show Society, several community groups and the broader public.

“On behalf of all Wentworth Showground users, we are really thankful for the funding we have received. This building will be used by all groups and the broader public. It is a great asset not only to the Wentworth Show Society but the whole community” Wentworth Shire Mayor, Cr Tim Elstone said.

Features of the new pavilion include ample meeting and display space, a large kitchen, disabled toilets and plenty of outdoor cover in the event of rain.

“In 2016, a sub-committee of the Wentworth Show Society was formed and given the task of performing all the groundwork towards the fantastic building we are opening today. We thank those people for all their determination, diligence and hard work and look forward to the community enjoying the fruits of their labour for decades to come.”

“At the 2022 Wentworth Show, the Pavilion was used for the first time, after the Show Stewards had thought long and hard on how to fit the Pavilion out with equipment needed to display their sections. The Pavilion looked and worked incredibly well,” Wentworth Show Society President Sholto Douglas said.

Funding for the project came from various sources including a $450,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund, Wentworth Show Society’s own funds, Wentworth Shire Council, Wentworth and District Community Bank – Bendigo Bank, RZ Resources (formerly Relentless Resources) and the Dawes family, bringing the total funds to $1.1 million for the project.

There were also donations from the local community to assist with the fit out of the building.

L-R: Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone, Deputy Premier Paul Toole, Mayor of Edward River Shire Council Cr Peta Betts and Wentworth Show Society President Sholto Douglas.

Wentworth Aerodrome officially opened by Deputy Premier Paul Toole

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Wentworth Aerodrome has been officially opened by Deputy Premier Paul Toole on 31 January 2023.

Wentworth Shire Council was successful in securing $8.42 million of funding from Restart NSW (Regional Growth: Economic Activation Fund – Growing Local Economies Program) in 2019 to provide an all-weather, 24 hour access facility with the capacity for Code 2B Aircraft (15-21 seat planes).

With a $700,000 contribution from Wentworth Shire Council, this brings the combined total for the project to $9.12 million.

The upgrade project included the construction of a new sealed runway, taxiway and apron, aircraft parking areas and the installation of pilot activated lighting. The Civil Construction components of the project were carried out by Wentworth Shire Council staff and project managed by Council. This enabled considerable budget savings.

Additional works on the Wentworth Aerodrome Upgrade commenced in September 2021 following approval from funding body Restart NSW to utilise the project’s savings to upgrade the facility’s secondary runway.

These works included the construction, sealing and installation of AGL lighting to the remaining 600m length of runway 17/35 with the capacity for Code 2B aircraft.

The Wentworth Aerodrome Upgrade Project was completed in January 2022, with operators making full use of the facilities ever since. All works have been completed in accordance with the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) national standards.

This upgrade will support the rural and remote emergency and air freight networks, cater for larger charter aircraft used by the mining and government sectors, as well as cater to air charter tours for international and domestic visitors. This will enable better access to Mungo National Park, the iconic Murray & Darling River Junction and other tourist attractions in the area.

In addition, Deputy Premier Paul Toole announced at the official opening of the Wentworth Aerodrome that $176,108 of funding from the Stronger Country Communities Fund Round Five has been secured to upgrade the airport hangars.

“This will allow the aerodrome to run power to all aircraft hangers, as well as install an automated gate to the tarmac, boosting security for users and increasing the appeal for local aviation businesses. The funding will also allow for the purchase and installation of area navigation equipment, bringing the aerodrome into the 21st century and making take-off and landing safer for pilots.” Mr Toole said.

NEW CITIZENS & AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD WINNERS FOR 2023

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Wentworth Shire Council has welcomed three new citizens to Australia and announced the Australia Day Award winners at their Ceremony held at the Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club in Dareton on 25 January 2023.

The Australia Day 2023 Awards had very worthy nominees, each of whom have made outstanding contributions to the community through volunteering, sports, culture and the environment. Nominees for the Citizen of the Year award included Ross Hall, Clair Bates, Gwen Wilkinson and Jan White.

The Wentworth Shire Council 2023 Citizen of the year is Gwen Wilkinson. Gwen is a Life Member of the Gol Gol Rural Fire Service, a wildlife carer for almost 35 years with Sunraysia Wildlife Carers Group and an extremely active member at the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens since 2012.

Other award winners on the night included Daniel Hawkins, Young Citizen of the Year, Bec Marshall Sportsperson of the Year, Kalesita Burton Young Sportsperson of the Year.

Mayor Tim Elstone also conferred citizenship on Miss Anna Kuus, Mrs Brooke Mobilio and Ms Ludivina Macalla.

Mayor of Wentworth Shire, Cr Tim Elstone said “On behalf of the Wentworth Shire community, I warmly welcome our new citizens to the Wentworth Shire and to Australia. I also congratulate the 2023 award winners and of course, all of the deserving nominees. I would also like to acknowledge those who took the time to submit such worthy nominations. In addition, I would like to thank our Australia Day Ambassador, Dr. Clio Cresswell and Senator Perin Davey for being part of our celebrations. It was a pleasure to have them attend.

