WINTER 2025 Mid-Western Living | 33 IN THE COMMUNITY Bringing the World of Art to Mudgee Part of a respected Australia-wide network, ArtsNational is a volunteer-led organisation that brings internationally renowned art lecturers to regional towns across the country. Their mission? To make world-class arts education accessible, inspiring, and enjoyable for all. In Mudgee, the group currently hosts monthly lectures at Cudgegong Valley Public School, covering a captivating range of topics such as painting, ceramics, photography, calligraphy, theatre, and music. From 2026, sessions will shift to Mondays, offering a new rhythm for regular attendees. Each year, the Mudgee branch welcomes six overseas lecturers and two Australian speakers - each a highly regarded expert in their field. Presentations run for 60 minutes and are followed by the chance to meet the speaker and mingle with fellow attendees over complimentary light refreshments. It’s not just about art - it’s about community. These gatherings offer locals a chance to connect with like-minded individuals, learn something new, and explore the stories and techniques behind the world’s most fascinating art forms. Upcoming Lectures in 2025: • 6 June: Cathedrals, Abbeys and Minsters of England and Wales with John Swainston, a celebrated photographer, writer, and broadcaster. • 4 July: How to Get Down from a Yak with Chris Aslan, exploring the nomadic textile cultures of Central Asia. • 1 August: The Imperial Easter Eggs of Carl Fabergé with historian Toby Faber. • 29 August: Vermeer & Music - The Art of Love and Leisure with Lydia Bauman. • 10 October: Land of the Monkey God - The Art & Architecture of Sri Lanka. To explore more or get involved, visit: artsnational.au/societies/mudgee A new chapter in mental health support is beginning for our region, with the official opening of the Lifeline Central West Mudgee Hub. This dedicated space, housed within Council’s Cultural Centre, marks the first time a 13 11 14 crisis call will be answered locally - a powerful milestone for communitybased support. Thanks to the backing of Mid-Western Regional Council and generous support from Club Mudgee, Moolarben Coal, Glencore, MP Dugald Saunders and RDA Orana, the hub aims to provide crisis care, volunteer training, and vital wellbeing services including EAP support for businesses. It also builds on the success of Lifeline’s Growth Rooms for Men program, offering a safe space to talk and heal. The official open day on Thursday 24th July offers an opportunity for locals to learn more about the essential services Lifeline will deliver from the Mudgee Hub, and how community members can get involved - particularly through crisis support volunteer training. Volunteers play a critical role in Lifeline’s mission to reduce suicide and offer hope, one phone call at a time. As Lifeline strengthens its presence in Mudgee, community involvement will be key. The new hub offers locals a chance to contribute meaningfully - by volunteering, attending events, or helping shape the future of mental health care in our region. Lifeline Central West Launches New Mudgee Hub
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