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Highlights

Hit 'n' Run Family Circus Cabaret
Until 15 October, Shellharbour
This month, some of the country’s leading acrobats and musicians join Circus Monoxide in Shellharbour to create a rollicking, cabaret-style evening of circus. The performers will also work with the region’s youth, parents and emerging artists through a free and extensive program of workshops. Funded by Arts NSW and Wollongong City Council, the ‘Hit ‘n’ Run’ project is an opportunity for Circus Monoxide to connect with local residents and inspire young people interested in the performing arts. Artistic Director Alicia Battestini says, "One of the most terrific outcomes of this project will be a special performance by Shellharbour’s own Black Butt Youth Group, presented to family and friends in the Monoxide big top at the end of the workshop program.” At The Village Green. Tickets $12-$35; 2 adults + 2 children $70. Contact Tel 02 4226 3366 Website www.circusmonoxide.com.au

Nymagee Outback Music Festival
6 – 9 October, Nymagee
Festival regulars literally fly in, or hit the dusty red tracks in an annual pilgrimage to be at the most unique music festival in the country: a 3 day extravaganza of non-stop concerts over four stages in a beautiful bushland setting surrounded by the hills of Nymagee, 650kms west of Sydney. 2006 highlights include country queen, Sara Storer, famous Argentinean performer, Ruben Carrasco, Tonchi McIntosh, Johanna Kemp, the Re-Mains, Jackie Marshall and more. The program is a packed swag country, rock’n’roll, folk, blues, jazz, classical, choral and world music and includes a total of 20 bands. Plus a stack of hands on workshops in fire art and twirling, stonework, songwriting, steel, theatre sports, percussion and country culture and a spectacular fire and light show. $50 covers the lot, including camping. Free for children. Website www.geocities.com/nymageefestival

Surfing the Coldstream
21 – 22 October, Yamba
Part arts festival, part fringe carnival and part community celebration. Surfing The Coldstream is an annual two-day event held in the small seaside town of Yamba. The aim is to flood the town with as huge and as high quality a diversity of musical, theatrical and visual artists and performers as the budget will allow. Surfing The Coldstream involves its whole local community from young to old in many different and unusual ventures, making this festival a truly community minded enterprise (it's totally non-profit). With an exciting and eclectic program featuring everything from acrobats to gypsy jazz with snake charmers, country crooners, cheeky comics, legendary muralists, stunning theatrical creatures, carnival drummers, sword swallowers, rock stars and belly dancers ... all parading their skills and wonders in a friendly village surrounded by national parks, prawn-laden rivers and pristine beaches ... this is one festival that can’t be missed. Contact Tel 02 6646 1999 Website www.surfingthecoldstream.com.au

I Am My Own Wife
10 – 15 October, Wodonga
Tells the true story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf and her escape from persecution during the second world war. What makes the story so astounding is that Charlotte was a man, and she lived her defiant, distinctive life adamantly on her own terms. The most awarded play of the 2004 Broadway season – including Tony Awards for Best Play and Best Actor and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama – features Jefferson Mays as Charlotte (and in nearly forty other roles) in a performance tour-de-force that has been described as ‘mesmerising’ and ‘nothing short of alchemy’. HotHouse Theatre is thrilled to present an exclusive regional engagement of this unforgettable night in the theatre as it tours Australia. By Doug Wright at the Butter Factory Theatre.Tickets $47/$35 Contact HotHouse Theatre Tel 02 6021 7433 Email info@hothousetheatre.com.au Website www.hothousetheatre.com.au

Circus Girl
19 – 20 October, Albury
An exhilarating celebration of a daring journey. Flying through the air at dizzying heights, tumbling with breathtaking speed, bending into impossible contortions, Circus Girl explores the struggles and triumphs of growing up in the circus – a physically demanding and emotionally confronting life. For the young female artists involved in Circus Girl, The Flying Fruit Fly Circus has been their education, community and at times even their family. This work explores their memories, stories and feelings, focussing on their passion, dedication, strength, courage, fear, pain, excitement, anxiety, disappointments and achievements. Circus Girl demonstrates, not only their amazing physical circus skills, but will provide an insight into the maturity, stories and artistry of young women in the circus today. See it first at the Albury Performing Arts Centre before it embarks on a national tour in 2007. Tel 02 6051 3051.

2006 Schools Spectacular – Shine
24 & 25 November, Sydney
The talents of students from more than 70 regional and rural NSW Public Schools will be showcased in this year's Schools Spectacular in Sydney next month. The performers, aged from 5 to 18, will be prominent among the cast of 3,000 singers, dancers and musicians selected from schools across the State. They are from schools as distant as Louth in the west to Lord Howe Island in the east, Kingscliff in the north and Albury in the south. Many will travel up to 10 hours to Sydney to take part in rehearsals before the show opens. The Spectacular is a brilliantly choreographed and costumed production on an epic scale featuring a 1200-voice choir, an 80-piece orchestra, 1700 dancers, rock, jazz and brass bands and talented soloists. At The Sydney Entertainment Centre, 24 November at 1pm (preview) and 8pm; and 25 November at 2pm and 8pm. Tickets $49/$32//$28 and $18 for the preview. Bookings Ticketmaster 1300 883 622. Website www.schoolsspectacular.com.au

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Regional Arts NSW News

A role for the arts in the NSW State Plan?
Regional Arts NSW has made a submission outlining a role for the arts and culture in whole of community development in response to the draft NSW State Plan - A New Direction for NSW. The State Plan was launched by the Premier, Morris Iemma, in August as part of a widespread community consultation exercise with people across NSW which included meetings across the State. The Plan aims to define the goals and outcomes that the NSW Government and community together agree should shape public policy over the next ten years and has been drafted around a number of themes.
Download a copy of the Regional Arts NSW State Plan Submssion and find links to the NSW Government State Plan website here.

Latest Regional Arts NSW magazine out now
Get your hands on a copy!
The Spring 2006 edition of the Regional Arts NSW magazine, ArtReach, has just come off the press and has been distributed to Members of Parliament, arts funding agencies, local governments, libraries, galleries, theatres, arts organisations, artists and arts workers across regional and rural New South Wales. This edition has a focus on the achievements of the recent three year audience development program at Regional Arts NSW, as well as a round up of stories on arts and cultural activities from around the state. Plus a double page pull out map and guide to the Regional Arts NSW network.
ArtReach is distributed free of charge to non-profit arts and cultural groups with limited budgets. Others we ask to pitch in ($25 for 3 issues). Either way, it's easy to join the mailing list. Find out more on the Regional Arts NSW website here.

