11-08-2025
Upper Lachlan Shire Council once again cements its place as an innovative leader, demonstrating how a small Regional Council can punch above its weight – with official recognition this week as a Highly Commended nomination at the 2025 Local Government Week Awards in Division A (0-30,000 people).
On Thursday, 7 August 2025, Upper Lachlan Shire Council was highly commended at the LGNSW LEO Kelly OAM Arts and Cultural Award – Arts and Cultural Strategy/Plan for the “Preserving and Enhancing the Creative Capacity of Gunning” strategy, investing in Cultural Heritage Infrastructure to combat high growth and revitalise Gunning’s local character and vibrant arts profile. This strategy involved the rejuvenation and restoration of Gunning Shire Hall, Gunning Court Room and Gunning Coronation Theatre to ensure the integrity, quality and accessibility of our cultural community spaces into the future and enhance Gunning’s cultural capacity through improved acoustics, comfort and equipment.
Council CEO, Alex Waldron, expressed her gratitude and highlighted the vital role of culture in rural communities, saying, “This is a wonderful achievement by everyone involved. Gunning is a vibrant hub for artists and creatives, and these collaborative efforts have significantly expanded access to arts and culture for both residents and visitors.”
“Upper Lachlan Shire Council is committed to providing equitable access to cultural and creative experiences for everyone in the community to enjoy regardless of their physical ability.
Council is also committed to advocating for quality cultural infrastructure in Regional NSW by preserving and enhancing local cultural venues and events, thereby supporting and attracting creative talent locally, regionally and internationally.”
This project was funded by Council, community donations and the NSW Government through Create NSW. The success of the project is owed to collaborative partnerships between Council and the community, particularly Gunning Focus Group and Gunning Creative, as well as extensive feedback from local community and touring artists, performers and visitors. Council would like to thank the extensive community support for this project including generous donations from community and visitors that helped to demonstrate the importance of this project.
The rejuvenation of the Gunning Court Room into a Chamber Music of Excellence saw the acquisition of a Grand Piano, comfortable audience, performer chairs and portable stage lighting and the construction of a disability ramp and new front stairs.
The refurbishment of the Gunning Shire Hall involved new lighting, stage curtains, comfortable audience and performer chairs and the construction of a disability ramp.
The restoration of the Gunning Coronation Theatre saw the much-needed repairs to the historic roof of the Theatre and associated works, to ensure this historical building did not fall into disrepair and ensuring the heritage buildings overall structural integrity for generations to come.
The LGNSW LEO Kelly OAM Arts and Cultural award recognises Councils that have demonstrated outstanding achievement in strategic policy, planning, delivery, and evaluation in arts and culture. Upper Lachlan Shire Council’s CEO, Alex Waldron said the awards were recognition for the countless hours of dedication from staff and community on this project and their shared passion and resilience for preserving Gunning Regional Community Arts.
Upper Lachlan Shire Council would like to extend its gratitude to all those who made it possible for Council to be highly commended at the 2025 Leo Kelly OAM Arts and Culture Award. Special thanks are due to all who have demonstrated passion and commitment to both project’s successes.