It is pleasing to see the new billboards at Aberdeen promoting Lake Glenbawn with “Catch Up!” and at Wingen promoting our fabulous horse heritage with “Saddle Up!”  

These are based on the new Upper Hunter Country “Come on Up!” branding that was launched in July.  

A new billboard near Merriwa will promote the sheep and wool industry and Festival of the Fleeces with “Flock on Up”. 

The council is also investigating further billboards at our western and northern entrances to the shire. The updating of the billboards with these promotional signs will encourage people to visit and stay a while in this magnificent Upper Hunter and explore the wonders of the area.  

All of the towns and districts in the Upper Hunter have many events and attractions to be enjoyed.

Official openings

The town of Murrurundi has the opening of the restoration of the Swinging Bridge on Saturday at 2.30pm, one of many events during an action packed day in Murrurundi.  

The official opening of the Strathearn Villas on Gundy Road, Scone will also be held on Saturday commencing at 12.30pm.  

This opening is another example of the progressive nature of development in providing modern age care facilities in our shire.

Tidy Towns

Last year’s winner was Nundle so the festivities and celebrations are held in that town. 

It is certainly worthwhile to attend these celebrations and to see how other towns enhance the environment, upgrade facilities and generally improve their towns.  

The council has been notified by Keep NSW Beautiful that at least one town or project in our shire has been selected as a finalist in this year’s Sustainable Communities Program.  

These activities will take place in Nundle from November 7 to 9.

Children’s Week

Various activities to celebrate Children’s Week were recently enjoyed in different ways throughout the shire.  

Last Saturday Upper Hunter Family Day Care, Scone Out of School Hours (SOOSH) and the Early Learning Centre hosted children’s activities at the Town Square in Scone. 

Many children enjoyed their faces being painted and doing craft etc, the only restriction being the age limit; babies to six-years-old.  

Many adults would have enjoyed the face painting to make us look better in our advancing years. These events are an indication of just how good it is to live in towns in the Upper Hunter.

Snakes

With the warm Spring weather there has been a noticeable increase in the sightings of snakes that appear to be very active and at times aggressive.  

In warm weather the brown snake, generally the most common in our area moves very quickly when aroused and can be very frightening.  

All snakes are a necessary part of our ecological system and are best to be avoided if possible.

Dogs

Every week there are photographs in the local newspaper of dogs that have been caught and are in the Council Pound.  

These are not wild dogs but are domesticated pets that appear to have been abandoned by their owners for whatever reason.  

An animal needs food to survive and sometimes resorts to scavenging garbage bins or whatever resulting in scattered refuse. 

It is sad to see dogs abandoned as a dog is a very faithful, loyal pet and friend. 

It should be noted that legally, it is the owner’s responsibility to house and feed their dogs and to ensure they are micro-chipped, registered and restrained.

Australia Day Awards

These celebrations give an opportunity to recognise the good community work that takes place in our shire.  

If you know of someone you’d like to nominate, forms are available at Council’s Administration Offices in Scone, Merriwa and Murrurundi and Shire Libraries, can be downloaded from the Upper Hunter Shire website or you can also submit your nomination online at www.upperhunter.nsw.gov.au. 

Nominations close on November 21.

Mental Health

Black Dog as it is sometimes referred.  

This is an issue that affects many people directly or indirectly with many cases never reported or even known to their closest associates.

It is a difficult subject to discuss or even to the most confident admit that they are finding difficulties coping with life.  

Many challenges in life can cause depression; the loss of employment, the uncertainty of job security, drought conditions, for farmers watching livestock lose condition and sometimes die, all of these cause emotional stress that I believe many of us have experienced at some point in our lives.  

An alarming statistic is showing the increase in young people and children with depressive tendencies.  

Help is available through Lifeline - Phone 13 11 14 - Kids helpline 1800 551 800.