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Other News

Western Plains Cultural Centre opening soon
It's the largest capital works program ever undertaken by the Dubbo City Council and it's set to become the 'cultural jewel of the west' when it offically opens later this year. Incorporating the Dubbo Regional Gallery, Dubbo Museum and Community Arts Centre, the expansive $6.5 million dollar Western Plains Cultural Centre is one of the most significant arts and cultural landmarks in the regional New South Wales featuring:
6 exhibition spaces featuring semi-permanent and temporary exhibition spaces, complete with polished cement floorss
a community arts centre with workshop facilities
several meeting rooms and a lecture theatre plus
a dust-free preparation room
extensive storage space for the permanent collection and - of course -
a café
The Centre opened to the public on 27 September and a Grand Opening Ceremony will be held later this year. Contact Tel 02 6801 4431. More information on the Dubbo City Council website here

Northern Rivers forms creative industry consortium
A creative industries consortium has been established in the Northern Rivers, bringing together the arts, regional development, education and tourism sectors in a new strategic alliance to support and promote creative industry development. The Consortium was launched with an official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by:
Arts Northern Rivers
Northern Rivers Screenworks
North Coast Entertainment Industry Association
Northern Rivers Performing Arts
Northern Rivers Writers Centre
Northern Rivers Regional Development Board
Southern Cross University
North Coast Institute of TAFE and
Northern Rivers Tourism
The signing took place at the launch of an important new report by Cathy Henkel, “Imagining the Future 2”, which charts the growth of the creative industries and screen industries in the region.
Download the report from the QUT website here

Tweed River Art Gallery Stage 2 now open
Australian Arts Patron and icon, Margaret Olley AC, officially opened Stage 2 of the Tweed River Art Gallery on 15 September. The new exhibition space will enable the Gallery to permanently display a selection of its Australian Portrait Collection.
More information on the gallery's website here

Country Energy & Sydney Opera House win NSW AbaF Regional Award
Country Energy and the Sydney Opera House have won an Australian Business Art Foundation (AbaF) QantasLink Regional Award for taking the proms on tour to children in regional NSW. The award was one of six in New South Wales announced at a ceremony in Sydney on 20 September. "Beyond its community impact, this partnership has provided both organisations with the opportunity to help diversify their business operations and fulfil organisational objectives," says AbaF. The six ACT/NSW winners will now compete against winners from each State for the 2006 AbaF Award at the national level in their category, with the winners to be announced on 26 October.
Full story on the AbaF website here

Dalmeny artist wins Basil Sellers Art Prize
Dalmeny resident Jennifer Hawkins has been awarded the coveted Basil Sellers Art Prize for 2006. The $10,000 prize attracted many of the region's artists and an exhibition of finalists is on now at the Mechanics Hall in Moruya until 8 October. According to a report in the Narooma News, Jennifer Hawkins trained at the Canberra School of Art and describes the Eurobodalla Coast as being "knee-deep in cultural energy" and a great place to live and grow.
Full story on the Narooma News website here

Sensual steel wins Thursday Plantation Prize
"Abstraction that speaks to the heart," is how Tanja artist Richard Moffatt described 'No 433,' the work that has won him the $15,000 major acquisition prize at the 11th annual Thursday Plantation East Coast Sculpture Show. Made from 1500 kilos of scrap steel, the sculpture’s rust-red tubing curves around itself in continuous, intertwined loops, creating a sense of fluid intimacy. This year’s sculpture show features 62 new works by 56 east coast artists. The show is located in the botanical gardens and rainforest groves of Thursday Plantation, off the Pacific Highway near Ballina. It runs until 31 January 2007. Contact Priya Woolston, Curator Tel 02 6620 5147 Mob 0417 026 564 Email sculpture@tphealth.com Website www.sculptureshow.net

Albury student runner-up in Young Writer Award
The Border Mail reports that local Year 11 Albury High School student, Andrew Kiely's tale about life through the eyes of a toaster was runner-up in The Sydney Morning Herald Young Writer of the Year award. Kiely's fictitious 1000-word story, titled 'Of Breakfast and Bathrooms' was written as part of an English assignment. Kiely was the Riverina region division winner and was up against some of the best young writers in NSW. Andrew travelled to Sydney for a presentation at the Museum of Contemporary Art where he received a plaque for his efforts
Full story on Border Mail website here

2006 Parliament of NSW Indigenous Art Prize
Finalists announced
Works by 38 artists and one collaborative work have been selected for exhibition at the NSW Parliament from 4th October to 2nd November as part of the Parliament of NSW Indigenous Art Prize, with the winner to be announced on 17 October. Offering a $20 000 acquisitive award for Indigenous artists born or living in NSW, the Prize is now in its second year. The inaugural Prize winner was Esme Timbery with her blue shellworked bridges, representing the important shellwork tradition of the La Perouse community in Sydney. 2006 features a new award sponsored by the College of Fine Arts, UNSW. The COFA Professional Development Award includes a two week residency and solo exhibition at EPS Gallery, COFA. Also for the first time, a selection of works from the 2006 Prize will tour NSW regional galleries. The works will be shown in Bega, Cowra, Coffs Harbour and Kempsey. The Prize is organised by the Parliament of NSW and the Campbelltown Arts Centre, with the support of Arts NSW. The regional tour is co-ordinated by Museums and Galleries NSW. Contact Yvette Andrews, NSW Parliament Tel 02 9230 2775 or Megan Davis, Campbelltown Arts Centre Tel 02 4645 4100.

Country Energy Landscape Prize finalists announced
Forty two paintings have been selected as finalists from amongst over 450 entries in this year's $35,000 Country Energy Art Prize for Landscape painting. This year's judge is renowned Australian artist, Tim Storrier, who is based in Bathurst. The winner will be announced at the Goulburn Regional Art Gallery on 12 October and the exhibition of all 42 finalists' works will continue until 11 November.
Full story and pictures on the Country Energy website here

CWA doco series to film in regional NSW
Not All Tea and Scones, a 4 x 26 min documentary series for ABC TV has received a grant of $7,412 from the FTO’s Regional Filming Fund to enable the program to be filmed in regional NSW. Produced by Carmel Travers and Cheryl Conway, the documentary is about the Country Women's Association and the bond that binds rural Australia together through its current battlegrounds, both political and social. Shooting will take place in Condobolin, Parkes, Forbes, Grafton, Maitland, Singleton, Narrabri and Bourke. Not All Tea and Scones is scheduled for completion in December 2006.
Also last month, the FTO announced provision of a $100,000 Regional Filming Fund grant for a new TV drama for Channel Ten and ITV (UK) - To Catch A Killer - The Joanne Lees Story - to be shot entirely in New South Wales. Contact Melissa Lee Tel 02-9264-6400 Email leem@fto.nsw.gov.au

Bathurst Theatre Company goes pro after 50 years
In a move that takes it one step further away from the amateur status it has held for over 50 years, the Bathurst Theatre Company has decided to employ an administrator. President Kathy Cameron described it as "a huge moment in the company’s history." "It is unrealistic to expect volunteers to maintain the required level of commitment and pace necessary for BTC to continue at its current status and grow into the future," she said. Contact Tracy Sorensen Tel 0414 955 049. Website www.bathursttheatrecompany.org.au

Accessible Arts grants for regional celebrations
Nineteen small grants have been made by Accessible Arts to assist rural and regional organisations to present events for International Day of People with a Disability (IDPWD) on 3 December. "The high level of applications is indicative of the continually increasing level of quality and sustainability of IDPWD arts events in regional and rural NSW, " said Accessible Arts. "Many of these organisations are working collaboratively with a range of both arts and disability organisations in their region." The grants were made possible with support from the Department of Ageing, Disability & Home Care. The full list of all the regional IDPWD events will be announced next month or contact Josie Cavallaro Tel 02 9251 6499 Email jcavallaro@aarts.net.au.

