Gunnedah on a high following AgQuip’s return

FROM THE DESK OF GUNNEDAH SHIRE COUNCIL MAYOR, JAMIE CHAFFEY:

Gunnedah Shire is on a high following an incredible week last week with the return of AgQuip and NightQuip.

I congratulate ACM Rural Events group manager Kate Nugent and the team on this tremendous achievement following such an uncertain time.

The unavoidable hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has obviously only increased the country’s love and support of the three-day field days, with huge crowds heading out on each of the days.

ACM estimated 3000 exhibitors showed the latest in products and services to people and businesses not only from around the country, but around the world. I’m told a contingent from Argentina were at the event showing clearly just how significant AgQuip is to the global agricultural industry.

AgQuip 2022 was an emphatic success, with an incredible atmosphere of positivity about the future. These are three very important days for Gunnedah, that bring our location to worldwide attention.

The other success story is NightQuip, Gunnedah Shire Council’s own festive night held on the first evening of AgQuip. This is the second time NightQuip has been held in Gunnedah and it is an event that has really been embraced by our community. It’s wonderful to see families enjoying the music, the food and the shopping. NightQuip has really heightened the AgQuip experience for Gunnedah locals and I look forward to seeing this event grow in years to come.

Gunnedah Shire Council is also planning a reciprocal visit to our new Sister City of Kolomotu’a in the Kingdom of Tonga. Nominations are now open and forms are available on the Gunnedah Shire Council website https://bit.ly/3cbF1cD

Successful candidates are required to have a valid passport, be double vaccinated and able to fund their own expenses.

We will be leading a community and business delegation from Gunnedah in early October to explore the possibilities with our new friends and to cement the relationship. We are hoping to have a variety of representatives with us.

Gunnedah Shire was honoured to have a visit from Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho, the High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Tonga, to the Commonwealth of Australia recently to formalise the relationship between Kolomotu’a and the Gunnedah Shire. This is a partnership that has great possibilities for both ourselves and Kolomotu’a, and we are very excited about this international friendship.

And the events will continue for Gunnedah with the State Round Hill Climb Event on September 3 and 4, where Gunnedah Motoring Enthusiasts will host this round of the Motorsport Australia NSW Hillclimb Championships on a weekend filled with racing action. We are also looking forward to the return of Harvest Gunnedah later in the year, where the community can eat, discover and celebrate our region, and share what we have to offer with visitors and friends.

These events are a great indication that it is business – and life – as usual in Gunnedah Shire, and Gunnedah is loving it.