I have been to a number of them and it gives me a great deal of pleasure to represent council at such important functions.

To all schools, their teachers and students, have a joyful and safe break and your council looks forward to working with you in 2018.

While on the subject of education, there were some outstanding results in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) in a very broad range of subjects.

This is just the beginning of a new phase in the graduating students’ lives. Remember the HSC is only part of it.

There are all sorts of opportunities out there, including apprenticeships, traineeships, part-time vocational studies and university. They’re all different but just as important as each other.

Whatever the young folk who have just finished year 12 do, know that we are proud of you and wish you well in your future endeavours.

THE good news is that old hospital site is basically demolished and cleaned up now, and over $1,400 was raised for the Premi-Babes Association of Orange through the sales of the building’s bricks.

This wonderful group of volunteers have operated for many years and have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for critical equipment to support new born babies and their mothers.

Thank you from all our community.

OUR Australia Day ambassador is Miss Annabelle Williams, OAM, a Paralympic swimmer.

A great program of events is being planned for the January 26 in our beautiful Cook Park, and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible there to share the activities with our ambassador and our wonderful, culturally-diverse community.

ORANGE Region Tourism – a partnership between Orange City, Blayney Shire and Cabonne councils – has moved into their operational spot at the Orange Railway Station, and with the appointment of a general manager in Caddie Marshall, I am sure we will see things really moving in 2018.

Duntryleague has just received a $30,000 Community Building Partnership grant for restoration work on the veranda and portico. Member for Orange Phil Donato made the announcement recently, and it was much appreciated and needed for the preservation of what is probably one of Orange’s most iconic buildings.

Good Weekend magazine are visiting this week and doing a story on Orange and the region’s tourism hotspots. I am looking forward to meeting with their journalist later in the week.

Council is currently working on some substantial grant applications for the federal government’s Building Better Region Funds, and following up on some opportunities for state government funding. Watch this space.

Finally, the Christmas lights and decorations are fabulous again this year, and I enjoy moving around our beautiful city viewing them.

Please stay safe, have a wonderful Christmas with family, a happy New Year with friends, and spare a moment for those who are less fortunate.