News

HIGHLIGHT: One of the highlight's of the budget includes a $30 million CBD upgrade

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Orange Regional Gallery is a hive of activity as it opens two exhibitions in a week.

Coming up on Friday 22 June, in gallery 2 is Orange Air: an object collection by Thomas Pearson featuring 17 blown glass sculptures.

Orange mayor Reg Kidd said the exhibition would be of interest to people of all ages.

“It’s bright, it’s colourful and it is unusual,” Cr Kidd said.

“It’s a really accessible exhibition, particularly for younger audiences.

“Take this opportunity to take the kids to the gallery, while the weather is cold and miserable, and let them be inspired.”

Pearson’s work is made using traditional Venetian glassblowing techniques. Many of his objects reference the human form and he has recently been making large scale, functioning hourglasses.

The works in Orange Air combine traditional methods with innovative modern, glass sculpting techniques to create unique pieces.

The official opening for Orange Air is at Orange Regional Gallery on Friday 22 June, at 6pm.

The artist Thomas Pearson, will give a floor talk at 6pm prior to the opening by gallery director Bradley Hammond at 6:30pm.

Meanwhile, in gallery 3 there is new exhibition called Jali, by Nathalie Hartog-Gautier.

Jali was opened last Friday night to a crowd of about 40 people.

Orange City Council’s Cultural Services Policy Committee Chair Cr Kevin Duffy said the works tell stories of travel and time.

“The artist used her time in Udaipur in India to inspire this exhibition and the Indian theme is clear when you see the pieces,” Cr Duffy said.

“The detailed patterns drawn onto the photographic prints reflect the same patterns that can be seen on palace window screens in India, these are called Jali.”

The complex patterns of the ‘Jali’ provided Hartog-Gautier with a design to work with and the title for this exhibition.

Jali is a series of 20 detailed geometric gouache drawings over archival digital prints of photographs taken during her travels.

14 June 2018

Federal Member for Calare, Andrew Gee has congratulated Orange City Council for the quality of its bid which delivered the biggest single funding allocation from the Federal Government’s Safer Communities Fund.

Announcing the grant for $471,681 to be spent in Orange, Mr Gee said the Safer Communities Fund delivered on the Coalition’s ongoing commitment to keep Australians safe and secure.

“Only safe communities can be strong and prosperous, and the best way to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour is to prevent it happening,” Andrew Gee said.

“This funding will support a number of important crime prevention initiatives throughout the community and help keep local residents safe, improve security and reduce crime and violence.

“This is the biggest grant from this fund for our area in living memory.”

LIGHTING : Community leaders welcome the funding announcement that will boost the quality of public lighting in Margaret Stevenson Park in Glenroi. Picture (l. to r.) are Orange Mayor Reg Kidd, Bowen Technology Centre coordinator Paul Townsend, Member for Calare Andrew Gee and Bowen Residents Action Group member Ron Gander.

Orange Mayor Reg Kidd welcomed the funding announcement.

“The Safer Communities in Orange project will install high level, standalone solar lighting, new CCTV and upgrades to existing cameras and bollards at strategically selected pathways, roads, park areas and laneways,” said Cr Kidd.

“The locations have been identified through a Community Safety Audit, in consultation with NSW Police Local Area Command, Council Committees, NGOs, local businesses and the community.”

Sites that will benefit from the funding include the Glenroi Community Centre, Glenroi Oval, Marang Gunya Community Centre, Margaret Stevenson Park, Eyde Park and Jindalee Avenue.

The Federal Government has allocated a further $30 million in the 2018-19 Budget to the Safer Communities Fund.

The Safer Communities Fund, a 2016 election commitment, initially received $40 million to support local communities address crime and anti-social behaviour and to protect organisations that may face risks from racial or religious intolerance.

8 June 2018

Orange's accommodation venues are experiencing a busy June long weekend, with many booked out.

The hosting of the Under 14 Rugby Union titles this weekend in Orange is the latest in a series of sporting events which leads to a major boost to the local economy.

Orange City Council's Employment & Economic Development Committee chair, Cr Jeff Whitton says the 'No Vacancy' signs are a regular sight in Autumn in Orange.

"Orange is facing a long weekend where almost every accommodation option is booked out and that’s a sign of a very healthy business sector," CR Jeff Whitton said. "The council has given a priority to attracting major sporting events like this weekend’s Under 14s Rugby championships, and now they’ve been coming here for a number of years.

"A number of our cellar doors say the junior rugby weekends are some of their busiest weekends of the year.

"The reality is, it’s not uncommon for Orange’s accommodation to be booked out on many weekends through the year.

"The number of emails and phone inquiries taken by our Visitors Centre staff is up 50% on figure from May last year. They’ve had a few late cancellations, but we’re expecting these will be re-booked.

"Most people will book ahead and then explore new directions nearby if Orange is booked out. It’s one of the reasons why tourism takes a regional approach to dealing with factors like accommodation.

"Orange hotels and motels benefit when Bathurst stages the October race week. Molong and the nearby villages share the benefits when Orange is booked out.

"Council has also been active in supporting new accommodation offerings. Development consent for the Quest Apartments on the old CWD site and Council’s pursuit of a new caravan park are two examples of that approach."

6 June 2018

1 June 2018

24 May 2018

When Preeti Singla meets up later this week with a recently- arrived family from Africa, she will be Orange City Council’s newest volunteer.

Born in India, Preeti grew up with her parents in Botswana. She’s also lived in Germany and the UAE before coming to Australia about a year ago.

After staying with her sister in Tasmania, she was invited by a friend to visit Orange. With her husband and two young children she was looking for a place to live : “It was beautiful. We just loved it.”

The family moved here in January.

She has her MBA and is looking out for work in management.

In the meantime, Preeti believes working as a volunteer “is helping me get to know the community.”

“I wanted to get to know the people and thought the City Council is the best place to start with,” Preeti Singla said.

SUPPORT : Orange City Council’s newest volunteer Preeti Singla (at right) finds out more about the Mentor Connection program from the council’s Assistant Migrant Support, Worker Monica Engel.

She’s now signed on to be a volunteer with the Mentor Connections program which aims to support newly-arrived migrant families in Orange.

Ms Singla expects she’ll be able to draw on her own experience of living in a new country : “I’m sure we’ll be in the same boat.”

“I know how it feels to get into a new community.”

“When I moved to another country, the first task I’ve faced is to ask how I start making friends.”

“ I have kids and a school can be the first place to make friends but what if someone doesn’t have kids. For them it’s difficult to get inside the community.”

The mentors program is about paying a visit to a newly-arrived family, offering companionship and simple advice on how find what they need in the local community.

“It’s not difficult to talk to someone. You just have to be yourself. That’s the important thing.”

If you would like to find out more about volunteering with one of Orange City Council's Community Services agencies, please call 6393 8600.