Mayoral Column - 14 February 2024
Published on 14 February 2024
One of my favourite things about the Cessnock LGA is our rich history, and I’m excited that Cessnock City Library is soon launching its annual heritage program, Talking History 2024, due to begin this March.
The dynamic program will run over the year and is designed to showcase the vibrant heritage and culture of Cessnock and surrounding suburbs, including three exciting exhibitions, history tours at local pubs, and the ever-popular history walks. There’ll certainly be something for everyone to uncover the interesting past of our wonderful city! Drop into Cessnock or Kurri Kurri library to pick up a copy of the full program, or visit the ‘What’s On’ section of the Cessnock City libraries website.
I’m also pleased to say Council has opened its latest round of Visitor Economy Grants to help boost local businesses and mid-week visitor numbers. Organisations or individuals wanting to host events, run projects, and hold conferences in the Hunter Valley region are invited to apply, with the grants providing up to $25,000 in financial support.
Our region is brimming with opportunity, and I’m all for backing initiatives that help to grow our visitor economy, further unlock our potential, and continue to build on Council’s ongoing commitment to promote local tourism. The Visitor Economy Grants and Sponsorship Program allow us to do just that.
Applications for this round of grants are taking place between 1 – 29 February 2024, so don’t forget to apply before month’s end! For more information about the Visitor Economy Grants and Sponsorship Program, please visit our Council and club grants page here.
Speaking of potential, we’ve also recently introduced a new initiative to assist community members over the age of 55 in finding employment, with a free over-55s employment session and morning tea coming up on 20 March.
It’s important to recognise the wealth of knowledge, life experience, and skills that older community members bring to the table, which is why Council is wholeheartedly committed to bolstering the employment prospects of over 55s within our community.
By providing this dedicated employment session and connecting job seekers with local employers, we’re offering opportunities for mature-aged individuals to pursue meaningful careers and contribute to the local economy. We invite local business to join us in this initiative and benefit from a pool of experienced and reliable workers. Businesses can submit an expression of interest on the day of the event or in advance by filling out this form.
Find out more information or register for your free ticket by visiting this page.