Mid North Coast film office relaunch
The Mid North Coast/Armidale Film Office is relaunching under the new name of ScreenLinks and moving from Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour. It is also getting substantial private funding matched by $60,000 from the NSW Government. The film office has helped produce 12 film and TV productions on the mid north coast in the past 18 months.
Full story at ABC Arts Online here

Architects shortlisted for new Dubbo Entertainment Centre
The Dubbo Daily Liberal reports that four architectural firms have been short-listed to design Dubbo's new Regional Entertainment and Convention Centre (RECC).
Full story on the Dubbo Daily Liberal website here

New online regional events website launched
A new online service enabling the listing of all types of events in regional New South Wales has been launched and is now open for business. Regional Events Live is the brainchild of events organiser and 2004 NSW Tourism Awards finalist, Natalie Bramble in the belief that "events in the regions could be co-ordinated and co-operatively marketed to allow everyone to use the service and know what’s going on at the click of a mouse." Basic listings are provided free of charge.
Website www.regionaleventslive.com.au

Orana sculptor honoured in national wine design
The work of Orana based sculptor Russell McQuilty has been honoured by the Penfolds wine company which is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Koonunga Hill range by inviting prominent Australians to create designs for a series of collectable wine bottles. Renowned chef, Tetysua Wakuda, who is an avid collector of McQuilty's work, suggested a distinctive red oriental look inspired by his sculpture for the finish on the Shiraz Cabernet bottle. McQuilty works in steel and specialises in outdoor large scale pieces and miniatures. He has been working full time as a sculptor since 1990, exhibiting extensively throughout Sydney. Represented by Defiance Gallery, with work featured in The Niland and the Jackson Smith collections, he is on the list of "Next Generation Sculptors to Watch" in Michael Reid's How to Buy and Sell Art. Website www.defiancegallery.com

2006 Deadly Awards announced
Winners of the 12th annual Deadly Awards have been announced at a dazzling ceremony at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on 21 September. A record number of votes were received as Australia once again had its say on who deserves Indigenous Australia’s highest honour. The Deadlys recognise excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music, sport, entertainment, the arts and community achievement. Nominees and award winners are chosen by public vote. Stars in gorgeous gowns and sharp suits lit up the red carpet, and a sell-out crowd packed into the Concert Hall to watch the spectacular show.
Full story and pictures on the Vibe website here

$600 million Broadband Connect program launched
The Australian Government has announced it will invest up to $600 million in rural, regional and remote Australia to encourage private sector rollouts of broadband infrastructure as part of the $1.1 billion Connect Australia package, which includes the $878 million Broadband Connect.
Full program guidelines and associated documentation online here

Arts and media groups “aghast” at Ruddock's sedition veto
The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) reports that Australia's visual arts community is aghast at, and mobilising in response to, the announcement by Attorney-General Phillip Ruddock that he will not make the changes to sedition laws which have been recommended by the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC). The changes have also been called for by the Legal and Constitutional Committee of the Senate and by representatives of the legal, arts and media sectors.
Full story and links to the ALRC report on the NAVA website here

ABS releases new Aboriginal arts and culture report
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: involvement in arts and culture, 2001 and 2002 is a new report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics that covers various aspects of involvement in culture, the arts and cultural heritage relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population of Australia.
More information and download the report from Australian Policy Online here

Sponsorship, donations up says AMPAG report
The Australian Major Performing Arts Group has released a report on the key findings of a 2006 survey which found an increase in revenue from sponsorship and donations for major performing arts companies last year of 11.7 per cent to $42.2 million, driven by a surge in philanthropic giving.
Full story and document at Australian Policy online here

CMC sets national arts and culture priorities
At the 19th meeting of the Cultural Ministers Council (CMC) in Wellington, New Zealand on 22 September,
Ministers discussed a national cooperation framework for arts and culture, developments in support for Indigenous arts and culture and emerging opportunities for strengthening the digital content industry. They also reaffirmed their commitment to support performing, touring and visual arts and craft initiatives; considered a report on major trends and challenges facing the cultural sector over the next decade and noted the role of culture in shaping and projecting national identity..
Full story on the DoCITA website here

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Project Reports

Long Paddock Colourful Cattle
September 2006, Across the South West
120 hand-painted ceramic cows have been created by school children to celebrate the launch of Long Paddock Cobb Highway touring route this month. South West Arts engaged Caldwell community artist Wendy McDonald to teach children how to create their unique cows in a day long workshop on 'warm' and 'cool' colours, pattern-making and ceramic paint application techniques. The cows were then taken away for firing. Seven workshops in locations spread over 610 km’s have now been completed with 134 children in total from Ivanhoe, Booligal, Moama, Hay, Deniliquin and Mathoura. The 19 cm high finished cows were installed on the Long Paddock Cobb Highway touring route beginning in Deniliquin and continuing to the Booligal Sheep Races, Mathoura, Moama and Pretty Pine.
Contact Nina O’Brien-Hehir, Regional Arts Development Officer Tel 02 69932010 Mob 0428 886 438.

The Long Paddock Colourful Cattle Project was made possible with a grant from the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund, an Australian Government initiative to support the arts in regional, rural and remote Australia.

Big Brain beats Big Banana
2006, Central West
Coffs Harbour maybe famous for its Big Banana and Nambour for its Big Pineapple but Canowindra is set to trump them all with its latest addition to the list of things big – a Big Brain. The sculpture is the work of six members of the Central West Brain Injury Action group who participated in a series of workshops organised by Arts OutWest’s CelebrateAbility program. Measuring 900 x 600 x 600cm the brain was created in several parts, which come together to make a whole. “Each of the artists was also able to carve onto the brain where their injury occurred, which has been quite therapeutic," said Project Coordinator Ken Hutchinson. The Big Brain will make its first public appearance at the regional arts disability festival, Awakenings, in Horsham Victoria in mid October and it will on display in the the CreateAbility Exhibition in Bathurst on December 3 – International Day of People with Disabilities. Contact Arts OutWest Tel 02 6338 4657 Website www.artsoutwest.org.au

The CreateAbility program was made possible with a grant from The Regional Arts Fund, an Australian Government initiative to support the arts in regional, rural and remote Australia.

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New Resources

DanceNSW magazine
Seeking new regional audiences!
The Ausdance NSW quarterly magazine contains reviews and updates on dance companies and independent artists, educational papers/published papers on current dance issues, updates on events within the industry and more. The magazine is distributed throughout NSW to Ausdance members and the wider dance community. Ausdance NSW is currently trying to target regional arts areas. "We feel it is important for regional communities to have access to this type of publication/information." So if this publication is relevant to your arts practice, contact Ausdance NSW Tel 02 9256 4800 Email administration@dance.net.au and ask for a copy to be mailed to you.

