This Year’s Community Grant Recipients

THE Upper Hunter Shire Council has announced the 18 community groups which have received cultural activity grants ranging from $200 to $1,500.

Mayor Wayne Bedggood congratulated the groups awarded for this year and said he hopes more organisations apply for next year’s funding.

Groups which were successful this year included:

• • Aberdeen Local Studies Group – Upper Hunter Museum of Rural Life to purchase a storage unit and boxes to bound and unbound historic papers of interest.
  • King of the Ranges Stockman’s Challenge Inc. – to hold their ‘All About Bush Cooking’ workshop at the 2020 Bush Festival, featuring celebrity bush cook ‘Ranger Nick’.
  • Merriwa Pre-School and Activity Centre Assoc. Inc. – to continue to grow their cultural hub with additional resources and furniture to encourage children to engage in learning experiences, including an experience with Carlos African Drumming.
  • Murrurundi and District Historical Society Inc. – to erect three signs in the Murrurundi park.
  • Murrurundi Pre-School Inc. – to host a community dance on Thursday 31 October 2019 for the areas of Blandford, Murrurundi, Scone, Willow Tree and Wingen to come together to celebrate Halloween in a safe environment.
  • Rotary Club of Scone – to host ‘Supporting English Conversation with Resources’ classes for new arrivals to Australia and Scone to enhance their language skills.
  • Rouchel School of Arts Christmas family fun event – on 30 November 2019 organised by the Main Camp Recreation Reserve Land Manager, focusing on activities and games to celebrate the area’s heritage. There will also be a barbeque and evening of bush poetry and ballads.
  • Scone and District Garden Club – to host a mosaic workshop.
  • Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society Inc. – to purchase suitable materials to protect and conserve historical maps of Scone and district which are held at the Resource Centre.
  • Scone Arts and Crafts Inc. – to install phase two of their new hanging system in the rear hall. This is a safety driven project to minimise the need to climb ladders while hanging the Scone Art Prize.
  • Scone Grammar School Parents and Friends Association – to complete the Indigenous Yarn Circle and Garden with the addition of edible tucker plants and Aboriginal art.
  • Scone Neighbourhood Resource Centre – to provide entertainment for Harmony Day 2020. In a relaxed environment, everyone is invited to bring a meal representing the country where they were born, joining friendship while sharing the meals and enjoying the entertainment.
  • Scout Association of Australia, 1^st Scone Scout Group – to enable Scouts and Guides from across Upper Hunter (Singleton to Murrurundi) join together for an afternoon of outdoor activities.
  • St Mary’s Primary School, Scone Parents and Friends Association – to create a welcoming Indigenous garden beside their school hall. The space will feature native plants, Acknowledgement of Country art and totem poles.

• St Joseph’s Primary School P&F – to create an Aboriginal yarning circle, garden and occupational therapy / sensory activities to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and culture to be visible through the school.
• Upper Hunter Museum of Rural Life Inc. – top host their monthly ‘Golden Oldies’ movies and luncheon to encourage social participation, and enhancing cultural awareness through viewing a movie.
• Ukulele Group – Auspice by Murrurundi Arts and Crafts Council – to host a Murrurundi Uke Muster which will bring people together from across the Upper Hunter and North West NSW who are primarily already involved with an existing ukulele group. The funding will enable engagement with Mark Jackson who will run a masterclass workshop and coordinate a performance for all participants.
• Warrah Writers – to host a Memoir Writing Workshop to share their increased awareness and knowledge.