Citizen of the Year Gwen Wilkinson - pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
Citizen of the Year Gwen Wilkinson – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
2023 Australia Day Award Winners – – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone, Senator Perin Davey & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
2023 Citizen of the Year Nominees – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
Sportsperson of the Year – Rebecca (Bec) Marshal – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
Young Citizen of the Year – Daniel Hawkins – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
Young Sportsperson of the Year – Kalesita Burton – – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
Citizen of the Year Nominee – Jan White – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
Senator Perin Davey & Cr Daniel Linklater Deputy Mayor for Wentworth Shire Council
Citizen of the Year – Ross Hall – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
New Australian Citizens – pictured with Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell, Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Senator Perin Davey

Wentworth Shire to welcome new citizens

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Three Wentworth Shire residents will become its newest citizens during a special citizenship ceremony at Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club in Dareton this Australia Day Eve, Wednesday 25 January 2023 from 6:00pm.

Wentworth Shire Mayor, Cr Tim Elstone said: “Our new will join thousands of other Australians who are celebrating their citizenship. They will contribute their skills and cultural diversity to our local community, and enrich it through their hard work and participation in public life.”

Mayor Elstone will preside over the ceremony, which will also include the Australia Day Awards Ceremony and a Welcome to Country by Arthur Kirby from Barkindji Maraura Elders Environment Team (BMEET).

Other events to celebrate Australia Day on Thursday 26 January 2023 will include:

Breakfast in the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens

A breakfast cooked by the Buronga Gol Gol Lions Club in the picturesque Australian Inland Botanic Gardens commencing from 8:00am.

Pooncarie – Breakfast in Pioneers Memorial Park

The Pooncarie and District Development Association will hold a breakfast in Pioneers Memorial Park, Pooncarie commencing from 8:00am.

Dareton Community Brunch in the Park

The Dareton Coomealla Namatjira Community Action Group will hold a brunch in Tapio Park, Dareton commencing from 10:00am.

“I encourage everyone to not only enjoy Australia Day festivities, but to take time and reflect on what it means to be an Australian citizen. Think about how you can become more involved with your local community, to help make it a better place every day,” said Mayor Elstone.

For more information about Australia Day activities in Wentworth Shire, visit the Experience Wentworth website at: www.experiencewentworth.com.au

For more information about Australian citizenship (including eligibility criteria and application process) and our shared values, visit www.citizenship.gov.au

Ready to Winedown at the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens?

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FREE TO ATTEND // FOR ALL AGES

Get ready to Winedown at the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens (AIBG), Buronga. Pack your picnic rug and bring your friends to enjoy a platter and listen to some of Australia’s top artists.

Featuring Mallrat, Allday, Alice Ivy & Loose Bricks, you can enjoy some of the region’s best wine offerings with pop-up cellar doors and a beer garden.

Enjoy a platter of delicious gourmet foods from local catering companies and food vans.

Although the event is no longer located at Wentworth, buses will still be running from Wentworth, Dareton, Buronga and Gol Gol to support our local businesses before and after the event.

Buses will also be running to and from Mildura for those living across the border. All bus tickets will be a small fee of $10 plus booking fee for a return trip.

Head to www.experiencewentworth.com.au to purchase bus tickets and for more information.

Funded by the Reconnecting Regional NSW – Community Events Program

Library

A $500,000 Library Infrastructure Grant win for Wentworth

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Wentworth Shire Libraries is the successful recipient of a Library Infrastructure Grant of $500,000, which will assist in the relocation of Wentworth library as part of the Wentworth Shire Civic Centre redevelopment project.

There has been no renovations undertaken on the Wentworth library since it opened in 1995. “Unfortunately our current library no longer suits our needs. We have outgrown it and we are overjoyed with the successful grant application,” commented Library Team Leader Emma Holgate. “This success is the result of a strong team effort” she said.

With public spaces vital to communities, libraries are not just places to borrow books; they are safe community hubs for everyone. People gather to meet, learn and simply just be, and Wentworth Shire is committed to continually improving library services that benefit the local community.

“The most important job we have is ensuring that the community are able to come here and be exactly that; a community” said Emma.

Emma and her team envision great initiatives for the future of the Wentworth Library saying, “We are thrilled to be working towards a beautiful space that can be used by everyone. With a completion date expected late- 2021, our new library is going to overlook the Darling Barka River and will be spacious, vibrant and welcoming. We encourage the community to share their love of public spaces with us and thank everyone for their ongoing support”

Wentworth Shire Libraries provide many activities for the community, including free technology classes for seniors, craft activities for adults and school holiday programs for children. Whilst COVID-19 has proven to be a blow for gatherings, such as book clubs and story time, the libraries have now reopened and looking to the future when programs can be re-introduced.

Currently Emma Holgate is focused on supporting locals return to the library “We have been really concerned about our patrons that have experienced extreme isolation at this time, we are so happy to be opening our doors again,” she said. For those wanting to stay at home, the library will still be offering free home delivery, to locals in the Wentworth Shire.

To find out more about library resources contact Wentworth Shire Libraries on 5027 5027 or visit the library Facebook page @LibrariesWentworthSC Successful recipients and grant requirements can be found here: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/public-library-services/subsidies-and-grants/public-library-grants