This event brings thousands of visitors to Orange for the best part of a week, and is Orange’s (and Cabonne’s) biggest single event. This year visitors numbers were around 16,000, and then you have over 600 exhibitors, which is a huge stimulus to the local economy.

We often take for granted just how important the field days are for our region, so congratulations to all concerned, especially this year’s special exhibitor – the NSW Department of Primary Industries – which has now called Orange home for over 25 years.

I recently attended the Local Government Annual NSW Conference, where we were successful in getting support for a number issues including waste management.

The state government collects millions of dollars annually from councils in the form of a waste levy, but in reality returns little. Currently a huge problem exists with a number of recipients of recycled material no longer taking it.

It is imperative that the government puts funding into research for the use of recycled materials, like the rubber and glass in road base that is common practice overseas.

Another important agreement was to continue lobbying government to adequately fund library services, while the issue of fuel excise – which comes every year – resulted in a motion that Local Government NSW lobby to see a fairer amount returned to road maintenance and construction, which is supposedly one of the main reasons for it.

On Saturday Orange City Council hosted the second welcome to Orange luncheon at the Botanic Gardens. A large crowd of new residents were on hand, and it was very interesting listening to their various reasons for choosing to live in Orange. A warm welcome to all, and I look forward to your contribution to the growth of our city.

On Wednesday we will see the Sunrise breakfast show in Robertson Park. I have the job of speaking with them at 5.30am from Mount Canobolas. Here’s hoping for a clear morning to enjoy the beauty that is Orange.

It saddened me to see that once again vandals have caused thousands of dollars of damage to the hockey complex in Glenroi. All the hard work done by volunteers destroyed by mindless hoons who have no respect for others, their community, or probably themselves. I hope that the police catch up with the culprits and really throw the book at them.

A fond farewell to one of Orange’s best-known family hotels – Kelly’s. Operated by the Kelly family since the 1940s and an institution for CYMS football and cricket clubs, generations have enjoyed the hospitality of ‘The Vatican’.

Our thanks go out for all you have done for Orange, in so many different ways. Bill has served as a councillor, and has been one of the leading lights behind the Orange Liquor Accord. While it was sad to share last drinks with them at the hotel on Sunday afternoon, it was great to see all the family present and the huge number of people wishing the them well in the future.

While Orange looks nice and green at the moment, we must be aware of the fact that our water supplies are lower than normal after a very dry 18 months, and we encourage all to be sensible in their water use.