Powerhouse Museum Online Design Magazine
Sydney's Powerhouse Museum has launched a new online magazine designed to showcase the best in design from within its own walls and beyond. Design Hub features news, interviews, opinions, articles and ideas, along with a searchable database of its design and decorative arts collection. Design Hub’s immediate goal is to build momentum and get as many institutions on board as possible. It encourages talented writers and design enthusiasts from all fields to contribute content. The magazine was developed by the Powerhouse Museum with the University of Western Sydney and University of Technology Sydney, and funding from the Australian Research Council. Contact Nicole Bearman Email nicolebe@phm.gov.au Design Hub Website www.dhub.org

Ngapartji Ngapartji – Pitjantjatjara Language Course
May 2006 – February 2007
Ngapartji Ngapartji is a long term inter-generational language-based theatre arts project based in Alice Springs in which the audience is encouraged to learn Pitjantjatjara online beforehand. The commitment to a six-month online language course in Pitjantjatjara takes about one hour per week. Ngapartji Ngapartji will have its world premiere as a full scale production at Melbourne International Arts Festival and in Sydney in October 2006, followed by Perth in 2007. Website www.ngapartji.org

Daring to Dream
Stories from inspirational rural women
A tribute to the many women from rural, regional and remote backgrounds who have dared to take the plunge, set goals and overcome challenges to make their dreams happen. It offers a small snapshot of what can be done and what is being done in rural, regional and remote areas across the State and shows the creativity and resilience of women as they share their stories and provide inspiration and ideas for others.A 120-page full colour book available from the Rural Women's Network for just $11 plus postage. Contact NSW Department of Primary Industries Tel 1800 028 374.

Powerhouse Museum Online Collections Resource
Access 60,000 objects and 25,000 images from the 385,000 objects (spanning history, science, technology, design, industry, decorative arts, music, transport and space exploration) from the Powerhouse Museum. “Social tagging” technology allows browsers to make recommendations, and add their own descriptive keywords to objects to help others in the community discover them. "A goldmine for schools, students, family historians, and the curious." Website www.powerhousemuseum.com

Community building through intergenerational exchange programs
A new report from the National Youth Affairs Research Scheme
Release in late August, 'Community building through intergenerational exchange programs' by Judith MacCallum, David Palmer, Peter Wright, Wendy Cumming-Potvin, Jeremy Northcote, Michelle Brooker and Cameron Tero is based on a literature review and 4 Australian case studies:
the Bankstown Oral History Project in the inner western suburbs of Sydney;
the Radio Holiday Project run by Big hART in rural and remote Tasmania;
the School Volunteer Program based in Perth; and
the Yiriman Project based in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
The report concludes that successful intergenerational exchange programs have four key features in common: Opportunities to develop relationships between generations are provided, as are opportunities for generations to do a range of things together; they have access to a range of support mechanisms; and they take into account certain program-specific issues, such as gender, culture and language. Website www.facs.gov.au

Youth Mentoring Network database
A database of youth mentoring programs across Australia. Handy for practitioners, teachers, parents, youth workers, counsellors, potential volunteers and young people to help find local mentoring programs. To register a mentoring program, or view those listed, follow the links from www.youthmentoring.org.au

ConnectCP Online Database
An international who's who of cultural, policy, planning and research, ConnectCP is a database of cultural policy experts based around the globe. The aim is to stimulate the interaction of people with knowledge in the cultural policy sector, mobilise human resources, and facilitate the flow of cultural policy information. People with the required experience and qualifications are invited to submit a profile and conference organisers and international project developers can use the database to find and contact speakers and review expertise and backgrounds. Contact Email info@connectcp.org Website www.connectcp.org

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What's On

Sculpture in the Forest
Until 29 October, Shoalhaven
This exhibition officially opened Escape Artfest 2006 on the 23rd September in the gardens of Kingstudio Gallery, Milton. Open from Wednesday to Sunday till the end of October. The five acre garden walk offers a relaxing way to view an exciting display of sculptural works from the thought provoking to the whimsical in a range of materials including wood and metals, textiles and fibreglass. Local artists share the exhibition with those from further afield providing an interesting mix of media and ideas. Contact Kingstudio Tel 02 4454 2214 Website www.kingstudio.com.au and www.escapeartfest.info

This Month at the Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery
Until 29 October, Booragul
The Figure in Question:
More than any other 3D form or ‘object’, the human body offers great scope for subjective invention and readily conveys feelings of tenderness, love, power, pity and pain. Features Hunter-based sculptors: Graham Lang, Peter Speight, Peter Tilley, and Trevor Weekes. A gallery project coordinated by Meryl Ryan.
Figure It Out:
The theme of the human figure is further explored through paintings and works on paper from the gallery’s collection, including artists Sir William Dobell, Frances Celtlan, George Gittoes, Brett McMahon and John Turier. A gallery collection exhibition.
Contact Michelle Tel 02 4965 8260 Email mperry@lakemac.com.au Website www.lakemac.com.au

Studio 8
1 – 31 October, Dubbo
An exhibition of artists work featuring Pam Richardson, Dorothy Bond, Dorothy Clarke, Noelene Chapman, Sue Chapman, Elaine McTiernan, Daisy O'Connor and Norma Williams. Opening 2.30pm, 1 October at Red Earth Estate. Contact Tel 02 6885 6676

Gilgandra Coo-ee Festival
Until 2 October, Gilgandra
The Coo-ee Festival commemorates the Coo-ee March when, in 1915, thirty five men from the Gilgandra district set off to march to Sydney to enlist in the army. The Coo-ee Festival Weekend includes a bush poetry evening, main street busking, Saturday street parade, the NSW Coo-ee Calling Championships, Coo-ee Markets, live entertainment and many other novelty and sporting events. Contact Tel 02 6817 8700 or 02 6847 1248.

Coastfest
6 – 8 October, Gosford
The Central Coast Festival of Music Art & Culture is "A three day celebration of unity, when we come together as one family, to build a better community, whilst, experiencing the value of our diversity." CoastFest encourages people of all ages, races and backgrounds come together to share their songs, their dances, their traditions, their stories, their ideas and their knowledge. To be entertained, to learn, to heal, and at the same time, to explore new ways to live with each other and our wonderful environment. Great Headline Acts include: Ash Grunwald, The Audreys, Pape Mbaye & Chosani Afrique and more. Tickets $75 for 3 days, Camping $10pp. Website www.coastfest.org

Drought
Until 8 October, Sydney
Mixing music with visual arts, Drought is a touring exhibition by artists from the Canowindra Art Network, which explores the environmental, economic and social impact of drought in regional Australia. The artists have brought a variety of environmental elements and/or concerns to their work, drawing on a range of sub-themes including the history of drought, aridity, dryness and weather cycles, water management, river systems, animal and plant survival, as well as the challenges of living with drought daily on a local and national level. At the Sydney Conservatorium, Atrium Gallery Space. Contact Tel 02 9351 1298

Kelly Joe Phelps
8 October, Bangalow
Supported by David Ross MacDonald, drummer for The Waifs, Kelly Joe Phelps will be performing original tunes at the A & I Hall. Tickets $35 from Barebones Artspace, Bangalow Contact Tel 02 6687 1393.

