It was great to see so many people out just enjoying nature as well.

Children (and adults) were out everywhere making snowmen, throwing snowballs and using all sorts of equipment as bobsleds.

I even saw four hardy souls playing golf at the height of the snowfall at Duntryleague.

READ MORE: Orange shivers through record-breaking weekend weather

And congratulations to the person or people who built the 'snow kangaroo' on top of the Regional Museum, it was an absolute hit with visitors.

This Tuesday at 6pm at council there will be a public forum to gather community input into our roads and footpaths program.

It would be great to see a big attendance as roads and footpaths generate a huge amount of community debate and comment.

The Orange Eisteddfod is in full swing and I had the honour of officially opening it during the week.

A big thank you to the hard working voluntary committee that put thousands of hours into planning, preparation and running of such a spectacular event.

The Australian Water Association held its state conference in Orange this week with a capacity participation of over 160.

Regional Development Australia (Act/NSW) held their meeting in Orange at the Oriana this week.

The Central West RDA hosted the other 12 areas and the Assistant Minister for Regional Development with Peter MacSmith from MSM Milling, Manildra giving an excellent presentation on the hurdles faced in developing manufacturing in regional areas with ballooning energy and transport costs.

Hopefully Government will take these concerns on board and work seriously towards solutions.

The mayoral debating challenge has been won this year by Orange High School and the level of skill shown by all the schools never ceases to amaze me.A thank you to all the students who participated,their teachers our volunteer judges and Cr Tony Mileto.

I was hosted by the Orange Christian School as part of Local Government Week.

I must mention the prep students and their teacher Mrs Cunial, who put on a very entertaining and informative demonstration on environmental stewardship.

Homelessness Week was conducted this week and I attended the sausage sizzle at Housing Plus to learn more on the various programs that exist to help and I am pleased to note that the Government is undertaking a major research project to get some facts and figures on the degree of the problem across the state, and Orange will be one of the towns and cities surveyed.

The Banjo Paterson writing awards were presented last week and it was a pleasure to meet author Debra Adelaide and view one of her latest novels 'ZEBRA'.

Ms Adelaide had a former connection with Orange being one of the partners that owned the Canobolas Hotel.

Congratulations to all the entrants, and especially the prize winners.

I am excited to see the new LED lights and poles project approved by Council this week, this is moving Orange into the latest technology not only for illumination but a number of other purposes where wireless technology comes into its own.

Currently Council is negotiating with Government on a substantial water infrastructure project - watch this space.