September 2021

Hello Everyone.

This is my last message before the Mayor is declared and they will be taking over this message once again. 

Voting for the local election has closed, and the votes are being counted! Katherine has been keeping a close eye on the tally in anticipation of who will be representing them for the next four (4) years. The declaration of the poll will be announced on the 13 September and will be interesting to see who is declared. Council staff are preparing for the new Council with their inauguration and local government training/seminar presented by Dr Felicity Lewis.
 
Council was a proud supporter of the recent postponed Territory Day event. It was a great opportunity for local talent to perform in front of the community and to come together and celebrate being a Territorian.
 
To enhance the livability of our community Council is always looking at ways to deliver projects to result in improvements to Katherine. Last week the resurfacing of the netball/basketball courts were completed. Council spent $30,000 on this project with the rest being grant-funded. This project wouldn’t have been made possible without the initiative of Katherine Netball Association applying for a grant and being successful. Council encourages community groups to take advantage of grants that become available.
 

 

2021/22 Katherine Town Council’s Community Grants Program is closing Sunday 12 September 2021. Funding through this Grant Program is available to assist community groups and major events in the Katherine region. Applicants may apply for up to $2,000 for community group projects and purchases or $5,000 for major events. Get in before they close! More information can be found on the Councils website.
 
Katherine Public Library hosted Leading Lines exhibition last week, which was well attended. This photographic exhibition paid tribute to some of Katherines long term locals. I encourage the community to go and view the exhibit, open until the end of September.
 
It is starting to warm up, and we are all aware the wet season is right around the corner. Before this commences come along and participate in the Great Northern Clean Up on the 25 September 2021 at Ryan Park. Together we can help to keep our community clean and ensure no rubbish is ending up washing into our beautiful Katherine River. Volunteers will be entered into a draw to win some amazing prizes! Thanks to The Y Katherine and Katherine Cinema 3 for donating prizes. More information can be found on the Katherine Town Council website.







   

Sportsgrounds Pavilion Update

PROJECT BRIEF SCOPE The scope of works include;
  • Demolition of the existing building -  COMPLETED
  • Earthworks - COMPLETED
  • Laying of Underground Services (Electrical and Hydraulics) – COMPLETED
  • Main Building works, including hardscape to its perimeter, shading awning and landscaping works – STRUCTURAL WORK COMMENCED
  • The main building includes 4 x Change rooms, Male & Female Toilets, Outdoor Function Space, Kitchen, Offices, Storerooms, First Aid Room, Comms Room and Cleaners Room
  • Upgradation to Electrical and Hydraulic works
  • New landscaping works around the building

The project is anticipated to be completed by January 2022.

Wayfinding Signage Installation


The wayfinding project was developed to help community members and tourists find their way around the town. Request for Quotation has been sent out to local Contractors for installation. 

 

Netball Court Upgrades


Works are continuing on the toilet block renovations and construction of the new accessible ablution block. 

Court Updates
  • Upgrade of new rotating basketball netball towers - complete
  • Resurfacing works – complete
  • Electric Works – scheduled to commence in October

 

Visitor Information Centre 


The Visitor Information Centre will have a renovated baby change room. The request of quotation has been sent to local contractors. 

 

24 New Australian Citizens in Katherine! 

A Citizenship Ceremony was held on Friday, 20 August 2021 went well following the COVID-19 restrictions.
 
Katherine welcomed 24 newest Australian Citizens for 14 Countries below:
  1. United Arab Emirates
  2. South Sudan
  3. Zimbabwe
  4. Nepal
  5. Sri Lanka
  6. Thailand
  7. India
  8. Republic of South Korea
  9. Sudan
  10. Israel
  11. South Africa
  12. Philippines
  13. Nigeria
  14. Poland
It was great to be able to host this after the lockdown was lifted. 

Director of Community Services Commences Maternity Leave

Rosemary Jennings, Director of Community Service has officially started her maternity leave. 

Rosemary is estimated to be on leave for the next 12 months and during this time Kerry Whiting will look after both corporate and community services. Rosemary's extensive knowledge of Council and the Katherine Community will be missed during her leave.

Council wishes Rosemary and Tom all the best for their next adventure. 


 

Library Activities 

Katherine Public Library has had a very busy few months during this tourist season. Staff have been assisting hundreds of travellers to apply for border passes into Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia. The majority of our assistance has been with navigating the websites and completing the online forms. The guidelines and restrictions that are ever-changing with the unpredictability of covid have provided extra stresses for our grey nomads, however, the library staff have been ready to go to provide all the assistance our patrons require.

Our School Holiday Program activities were provided with modifications due to the Darwin lockdown and our need to ensure safety for all our participants. The Dungeons & Dragons mentor session was again successful as was our Showtime craft and normal children’s programs of Wriggle & Rhyme and Toddler Rhyme Time. The 3D printing workshop went ahead with our printers designing some interesting items! With the cancellation of the local NAIDOC events, our library NAIDOC Storytime and art session were postponed aligning with the change in dates of the Katherine events. We will be holding this special event during the September /October school holidays.

