| Western Riverina Arts Newsletter September 2026| Leeton Shire | Narrandera Shire | Murrumbidgee Shire | Griffith City | |
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Murrumbidgee Short Story Competition 2026 |
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Image: Western Riverina Arts, Design by Jay Korhonen |
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Start writing because it’s on again! Western Riverina Arts is delighted to announce the return of the Murrumbidgee Short Story Competition in 2026 for its sixth year. Come tell a short story! This year, as well as celebrating our region’s writers with six prize categories, we are adding a new category which is open to National Regional & Remote Writers as a national accolade.
ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN
Entries must be submitted before midnight, Sunday 4th October 2026 With over $1500 worth of prizes, the Jury Awards for Western Riverina Arts-based writers include: Open Prize, Open Runner-Up, Under 18, Under 18 Runner-Up, Under 12, Under 12 Runner-Up with some Highly Commended awarded at the judging panel’s discretion. New Category: National, Regional and Remote Writers Prize (entry fee of $20 applies to this category).
Keep your eyes posted on our social media and website for updates. |
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| Post-Production Rolls-on for Nganhayung Galingabangbur (Our Children) |
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Image: Elijah Ingram documents and films on the journey taken by the WRA car. Photo by A Whitehead, WRA 2026
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Western Riverina Arts and Miil Miil Productions travelled to Melbourne at the end of August to complete post-production elements on the upcoming short film Nganhayung Galingabangbur (Our Children).
The team worked with Moodlab on the film’s colour grade who hugely supportive, wrapping their team’s arms around the production to give it the highest quality care that matches the vision of the film.
There are still a few final steps to be completed before the film is ready for its premiere at the Roxy Community Theatre. Film-maker Elijah Ingram is looking forward to bringing Nganhayung Galingabangbur (Our Children) home to the Western Riverina and sharing the finished film with the community.
Watch this space for premiere details, with a showing planned for later in 2026 or early 2027. |
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Image: We were grateful to be working with Moodlab Team: (L-R) Laura Hesse Senior Producer Moodlab with her furry assistant, Alicia Gleeson Editor, CJ Dobson CSI Senior Colourist Moodlab, Elijah Ingram Writer/Director/Producer, Alastair Duffield Director of Photography. Photo by A Whitehead, WRA 2026 |
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| Aboriginal Languages Trust Strategic Plan Consultation |
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Image: CEO of ALT Mr Brendan Moyle (L) with CEO of L&DLALC Karen Davy (R) Photo by A Whitehead, WRA 2026. |
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Some of WRA’s team members and project partners were able to attend the Aboriginal Languages Trust (ALT) strategic plan consultation on Tuesday 25th August 2026 in Wagga Wagga where valuable discussions were held to provide space for Indigenous Languages across NSW.
ALT are an important funding organisation supporting a range of measures across NSW to activate, revitalise and engage with NSW’s First Nations Languages and Communities. They have also supported a range of diverse projects by Miil Miil Productions (Leeton) and the Leeton & District Aboriginal Land Council.
Participants were able to network across the region and have a say on this important discussion. |
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Films Return to The Roxy Community Theatre |
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| Image: Roxy 2 Theatre, Photo by Jay Korhonen, WRA 2026 |
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| On Friday the 11th September The Roxy Community Theatre celebrated a fantastic start to its newest cinema experience, with the first movie session in Roxy 2 selling out (and then some), marking an exciting return to regular movie screenings at the Roxy. The strong response to the opening session highlights the continued enthusiasm for local cinema and the important role the Roxy plays as a community gathering place.
The new theatrette offers 48 retractable seats with flexibility to use the space in multiple formats. With limited seating in mind, moviegoers are encouraged to book their tickets online in advance to secure their seats. Booking through the Roxy Theatre website ahead of the session also offers savings, making it an easy and affordable way to enjoy the latest movies locally.
Local theatre-goer Elijah Ingram says; “It’s fantastic! I love the ability to go back into the theatre for screenings; the new space is really well put together, and I really enjoy the flexibility of the space with the seating options able to be changed to suit other functions and the sound inside is well isolated from the outside, adding to the experience”
The Roxy Theatre has thanked the community for getting behind Roxy 2 and supporting its first screening, with more regular movie sessions planned.
For locals and visitors alike looking to catch the next film, booking ahead is recommended to avoid missing out. |
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| Book Now for Speaking Place |
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The Speaking Place weekend includes an open community festival, where workshop facilitators and participants showcase their newfound skills to the wider community. This event is a celebration of regional arts, and includes presentations, panel discussions, keynote addresses, live demonstrations, and performances. ArtFarm also opens the Speaking Place Festival to local and regional makers, with the opportunity to showcase their work and hold market stalls, and network with other artists. Find out all about SPEAKING PLACE held at Piccolo Family Farm.
