What's News 4 July
Published on 04 July 2025
Bathurst Library International Pen Pal Project
Bathurst Library is excited to announce a new international Pen Pal initiative in collaboration with Parry Sound Libraries in Ontario, Canada! As part of this creative cultural exchange, local children aged 6 to 12 are invited to join a fun and engaging writing workshop on Monday,14 July 2025 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. During the session, participants will help craft a special group letter that captures the essence of life in Bathurst — from local landmarks and favourite pastimes to what makes our town truly special.
To book in for the Pen Pal program and any other exciting school holiday activities, visit library.bathurst.nsw.gov.au.
Our Faces, Our Future, Our Mob Exhibition
In celebration of the 2025 NAIDOC theme, 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy', Council has collaborated with local schools, early learning centres and their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students to complete self-portraits or portraits of a role model in their life.
‘Our Faces, Our Future, Our Mob’ will be displayed at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre (Wattle Foyer) during NAIDOC Week from Tuesday 8 July – Tuesday 15 July 2025 during BMEC opening hours.
An opening night for the Exhibition will be held on Tuesday 8 July, from 5pm - 7pm at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre. Community members are invited to attend the official opening event, with grazing tables and family photography!
Heritage Assistance Grants
Council’s Heritage Assistance Grants are now open for the 2025/26 period. The program offers up to $5,000 on a dollar-for-dollar basis toward heritage conservation and interpretation projects.
Applications close on Friday 25 July 2025.
Following the 21 May 2025 resolution, Council has scheduled a Village Association meeting to discuss the future of the region’s rural cemeteries. The meeting focusing on the future of our rural cemeteries will take place on Tuesday 19 August from 2-4pm at BMEC.
Invitations and an agenda are being sent to the various Village Associations, each of whom are requested to send two representatives to attend the meeting.
BRAG to Celebrate 70 Years of The Collection
Bathurst Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) celebrates 70 years of the BRAG Collection with new exhibition, Landscapes of Imagination: From the Collection, opening Friday 4 July, 6pm. BRAG will also be launching two new exhibitions, Mystery of Missing Westerlies by Chantelle Mitchell and Jaxon Waterhouse (Ecological Gyre Theory) in the BRAG Foyer Space, and Munch by Tom Buckland in the OUT THERE DIGITAL PLATFORMS | Forecourt Projection.
Help Preserve Bathurst’s Community History – Nominate a Pillar of Bathurst
Do you know someone who made a lasting impact on the Bathurst Region? You can help honour their legacy by nominating them as a Pillar of Bathurst, with nominations for the 2025 Pillars now open.
The Pillars of Bathurst project celebrates individuals who have made meaningful contributions to our community, offering inspiration to current and future generations. Bathurst Library is proud to preserve these stories as part of our shared local history.
Nominations can be made up until 1 August 2025.
Manning Aquatic Centre | Temporary Closure
Manning Aquatic Centre will be closed to the public from Tuesday 1 July to Friday 4 July for essential upgrade works to the centre's filtration plantroom.
To upgrade the plantroom switchboard, power to the plantroom will need to be isolated during the installation works. It is anticipated that it will take 4 days to complete all required works before power can be reconnected to the plantroom area.
The centre will be closed to all patrons during this time as it will not be possible to maintain the required hygiene levels necessary for public swimming. Correspondence will be sent out to all pool members via the Manning Aquatic management team.
Torchlight tours at the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum. Tickets now on sale!
Take a tour of the dinosaur museum by torchlight on a dark winter night.
Tuesday 8 July 5.30pm or 6.45pm
Tuesday 15 July 5.30pm or 6.45pm
Council advises the Russell Street underpass will be closed from Havannah Street to Alpha Street for scheduled maintenance work on the bridge at Russell Street, Bathurst from Wednesday 16 July 2025 to Sunday 20 July 2025, between 7am and 5pm.
A detour is available via Havannah Street, Rocket Street and Alpha Street. Pedestrian access is available upon request to the traffic control team. The temporary closure is for railway works undertaken by UGL Regional Linx on the railway bridge.
If you have any questions or are likely to be impacted by this work, please contact their Communications Team and provide the asset number: LCW00363A. Phone: 1300 661 390 Email: enquiry@uglregionallinx.com.au
Ready for an adventure? Take on the Winter Quest this July!
