New Community Event Hungry to Celebrate the Hunter's Multiculturalism

BY EMILY WILLIAMS

Local community organisation Centre for Hope has launched a new monthly event, Flavoursome Friday's, with hopes of celebrating the cultural diversity of the Hunter.

On the first Friday of each month, a different cultural group in the area will prepare and serve a two-course meal to the local community for a small cost. 

Shari Bonnette, manager of the youth organisation behind the event, believes the event is a great way to bring people of different backgrounds together.

"What a fabulous way to learn about culture via food and through the sharing of a meal with our established and emerging multicultural communities in our local area," she said.

The meal comes at the cost of $5 for adults and $2 for children and students. However, diners are encouraged to make an additional donation to support the ongoing event.

"Paying it forward means that the next community group can also make a meal and then we can spread some more of this social inclusion and community connection a bit further," said Ms Bonnette.

You can find more information about Flavoursome Fridays here.

Volunteers from the Australian Iranian community with a Persian feast at the first Flavoursome Friday earlier in August.

Singleton Residents Wanted for Gallery Advisory Group

BY RAVELLE EATON

The Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre is looking for community members to be a part of the Arts and Culture Advisory Group.

The group's aim is to support Singleton Council with its Arts and Cultural Strategy 2020-2030.

Council's Director Organisation and Community Capacity Vicki Brereton says it's also hoping to enhance involvement in the local community with connections between arts, culture and heritage groups. 

"This group is an extremely important touch point, working with us to support and promote our thriving artistic community and enhance cultural connections across our LGA," she said.

There are currently four Advisory Group positions available including two general community delegates, one delegate that identifies as having a disability, and one youth delegate aged between 16 and 21 years.

People who are interested in nominating can find out more at https://www.singleton.nsw.gov.au/publicexhibition.

Lake Macquarie talent to take centre stage in One Act Play festival

BY ALEXANDRA REES

Lake Macquarie Council is set to host a new theatre competition, to showcase talent from around the Hunter.  

The One Act Play Festival offers up and coming performers and experienced playwrights the chance to perform their original works. 

Council's Manager of Arts Culture and Tourism Jacqui Hemsley says it's a chance to start building opportunities for the future.

"It's a really great opportunity to collaborate with different artists and to work under a director to be able to put those finer points on your play that you bring to the stage," she said.

"It's a great starting point."

Creators can enter by submitting information about their proposed play, including a script, time length  and the number of cast members involved. 

One Act Play Producer Niz Jabour says he's looking forward to the event.

"While there is no specific theme, I encourage those who apply to find inspiration from their own life experiences," he said. 

With a prize pool of up to $2,500, there are a number of prizes up for grabs for category winners, including $500 for best screen play, best actor on the night, and junior and emerging screen plays and writers. 

Scheduled for the 24th and 25th of February next year, Ms Hemsley says she'd love to see the festival stick around.

"In Lake Macquarie, we are really committed to developing the creative arts, in particular live performances and live music," she said.

"The One Act Play Festival is the first of its kind, but we will be wanting to continue this on every year to really build that capacity in the community." 

Applications for the event are now open and will close 5pm Friday 9th September.

People aged 10 years and over are eligible to take part.

Hunter Water and Aboriginal Communities Release Children's eBook on Water Care this National Reconciliation Week

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter Water has teamed up with local Aboriginal and education communities to release an industry-first children's eBook designed to teach kids about the importance of water conservation.

Where's Our Water was launched today to coincide with National Reconciliation Week, and tells a story about native animals in the Hunter River by drawing on the traditional knowledge and practices of Aboriginal people in caring for land and waterways.

Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said the book was more relevant than ever as regional communities move on from drought.

"It’s important we continue to teach our younger generation about the finite and precious nature of water,” Mrs Pavey said. “Where’s Our Water? is a valuable resource for our kids to learn about water conservation and the role we all have in protecting it now and in the future.”

Hunter Water worked with the University of Newcastle and local Awabakal and Worimi communities to develop the book over a six-month period - and with ten Aboriginal students from Newcastle High School, they created the story and concept through interactive workshops.

The book was also endorsed by the Muloobinbah Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group.

Hunter-based Aboriginal artist Saretta Fielding said it was a privilege to help bring the project to life.

“I’m particularly proud that the story has been developed in two versions to incorporate
the traditional languages of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples, demonstrating the shared value of this resource within our community,” Ms Fielding said.

Image credit: Hunter Water

Symposium for Hunter Creatives

BY ALICE PEART

Lake Macquarie Council will be hosting a symposium this June exploring the role of emerging technologies in the Hunter's creative arts industry.

Lake Mac GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Arts and Museums) 2019 invites the two hundred people employed locally in the arts to attend a range of presentations, workshop and networking events encouraging innovation in creative spaces.

Manager of  Arts, Culture and Tourism, Jacqui Hemsley, said the symposium will offer unique professional development to learn about emerging trends from other professionals in their respective fields.

Presenters include workers from Home of the Arts, GLAMx Digitisation Lab, the Village of Useful and The Lock Up.

Hunter Arts Communities Look Out - Funds Coming Your Way!

BY ARIANA GATTI

Applications are now available to councils, as well as arts, screen and culture organisations around the Hunter to secure a financial share of funding from the NSW Liberal-National Government's Regional Cultural Fund (RCF).

Organisations and councils around the Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Port Stephens areas are being urged to submit their expressions of interest in the available $47-million funding pool, as part of the second round of the RCF.

Applications to enter opened on the 1st of July, and is set to close on the 21st of September, leaving plenty of time for local organisations to get involved.

The second round of funding will go towards infrastructure and re-development projects to improve current conditions of arts and cultural facilities across the Hunter region.

Projects which may receive some of the financial assistance range from new exhibition and performing arts centres and spaces, the refurbishment of libraries, museums and theatres.

Other local initiatives, such as grass-roots community projects and some sporting institutions may be included in the list of areas that need a little boost for the benefit of local communities.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, says how the funds would be distributed across the Hunter region is yet to be decided.

"It really comes down to the merit and worth of the projects, so it's too early at this stage to definitely say what areas will receive funding first", he says.

MacDonald believes the financial support will go a long way in keeping the appreciation of culture alive.

"There's a great history of arts and culture across the Hunter and we want to continue that as we know a diverse culture works best together, and the art's work very well to secure that", he says.

Image Sourced: https://www.theherald.com.au/story/2971517/hunter-school-of-the-performing-arts-7-million/undefined/