FOLLOWING the recent clarification of its relationship status with the New Norfolk Distillery, the Derwent Valley Council has detailed a number of other partnerships it has developed in recent times. Mayor Michelle Dracoulis said the community was seeing the benefits of the council’s networking and relationships with community partners.
“We’ve been working hard with community partners and where we’re able to, providing funding and working with them to make the Derwent Valley a better place to live,” Cr Dracoulis said. “It’s becoming increasingly clear that the face of the Derwent Valley and the role [the] council plays in partnering with community, is changing for the better,” she said.
“We’re making huge inroads to making the Derwent Valley a great place to live and visit and we’re working on some amazing community initiatives which we’ll be talking about in the coming weeks. It’s an extremely exciting time to be here.”
Cr Dracoulis said the latest example of these successful partnerships was the recent performances by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra at the New Norfolk War Memorial Hall. “Council’s partnership with the TSO saw two public performances designed to extend the company’s usual reach into regional communities, as well as a music workshop with the Derwent Valley Concert Band and a special pop-up performance for residents of Corumbene still to come,” she said.
“Along with providing access to people not usually exposed to these kinds of opportunities, there was a local focus for the live shows, with local food and beverage providers used, keeping local money local. The TSO live sessions were the latest example of [the council partnering with third parties to improve liveability for the local community.”
“I’m also thrilled that [the] council recently voted to support ‘It’s Our Community – Pantry’, a new initiative that will provide the community with access to discounted food, sanitary and personal care items and other household essentials”.
Cr Dracoulis said the return of the Derwent Valley Autumn Festival was another example of a community partnership. “The community was so excited to see the successful return of the Autumn Festival,” she said. “That event was headed up by Rotary, and made possible with $15,000 of funding provided from [the] council, along with extensive administration and on-the-ground support to help ensure the event was a success.”
“Other examples include [the] council’s sponsorship last year of the Derwent Valley Writer’s Festival, the production of a well-received photo competition, the Red Circle event to bring a touch of Dark Mofo to town, and the sponsorship of New Norfunk, an event featuring live drag performances, comedy, and DJs to celebrate the local LGBTIQ community.”
