Gunnedah: Community Information Day

The suggestion to make masks and sell them for Dubbo Can Assist seemed innocent enough. Dusty sewing machines were brought out of cupboards, by rusty workers. Cutters, snippers, ironers and sewers all worked tirelessly in a couple of hastily set up work rooms. The Outback Dragon boaters came on board, and the Covid19 decommissioned zoo volunteers hopped in to help. First the elastic ran out, then the black fabric. Who would have envisaged that !!!!!

After three weeks of sewing, extensive orders and much chat and laughter, Can Assist volunteers have passed the baton to others to continue to mask our community and keep us all safe. Many thanks to all who provided assistance, materials and by purchasing the masks.

For us slightly senior volunteers, who have practiced all health safety measures and lockdowns meticulously, this exercise has allowed us to enjoy the camaraderie with our peers. At a time when we were unable to raise funds, in the normal ways, to help our local cancer patients, we have boosted our coffers, by approximately $8,000. In total we created about 1200 masks, and we still have them available at Macquarie Homestay ( the Dubbo Base accommodation facility) and Dubbo Culinary and Homewares.

Gunnedah Branch was thrilled to be able to hold their monthly meeting which wasn’t a Zoom Meeting on 7 September.

It was also our ABM and we were delighted to have all committee positions filled with returning committee members.

Gunnedah Community Information Day has almost 20 service providers on-hand

Local community organisations had a busy day offering support and advice to Gunnedah residents on Saturday.

Seventeen different health and support services were in attendance at the Gunnedah Community Information Day, which was hosted by Gunnedah Shire Council and Hunter New England Health. Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey said the event was a “fantastic opportunity” for people to see some of the services available in town.