|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Tidy Towns Judge Visits MurrurundiLast modified: September 2, 2008 - 12:56 AM
THE diversity, energy and community spirit at Murrurundi did not fail to impress Tidy Towns Assessor Peter Clark, who visited last week and met enthusiastic residents from all walks of life. The Upper Hunter Shire Council has nominated Murrurundi and Aberdeen for the Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities competition. Mr Clark spent a whirlwind afternoon at Murrurundi, with the CWA providing a hearty lunch and local singing group The Murratones providing light-hearted entertainment ahead of visits to Murrurundi Public School, Murrurundi Pre School, local businesses and art galleries, and an afternoon tea at the Visitor Information Centre. He said the Tidy Towns program was much more than a "beauty contest" and assessors were looking for evidence of community groups, councils, businesses and individuals working together towards the common goal of making their town a better place to live as well as improving environmental outcomes for their town. "We are looking at the level of community participation and involvement by various sectors of the community in the life of the town -- strong towns have that," Mr Clark said. "We like to see volunteers active on a range of community issues across a broad spectrum from school children upwards, and we want to see what the community offers for people," Mr Clark explained. "We also look at issues such as waste management and innovative projects that might help improve the town," said Mr Clark, who has been an assessor for 11 years, visiting more than 70 towns. "The Tidy Towns Sustainable Communities Awards give towns a focus and the opportunity to be recognised for the things they are doing to build a strong, sustainable community," he said. "It is very competitive with 100 towns in six categories," Mr Clark said. He said seven years of drought had challenged communities. "They've had to look at ways to overcome adversity, but in my experience the drought has just made people more determined. Towns have done well because it has been a long, drawn-out drought, and it has been doubly difficult. People have had to work twice as hard to succeed with projects such as tree planting, but the drought has not knocked the spirit of country people." Mr Clark visited the Pioneer Cottage tourist attraction run by twins Gwen and Carmel Alchin. Gwen Alchin took Mr Clark on a tour of the cottage, describing its remarkable history and outlining how it was the focus of community events such as campfire and yarns nights, school visits and other functions. Mr Clark noted the Murrurundi War monument, and newly renovated RSL Hall before visiting the Pre School where he was taken on a tour of the facility which now includes a thriving vegetable garden. Then it was off to the Murrurundi Public School where a confident and articulate student delegation took Mr Clark on a tour that highlighted a multitude of environmental initiatives including recycling, a water-watch program, vegetable garden, poultry and fruit trees. He was impressed by the fact the Visitor Information Centre is open seven days a week and is staffed entirely by volunteers. Community representatives outlined a vibrant range of initiatives ranging from the newly-introduced Parents with Prams activities to the award-winning Turning the Pages river project and Norvill Art Prize, the King of the Ranges event, and Murra County produce marketing. A 20 year retrospective exhibition of the work of prominent local artist Charlotte Drake-Brockman at Haydon House gallery - a former National Bank - was also impressive along with a trip to the studios of artist Rodney Swansborough and to the historic Michael Reid Gallery, housed in a restored coach house amid a striking garden. The Tidy Towns Awards will be announced at a function in Dorrigo on October 31.
Council's Mayor, Barry Rose, congratulated the members of the community groups and Council's staff for presenting Murrurundi in pristine condition, demonstrating a strong and proud community. "Well done, Murrurundi!" he said. Contact details |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| Links to other Councils |
|
|
© 2008 Upper Hunter Shire Council |
 |
