A big crowd attended the markets, and it gave me the opportunity to inspect the progress on the amenities being added to the new Naylor Pavilion. I am sure the canteen, toilets and kitchen will all be operational for the Orange show.

I attended a number of the Banjo events and enjoyed them all with a number of former Orange friends who returned for the week.

All commented on the growth and the continued beauty of our many parks, street trees and newer areas including Gosling Reserve, the scout camp area and the Earth Sanctuary walking and biking trail.

Last week I spent a considerable amount of time at various sites within the Mount Canobolas precinct with senior staff from National Parks and the Mayor and General Manager of Cabonne.

We were able to view the plans and initial work being undertaken with the $2 million grant that was received to improve the maintenance at a number of the lookouts, trails and the parking at the summit.

I also observed the regrowth from previous fires, and unfortunately the incredible number and amount of invasive weeds expanding in the precinct.

Some areas are virtually being choked out with blackberry, biddy bush ,ivy, fireweed and others which is a real concern to the health of native species on the mountain.

With that in mind, I am looking forward to the extensive investigation into all aspects of the mountain. I am also looking forward to substantiation (by recognised experts) on any aboriginal sites or artifacts on the mountain.

It was pleasing to see the interest being shown from a number of people at Council's recent forum.

Their seems to be some confusion on Council's Future City program and a group with the name "Futuring Orange" - the later has nothing to do with council.

This coming week we will have over 200 golfers taking part in the Orange Veterans golf tournament, booking into motels, hotels and the caravan park.

Also beginning at the end of the week will be the Veterans (over 60s) cricket carnival bringing sides from all over the state - again a great boost to the economy.

The heritage award nominations are out and I am looking forward to seeing many nominations for the awards night at historic Duntryleague mansion. Duntryleague will also entertain the Irish Ambassodor and his wife at at special dinner to be held on March 19, close enough to St Patrick's Day on March 17.

The State Executive of NSW Farmers will be meeting in Orange on March 10 and 11, with over 70 people representing all parts of the state in attendance. I am pleased to be able to host them in what we deem the agribusiness centre of Australia here in Orange.

The latest Future Tunes was held in Robertson Park on Friday night and it was three youth bands, ages ranging from 11 to 16 - what talents we have in our region.

The RDA's new office has recently been awarded a Tidy Towns Award, as did the Jack Evans store in Peisley Street.

Jack Evans is the president of the Orange Business Chamber and certainly leads by example with their business.

I attended the state funeral for Ian Armstrong last week in Cowra, and it showed just how much this 'Champion of the Bush' was revered from all sides of politics.

I have never seen so many current State and Federal Ministers, Premiers, Deputy Prime Ministers, and former ministers, in the one place.

The legacy he left for Orange can't be understated, with the single biggest decentralisation of a State Government Department to a regional centre in NSW history, with the DPIE now fittingly housed in the new offices called The Ian Armstrong building.

The sports precinct, as with Mount Canobolas, will go through a vigorous review process by recognised experts, and according to legislation, not any keyboard experts or others who claim to been involved with numerous community greening projects over the years.

Democracy is being able to express opinions etc, but when it stoops to the level of personal attacks on staff and councillors, often with ill-founded comment, that's just not on.

Council will be conducting a number of forums soon for prospective Councillors. I am sure there should be literally hundreds considering putting up their hand to serve their community; I look forward to being able to contribute and answer any questions.

We are now into Autumn, and in no time at all we will see the deciduous trees starting to colour.

Take the opportunity of visiting the many parks, reserves and other green spaces Orange has, indeed Orange has one of the highest ratios of green space per 1000 head of population in Australia.

Explore the green corridor from the Function Centre right through to Churchill Avenue, Ploughmans wetlands and the corridor virtually through to Molong Road.

The track from Gosling Creek Reserve through to Lake Canobolas, to name but a few, and not forgetting the fields and parks in Glenroi - enjoy the beginning of Autumn.

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