GSC STAYING CONNECTED IN THE COMMUNITY
Published on 06 April 2020
As the international COVID-19 pandemic increases its impact on communities, Council is working with our community to ensure we stay connected.
With the closure of some community services such as the Library, Gym and Youth Services, Council is working with these staff to ensure our community stays in touch.
Director Community Services, Jo Manion says,
“Our staff are thinking laterally with the ways in which we can still be supporting our communities, while we may not be able to see them. This communication is vital as people stay home, implementing social distancing or self-isolating.”
Adding,
“We want to ensure that our community can continue to feel supported, access services and learning throughout this time.”
Gilgandra Shire Library has a Click and Collect or Phone and Collect service available, whereby residents are able to access this through the North Western Library app or our catalogue on the North Western Library website: https://www.northwesternlibrary.com.au/. Simply use your library card number and pin.
Online services are also available, including Borrowbox eBooks and eAudiobooks, Storybox online storytelling and Kanopy film streaming, again using your library card number and PIN.
If you do not have a PIN or a library card, please contact the Library. Library membership is free of charge to all Gilgandra residents. Library staff are available to answer your questions from Monday to Friday, from 10am-12.30 and 1.30pm to 5pm.
Ms Manion says, it is important residents adhere to social distancing regulations.
“Where people are coming into public to access essential items such as picking up educational material from the Library, or any other errand in town, we should always be mindful of the regulations and advice from the Federal Government, and not travel with more than two persons, maintain 1.5m distance, practice hygiene and to not leave the house if you are unwell.”
Together with input from our schools, Aboriginal community and local families, Gilgandra Youth Services is working to develop ways in which we can provide essential support and as a community stay in contact.
Ms Manion says,
“The community can become quite isolated throughout this situation, and the support available in each home situation varies between households. Our Youth Services want to ensure that all youth and their families have access to the same tools to assist during this isolated period.”
Youth Services currently have education packs available for school ages students and Gilgandra Youth Services have activity packs and resources available for families self-isolating. These packs have been made available through Barnardo’s and are available by contacting Monica at Gilgandra Youth services 6817 8798 or emailing gys@gilgandra.nsw.gov.au.
Families requiring printing services for school worksheets are welcome to contact our service for assistance.
Council would also like to ask those that are interested in volunteering for a phone tree service in Gilgandra to check in on isolated or vulnerable persons to please contact Council on 6817 8800 or enjoy@gilgandra.nsw.gov.au.
Council is continually reviewing the COVID-19 situation and ongoing advice from Federal and State Governments and NSW Health to ensure appropriate response measures are implemented.
Further information on NSW Health measures and advice in combating COVID-19 are available at | www.health.nsw.gov.au/coronavirus.
Residents are also encouraged to stay up to date with Council’s response locally by visiting www.gilgandra.nsw.gov.au/news
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Contact:
Jo Manion
Director Community Services
02 6817 8800