North Coast Music Dolphin Awards
10 October, Byron Bay
The 15th Annual Dolphin Awards is the North Coast Music (formerly known as NCEIA) industry award night. The evening will showcase new talent as well as previous award winners who have gone on to successful recording and performing careers. The night promises to mix it up with the best of the region's music gurus. Guest performers include Brittle FX , The Love Bus and Invisible Friend. The Beach Hotel, Byron Bay, 6.30 for 7pm start. $25 + booking fee. Contact Tel 02 6622 3262 or 02 6686 2436 Website www.nceia.org.au

1 in 100 Years
Until 13 October, Balranald
A photographic exhibition exploring the economic and social costs of drought on families and surrounding communities in Balranald. Born from a conversation with a pastoralist who felt that most people didn't have any idea about what it's like to live through a drought, the exhibition aims to spread the word about the impact of the drought on families in drought-affected areas. The photographs were provided by the pastoralists themselves, allowing an opportunity for them to express what it is like to live through this '1 in 100 year' event. At The Gallery Email balarts@bigpond.net.au

Palette of the Hawkesbury
14 – 15 October, Richmond
An exhibition of Bernice Lavender’s landscape oil painting group, including Bernice Lavender, Margaret Terry, Marian Wilcox, Larry Likely, Sue Lavin, Phyllis Barnes, Noela Woods, Gwyneth Cox, Denise Ruse & Amy Barnett. St Peters Church Hall 10am - 3pm. Contact Bernice Tel 02 4577 5343.

Relatively Speaking
14 – 22 October, Bowral
An exhibition by four siblings: Karin Donaldson, a painter and print maker for 40 years, from Wilcannia; Mike Donaldson, a geologist living in Perth, whose colour photography is the product of his love of geology and the Kimberley region; Chris Donaldson, also a photographer, from Mittagong, who has 60 monochrome photographs inspired by a recent European trip on show and Sadhana Peterson, textile artist and potter living in the Blue Mountains. B.D.A.S. Gallery, Short St. Bowral. Opening 13 October, 6.30pm or come along to one of the 'fiestas' and enjoy music and afternoon tea on 15 and 21 October at 2.30pm. Contact Sadhana Tel 0415 991 172 Email sadhana@hermes.net.au

Round and Round and Round
Until 15 October, Albury
Wheels, windmills and worlds to explore, with works inspired by circular forms and motion. From machinery and cars through to the cycle of life, artists draw inspiration from the world around us. The circle holds strong meaning in many cultures as a symbol of wholeness and unity and in modern life it can be seen as the cogs and wheels that drive the world! Kidspace, Albury Regional Gallery Contact Tel 02 6051 3480 Email alburygallery@alburycity.nsw.gov.au

Experimenta Vanishing Point
Until 15 October, Newcastle
Be transported to fantastic wonderland that shifts your perspective of the world. Experimenta Vanishing Point is an exhibition of extraordinary video art and interactive media art by Australian and international digital media artists, filmmakers, scientists, video artists, animators and sound artists. This highly popular exhibition is on in regional New South Wales for the first time ever, at the Newcastle Regional Art Gallery, presented in conjunction with Electrofringe as part of TINA (This Is Not Art) Festival. Featuring Australian artists: David MacLeod & Narinda Reeders, Shaun Gladwell, Daniel Crooks, David Haines & Joyce Hinterding, Grant Stevens and Penny Cain; and international artists: William Kentridge (South Africa), Minim++ (Japan), Ji-Hoon Byun (Korea), June Bum Park (Korea), William Wegman (USA), Shelley Eshkar & Paul Kaiser (USA), Hiraki Sawa (Japan), Luke Jerram (UK), Julie C Fortier (France), Lee Se-Jung (Korea). Free. Contact Tel 02 4974 5100 Email artgallery@ncc.nsw.gov.au

World Rural Women’s Day
15 October, everywhere
Rural women the world over play a major role in the development and stability of rural areas. Yet, with little or no status, they frequently lack the power to secure land rights or to access vital services such as credit, training and education. Their vital contribution to society goes largely unnoticed. World Rural Women's Day aims to change this by reminding us how much we owe to rural women and to give value and credit to their work. (There's also a Rural Women's Day award - see Awards, below).

Festival of the Stars
18 October – 18 November, Coonabarabran
Coonabarabaran and the beautiful Warrumbungle National Park form the backdrop for the annual Festival of the Stars. The month long celebration of all things astronomical caters for all tastes, including exhibitions, poetry readings, concerts, stargazing nights, science in the pub and tours of the professional observatories as well as the annual Bok lecture, which especially focused to make astronomy accessible for the non-scientist – and lots more across a range of venues. Contact Tel 02 6849 2141 Full program available first week October online here.

Happy Anniversary Gallery of C!
19 October – 3 November, Coonabarabran
A joint exhibition of new works by director Claudia Stern and her staff Yvonne Galvin, Kathy Rosewarne and Lesa Towers will celebrate the second anniversary of The Art Gallery of C and the official launch of the new art supply store. To be opened by Mayor Peter Shinton at 5.30pm on Thursday, October 19, all are welcome. Tel 02 6843 8273 Website www.theartgalleryofc.biz

Walk in Beauty
20 October, Byron Bay
A Native American spiritual experience with J. Reuben Silverbird, an NGO Ambassador for World Peace with the United Nations, and an intuitive shamanic healer. J. Reuben Silverbird will be performing the Sacred Peace Concert at the Byron Bay Community Centre. Tickets moshtix Tel 02 9209 4614.

14th Annual Women's Gathering
20 – 22 October, Grafton
Featuring a range of workshops, speakers and tours (plus food of course!) the Annual Women's Gathering will also this year featur Project Sprout - a weekend long workshop for 16 women who will work with a team of screen and digital media practitioners to document the event, using the new state-of-the-art media facilities at the Grafton Campus of the North Coast Institute of TAFE.
Websites www.womensgathering2006.org.au for the program and registration information and www.projectsprout.com.au for Project Sprout.

CASPA Art Show
20 – 22 October, Clunes
Featuring works from across the Northern Rivers at Clunes Old School – all for sale. Tickets for Opening night, featuring a special guest appearance by ‘Vanessa Wagner’, are $10, available at the door . The weekend exhibition is free – plus you can vote for your favourite artwork in the Children’s Art Competition about Christmas. The 10 most voted for artworks will be made into Christmas Cards, with all proceeds to go to CASPA who help local Northern Rivers children who can no longer live at home due to neglect or abuse. Contact Kay Tel 0408 834 799.

Telstra Countrywide Sapphire City Festival
20 – 29 October, Inverell
A full week of varied activities to celebrate Spring in Inverell: a garden competition and open gardens, street parade with marching band, art exhibition, bottle and collectables show, Markets, Horse and Carriage Tours and the finale of the festival – a fireworks spectacular and activities for the whole family. Contact Inverell Tourism Tel 02 6728 8161.

Sugar & Symphony: Music Under the Stars
21 October, Murwillumbah
Grab your picnic rug and hamper for a great night of music when the Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra performs under the stars at Wollumbin High School, which features a natural amphitheatre with a spectacular backdrop of cane-fields and Mount Warning. All proceeds toward developing state of the art technology facilities for students. Opens with a showcase of talent from the school and the finale will include a traditional lighting of a cane field to the sounds of the 1812 Overture. Local service clubs will be selling BBQ snacks, tea and coffee. Tickets $17-$27, Contact Wollumbin High School Tel 02 6672 5121.

