Another very busy two weeks with a visit to Parliament House to discuss issues that effect all regional councils: cost shifting, waste levies, library funding.
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I met shadow minister for Local Government Peter Primrose in Orange recently and he has accepted an offer to bring several of the opposition shadow ministers to our region to discuss policy and council issues.
There were representatives from councillors all over NSW who enjoyed the range of activities put on by our fantastic Tidy Towns committee.
The gala evening on Saturday night saw Cessnock win the mayor award, but Orange once again received an award for the Benjamin Short Grove gardening project. The feedback from participants was incredible.
Congratulations also to Chris Gryllis who received a well deserved recognition award for the many years of input and devotion to Orange’s Tidy Towns efforts.
Anglicare opened its new premises next door to Holy Trinity Church on Saturday.
It was an honour to represent council and the community to thank them for the much appreciated social work and support the organisation does in the community. It was also its annual fete day which once again was a great success on a brilliant Orange Spring day.
Orange Public School held its open garden event on Saturday with eight gardens open to the public. This fundraiser for the school attracted huge crowds, and I am hoping it becomes an annual event.
A special thank you to all the folk who gave their gardens and time to not only showcase Orange, but to raise funds for the school.
Sunday saw Armistice Day celebrations marking 100 years since the ending of The Great War. Our small, but very enthusiastic Centenary of World War 1 committee held its last major function, which was a re-enactment of celebrations that occurred in front of the Town Hall (now OCTEC).
A big thank to all the folk who came along dressed in period dress, the pre-1918 cars, the staff of OCC, and the staff of OCTEC for letting us use the building, and for the work they put in as volunteers.
The building was decked out on how it looked 100 years ago.
The speeches, the words from the four ministers, the mayoral and town clerk speeches were exactly as they were in 1918. The CWD reporter Danielle Cetenski got really into the spirit of things in her period dress and hat. Well done to all.
Robert Bruce took a photo from the same position as one taken in 1918, and we all look forward to seeing it hanging with that incredible clear and concise photo of 100 years ago.
Everyone then made their way to Robertson Park for the Armistice Day Service conducted by the RSL sub branch (but not before the bell ringers at Holy Trinity Church rang the bells). They had also put long ropes of Flanders flowers down the outside of the bell tower. It looked fantastic!
The service in Robertson Park was the biggest anyone could remember, and the band, singing and address from the Orange High School captain Lucy Johnston was admired by all present.
The graves of returned WWI soldiers all had an Australian flag present and the feedback from this has been amazing (a project the committee undertook a few years back).
The committee started in 2011, and has done so much research, gathering of memorabilia, organising the Coeee March through Orange and the list goes on. Council offers a special thank you for your dedication. To the staff at our library, wow, unheralded champions all!
Finally congratulations to the Sarans for the great rework of the old Carrington Hotel.
It looks amazing, and has so many people admiring it.
Living Better certainly has a substantial new home. The Tidy Towns committee made special presentation to them Friday last.
Good to see so many out enjoying the fishing in the (soon to be decommissioned) Hawke Lane dam.
Orange mayor Reg Kidd
