Colleen Fuller, Mayor of Gunnedah Shire, writes a column celebrating the return of the Gunnedah Times under new ownership by Times News Group. She announces several local government updates, including changes to the Small Grants Program that combine community, sports, arts, and cultural grants into a single streamlined program, and proposed amendments to water restrictions and the Drought Management Plan. The article also promotes a free art workshop for First Nations women led by Gomeroi artist Hollie Crawford, aimed at creating works for the 2026 NAIDOC Week Art Exhibition, which will open on July 3 at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery.
This article matters because it highlights the vital role of local newspapers in fostering community engagement and disseminating information about civic processes, arts funding, and cultural events. The focus on the NAIDOC Week Art Exhibition and the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support Program underscores the importance of supporting First Nations artists and cultural expression in regional Australia. The changes to the grants program reflect a broader effort to simplify access to funding for local organizations, including arts groups, which can have a direct impact on community cultural vitality.