City Update 5 July 2024

Cuttlefest Art Prize

The 2024 Cuttlefest Art Prize brought together the community, winners, and representatives from the Whyalla City Council, Country Arts SA, and Whyalla Business and Tourism to celebrate local artists and announce the prize winners.

The prize winners were:

Individual Youth (under 13): Jayla Woodland

Individual Youth (14-25): Noah Hammond (absent)

School Group Entry: Long Street Primary School

Best of Show Environmental Awareness: Yvonne Geelen

Best of Show First Nations: Tayla and Georgia Cartwright

Best of Show People's Choice: Jeanette McCormick

Best of Show Cuttlefest Art Prize: Emily Goldsworthy

Congratulations to all the winners on your amazing artworks and prizes! You can check out photos of all the winners on our Facebook page. Thank you to everyone who submitted their work. These artworks will continue to be displayed at the Middleback Arts Centre Foyer throughout July.

This event was held in collaboration with Country Arts SA and Whyalla Business and Tourism.

Outdoor Crew visits Child Care Centre

Children at the Child Care Centre had an exciting start to the week, watching the outdoor tree crew working nearby. Aaron demonstrated the lift to a small group of kids who came outside for a closer look. Ayla, Oscar, Ben and Polly brought their little shovels out offering help to Aaron and Graeme who stopped for the photo below.

NAIDOC Week 2024

NAIDOC Week is held across Australia from July 7 -14 in celebration and recognition of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and is proudly supported by council here in Whyalla.

The theme of NAIDOC Week this year is "Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud", chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee.

This theme recognises the strength and vitality of First Nations culture – with a fire symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and the traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Whyalla NAIDOC Committee have created a calendar of events to celebrate and recognise NAIDOC Week, including a Cutural Festival, FREE movies, disco nights, FREE BBQ's, a Quiz night and much more!

Click the link to view the full calendar of events: https://bit.ly/4bmmYcn

Australian Ballet visits Whyalla

It was an exciting Saturday night at the Middleback Theatre, with the Australian Ballet performing to a near packed house as part of their regional tour. After a program of classical and contemporary dance, Mayor Stone - who attended at the invitation of Executive Director Lissa Twomey and Artistic Director David Hallberg - was overwhelmed by an incredibly appreciative audience. “In all my years attending a broad range of productions in the theatre, I have never experienced such a response. It was a heartfelt and inspiring acknowledgement from our community. It was also fantastic to see so many youngsters in the audience – perhaps ballet dancers of the future!"

Mayor Stone and his wife Bronwyn were also privileged to meet and chat with Australian Ballet board members and some of the principal dancers backstage after the show. "The response of the audience did not go unnoticed, with the board members and dancers overwhelmed by what they described as their best audience in SA. So, congratulations Whyalla for such a wonderful 'Whyalla send-off' to an outstanding and memorable visit by the Australian Ballet! It's important we keep supporting and appreciating productions such as these as a community so we can continue to benefit from their performances."

Dog and Cat Registration

If you’re a dog or cat owner, now is the time to register your pets with Whyalla City Council All dog and cat owners need to register their animals annually with Council between 1 July and 31 August. Find out all the detail here: https://bit.ly/4ckrkSw

Council supports Men's Mental Health

Recently, council staff joined in raising awareness for Men's Mental Health Week with staff wearing green and making a donation to the Whyalla Men's Shed.

Men's Mental Health Week focuses on not just physical health, but also men's mental health and emotional wellbeing. It is an opportunity to highlight the importance of men's health, and to promote and support the health and wellbeing of men and boys in our communities. The HMAS Whyalla was lit up green to show our support!

FREE VR sessions at the library

Join us for an unforgettable journey beneath the waves and witness the wonders of the cuttlefish in a way you've never seen before!

WHEN: Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 July 1pm - 4.30pm (7 x 30 minute sessions)

WHERE: The Nest - Library Pod // 19 Ekblom Street, Whyalla Norrie

Each session is 30mins. Please arrive 5 minutes before your session start time so you are ready to go.

All sessions are FREE thanks to funding from Inspiring SA and the Whyalla City Council.

Book your FREE session here: https://bit.ly/3L7uFsf

Foreshore Toilet Renewal

As a result of community feedback, council is now in the process of renewing the Foreshore toilets located behind the Foreshore Visitor Information Pod. The demolition is set to commence on Tuesday July 2 to Thursday July 4, starting with the closure of the existing toilets and the putting up the temporary fencing to secure the site during these works.

This renewal project will result in a contemporary facility that will improve safety, accessibility, and practicality for all users, with a strong emphasis on compliance with the Building Code of Australia.

To read the full media release: https://bit.ly/4bkVWlt

Flagpole Installation

The installation of flag poles equipped with solar lighting has been completed at both the Freycinet Look-out and the Civic Building. The installation of flag poles at Wilson Park will be completed in the coming months.

Small Walls Mural Project progresses

The Small Walls Mural Project is progressing well with murals being completed!

Lucinda Penn and Harry Gent are adding the finishing touches after inviting the community to come along and help paint sections of the colourful mural, Lucinda said it was important to invite the community along to participate as it symbolises a ''welcome'' to the public walking towards the beach.

She also stated the inspiration behind the mural was the Whyalla beach itself, ''we wanted to replicate what we saw being down here at the foreshore, which was beautiful sunrises and sunsets, as well as the Pelicans!'' they have also incorporated Cuttlefish within the mural to tie into the Whyalla Marine theme.

Lucinda and Harry's mural isn't the only mural heading towards the finish line, with Ashton Filmer's mural at the RSL having it's final coat being put on and ready for the community to enjoy. Ashton worked closely with the project team and RSL committee and has been warmed by so many positive comments from walkers-by enjoying the progression of his mural over the past two weeks. With a unique style, Ashton wanted to ensure the artwork honoured the significance of Whyalla’s military history.

Be sure to go check out the rest of the murals popping up around town, click the link for mural locations and more information: https://bit.ly/4bfuKVb

From the Mayor's Desk hits the news stand

Mayor Phill Stone had his first newspaper edition of 'From the Mayor's Desk' in this week's Whyalla News . In this column, Mayor Stone covers topics relating to the most recent council meeting and important community events. You'll be able to see the column in the week following each council meeting. You can also check out his video editions here.