Developments still continue to take place within the library space; painting, computer desks and the children’s area have been updated with further improvements earmarked for the next few months.
Our collection is continuing to develop into one that holds contemporary best sellers and popular titles. We continue to purchase an eclectic range of children picture books, junior fiction and Youth fiction.
The Katherine community is reminded that the library now has a conference room available with a large conference table and full zoom capabilities.

With the Young Territory Author Awards being decided in August we wish all our local budding writers of Katherine all the best with their stories and we look forward to presenting the overall Katherine Winner with the trophy and prize.
 

The Meeting Place 
 
‘The Meeting Place’ is officially opened!
 

At the moment, The Meeting Place will operate 10:00am – 4:00pm Monday to Friday with fresh scones and doughnuts, fresh juices, smoothies, salads, ice-creams and of course, coffee! On Friday evenings small bites and after-work drinks will be available, taking advantage of the great lighting in the CBD.
 

“We had discussed The Meeting Place and saw it as an opportunity to try our hand at a juice bar.  The Meeting Place, in the CBD, is in a great location and with the weather heating up we thought fresh juices would be the perfect refreshment for people shopping locally.  We also hope fresh doughnuts and ice cream will entice families looking for somewhere to go between school and sporting activities” said Co-Owner Gill Russell.
 

Katherine Town Council Mayor Lis Clark said, “Council is happy that the site is finally opening to the public. It has been a very long process to get to this point and Council is overjoyed that we finally have someone to take up the challenge”.
 

“Council hopes the new juice bar will activate the space and encourages a flow-on effect to the businesses located in the CBD”.  
 

The Meeting Place was constructed as part of the development of the CBD revitalisation. Proudly supported by the Northern Territory Government.
 

Be sure to follow The Meeting Place on Facebook and  Instagram.

Queensland Ballet in Katherine 

 8 - 9 September  | Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre


There are free community classes & workshops held over 8 & 9 September 2021.

Timetable
  • Wednesday 8-Sep – Library (1 x Teaching Artist)
    • 10:30am – 11:30am Story Time Workshops (1-2) on Little Bird’s Day 
  • Wednesday 8-Sep – Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre (1 x Teaching Artist until 12pm)
    • 9am – 3pm In-School workshops
    • 4pm – 6pm – Teacher PD (Fee)
    • 4:15pm – 5:15pm Community Class 6 – 11yrs
    • 5:15pm – 6:15pm Community Class 12 – 17yrs
  • Thursday 9-Sep – Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre (2 x Teaching Artists)
    • 9am – 9:30am Petit Pointers (2-5yrs)
    • 9:45am – 10:45am Ballet for Seniors

For more information or to book now - www.queenslandballet.com.au/regionaltour

Headstone Dedication Service for 2597 CPL Federick Prentice MM
3:00 pm | 29 September  | Katherine Memorial Cemetery 

Corporal Prentice, Aboriginal War Hero, served in the First World War and was born in Powell Creek, Northern Territory in 1894.  Sadly passed away in 1957, buried and forgotten in an unmarked grave in Katherine.

This is a significant and joyous moment for members of the Katherine Region Stolen Generation as Aunty Ellen and Aunty Juanita have been working on this project for several years to get the unmarked grave recognised.  Many thanks to the Australian War Graves, Australian Army and Katherine Town Council for the support in making this happen.

For information about 2597 CPL Frederick Prentice MM click HERE

For more information regarding the event please contact Jherry on (08) 8972 5500 or jherry.matahelumual@ktc.nt.gov.au

Great Northern Clean Up 
7:30am - 11:30am | 25 September | Ryan Park

Come along and take part in preparing Katherine for the upcoming wet season.
Together we can help to keep our community clean and ensure no rubbish is ending up washing into our beautiful Katherine River.

Registrations will take place at Ryan Park (near the old Railway Bridge).
Time: 7:30am to 11:30am

Please remember to bring a hat, closed in shoes, sunscreen and a water bottle.
All volunteers will be entered into a draw to win some amazing prizes!

Prizes include: Monopoly, Monopoly puzzle, a 3-day access pass to the Henry Scott Recreation Centre, a 3-day pass to the Katherine Aquatic Centre, a YMCA insulated stainless steel drink bottle, cinema admissions tickets.

Thanks to The Y Katherine and Katherine Cinema 3 for donating prizes

Click HERE to go to the Facebook event

September Ordinary Meeting of Council 20201

6:00 pm | 28 September  | Civic Centre 

The agenda will be available the Thursday before the meeting via the Councils website. 
Facebook
Website
Email
Katherine Town Council
Civic Centre, Lot 1865 Stuart Highway Katherine NT, 0850
P (08) 8972 5500
F (08) 8971 0305
E records@ktc.nt.gov.au 


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Katherine Town Council · PO Box 1071 · Katherine, Nt 0851 · Australia