This Month at the Grafton Regional Gallery
Until 22 October, Grafton
The O'Grady Sisters Redrawn – Five women artists whose work is held in the gallery's collection, Lyndall Adams, Alison Williams, Christine Willcocks, Jenny Kitchener and Jan Davis, were invited by curator Akky van Ogtrop to respond to the landscape work of Gladys and Doris O'Grady. In the Main gallery
Rindi Salomon & Andrew Shillman: Night City – A collection of works Print maker Rindi and sculptor Andrew collaborate together producing work that reflects, dancers, nightclub dwellers and other ordinarary night scenes transformed into universal scenes. In Prentice House
Three Dimensions: 1966 to 2006 – A rare exhibition of three dimensional artworks held in the Gallery's Collection evokes the visual history of the North Coast region from the 1960s on. In the Loft
Between Bridges – Eighteen artists explore well-being through art. In the Studio
Contact Grafton Regional Gallery Jude McBean Tel 02 6642 3177

Violin Recital
22 October, Kendall
An afternoon recital with Jennen Ngiau-Keng, the winner of the 2006 Kendall National Violin Competition. Jennen will be accompanied by Amir Farid. At the Kendall School of Arts at 2pm. Tickets $25/15, Contact Mavis Barnes Tel 02 6559 2339 or Elaine van Kempen Tel 02 6559 6888.

Scar: Stories of the Earth
Until 27 October, Gilgandra
Western Plains-based artist, Kim Goldsmith reveals the scars of life on the land, in a solo exhibition at the Gilgandra Coo-ee Heritage Centre. Scar: stories of the earth is Goldsmith’s second solo exhibition, and consists of paintings, collages, digital prints and sculptural installation pieces. She utilises both found and natural objects in her work, such as rusted wires, eggs and feathers, stones and bones, soil, sand and a broad range of art mediums. Contact the Gilgandra Coo-ee Heritage Centre Tel 02 6817 8700 Email tourism@gilgandra.nsw.gov.au.

'Welcome Here' Cultural Festival
27 October, Wollongong
All are welcome to a unique cultural festival celebrating the contribution that refugees both past and present have made to the Wollongong community. There will be diverse multicultural concerts from the local community, workshops, movies, art and traditional craft exhibitions, storytelling and food, and information stalls, all celebrating refugee week. Performances and exhibitions will include participants both young and old from various countries including Burundi, Liberia, Sudan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Croatia, Chile, Peru, Korea, Laos, Macedonia, India, and Afghanistan. At the Wollongong Town Hall, free. Contact Mignon Lee-Warden Multicultural Arts Officer, Illawarra Ethnic Communities Council Tel 02 4229 7566 Email mignon@iecc.org.au

The Idea of North
28 October, Wagga Wagga
Acapella singing group featuring four young singers with an infectious energy and sophisticated programs. Jazz supremo James Morrison has long regarded them as "the best contemporary vocal group in the country." "The singers' sense of timing is flawless, their collective rhythm and harmonies so precise. But it's not just straight technical accuracy which makes this group truly world class. It's the musicians' humour, constant audience engagement and clever arrangements of classic tunes." At the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, 7:30pm. Contact Tel 02 6926 9688 Website www.civictheatre.com.au

William Shakespeare (abridged)
1, 3, 4, 10, 11 November, Mullumbimby & 17, 18 November, Lismore
An hilarious 90-minute sprint through all of Shakespeare’s plays presented by Byron Shire’s Sweet Whispers theatre company at the Drill Hall and the Star Court Theatre. The Reduced Shakespeare has travelled all over the world, and in this latest incarnation the actors and director will be injecting it with special local flavour and personal relevance. From macabre cookery show to Shakespeare the rap artist, from well-known speeches to insane audience participation, this really is the show with everything! Tickets for Mullumbimby $20/15, from Santos in Mullumbimby and Byron Bay; for Lismore performances $25/20, from Caddies in Lismore.

The Jade Paladin & The Flying Garuda
2 – 4 November, Mullumbimby
Following the destiny of a young knight through six episodes filled with glamour, pageantry and exotic mystery, will be created a dazzling display of costumes, fabrics, dance, music, drama, lighting, body decoration, jewellery... that shimmers, sighs, ruffles, whispers, rustles and echos! WAVE (Wearable Arts Vision in Education) is a lively, imaginative, artistic performance event synthesizing all the arts. At Shearwater (The Mullumbimby Steiner School) $40. Contact Sandra Morgan 02 6684 3223 Email smorgan@shearwater.nsw.edu.au Website http://wave.shearwater.nsw.edu.au

Sport and War
12 November, Wagga Wagga
Sport and war have fired national passions and have helped shape the Australian identity for more than one hundred years. This travelling exhibition from the Australian War Memorial combines these themes to highlight the long association between sport and war in Australian history and traces how wartime experiences are reflected in modern sporting events. At the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery. Contact Tel 02 6926 9660 Website www.waggaartgallery.org

The Cat Empire
25 November, Mullimbimby
Back for another spectucular gig, this band are performing an all ages show at the Mullumbimby Leagues Club. Last time tickets sold out weeks in advance, so get in early or you will miss out! Tickets $45/$35 available from Mullumbimby Book Shop Tel 02 6684 1413

Watermark Literary Dinner
18 November, Kendall
The 2006 Watermark Literary Dinner will feature 2006 Miles Franklin Award winner Roger McDonald. At the Kendall School of Arts, 7pm for 7:30pm. Cost $40, fully catered (BYO). Contact Lyndal Coote Tel 02 6559 9953 Email muster@watermarkliterarysociety.asn.au

Grants, Fellowships + Residencies

MGnsw VIM Grants
The Volunteer Initiated Museums (VIM) grant program provides assistance to volunteer initiated community museums in NSW - to provide access to funding and to provide experience in the grant application process. There are two grants available:
The VIM Small Grant – to meet the short-term requirements of community museums.
The VIM Development Grant – to allow community museums to carry out projects that have mid to long term outcomes, with a focus on strategic and innovative issues.
The Program is managed by MGnsw and funded by Arts NSW. Contact Megan Barham, Projects Officer, Tel 02 9339 9913 Email meganb@mgnsw.org.au
Closing 6 October

Australia Council for the Arts
Run_Way 2000 Initiative
A program designed to extend and enliven experiences and understanding of interdisciplinary arts and new media arts practice. The initiative is for young and emerging artists and artsworkers 30 years of age and under. Tel 02 9215 9132 Email n.stromqvist@ozco.gov.au
Website www.ozco.gov.au
Closing 15 October

Martin Bequest Travelling Scholarships
Scholarships to assist young, talented Australians to explore and develop their artistic gifts aboard and interstate. The awards are open to native-born Australians aged 21-35 (17-35 for ballet) who are of outstanding ability and promise in one or more categories of the arts. The scholarships are intended to augment a scholar’s own resources towards a cultural education, and may be used for study, maintenance, and travel either in Australia or overseas. There are twelve awards made annually, valued at $18,000 each. The categories vary from year to year. Contact Tel 02 9326 5507 Email trustawards@cauzgroup.com.au Website www.trust.com.au
Closing 27 October

Arrive Alive Grants
The Motor Accidents Authority (MAA) is worried about the number of 17 - 25 year olds involved in road crashes. Young people are being called upon to develop a road safety program for their peers in their local area. The theme for this round is Passenger Safety and/or Driver Distraction. Applicants can apply for up to $10,000 in funds for projects. Contact Heather Newland Tel 02 8267 1906 (leave a message) Email hnewland@maa.nsw.gov.au Website www.arrivealive.com.au
Closing 30 October

Australia Council for the Arts
Dance Board
Fellowships – provides two years of financial support to artists with a record of outstanding achievement so they can undertake a program of creative work or professional development.
New Work – supports the creation of new dance works. The Dance Board encourages artists to take time to develop a new work; to proceed to each stage of its life cycle following a critical analysis of what has been accomplished.
Skills and Arts Development – three different types of grants open to individuals and organisations, including one specifically aimed at youth emerging artists.
Contact Tel 02 9215 9109 Email dance@ozco.gov.au Website www.ozco.gov.au
Closing 1 November

Australia Council for the Arts
Visual Arts Board
Initiatives – As part of the Australian Government's Young and Emerging Artists Initiative, the Visual Arts Board is offering grants of up to $10,000 to support Artist Run Initiatives (ARIs) 2007.
Contact Tel 02 9215 9068 Email vab@ozco.gov.au Website www.ozco.gov.au
Closing 1 November

Australia Council for the Arts
Inter-Arts Office
Skills and Arts Development (music) – supports skills development for professional artists and artsworkers, and programs and services of organisations that contribute to the development of music practice in Australia.
Presentation and Promotion (music) – supports one-off projects that present, publish, distribute and/or market quality music of any style.
New Work (music) – supports one-off projects that involve the creation or development of new musical material or music and new media projects.
Contact Tel 02 9215 9116 Email interarts@ozco.gov.au Website www.ozco.gov.au
Closing 15 November

Australia Council for the Arts
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Board
Fellowships – provides financial support for two years to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to enable them to undertake a major creative project or program in their artform.
Skills and Arts Development – assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and arts organisations to develop ideas and skills, not necessarily with a public outcome.
New Work – supports projects that assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, arts organisations or community organisations to create new work with an expected public outcome.
Presentation and Promotion: supports projects which promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and their work regionally, internationally and internationally through publications, recordings, performances, exhibitions and international export. Contact Tel 02 9215 9065
Email atsia@ozco.gov.au Website www.ozco.gov.au
Closing 15 November

Australia Council for the Arts
Theatre Board
New Work: supports one-off projects that result in the creation of new theatre work. This can include a new production of an established text.
Skills and Arts Development: supports activities that provide professional development opportunities to individual theatre workers, or that contribute to the overall development of the artform in Australia.
Fellowships: provides individual artists with financial support to undertake a two-year program of creative work and/or professional development that extends their practice and develops their career. It is for artists with a record of outstanding achievement.
Contact Tel 9215 9105 Email theatre@ozco.gov.au Website www.ozco.gov.au
Closing 15 November

Australia Council for the Arts
Music Board
New Work: This category supports one-off projects that involve the creation or development of new musical material or music and new media projects.
Presentation and Promotion: This category supports one-off projects that present, publish, distribute and/or market quality music of any style.
Skills and Arts Development: This category supports skills development for professional artists and artsworkers, and programs and services of organisations that contribute to the development of music practice in Australia.
Contact Tel 9215 9104 Email music@ozco.gov.au Website www.ozco.gov.au
Closing 15 November

Marketing Grant for NSW Artists (NAVA)
This award is designed to assist professional visual artists and craftspeople in NSW to effectively market their work throughout NSW, interstate and overseas by implementing creative and cost-effective marketing initiatives and campaigns. The funds are to assist directly with the costs associated with the development and implementation of a marketing plan, for example, the preparation and distribution of a portfolio, conducting market research, building contacts, creating and maintaining a database, setting up a website, or a publicity campaign. Applications for assistance toward production of artwork, space rental, freight, insurance, or technical assistance costs will not be considered. Grants up to $1,250 ($1,375 inc GST) are available to individuals, up to $2,500 ($2,750 inc GST) are available to groups. Contact Tel 02 9368 1900 Email nava@visualarts.net.au Website www.visualarts.net.au
Closing 15 November

Visual and Craft Artists' Grants Scheme (NAVA)
Grants providing assistance towards the costs of public presentation of visual arts, craft and design. This can include, but is not limited to: framing, media releases, media photographs, advertising, space rental, installation costs, promotional printing, mail outs, documentation, freight, travel, equipment rental, insurance, technical assistance and opening costs. These grants do not provide assistance towards the production of artwork (materials, studio rental, research etc.) Applications must be prepared and submitted by the artist or artists exhibiting, not their venue, agent or exhibition curator. Amounts available are: $500 for individuals and $1,000 for groups. Contact Tel 02 9368 1900 Email nava@visualarts.net.au Website www.visualarts.net.au
Closing 15 November

Australia Council for the Arts
Music Board
International Market Development Program: aims to assist with strategic international artistic and market development activities for Australian music and musicians. It supports activities where there is little likelihood of short or medium-term commercial success, but where the benefits of arts development and market development can be clearly demonstrated.
Contact Tel 9215 9104 Email music@ozco.gov.au Website www.ozco.gov.au
Closing 1 December

Vasanta Scholarship
Offering grants for students of the violin, piano, organ, cello or viola who have spent the great part of their lives in New South Wales, to travel abroad to study at an appropriate institution for a period of no less than one year. It is intended that the Scholarship be for a term of one year and be awarded on a biennial basis commencing in 2007. For 2007, the prize money will be $7,000 and will be paid in two equal instalments of $3,500 over one year. Contact Tel 02 9326 5507 Email trustawards@cauzgroup.com.au Website www.trust.com.au
Closing 1 December

Graham F Smith Peace Trust
Working for peace through the arts: an ongoing program offering grants of up to $1,500 for arts projects which address the aims of the Trust - promoting peace, justice, and care for the environment. Projects should accord with one or more of the Trust's objectives relating to peace, justice, the ending of oppression and discrimination and the alternatives to war as a means of solving international disputes as well as other themes, including environment and Indigenous issues. Projects should focus on process, not only outcome, include the possibility of an educational component and should be thoughtfully documented. Contact John Hayward Email info@artspeacetrust.org Website www.artspeacetrust.org (where you can also join the Artists for Peace network).
No Closing Date

2007 NSW Seniors Week Achievement Program
Awards to highlight and recognise seniors across NSW for their contribution to the development of the community and for their leadership and initiative. The awards provide an opportunity to formally thank older people for their contributions that they make to the quality of life in NSW. Up to 60 awards are made for outstanding nominations. To be presented at a ceremony in Sydney at the launch of NSW Seniors Week on 12 March 2007. Contact the Seniors Information Service Tel 13 12 44 Website www.dadhc.nsw.gov.au
Closing 6 October

Ergon Energy Central Award
A national acquisitive art award and exhibition of 2D works on paper (including paintings, drawings, photographs, prints, collage & digital art) completed within the last two years. The major award is $10,000 and there will be additional purchases of $10,000 + for Central Queensland collections. Contact Rockhampton Art Gallery Tel 07 4927 7129 Email gallery@rcc.qld.gov.au
Closing 6 October

Fishers Ghost Art Award
Open to artists from all over Australia. Prize money in excess of $30,000. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Fisher's Ghost Festival. To celebrate the anniversary, the prize money for the Open category has been increased to $25,000. Contact Campbelltown Arts Centre Email liz.cox@campbelltown.nsw.gov.au Website www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au
Closing 10 October

