This is most likely my last Shire Notes for this term of Council. Time has flown by and we will soon be holding our local government elections on September 10.
I have enjoyed my term in Council and owe this to the wonderful people I have met and had the pleasure to work alongside as a Councillor.
How fortunate to work among stable, considered and rational folk who are generally like-minded and have their communities’ best interest at heart.
I thank them whole-heartedly and commend them on a job well done, knowing that they have not fulfilled their roles simply for the accolades.
Having said this, there will be vacant positions to be filled within our new Council and others to be contested, so I urge anyone with the time, the passion and the commitment to consider nominating for Council.
Upper Hunter Shire Council has employed the services of Local Government NSW to give potential candidates an educational forum on a councillor’s obligations at the Council Chambers in Scone on July 20.
I would highly recommend that if you are considering putting your hand up for the next local government elections, then this should be a must attend session.
On a personal level, I would like to see a gender balance around the Council table, so ladies, please give being a Councillor due consideration.
When we vote for our new Council we will also be answering a referendum question about changing the way we currently elect our Mayor. The question will ask do we wish to move to electing our Mayor by popular vote.
Council itself has no opinion on this and the decision must be made by the voters. It is Council’s intention to get some relevant information on this to the public as soon as possible, so please keep an eye out for it in order to read up on the potential advantages and disadvantages, as accessed by others who have gone through the process.
Aberdeen Highland Games
Congratulations to all those involved in the Aberdeen Highland Games. Even competing with a Federal Election couldn’t detract from the excited crowds participating in a wonderful event and the weather was once again kind to all.
This is the last of the Upper Hunter Shire’s major festival and what a bullish year it has been with attendance numbers up across the board.
This is a credit to the committees, the volunteers, the promoters and to the many sponsors who make it all possible, especially in these leaner financial times.
The Council is a willing partner in all of our Shire events who is bound to supporting and promoting these festivals, and has gone as far as increasing funding and various in-kind support for them in the next financial year.
NAIDOC Week
Council held a flag-raising ceremony and celebration on Monday for NAIDOC week which included Indigenous craft activities at the Scone Library. This was funded by the Federal Government’s Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
On Saturday evening Scone Youth Centre is hosting Youth Stomp with DJs and other entertainment for young people aged 12 to 24 years from 5pm to 8pm.
All Upper Hunter young people aged 12 years and over are invited to this drug and alcohol free event and transport to and from Murrurundi and Merriwa will be available. Funding for this event came from NSW Education Aboriginal Affairs.
Check Council’s website under ‘Hot Topics’ for more information.
