The outcomes of a Toowoomba Regional Council delegation visit to New Zealand were presented to last week’s Council Economic Development Committee, which heard of the valuable learnings and special relationship between the region and the Kiwi city of Whanganui.
The delegation accepted the invitation of Whanganui Mayor, Andrew Tripe, to attend the official opening of the redeveloped Te Whare o Rehaua Sarjeant Gallery in November last year.
The visit came on the back of a Whanganui District Council delegation, led by Mayor Tripe, which visited the Toowoomba region in June 2024, accompanied by a group of agribusiness operators.
Council portfolio spokesperson for Library and Cultural Services, Councillor Melissa Taylor said she was delighted to lead the delegation and hear first-hand the opportunities and challenges that the art gallery redevelopment project presented for Whanganui.
“I was thrilled to lead this delegation to further strengthen the bond between our Toowoomba Region and New Zealand’s Whanganui District, a relationship that has been ongoing for almost 45 years,” said Cr Taylor.
“The relationship between our respective regions continues to serve as a platform for mutual growth with a common desire to harness arts and culture as a catalyst for regional development.
“The tangible outcomes were outstanding, the collaboration between TRC and Whanganui was extraordinary, the things that Whanganui has achieved as a district are remarkable and the learnings we can take on board for the Toowoomba Region, particularly in the development of our business case exploring options, costs and benefits of delivering a revitalised Art Museum to replace or update the existing Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery (TRAG), are truly invaluable.
“Insights from the Sarjeant Gallery redevelopment, with its focus on offering a renewed space for inspiration, connection and knowledge, can directly inform cultural services planning and the business case,” she said.
The redevelopment focussed on fit-for-purpose and community-focused gallery spaces and grounds while working with their vibrant arts and creative communities and co-designing with First Nations peoples, Cr Taylor said.
“The redeveloped Sarjeant Gallery is a special place and recognised as one of the best regional galleries in New Zealand, absolutely enhancing Whanganui as a place to live and visit.”
“I thank Whanganui District Council for the invitation to the official opening, their warm hospitality and openness in sharing their journey on the redeveloped gallery as well as my fellow Councillors Bill Cahill and Trevor Manteufel who joined the delegation and TRC staff who helped coordinate it,” she said.
