I am delighted to congratulate Maree Yapp on being named the Local Woman of the Year for the Orange Electorate. This honour is a well‐deserved recognition of her decades of service and the profound impact she has had on our community.
Maree’s commitment, compassion and tireless volunteer spirit embody the very best of our region. On behalf of Council and the people of our Shire, I congratulate Maree on this outstanding achievement and thank her sincerely for her extraordinary contribution to our community.
I am honoured to have been appointed to the Local Government Expert Advisory Panel for a three‐year term. The Panel will provide practical advice to the NSW Government as it implements reforms aimed at strengthening councils’ independence and long‐term financial sustainability.
This follows the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the Ability of Local Governments to Fund Infrastructure and Services, which highlighted the need for stronger support and clearer pathways for councils across the state.
Local government is at its strongest when communities are empowered and councils have the stability they need to plan ahead.
I look forward to contributing local, practical insights to help shape reforms that support both independence and future sustainability.
Council has refreshed its youth communication channels to ensure families continue to receive timely and age‐appropriate information.
The Forbes Youth Action Team (FYAT) pages have had a full “glow up,” relaunching as the Forbes Children & Youth Hub – a central, family‐friendly space designed to keep parents informed about local programs, services and opportunities for children and young people.
While the Facebook and Instagram pages will still feature FYAT updates, the new Hub will share a broader range of child and youth‐focused content. This will make it easier for families to find everything in one place, while still giving our FYAT Committee a platform to showcase their ideas and achievements.
God Bless
Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM