Clear the diary and dust off your finery because Gunnedah is set to host six great events that you won’t want to miss in the coming months.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the NSW Government’s $25 million Reconnecting Regional NSW – Community Events Program has delivered $239,651 in funding for Gunnedah to host six events and engage an external events co-ordinator to assist with the successful delivery of each event.

“Gunnedah’s unique position as a leading rural town makes it the perfect home to host great events like NightQuip, Harvest Gunnedah and Gunnedah Weeks of Speed,” Mr Anderson said.

“The NSW Government is backing Gunnedah by providing significant funding to support the delivery of events that will help foster community connection in the shire.”

Events funded under this round of funding include:

• NightQuip Community Night Markets
• Harvest Festival
• Gunnedah Shire Christmas Celebrations
• Australia Day Splash
• Weeks of Speed Community Street Parade
• Multicultural Harmony Festival

“This funding also allows the council to engage an external events co-ordinator, ensuring they bring in the expertise they need to ensure events run smoothly,” Mr Anderson added.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey welcomed the financial assistance for the community events.

“After two years of lock-downs and uncertainty, it is tremendous to see opportunities for our community to get back together and reconnect with family, friends and neighbours at these much-loved events,” Councillor Chaffey said.

“Gunnedah Shire Council is excited to collaborate with local organisations to deliver these expanded community events, which can move ahead thanks to this significant NSW Government funding.

“Our community can now look forward to a great variety of local events that will be bigger and better than ever before.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the Community Events Program will support the state’s events and hospitality sectors while bolstering economic recovery. 

“The past two years have been difficult, with many unpredictable events including floods, drought, bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, but we know NSW residents will come out the other side stronger and more resilient,” Mr Toole said.

“People have been disconnected from family and friends but now they’re getting out and about again, we want to see communities thriving and businesses benefitting from more local activities, events and opportunities in the regions.

“The NSW Nationals in Government are backing events that bring local communities together and this funding will help contribute to a sense of improved wellbeing and connectedness in 2022 and beyond.”

The $25 million Reconnecting Regional NSW - Community Events Program is part of the $200 million Regional Recovery Package, designed to support economic and social recovery across regional NSW that will create new jobs and support community events, shows and festivals to boost tourism.

For further information, go to: www.regional.nsw.gov.au/CommunityEvents.