Heritage grant received – local history sought
Council would like to consult with remaining family members of those Aboriginals that passed away prior to 1967 and their exact burial plot is not known. This would allow Council to establish family links that would personalise the information ordered on the bronze plaque. Please contact Council on 65663200 for further information. Graffiti Blasters - Working together for a better place to live Kempsey Shire Council and a group of dedicated volunteers have recently commenced a war against graffiti vandalism as part of Kempsey Shire Council’s anti-graffiti management strategy.
Community members can report incidences of vandalism to the Customer First Centre on 65663200, where a request will be sent the Graffiti Blasters Team to attend to the clean-up. Talkin’ Shop - Supporting our older residents to continue to actively participate in our community
The original project proposal, designed by Kempsey Shire Council staff, was submitted to the Department of Health and Ageing and was consequently received grant funding through the Dementia Community Support Program as part of an Australian Government Initiative. For many older residents the weekly shopping trip to town is not only essential for purchasing groceries but also provides valuable social interaction with their peers and other community members. Memory loss can often lead to confusion and embarrassment and many people retreat to the safety of their own homes which can eventually lead to social isolation. However, scarce community resources are needed, to address these problems. By training the broader business community to assist these people, the quality of life for people living with dementia, their families and carers is enhanced. The program will be coordinated through Macleay Community Care Options, a community care organisation that is auspiced by Kempsey Shire Council. The three partnering organisations are all leaders in their field and have contact with virtually every household in the area. Through the partnership the Macleay Regional Cooperative staff will be trained to better assist a client with memory loss or dementia while they are in the IGA store doing their weekly shopping. It is the aim of the program to talk to the Chamber of Commerce in order to be able to introduce to the wider business community the benefits of the Talkin’ Shop program. If you would like further information about this program please contact Anne Adams at Macleay Community Care Options on 65 663 155. Kempsey Library – a destination for all ages Kempsey Shire Library aims to meet the information, education and entertainment needs of people of all ages. Anyone can use the library simply by walking through the doors – to sign up for borrowing takes only a minute or two, and library staff will take the time to explain how the library operates and where you can find what you need. Once you are a library member you can then access the wide range of resources and services. It’s a bit like the lounge room of our community – welcoming, comfortable and safe for children and adults alike.
There was belly-dancing, live poetry and music, informative and inspiring speakers and a rousing rendition of Woman am I by the frame drumming group, Sistadrum. In between performances the audience were fed delicious food provided by the catering duo Frankie and Angela from “Frankly Angelic”. Running concurrently with this event was a display of photos and short biographies of many special women in the Shire, people who have dedicated many years to serving their community, or have been influential in their work, or have creative or practical talents. In complete contrast to the International Women’s Day Party, but also very well attended, was the Travelbugs Mobile Mini-beasts show held during the Easter school holidays at both Kempsey and Stuarts Point Libraries.
Both of Jacqui’s sessions included time for each child to hold a stick insect (if they were brave) and use a magnifying glass to inspect the live insects in their containers and ask questions about her collection of bio-facts: preserved seashells, sponges, cocoons, eggs, eggs cases, skins and preserved insects. Accompanying parents were delighted their children had the opportunity to meet Jacqui and her bugs, and it was a pleasure to host such a professional and well-organised presenter. Primarily, library funding comes from rates revenue and government grants, as in the case of the International Women’s Day event, which was funded by a grant from the Office of Women, Premiers Department of New South Wales. These types of one-off grants also allow the library to bring special guests to the Shire, such as the forthcoming author tour by children’s author Tristan Bancks. Tristan will be presenting a Writing Workshop at South West Rocks on Wednesday 18 August. For more details about Tristan’s visit and other coming events please visit the library website at www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/library/library.html or phone Kempsey Library on 6566 3210. |
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On 8 July 2009 Barrunbatayi (Dreamtime) area was unveiled at the East Kempsey Cemetery. Since that time Council has been successful in gaining a grant from the Heritage Council of New South Wales to consult with the community and finalise all the plaques for the memorial, at no cost to the family.
The community will no doubt notice the bright Graffiti Blasters vehicle out and about the Shire as they respond to reports of graffiti vandalism on Council infrastructure. Supervisor Paul Phillips, who heads a small group of volunteers, states that ‘research from around the world suggests that rapid removal is the most effective tool in reducing graffiti. By removing graffiti as quickly as possible the rewards sought by offenders are lessened.’
Kempsey Shire Council has taken the initiative by partnering with Alzheimer’s Australia and the Macleay Regional Co-operative to deliver a program that combats the risk of social isolation for our elderly, particularly those with memory loss and dementia. 
However, possibly unlike your normal lounge room, there are some very exciting, sometimes noisy events held at Kempsey Library. In March this year the library hosted a fabulous party to celebrate International Women’s Day. This event drew a crowd of around 160 women who gathered together to celebrate the creativity, talent and skills of local women in the Macleay. 
Educator and scientist Jacqui Love unpacked her collection of live bugs and preserved specimens, giving her young audience a chance to get up close and personal with a giant rhinocerous beetle, scarey scorpions, intriguing stick insects, a burrowing cockroach, centipedes, millipedes and more.