Kids Art Competition
Clunes
An art competition for all children with the theme of “Christmas”. Children are encouraged to enter in water colour, oils or any other 2D medium with any size up to A4 accepted. Numerous prizes for a variety of age groups. Entry is by gold coin donation – All proceeds go to CASPA who help local Northern Rivers children who can no longer live at home due to neglect or abuse. All entries will be on display at the CASPA Art Show at Clunes Old School 20 - 22 October. The 10 most voted for art works will be made into Christmas Cards for CASPA to continue to help raise funds. Contact Kay Tel 0408 834 799.
Closing 12 October

2007 Australian Bush Laureate Awards
Recognising excellence in Australian bush verse and encouraging and promoting the publishing, recording and performing of traditional Australian rhymed verse. Nominations now sought for the 2007 awards, to be presented in Tamworth on 23 January 2007. There are six categories including Book of the Year, Original Verse Book of the Year, Album of the Year, Single Recorded Performance of the Year and the Judith Hosier Heritage Award for services to bush poetry. Contact Tel 02 6762 2993 Website www.bushlaureate.com.au
Closing 13 October

RIRDC Rural Women's Award
Aimed at women involved in the primary industries with a great idea for their industry, community or their own skills development. Provides a Bursary of $10,000 for each State winner to attend the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course. One of the winners to be selected as the RIRDC Rural Women’s Award Australian winner. This year's NSW winner will also receive a Women in Business Mentor Package valued at $1,500 provided by the NSW Department of State and Regional Development. Website www.agric.nsw.gov.au
Closing 15 October

Celluloid Soup: Melbourne Jewish Short Film Festival
An initiative of the Jewish Museum of Australia, the gala screening on 26 November will give film-makers of all abilities the chance to strut their stuff to a panel of industry judges and an appreciative film-loving audience. The theme for 2006 is 'The Wandering Jew'. Organisers are encouraging anyone interested in producing a short film with this theme up to seven minutes long, to have a go and enter. Great prizes are on offer. Previous films made for Celluloid Soup have progressed to screen at a range of festivals including the St Kilda Film Festival and have been screened on SBS. Contact Website www.jewishmuseum.com.au
Closing 16 October

ABC Symphony Australia: Young Performers Awards
Aimed at nurturing the talent and ambitions of Australia's young musicians (>30 years). Originally known as the Concerto and Vocal Competition, the Awards are held in four stages - two recitals with piano accompaniment, and two performances with Symphony Australia orchestras. The winner of the Grand Final receives a total of $10,000 in cash, multiple copies of a CD of the winning performance and recital program and at least three concert engagements with a Symphony Australia orchestra. Contact Greg Low, Sydney Symphony Orchestra Tel 02 8215 4691 Email greg.low@sydneysymphoney.com Website www.symphony.net.au
Closing 27 October

Condom Art Competition
An art competition organised by the Qld Association for Healthy Communities is to promote safe sex. The Condom Competition encourages artists who are Australian residents to submit positive works of art (photography, collage, song, sculpture, painting, animation, video clips/mpegs) that encourage the use of condoms and promote safe sex. A $1,500 cash award is offered. Winning entries will be used by the Qld Association for Healthy Communities, with acknowledgement to the artist, to promote condom use. Contact Rosz Craig Tel 07 3017 1734 Email rcraig@qahc.org.au
Closing 31 October

Burnie Print Prize 2007: Selected Exhibition and Aquisitive Award
A national competition for works to be selected for exhibition from 21 March 2007 as part of 'Ten Days on the Island' in Tasmania (23 March - 1 April 2007). One winning work will be selected for a $7,000 Acquisitive Award. An additional Acquisition Fund of up to $4,000 is available for the purchase of selected works for the permanent print collection. Contact Burnie Regional Art Gallery Contact Tel 02 6430 5875 Email gallery@burnie.net Website www.burnie.net
Closing 3 November

Patrick White Award for Young Playwrights
A major playwriting initiative of Sydney Theatre Company and The Sydney Morning Herald, this is Australia's richest award for a full-length unproduced play of any genre by an Australian playwright 20 years of age or over. The award encourages a new generation of young writers to discover their voices and dramatically explore the world around them. Two winners (one junior, one senior) will participate in a workshop with a professional director, dramaturg and cast which culminates in a staged reading at STC. The two young playwrights will also each receive $1,000 courtesy of The Sydney Morning Herald and judges also present a number of Merit Awards in each age category. Submissions should be one-act plays on any subject, and no longer than 30 minutes in length. Contact Email feedback@sydneytheatre.com.au Website www.sydneytheatre.com.au
Closing 20 November

Fellowship of Australian Writers Di Cranston Award
Entries are invited from all Australian writers of any age for this award for a stage or radio play, TV script or screenplay on any topic. Winning and commended scripts will be reviewed by a film producer for potential as a feature film or television script production, and the winner will receive $250. Chosen scripts may also receive a development grant. Submissions should be no more than 120 pages and be in script format, securely fastened with a bulldog clip, copies will not be returned. Entry Fee $10. Contact Email blundell@vicnet.net.au Website www.writers.asn.au
Closing 30 November

Cook's Landing Site Design Competition
An Australian Government competition for a monument design that "commemorates all that Captain Cook's landing at Botany Bay represents." Entries are invited for "a monument design befitting the site that witnessed the first recorded contact between Britain and eastern Indigenous Australians, where the scientific exploration of Australia commenced and the site that represents the birthplace of a nation." The winner will receive $10,000 and the design will be created into a monument at the site. The competition is open to all Australians. Entry is free but all entrants must register. Website www.deh.gov.au
Closing February

Play Now Act Now
Do you live in NSW? Are you aged 16 to 25? Do you have a story to tell about alcohol and other drugs? Do you want to share $12,000 in cash prizes? Then start filming, writing or designing NOW. Play Now Act Now is a film/video, graphic design, writing & mobile movies competition that invites young people to produce creative resources that examine issues around the usage of alcohol & other drugs. Contact Tel 02 9361 5318 Email k.douglas@metroscreen.org.au Website www.playnowactnow.net.au
Closing 23 February

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About this e-Bulletin

Deadline for next e-Bulletin
The Regional Arts NSW e-Bulletin is published on the 1st day of every month (or next business day), with a deadline for contributions of seven days before the end of the month.
The deadline for contributions to the November e-Bulletin is 25 October.

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The Regional Arts NSW e-Bulletin contains no repeat listings but there are always other opportunities, grants and/or prizes still available from previous editions. Access them on the archive here.

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The Regional Arts NSW e-Bulletin is part of the Regional Arts NSW Communications Program, made possible with funding from the Regional Arts Fund, an Australian Government initiative supporting the arts in regional and remote Australia.

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Regional Arts NSW

Regional Arts NSW is the peak body for the arts and community cultural development in regional and rural New South Wales Tel 02 9270 2500 Email admin@regionalartsnsw.com.au
Website www.regionalartsnsw.com.au.

Regional Arts NSW receives funding from the Regional Arts Fund, an Australian Government initiative supporting the arts in regional and remote Australia and the NSW Ministry for the Arts.

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