Last Australia Day post, I promise!
I’m really proud of the work Council has done in this video and how it showcases our area and our most precious resource, which is our people. ... See MoreSee Less
4 hours ago
As a member of Hawkesbury City Council's Civics and Citizenship committee, I'd like to congratulate all the winners of the awards we announced today:
Citizen of the Year - David Ryan
Young Citizen of the Year - Sam Bonus
Volunteer of the Year The Unintentional Medium - Suzi Samuel
Local Hero Award - Karen Stuttle
Community Organisation of the Year - NSW RFS - Hawkesbury District Volunteers
Environmental Award - Hawkesbury WIRES
Junior Person Sports of the Year - Holly Dalrymple
Community Arts Award - Arabella Logan
Here I am with our Volunteer of the Year, the wonderful Suzi Samuel, whose work and fundraising with the local chapter of Legacy Australia for many years has been simply outstanding.
I would like to add that the job of selecting worthy recipients of these awards is not undertaken lightly, and I am pleased that as part of the package of reforms I supported recently, all Councillors will now be party to the selection process, ensuring the best decisions across the widest cross-section of the community. ... See MoreSee Less
6 hours ago
Today we had the pleasure of welcoming new citizens as part of our Australia Day festivities.
I’m so sad our larger events can’t happen this year, but meeting people who choose Australia as their home and asking them why always gives me joy.
For example, brothers Jack and Jimmy Nuth, from England, raising families here and now here for good.
Welcome! ... See MoreSee Less
16 hours ago
Back in December at our last meeting of the year, I spoke in defence of Council's Heritage Committee, and I applauded Councillors who were prepared to reconsider an earlier proposal to abolish the committee.
Especially with hindsight, I am pleased I stuck to my guns on this one.
I forgot to upload the video of my remarks to the Chamber on that occasion, so here they are. At tonight's Council meeting (our first for 2021) we will ratify the structure of the new committees and appoint people to them. ... See MoreSee Less
2 days ago
Australia Day is a day for all of us to celebrate what's good about our Country and its founding.
It's not a day to wallow in recrimination of the past. I see it both as a reaffirmation of and an aspiration to our virtues as an egalitarian, peaceful, democratic, pluralist, secular, lawful, compassionate, innovative and good-humoured country.
As a member of Council's Civics and Citizenship committee, I am sad that we can't have our traditional celebration down by the river with a fair and fireworks due to COVID, but we're proceeding with our citizenship and awards ceremonies in Windsor on the day, and we have some outstanding local citizens and organisations to recognise and honour for their service.
The video I made a couple of years ago still says everything I have to say about why we should be proud of our country and all it has achieved. (Note that its reference to the celebration on the river is not happening this year).
Feel free to share. ... See MoreSee Less
3 days ago
The announcement of a $1.655 million grant to the Hawkesbury District Agricultural Asscn for construction of a new pavilion space at the Hawkesbury Showground is a tremendous boost for our district, and will provide local jobs, and a multi-purpose space useful for trade shows, community groups, and in times of emergency.
Well done to President Ross Matheson, Andrea and the HDAA team! ... See MoreSee Less
6 days ago
