It is almost a year since the gallery re-opened (after a brief closure from April 2015), and it couldn't have gotten back on its feet without the skills and dedication of its volunteers.

Volunteers man the gallery each day; some conduct art classes, some help out at various functions like Art After Hours with catering and music and general organisational duties, others hang and curate the exhibitions, and there are those who take care of promotions and marketing.

“We are always in need of more volunteers to join the gallery and help out in any way you can, whether you are artistic or not,” gallery volunteer Nicole Spears said.

“You just need to enjoy meeting and speaking with people and have a couple of hours spare once a week.

“It is a fantastic way to meet other people who are art lovers, and to meet the variety of artists that we have living in our area.

“There are some incredibly talented artists residing within the Cessnock LGA.”

The gallery received a boost when it was announced as one of 64 organisations in the Hunter electorate that will benefit from the Federal Government’s Volunteer Grants 2015 program.

A total of $239,586 in funding will be shared between these organisations.

Grants of between $1000 and $5000 were available to buy small equipment items, contribute towards the cost of training courses and background checks, and to help to reimburse volunteers for the cost of their fuel or transport.

“These volunteer organisations such as sporting clubs, community centres and charity organisations play a vital role in our community and this funding will support their important work,” Member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon said.  

“The contribution that volunteers make in our community is invaluable.”

“I congratulate and thank all 64 organisations for their quality submissions.”

VOLUNTEER GRANTS – HUNTER ELECTORATE RECIPIENTS

Aberdeen Highland Games – $1300

Aberdeen Senior and Little Athletics Centre – $3372

Abermain-Weston Hawks Rugby League Club – $4100

Abernethy Healthy Lifestyle Association – $4985

Black Creek Aboriginal Corporation – $5000

Branxton District Netball Club – $3000

Branxton Greta Amateur Swimming Club – $4413

Branxton Preschool – $1169

Central Hunter Community Broadcasters – $3300

Greta Tidy Towns Committee – $4945

Cessnock City Council – $5000

Cessnock District Historical and Family History Society – $1000

Cessnock Regional Art Gallery – $4926

Cessnock Wine Country Lions Club – $5000

Merriwa Branch of the Country Women's Association of NSW – $5000

Scone and District Branch of the Country Women's Association of NSW – $2200

Elderslie Community Hall – $4600

Endeavour Industries Ltd – $5000

Girl Guides Association Kurri Kurri District – $3600

Girl Guide Association Maitland District – $3250

Habitat for Humanity Hunter Chapter – $5000

Harley Museum of NSW – $2650

Heal For Life Foundation – $5000

Hebden Community Hall – $2065

Hope Valley Christian Church – $5000

Hunter Domestic Violence Support and Advisory Services – $5000

Hunter Legacy Appeals Fund – $4000

Hunter Prelude Early Intervention Centre – $3520

Jerrys Plains Colts Cricket Club – $3752

Lions Club of Aberdeen – $5000

Maitland Polocrosse Club – $5000

Maitland Region Suicide Prevention Network – $2500

Maitland Repertory Theatre – $4995

Mayaroo – $5000

Merriwa Pony Club – $3345

Merriwa Railway Society – $4860

Mitchell's Flat Recreation Club – $2462

Northern Coalfields Community Care Association (Neighbourcare) – $5000

Richmond Vale Rail Trail – $4982

Rotary Club of Kurri Kurri – $4450

Rotary Club of Singleton – $5000

Rutherford Technology High School P&C Committee – $4980

Rylstone Public School Parents & Citizens Association – $5000

Scone Amateur Athletics Club – $1400

Scone & Upper Hunter Historical Society – $2670

Singleton Clay Target Club – $3559

Singleton Historical Society & Museum – $1790

Singleton Senior Citizens Welfare Association – $2000

Singleton Town Band – $1500

St Heliers Heavy Horse Field Days – $1924

NSW SES Muswellbrook – $3960

Strive for Autism – $3000

Singleton Scout Group – $4640

Uniting Elizabeth Gates – $5000

Towns With Heart – $3250

Muswellbrook Multi-Cultural Group – $2200

Upper Hunter Museum of Rural Life – $1015

Murrurundi Meals on Wheels – $4750

Valley Aquatic Club – $3850

West Rutherford Telarah Netball Club – $4000

Wollombi Valley Arts Council – $2875

Wollombi Valley Pony Club – $4950

Wollombi Valley Progress Association – $4832

Wollombi Valley Tennis & Sports Association – $2700