Workshops: Saturday 24th October Festival: Sunday 25th October |
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Citrus Threads is a multidisciplinary art experience of the Riverina citrus industry. This project began when Griffith based fashion designer Nehma Vitols interviewed families in their homes, farms and packing sheds. These families have been growing, picking and packing citrus for generations in the region. Conversations inspired a fashion runway, with two travelling interstate designers and Nehma Vitols’ collection. Nehma and Jewellery designer Marguerite from Yugen Love have responded directly to these interviews and Annanasa and Natalie Hamblin reflect core themes of materiality and labour. Citrus Threads begins with the Aperitif at Zecca, from 6pm, a cocktail style event, pre-runway. The runway will be in a fenced off, ticketed immersive Memorial Park after Sunset, Saturday October 17. The stories will be played at Harvest HQ on Sunday 18th October for a week alongside select artist responses to the snippets of the stories they have seen share on social. Come experience Citrus Threads. Tickets at citrusthreads.com.au |
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| | Griffith Bloomin’ Art 2026 |
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This October, Griffith Bloomin’ Art is running its second annual Art Prize, hosted at Emeri’s Garden, as part of Griffith Spring Fest. Over $2,000 worth of prizes are on offer, as well as the chance to have a stall and sell your own art. We are also seeking expressions of interest for artists to run live demonstrations of their practice. Submissions are open for entry into the prize as well as Expressions of Interest to be involved in the Griffith Bloomin’ Art event. This year our theme is 'Growth. · Intention to enter due by 30th September (Check the Griffith Art Collective and WRA Socials) · Images (photos/videos) of Artwork due by 10th October · Actual artwork delivered to Griffith Bloomin’ Art Prize, Emeri’s Garden by 9.00 am on the 18th October Come build on the success of last year! For enquiries, please email griffithartcollective@gmail.com |
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Leeton Show Photography and Art Exhibitions 2026 |
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Image: Provided by Leeton Show Society |
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The Leeton Show is on again for 2026 on the 9th of October and 10th of October and is inviting all community members to get their entries together and ready to enter. The art and photography section of the Leeton Show is for people of all ages and skill levels to get their art out there and displayed in the pavilions at the Leeton Showground.
Whether you’re a Photographer, Painter, Digital artist or Sculpturist/Ceramicist, there’s a category for you! Also note that there are fantastic prizes up for grabs for the winning entries including cash prizes and vouchers. This year is shaping to be a great show and we cannot wait to see the talent on display. To enter your work and for more information, visit https://showday.online/show/leeton
Key entry dates:
Open Art entries close at 9.30am Tuesday 6 October 2026. Student Art entries close at 5pm Thursday 24 September 2026. Photography entries:
Entries close at 4pm Wednesday 7 October 2026, with exhibits required at the Secretary's office by 5pm that day. |
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Narrandera Koala Festival |
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| | Narrandera Koala Festival is on again for 2026 on Saturday 19th of September.
Featuring Art, Live Music, Culture and most importantly, Koalas! For more information click the button below to take you to the visit Narrandera page. |
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Sip ‘n’ Nibbles Evening at The Waddi Cultural Centre |
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CALLING ALL ARTISTS!
Waddi Cultural Centre in Darlington Point is looking to fill the walls with local talent on Friday evening 25 September from 5:30pm to 8:30pm for a "Sip 'n' Nibbles Evening".
Contact the centre at info@waddihousing.com or call (02) 69684390 for more information or to register your interest. |
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| Image: Poster provided by Waddi Cultural Centre |
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| Image: Murrumbidgee Shire What’s On |
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The annual Jerilderie Flower Show returns again!
A wonderful day out for the entire community. Flower and art entries are open between 8.30am-11.00am followed by judging at 11.30am.
School artwork, stalls, cooking, craft, delicious lunch and afternoon tea available and of course flowers! When Friday, 23 October 2026 | 11:00 AM - 03:00 PM Where Jerilderie Civic Hall, 33 Jerilderie St, Jerilderie, New South Wales, Australia, 2716 |
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| | Museums, Galleries & Culture |
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| | | Griffith Regional Art Gallery |
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The Shape of Connection by Sharon De Valentin
The Shape of Connection is a cohesive exploration of experience, place, and emotion through the elemental process of encaustic (molten beeswax fused with heat). Sharon De Valentin's colourful figurative-abstract paintings draw on impressions from recent overseas travels where pattern, architecture, and atmosphere become layered fields of memory. In contrast to her two-dimensional works, Sharon’s sculpture pieces feature white encaustic medium and explore the fluidity of encaustic with a more natural objective. The works offer moments of stillness shaped by the same fire-driven medium, rectifying a relationship that is tenuous between elements. Together, these works reveal how fire, wax, and gesture can hold both movement and quiet, forming connections between the landscapes we move through and the inner landscapes we carry. |
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Image: Sharon De Valentin, We All Wait in the Same Language (detail), 2026, encaustic and mixed media. |
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Your guide to exhibitions & public programs at Griffith Regional Art Gallery. For more information visit the website griffithregionalartgallery.com.au Griffith Regional Art Gallery Wednesday to Friday, 10am - 5pm Saturday and Sunday, 11am - 2pm 167 Banna Avenue, Griffith NSW 2680 ARTSPACE at Griffith Regional Theatre Monday to Friday, 10am -5pm 1 Neville Place, Griffith NSW 2680
Please note: The gallery will be closed from Monday 28 September - Friday 2 October for exhibition changeover. |
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| Leeton Museum and Art Gallery |
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What Iris Taught Me to See
What Iris Taught Me to See, an exhibition by Leeton born artist Jaelene Durrand.
