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Penrith is preparing to transform into party mode this November to celebrate a defining moment in its history.
It is then that the City will not only be celebrating significant anniversaries with four of its six international links but also the 50th anniversary of Penrith’s proclamation as a City and the centenary of Penrith Weir.
All of these significant milestones are being combined into an extravaganza over a one week period that will be remembered by all for years to come.
Each of Penrith's six international links featuring cities from Japan, China, Korea and England will be either visiting the city or participating in some way at the one time and a cultural extravaganza of performing and visual arts is planned. This will give locals the chance to watch world class performers from these cities perform a series of free concerts at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre and exhibitions at the Penrith Regional Gallery. Concerts will be limited to 380 people (the capacity of the Q Theatre) so it will be first in first served. A concert will also be held at the Penrith Valley Cultural Precinct in St Marys.
The 50th anniversary of Penrith’s proclamation as a City will provide for significant community involvement across a range of activities with the main focus being a heritage exhibition that will be on display in November. The exhibition, “The Makings of a City,” will be a visual exploration of the history of our City.
Council is calling for submissions for the exhibition and asks anyone who has memorabilia of Penrith from 1809 to 2009 that they would like to be considered for inclusion in the exhibition to contact Penrith City Library's Research Team on 4732 8040, fax 4732 7540, or email researchinqrm@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au or via post PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751. Please include a contact name, phone number and postal address and additional information is essential – a family story to accompany the item or similar. All material must be received by 31 August, 2009.
As part of the 2009 City of Penrith Eisteddfod, a community essay writing competition will also mark the 50th anniversary of Penrith being proclaimed a city. Community members are invited to submit an essay not exceeding 2000 words entitled “Memories of Penrith.”
The writing syllabus for the Eisteddfod is available from Penrith City Library or by phoning Elizabeth Hobbs on 4702 6214 (not between 3pm- 7pm). Entries must be received by Sunday 31 May, 2009.
The Eisteddfod also includes a number of writing categories as well as piano, strings, brass, woodwind, dance, speech and drama components.
This year the Mayoral Charity Ball will also take place during the course of this week and with a theme of rock and roll, in keeping with the 50th anniversary celebrations, and with performances by Elvis and Johnny O’Keefe this year’s ball is sure to be a big hit with everyone!
The grand finale to the week of celebrations will take place at Penrith Weir with a one day festival on the river to celebrate the centenary of the Penrith Weir.
Keep your eye out in future editions of this newsletter to find out how you can purchase tickets to the Mayoral Charity Ball and to keep up to date on the progress of these exciting events scheduled for our City in November or contact Council on 4732 7613.
Hono’o Daiko drummers from Hakusan, Japan will perform as part of the November Celebrations to mark Hakusan’s twenty year friendship link with Penrith.
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Mark down August 8 in your calendar to visit the Penrith Civic Centre for the very first Penrith City Council Family Fun Day.