Family fun day for Gwabegar

“It’s hard, not everyone can afford to go on holidays, but today is all about bringing something to our kids and community that we will really cherish – the kids are going to talk about today forever,” said Gwabegar resident Nicky Cutts at the family fun day organised by Narrabri Shire Council on the weekend.

“This means the world to us,” she said.

“For the kids, it’s great for them to have something to do.

“They don’t get to have this sort of thing often, in fact, some kids have never had this sort of thing.

“So it means the world to us that council has come on board to do this for our kids.”

Families and friends from Gwabegar and its surrounding communities gathered at the town’s hall on Saturday for an action-packed schedule of activities: from face-painting and craft to a jumping castle and delicious food cooked by the Narrabri and District Community Aid Service team.

Attendees also celebrated eight-year-old Hunter Gold’s birthday with a cake and enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with neighbours on a beautiful sunny day.

“The kids have had so much fun today, and so have the adults,” Nicky told The Courier.

“I think it’s just great for everyone to get together.

“The kids need things to do, some kids might never leave town, and they need to interact with other kids; it’s something special for the kids, so they all feel welcome and know that we’re thinking about them too.

“It’s a great little community, everyone gets on with everyone, and if the chips are down, like during the floods, everyone pitches in and helps everyone.”

Nicky thanked Narrabri Shire Council and the councillors who listened to calls from the community to have an event; in particular, she thanked community development coordinator Elodie Labonte for “jumping on board” and making the family fun day happen.

“It’s good to feel like we haven’t been forgotten because we’re located at the end of councils everywhere; we can get left behind,” said Nicky.

“But today, there are smiles on the kids’ faces from ear to ear.”