Dedicated to her nana, Iris, the exhibition is a reflection on the ways we learn to pay attention to the world around us. Bringing together works across different media and styles, Jaelene explores places, spaces, and observations of the world around her, drawing together memory, imagination and the things that might otherwise be easily missed.
For Jaelene, bringing this exhibition back to her hometown adds another layer of meaning, connecting the work to the places, people and experiences that first shaped the way she sees the world.
Now based in Queensland, Jaelene continues to build strong connections through her creative practice, arts leadership, education, and mentoring. In 2026, she was recognised with an Australia Day Cultural Award for her significant contribution to community cultural life.
Supported through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), a partnership between the Queensland Government and Tablelands Regional Council. |
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| Image: Leeton Museum and Art Gallery & Jaelene Durrand |
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| | Connect through Creative Groups |
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| Tuesday Night Jazz Griffith |
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Tuesday Night Jazz sessions at Griffith City Band Hall at 496 Banna Ave is the new venue for TNJ (Tuesday Night Jazz), which will be held on alternate Tuesdays between 7.00 pm and 8.30 pm.
This is an opportunity for jazz players to get together and play through a varied repertoire of music, which will be provided, as well as developing improvisational skills under the guidance of Multi-Instrumentalist Martyn Cook.
The evenings are designed to be fun and totally non-judgemental, and with the aim of ‘getting out there ’and performing publicly.
Players should be able to read a bit of music, and have a love of jazz. There is a small donation of $5 per session to cover costs. |
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| | With One Voice Riverina Community Choir |
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| Join in and sing up a storm at the Narrandera Arts Centre every Tuesday night (unless advised otherwise) at 6:30 pm. Everyone is welcome and free to sing in a safe and caring environment and together, we can change the world, one voice at a time. |
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| | ArtsHub @ Narrandera Railway Station |
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| Location: Gordon Hall, Leeton Multipurpose Community Centre, 3-5 Wade Avenue, Leeton.
For more information, contact Vita Vitelli via email leetonartsociety@gmail.com |
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| | | Griffith Art Collective meets monthly. Contact Jenny Ellis via email or through their socials: griffithartcollective@gmail.com |
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Griffith Regional Art Gallery - Open Studio |
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| The Griffith Regional Art Gallery is opening its courtyard for artists to come in and enjoy a collaborative art space. Have you got an art project or artwork you have been working on at home that you just can’t get finished? Book a place at the GRAG Open Studio and join other local creatives for ideas, encouragement and inspiration. Open Studio Sessions are facilitated by GRAG Public Programs Officer, Isis-Rae Ronan. Contact them through their socials or email: Gallery@griffith.nsw.gov.au or visit: https://artsculture.griffith.nsw.gov.au/Griffith-Regional-Art-Gallery/Public-Programs |
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| The MAKE Group Coleambally |
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| The M.A.K.E. Group in Coleambally is a regional social enterprise and community art collective based at the Kerri Weymouth Art Gallery and Studio, empowering local marginalised women through creative projects. https://www.kerriweymouth.art/make |
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| | Leeton Library Writers’ Group |
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| Meets third Saturday of the Month at Leeton Library. Contact the Leeton Shire Library for details. |
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| | Jerilderie Library Knitting Club |
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Knitting Club hosted on Thursdays, excluding public holidays, at the Jerilderie Library. All are welcome to attend. Weekly on Thursdays 10:00am to 11.30am. Location: Jerilderie Library, 45 Jerilderie St, Jerilderie, New South Wales, Australia, 2716
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| | Grants and Funding Enquiries |
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| Thank you to everyone who has applied to this year’s Micro Grants round for 2026! The interest has been wide-ranging this year, and we were able to assist in a high number of areas of arts practice. Applicants extended from Narrandera all the way to Griffith, and we cannot wait to see what everybody creates from this opportunity. |
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| Regional Arts NSW Quick Response Grants |
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| | Griffith City Council Community Grants |
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Funding for artists, acts and industry professionals to tour, showcase and undertake professional development.
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| | | | Searching for a Career in the Arts? |
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Bookmark this page if you have a desire to follow a career pathway in the arts. @artshub prides itself on being a central information source across Australia. |
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