Milestone a proud moment for Gunnedah library team

Sometimes it is the smaller things that make a big difference to people’s lives.

I have seen that in action this week at a lovely event at Gunnedah Shire Library that celebrated 10 years of Brain Training in Gunnedah.

A decade ago, Jenni Carlin came to our librarian Christiane Birket and said she had seen brain training in action and wanted to make it happen in Gunnedah. Christiane introduced it to Gunnedah Shire Library and the program has become such a success that it has been adopted in libraries, nursing homes and retirement villages across Australia.

It has also won several awards, including the 2016 Voice of the Customer Award and a Highly Commended in the Local Government Excellence Awards in 2020.

Council is really proud to have pioneered this great program that means so much to the people who attend. Some people have been going to Brain Training for the full 10 years, and were awarded with certificates this week.

Brain training has proven benefits for keeping people thinking and problem-solving. It is also a great social activity.

Congratulations to the library for a decade of keeping people engaged and connected through activities such as puzzles, word games and trivia (full story page 10).

Another great initiative to improve people’s lives is the Welcome Markets on this Saturday at Wolseley Park.

Council has joined forces with Two Rivers Arts Council, who are the people behind Gunnedah’s monthly markets, to make this one a special event for people who are new to the area – or for people who just want to find out more about the place they live in.

The Welcome Markets will run from 8am to 1pm with food, fun and information. It will be a welcoming space for people to connect with community and to learn about local services.

There will also be two bus free bus tours of Gunnedah at 11am and 12.15 – to book, please visit Gunnedah Shire Council’s Facebook page.

Finally, I would just like to remind our community that this month is the Red Shield Appeal, the Salvation Army’s major fundraiser for the year to help them assist the people of Gunnedah who are going through hard times.

This year, I am part of the Gunnedah Salvo’s Red Shield Community Committee, and it has been encouraging to see businesses and people joining the Gunnedah Steps for Hope challenge to raise money.

You can still join the challenge, and you can donate money to the Red Shield Appeal that will go to the Gunnedah area by visiting the Gunnedah Steps for Hope page (see story page 15).