With over 40 tasks capturing what’s iconic to the Bathurst Region including Museums, parks and gardens, villages and historic buildings, the Quest encourages visitors and locals to get out and about and discover Bathurst this winter.
Grab your friends or the whole family, crack the clues to earn points into the prize draw for the chance to win 1 of 6 $50 Buy Local gift cards.
- Every point you earn gives you an entry into the draw
- The more tasks you complete, the more chances you have to win!
- You can complete as many or as few tasks as you like.
- Save your progress and come back anytime to continue your quest, just make sure to hit submit once you’re done!
Entries open until midnight, Thursday 31 July 2025.
Council is inviting local businesses to join our Frosty Finds Window Hunt—a winter inspired activity designed to bring fun, excitement, and increased foot traffic to our Bathurst businesses! Running throughout the school holidays from 4 - 20 July.
Families and visitors will hunt for the odd object in each window for their chance to win a buy local gift card– it’s a fun way to increase foot traffic, visibility, and community involvement in town!
Winter in Bathurst - Road Closures
Council advises of the following closures:
• Elizabeth Street from the corner of William Street to the Manning Aquatic Centre Driveway from 1 July through to 23 July 2025.
• William Street between Elizabeth and Durham Streets will be closed for the opening and closing weekend events held on Friday 4 July to Saturday 5 July 2025 & Friday 18 July to Saturday 19 July 2025.
The temporary road closures are for holding ‘Winter in Bathurst’ which is organised by the Greens on William.
While Bathurst Regional Council has taken a step back from running the Bathurst Winter Festival due to its financial sustainability, local businesses have collaborated to create a fresh, community-driven winter experience. A range of exciting events will take place across Bathurst during the winter school holidays, showcasing the spirit and creativity of the region.
Visitors can look forward to a magical new take on winter in Bathurst, with unique events and activations spread across the city. A full program of events has just been announced and is available on the Visit Bathurst Region website, here: https://www.bathurstregion.com.au/winter-in-bathurst/
ESSSENSSSE – New Exhibition at BRAG
Bathurst Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) is pleased to present ESSSENSSSE, a joyful work about healing and new beginnings by acclaimed contemporary artist HOSSEI (NSW), guest curated by Tesha Malott.
Exhibition: 5 July – 7 September
Manning Aquatic Centre Changeroom Upgrades
Contractors are scheduled to commence the upgrade of the women’s changeroom facility at Manning Aquatic Centre on Monday 16 June and anticipate the completion of works by September this year. Works are to include the replacement of shower and toilet partitioning, installation of new shower heads & taps, basins, waterproofing, new toilets, wall tiling, and a new floor surfacing treatment.
Changes will be in place during the upgrade works in order to ensure that changeroom options are provided to all pool patrons utilising the Centre. Signage detailing temporary alternative changerooms will be displayed throughout the Centre.
Crago Fountain Restoration Works
Project works commenced for the restoration and maintenance of Crago Fountain in Machattie Park on Friday 30 May. The project is anticipated to take between 4 to 6 weeks, weather dependent.
The fountain and surrounding area will be closed to public access for the duration of the works for safety reasons. The works will include paint and rust removal, replacement of missing fountain elements, and repainting the fountain to preserve the structure.
Council has awarded a contract to Carters Engineering to undertake the works.
The project is fully funded through the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
Don’t miss the chance to explore your career prospects with over 80 exhibitors in attendance, ranging from educational institutions to large and small businesses based in the Central West.
Join us on Wednesday 30 July, 9am – 3pm at the Charles Sturt University Gymnasium.
Interested in being an exhibitor at the Bathurst Careers Expo?
The Bathurst Careers Expo attracts over 1000 jobseekers and school-leavers. It is an excellent opportunity to showcase career opportunities to a vast audience free of charge.
Temporary Road Closure - Ribbon Gang Lane
Council advises that Ribbon Gang Lane will be closed from Thursday 20 March 2025 for a period of approximately 12 weeks. During this time access will be maintained for pedestrians and adjacent properties.
The temporary closure is for Scaffolding Works completed by DSL Construction with enquiries to be directed to 0400 096 505.
Any inconvenience is regretted.
Media contact: Genevieve Green Media and Communications Officer