Thursday evening saw the inaugural event for the Orange Chamber of Classical Music event (postponed last year due to COVID).

I attended the opening concert at the Conservatorium and it was inspiring to watch and hear the incredible talents of local and other talents.

The last of the Future Tunes concerts in Robertson Park on Friday night conclude a very successful number of free concerts featuring local artists.

I hope this event continues into the coming years!

The 30th year of FOOD Week got off to a superb start on Saturday with the Sampson Street Long Lunch, and what a beautiful Orange Autumn day it turned out to be.

On Monday evening I am attending the 30th celebration dinner at the Function Centre - how time flies when you are having a good time!

A big congratulations to all the volunteers over those years that have worked tirelessly to see FOOD Week become a 'signature event' in the Orange calendar.

All events see a great mix of locals and visitors and certainly attract national and international attention for our wonderful city.

Last week we had nearly 1000 people from all over Australia here competing in the four-day orienteering national championships; another event organised by volunteers that gave Orange a huge boost.

There have been many positive comments on the fairy lighting on the Summer Street trees and the work to date as part of The Future City refurbishing of our CBD, a multi million dollar project.

Whilst there are detractors, I am pleased to see the vast majority of the commercial and ratepayers supporting the project that went through an exhaustive process for community input.

This Friday will see the Orange Gold Cup race meeting at Towac Park. Congratulations to the hard working and innovative group that, by all reports, is turning things around for racing in Orange, well done!

Also on Friday we'll see the opening of an exhibition on one of Orange's favourite sons, Pat Ford; an incredible boxing talent that enjoyed great success and lived his life in Orange as a local butcher and passionate CYMS supporter. I remember fondly my many interactions with Pat, a real character who certainly put Orange on the map in the sport of boxing. I am sure Pat would be very proud of one of our current rising young stars like Jack Littlefield.

Council meeting last week saw a number of significant resolutions passed at Council, the draft Budget, a multi million dollar proposal covering everything from rates to major infrastructure projects. It's the most important document council considers yearly and is one Council invites community and Councillor input, it's basically your opportunity.

A 43 lot subdivision on Clergate Road, a multi million dollar development for a childcare centre at the historic Newstead building, a multi million dollar health complex (Lives Lived Well on Lysterfield Road), expressions of interest for the western end of the old hospital site, review and update of Orange's Heritage Conservation Plan.

Council to hold an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday, April 27 on the proposed development of part of the former Ex-Services Golf course. Council has had public forums, opportunity for community input via various avenues and widespread media exposure, but a decision must be made. Council unanimously approved to explore the possibility of a native parkland on the NDR site originally purchased for a possible sports complex. This 44 hectares, it has hundreds of valuable native trees and pasture that would be ideal for a community open woodland park. Low maintenance with primitive tracks and various vistas to enjoy the natural ambience of the area. As well as having incredible social and environmental attributes, it would give individuals and community groups the opportunity to be part of the planning, planting and maintenance of a truly community space. Take the time to go out and have a look.

Coming up, Orange will be conducting a Mental Health round-table with Minister Bron Taylor on Friday april 23. This will bring together the numerous organisations and medical professionals to come up with recommendations to both State and Federal Government in this space.

This is a first for state government and it will be then conducted in other centres. Finally Westhaven is expanding their provision in Orange with a sod turning for a development in Brown Street.

I look forward to ongoing discussions and the sod turning this Thursday.

FACTS: Last Council elections: 88 candidates, 38 female and 50 male. There were 13 tickets (largest 7, average of 6), nine stood below the line (no ticket), two of those female. Only one ticket had a female heading up the ticket but the next three on that ticket were male. Ten candidates ran for mayor (including females). Last Council had the lowest number of female councillors I have served with in my time on Council. I ran for council with a a female colleague and were both successful. I have served with three female deputy mayors and our current president of NSW Local Government is female and she will now become the president of the Australian Local Government Association. I look forward to seeing a wide spectrum of the community putting their hands up to represent our wonderful City.

Elections are a democratic process, please give it serious consideration and remember to seek out information on what the job is about and remember you will never really know if you do not give it a go!

There will be more council forums for prospective candidates (the first two were sadly not well attended).

I am sure any current councillor or past councillor would only be too happy to answer any inquiries.

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