23-07-2025
The Upper Lachlan Shire Council is proud to announce we are a finalist in the 2025 Local Government Week Awards in the category of Leo Kelly OAM Arts and Culture Awards.
The two nominations recognize Councils outstanding delivery of the “Upper Lachlan Shire Roving Art Show” and celebrates Councils outstanding achievement of the “Preserving and Enhancing the Creative Capacity of Gunning Strategy.”
The Upper Lachlan Shire Roving Art Show provided an opportunity for each village in the region to experience the inspiring and incredible artwork that the Council holds in trust for the community. The Council invited local artists to showcase their works alongside the Council’s local art collection in underutilized small halls across the Shire. This initiative allowed artists to raise their profiles and gain recognition. Each village added its own unique workshops and talks to the event.
The Roving Art Show was a resounding success, connecting and uniting people from areas often isolated in regional and remote locations. It offered a platform for local artists to exhibit their creations while inviting members of the Upper Lachlan Shire to explore the surrounding villages.
Attendance was excellent, with approximately 80 attendees at each event, totaling 600 community members and groups who enjoyed the art show across seven villages. The event was made possible with minimal costs, relying on volunteers such as Mandy McDonald and Pam Kensit, as well as participating artists, with support from the Council’s Tourism department. Several workshop participants, inspired by their experiences, have since organized their own workshops.
In addition to the success of the Roving Art Show, the Upper Lachlan Shire Council, in partnership with the Gunning community and Create NSW, developed the strategy “Preserving and Enhancing the Cultural Capacity of Gunning”. This strategy focused on rejuvenating vital arts and cultural venues in Gunning: Gunning Shire Hall, Gunning Coronation Theatre and Gunning Court House.
The initiative improved disability access, acoustics, lighting and comfort for patrons at the Gunning Shire Hall; transformed the Gunning Courthouse into a Chamber Music of Excellence, complete with Grand Piano, disability access, comfortable chairs and portable lighting and restored the roof of the Coronation Theatre to prevent it from falling into disrepair.
The aim of the strategy was to invest in Gunning’s arts and cultural diversity through preserving and enhancing Gunning’s vital arts and cultural infrastructure. This strategy will ensure longevity of our cultural venues and provide equitable access for everyone in our community, now and into the future.
The Leo Kelly OAM Arts and Culture Awards recognize councils that excel in strategic policy, planning, delivery, and evaluation in arts and culture. The Upper Lachlan Shire Council is humbled and honored to be a finalist in this prestigious award category, and it could not have been made possible without funding for the NSW Government.