The Condensery’s community exhibition wins award

Somerset Regional Council’s regional art gallery, The Condensery, has won an industry award for its exhibition, Healing Garden, in the 2024 Gallery and Museum Achievement Awards.

Healing Garden at The Condensery was a site-responsive project created by the Somerset community, led by artists Jane Nicholson and Makiko Ramsay in collaboration with internationally renowned Japanese-Australian artist Hiromi Tango.

Over 700 people contributed to the exhibition.

Somerset Councillor and Arts and Culture Advisory Committee Chair, Kylee Isidro, said it was fantastic that the gallery was recognised by its peers in the museums and galleries sector.

“This was a hugely successful and collaborative exhibition and to win an award for it is a fantastic achievement,” Cr Isidro said.

“Due to the engagement of 23 diverse community groups and schools over seven Somerset townships, the resulting exhibition created significant pride of place among residents.”

The award was won for Engagement: Organisations Paid category during an awards evening in Toowoomba on 8 October.

Pictured receiving the award is Jane Nicholson, Regional Artist, Condensery volunteer and Project Facilitator, Madeline Brewer Condensery Gallery Curator and Makiko Ramsay, Regional Artist and Project Facilitator.

 

Somerset Regional Council extend assistance to community groups 

Somerset Regional Council has approved a three-year lease agreement with the Lowood Lions Club to continue to use the Railway Station building and storage shed in Lowood.

The station is located on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail in Railway Street, Lowood and has been occupied by the Lions Club for several years.

The lease agreement allows the community group to use the facilities as a tea room, heritage display and storage facilities.

Council has also approved a three-year lease agreement with the Valley of the Lakes Garden Club to use council facilities in Pipeliner Park, Esk as a storage shed.

Dozens of properties facing rate recovery action

Somerset Regional Council has approved starting sale of land action to recover more than $906,000 in overdue rates across a dozen properties.

Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said debt recovery was a basic business practice.

“The reality is quite simple, we would much prefer not to go down this path but paying rates is not optional,” Cr Wendt said.

“Council can only start this action once rates have remained unpaid for three consecutive years.

“It’s a tough situation but council does what it can to work with people to avoid the sale of their properties.”

Cr Wendt said the sale of land process provides for a minimum of three months for the overdue rates to be paid in full.

“Council works with the relevant property owners for several months to collect the rates owing to try and avoid the next step,” he said.

"Our rates pay for vital services to be delivered to residents and visitors to our region including road maintenance, parks, library services, public lighting, kerbside rubbish services and so much more.”

The properties included in the rate recovery action are located throughout Somerset including, Fernvale, Toogoolawah, Prenzlau, Esk, Harlin, Kilcoy, Hazeldean, Atkinsons Dam and Lowood.

Community assistance extended to Somerset groups

Various community groups in Somerset have been given a helping hand from Somerset Regional Council and will share in a funding pool of almost $64,000.

Sixteen community groups will receive various amounts to assist with a range of projects, events and services within the region. 

The money has been made available through Council’s Community Assistance Grants program. 

The following groups were approved for funding from Council, Esk Jockey Club, Fernvale Community Church, Kilcoy District Football Club, Kilcoy Lions Club, Kilcoy Race Club, Kilcoy Residents Special Events Association, Lowood and District Swimming Club, Lowood Open Door Gallery, Lowood Show Society, Minden State School P&C, Glamorgan Vale Community Hall Association, Marburg Mt Crosby Thunder Cricket Club, Toogoolawah Dairying Agricultural and Industrial Association, Toogoolawah Christmas Tree Committee, Toogoolawah and District Progress Association and Carinity Communities – Our House Toogoolawah.  

For more information on Council’s Community Assistance Grants program visit: www.somerset.qld.gov.au.

Next Somerset Council Meeting

Somerset Regional Council will hold its next ordinary council meeting on Wednesday, 30 October in Esk.

NB: Somerset Regional Council held its ordinary meeting in the Simeon Lord Room at the Esk Library on Wednesday, 9 October 2024 at 9am.