December

• 31 December 2012
  I hope that everybody had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year’s Eve - whether you stayed at home and enjoyed the beauty of the Macleay or travelled to be with family or friends. Read more
• 17 December 2012
  The Christmas holiday season is always busy for the Macleay Valley and it is good to see regular and new visitors to the valley and our beaches who come to enjoy, for a short time, the place where we are fortunate enough to live. Read more
• 10 December 2012
  This year a review into local government was launched. Read more
• 3 December 2012
  Place making – is it for us? One thing you notice in local government is that government has its own language. Read more

November

• 26 November 2012
  Over the last few weeks I have been writing about our Community Strategic Plan and explaining the four values of healthy, wealthy, safe and social. Read more
• 19 November 2012
  Valuing being safe means being safe in our homes, in public areas and at work. Read more
• 12 November 2012
  The value of being sociable touches on some of the basic values we hold as people. Read more
• 5 November 2012
  The concept of wealthy as a value may be the most challenging of our values statements. Read more

October

• 29 October 2012
  Health has been highlighted as important to our community because without our health it is difficult to enjoy and participate in life. Read more
• 22 October 2012
  Last week I discussed the values that Council was going to consider for the Community Strategic Plan. Read more
• 15 October 2012
  At this month’s council meeting, the councillors will be asked to make the first step in developing our plans for the future. Read more
• 8 October 2012
  Recently, I attended two events focused on different ends of the age spectrum. Read more
• 1 October 2012
  At the first meeting of the newly elected Council, the councillors were required to decide whether to elect a Deputy Mayor to stand in as Mayor when required. Read more

September

• 24 September 2012
  Our community and, in particular, residents and visitors to South West Rocks have been outraged at the senseless destruction of the Horseshoe Bay Shelter Shed. Read more
• 17 September 2012
  As this is my first column since my election as Mayor on September 8, I would like to thank everyone for the confidence they have shown in me through the mayoral election processes. Read more

August

• 20 August 2012
  The new water accounts have been issued and, as with any change, there has been some confusion within the community. Read more
• 13 August 2012
  The Kempsey community will have a chance to talk with the State Government on Aboriginal Policy at a community forum to be hosted in Kempsey as part of the Aboriginal Taskforce set up by the Minister Aboriginal Affairs, Victor Dominello. Read more
• 6 August 2012
  The NSW Government has been reviewing the process of how people can undertake development. Read more

July

• 30 July 2012
  Congratulations to Mary Tarr who was recognised as Oxley Woman of the Year 2012 and May Gill, being recognised as Local Woman of the Year 2012. Read more
• 23 July 2012
  Just after the announcement of the hospital upgrade funding the General Manager and I met with the CEO of Mid North Coast Health, Stewart Dowrick, who told us he was keen to get the upgrade project underway as soon as possible. Read more
• 16 July 2012
  It was my pleasure Saturday night June 30, to attend the Debutante Ball at the Kempsey Macleay RSL Club. Read more
• 9 July 2012
  We have many great assets in our community – Wigay Native Food Park in Sea St, West Kempsey is one of them. Read more
• 2 July 2012
  The community services of the Macleay are running a One Stop Shop to access a variety of services and resources over a three month pilot program running from June 4 to August 30, 2012. Read more

June

• 25 June 2012
  Welcome to Yanjie Cao, Brenda Day, Attiya Hussain and Muhammad Malik who took the final step in becoming Australian citizens at a ceremony held at the Civic Centre Wednesday 13 June. Read more
• 18 June 2012
  Council is seeking Expressions of Interest from interested community members to serve on its Natural Resources Group (NRG). Read more
• 11 June 2012
  At last work is set to commence on the upgrade to the Clyde Street Mall. Read more
• 4 June 2012
  We are fortunate to celebrate the life and contributions to the Macleay Valley made by Steve Keir Snr (III), former Managing Director and Chairman of Akubra. Read more

May

• 28 May 2012
  Council, on Tuesday May 21, decided to ask the community their preference for Council meeting times. Read more
• 21 May 2012
  After the September 2011 announcement by the Prime Minister of a further funding round for regional health services our hospital was successful in securing $40 million of the $110 million applied for in the significant master plan redevelopment. Read more
• 14 May 2012
  Thank you for all those who attended the Safe and Savvy Seniors information morning and the presenters who gave of their time. Read more
• 7 May 2012
  The NSW/ACT Regional Achievement & Community Awards will be calling for nominations from 17 May 2012 (nominations close 27 July 2012). Read more

April

• 30 April 2012
  We are leading the way with Australia’s first school-based trainee positions in Water Operations being offered at Council. Read more
• 23 April 2012
  It’s Kempsey Show week and this is the Year of the Farmer, a year celebrating farmers and the communities in which they live. Read more
• 16 April 2012
  On 30 March I attended the launch of the Community & Correctional Partnership Program. Read more
• 9 April 2012
  The ‘Building the Education Revolution’ scheme has had many benefits within our community. I recently attended the Official Blessing and Opening of the St Joseph’s Primary School Catherine McAuley Multi-Purpose Hall and Library which was a project funded under this scheme. Read more
• 2 April 2012
  The South Kempsey Project aims to improve the look and feel of the area through urban design and social planning. Read more

March

• 26 March 2012
  On Monday 19 March, Council was invited to attend the official opening of Macleay Valley House by Dr Brendan Nelson. Read more
• 19 March 2012
  In 2011 community groups embraced the opportunity to work together to provide support for our youth and formed the Macleay Valley Education and Skills Forum. Read more
• 12 March 2012
  Celebrated on March 8 across the world, International Women’s Day is a day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women in the past, present and future. Read more
• 5 March 2012
  On Tuesday 28 February the General Manager and I attended the State Government’s “NSW 2021” Community Discussion Forum in Port Macquarie to discuss the Mid North Coast Regional Action Plan. Read more

February

• 27 February 2012
  Seniors Week is a fantastic opportunity for our community to celebrate the contributions seniors make to the Macleay Valley. Read more
• 20 February 2012
  With a strong focus on the Pacific Highway Bypass and the impacts this may have for local businesses, it is extremely encouraging to see two highly regarded identities visiting Kempsey to meet with business owners and operators. Read more
• 13 February 2012
  There has been some healthy community debate over the past few weeks regarding Council’s decision to provide the Slim Dusty Centre with a $100,000 donation towards the Centre’s completion. Read more
• 6 February 2012
  The NSW Police’s Community Precinct quarterly meeting was held in Kempsey on 31 January in the Council Civic Centre with many local residents taking the opportunity to meet with police from our Local Area Command, Superintendent Peter Thurtell, Senior Constable Steve Cherry and Senior Sergeant Wayne Sainsbury. Read more

January

• 30 January 2012
  Charity bins are designed as a convenient place for those of us with too much to give to those less fortunate within our Shire. Read more
• 23 January 2012
  A subject of much discussion in the past few weeks has been the fate of the median strip in Smith and Belgrave Streets in Kempsey. Read more
• 16 January 2012
  Recently Council met with the Chief Executive of Mid North Coast Local Health District, Mr Stewart Dowrick, to discuss progress with seeking funding for the redevelopment of Kempsey District Hospital. Read more
• 9 January 2012
  Australia Day is a time to celebrate and recognise those individuals and groups who work selflessly to make the Macleay Valley Coast a better place to live. Read more
• 2 January 2012
  To begin the New Year I have gone back to take a look at the Delivery Program 2011-2015 and our Operational Plan 2011-2012 document that Council endorsed late last year. Read more