Glen Innes, NSW
Top: Glen Innes Pipe Band marching in the 2006 Mosman Festival. Bottom: Glen Innes, Mosman Council staff marching in the Glen Innes Celtic Festival parade 2006, and pipe band leader.
Archibald Mosman left Mosman and settled in Glen Innes in 1838. The two communities have strong and common Scottish origins and ties, and are keen to build on and better understand country and city links. In 1994 a local committee was established in Mosman to conduct a Drought Relief Appeal to raise funds for drought-stricken farmers in Glen Innes. The Friendship Agreement was signed in 1995.
Mosman / Glen Innes, Friendship Projects
The friendship between Mosman and Glen Innes has been developed in many ways since the formal agreement was signed. Mosman Council has provided a small subsidy in recent years which is directed at improving the esteem of young, mostly Aboriginal parents and their pre-school children. Projects have included a stained glass window now installed at Mosman Art Gallery, an art education project for young mothers, and a creative project resulting in a colourful fence at the Glen Innes Childcare Centre.
In addition, Mosman Council in association with Mosman Lions Club and Mosman Rotary organised a ‘computer recycling project’ for Glen Innes. Unwanted computers and printers were collected from Mosman residents and sent to Glen Innes, where they were reconditioned and distributed to families who could not afford to buy them. This project operated for approximately three years from 2004 to 2007.
Mosman Councillors and staff have also contributed to the relationship with Glen Innes by regularly attending their Celtic Festival. This annual event is a major attraction for Glen Innes and Mosman Councillors and staff take an active role by participating in the Festival Parade. A delegation from Glen Innes visits Mosman each year for the Mosman Festival.
The Department of Local Government is encouraging city and country councils to enter into assistance agreements and has used the Mosman / Glen Innes relationship as an example.
There have been staff exchanges to the advantage of both councils and at the moment we are liaising in regard to the development of the Community Strategic Plan processes. In 2008 Mosman made a presentation to Glen Innes and an update report on on our “finished product” will be made before the Celtic Festival by a number of the staff. Obviously Glen Innes does not have the resources of an urban council and the opportunity to share both technology and experience is appreciated.
An art education project funded by Mosman Council involved consultation with the Glen Innes Aboriginal Consultative Committee. Aboriginal mothers were involved and other members of the local Aboriginal community also contributed to this project which was undertaken by local Aboriginal artist, Colin Isaacs. A series of fence panels were designed by the group to beautify the adjoining fence between Early Intervention, where the Aboriginal Playgroup meets, and the childcare centre, Gumtree Glen.
In 2008 Glen Innes – and all Mosman’s Friendship Communities – were invited to participate in The Art of Friendship exhibition at the Mosman Art Gallery, which was a feature event of the Mosman Festival. 15 artists were selected to represent Glen Innes, providing a range of artworks including paintings, drawings, prints, photographs and ceramics that reflected aspects of life in Glen Innes and the surrounding rural environment.