I’m back on deck and can I start by thanking Councillor Jenny Webb for helping while I was away on holidays. It was a great break and such a shock to get back and be greeted by this awful smoke and hot weather.

Please join me at the fantastic Christmas Carnival tonight and spend your money in our lovely town. The retailers need your help with the drought taking its toll on businesses.

We welcomed new citizens this week including Father Simon who is drawing the largest crowd ever to one of our ceremonies. For anyone thinking of becoming an Australian Citizen, get in touch with us, it is a lovely ceremony and an honour to bestow the recipients.

I urge everyone to support our Australia Day Parade. Please fill in your forms which will enable us to plan this day well ahead. We are seeking parade participants and volunteer parade marshals with huge prizes to be won! It will be a fantastic day for all ages. We also need nominations for the Citizens of the Year Awards, more information is available on our website.

I had a very interesting time last week at- tending the Centroc Board Meeting in Canberra. I met with our Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Michael McCormack, Hon Mark Coulton, Hon Josh Frydenburg and Hon David Littleproud. The meeting included discussions on increasing federal assistance grants for rural regions, regional water security and drought assistance and recovery packages.

This week the RMS have started investigation work on site for the proposed new Warroo Bridge. This bridge was built in 1909 and has served our community for 110 years. Following investigations it has been removed from this list and a concrete bridge will be installed instead.

It was lovely to take part in International Day of People with Disability on Tuesday and to see so many people join in the fun for the day. The Forbes High School Graduation Dinner last Friday was also lovely and inspiring, and I wish all graduates the best in their future endeavours.

I love the Ipomea Christmas Tree Festival at Town Hall and this year my staff have been working on our very own version of an X-Ray Christmas Tree, so please check it out this weekend, along with all the other amazing, quirky trees. Our final Council Meeting for the year is next Thursday, make sure you tune in.

It was a busy week for me. On Tuesday I attended the Local Government Transport Forum Western Region in Dubbo. There were presentations regarding fixing local roads and country bridges and road safety awareness and initiatives. Last year, an astounding 44 people died on our Western NSW roads, 20% were not wearing seatbelts. Statistics shouldn’t be this high and I think we can do something about this situation.

I also attended the Central NSW Joint Organisation (JO) in Canberra this week, as our Mayor, Phyllis Miller is on a well-earned holiday. Our region JO consists of 10 local council members and they are transforming the way the NSW Government and local councils collaborate, plan, set priori- ties and deliver important projects on a regional scale. United we are a strong voice that advocate at state and federal levels. Our region’s main priorities include Roads and Transport Infrastructure, Water Infrastructure, Health, Telecommunications, Regional Economic Development and the continuing drought and rural support.

What a great week Forbes has had! Grazing Down the Lachlan won gold at the NSW Tourism Awards. Congratulations to Wendy and Kim Muffet and the whole Grazing team. You have done an amazing job.

Last Friday Sam Farraway announced $5.7 million for the Somewhere Down the Lachlan Sculpture Trail. Congratulations to Keith Mullette and the team from the Forbes Art Society. Yet another enthusiastic group of people who have a wonderful vision for Forbes. I can’t wait to see the new sculptures, cultural centre and the re- development of the Bird Hide area at Gum Swamp.

Lastly Forbes Preschool has won a national award for their engagement with the principles of reconciliation. Amy Shine and her team do a wonderful job in educating our little ones.

This week I have been in the Adelaide Hills for the Australian Local Government Association Board Meeting and the National Local Roads and Transport Congress. The congress has provided some very interesting presentations including Heavy Vehicle National Regulatory Review and The State of Australia’s Infrastructure by Infrastructure Australia CEO, Romilly Madew AO. The theme for this congress was “Breaking Through for Modern Transport”. It is great to hear about how technology and innovation will help us maintain our local roads well into the future.

I have just returned from a week of rest and relaxation which I desperately needed. You don’t realise how tired you are until you stop. I’m back now, all refreshed and looking forward to chipping away at State and Federal Governments for extra drought relief required for communities such as Forbes.

I was honoured and privileged to be reelected to the Local Government NSW Board at our recent conference. Local Government is constantly fighting for our communities across NSW and making sure we are not forgotten when it comes to investment.

Council is commencing upgrade work at the cemetery on the 4th November. The works that are being undertaken include lawn areas, a rose garden and paved edgings as well as general maintenance work. This work is much needed and we hopefully will have all the work complete by Christmas. The cemetery is a special place to our community and we need to look after it.

Just a reminder to all residents to shop locally, especially in the lead up to Christmas. Our shops are also doing it tough with the drought. There is really nothing you cannot buy in Forbes. This drought will end eventually and we need to make sure all our retail businesses survive. Keep your prayers up, rain is forecast for the end of the week.

It is great to see the work progress on the Camp Street Bridge and you may have noticed we have been keeping the water lower in this part of the lake to help with the construction work. Last week, Councillors had a presentation from the RMS and by all accounts, work is on schedule and going to plan. At this month’s Council meeting, Council voted unanimously not to change the name of the bridge and it will remain as is; Camp Street Bridge.

Many people are utilising our wonderful community venues at Lions Park and in Templar Street for recent events such as the Foodies Market, Grazing Down the Lachlan and Teddy Bear’s Picnic. We are very fortunate to be able to provide these spaces for outdoor dining and events such as these. If the recent numbers at these events are anything to go by, the community and visitors to our town also appreciate them.

Council is coming to the end of its term next year and I encourage those interest- ed in local politics to come along to see

It has been a very busy time over the last couple of weeks. Next week is the Local Government Annual Conference in Sydney. We form our policy platforms for the coming year after the conference, to remain in line with all government strategies presented.

Drought will no doubt be a “hot” topic this year as there appears to be no end in sight. NSW Water Minister, Melinda Pavey, has been excellent in getting a back log of projects up and running again. It was reported this week, in my media watch, that she walked into a room of bureaucrats having a closed door meeting. She reportedly announced that if there was anyone in the room that thought building dams was not a priority “to vacate the room immediately”. It’s about time we had a minister with some common sense and the ability to get jobs done.

Moxey Dairies are celebrating 100 years of dairy operations on Saturday. What a wonderful achievement and a big congratulations to all the family for such a mighty job they have done over the years. We are very proud to have them as residents of the Forbes Shire.