Mayoral Message - April 2024

Published on 01 May 2024

I began this month with my fellow Councillors and the Council Management Team to meet with the NSW Local Government Grants Commission, comprising of Allan Baptist Chair and Commissioner’s Leanne Barnes PSM OAM, Grant Gleeson and Bruce Notley-Smith. The Commissioners gave a detailed explanation as to the operations and basis of its calculation of financial assistance grants by the Commission. It was a great opportunity for our Councillors to enhance their understanding of the process and to ask questions. Councillors took the opportunity to outline some of the unique challenges facing our Council.

It was wonderful to see Mrs Catherine Walker OAM and Mr Ronald Miller OAM receive their Order’s of Australia on the 8th and 9th of April. Mrs Catherine Walker received this honour for her service to education and to the community. Mr Ronald Miller received his medal for service to the Gundaroo Community. May I take a moment to extend my congratulations and thanks to these wonderful individuals. Your commitment and service to the Yass Valley has not gone unrecognised and has been rightfully honoured by those both inside and outside of the community.

Despite the cooling weather, I enjoyed attending the 100th anniversary of the Yass Branch of the Country Women’s Association at Historic Cliftonwood. Wendy Tuckerman MP joined with CWA Statement President Joy Beames and others, many of whom had travelled long distances to celebrate these great women and their service to our community. Following speeches and a wonderful lunch, we concluded the day by singing happy birthday and cut the cake. A huge thank you to the Yass branch members who have continued to work hard to ensure the success of this important milestone of the local branch.

Being the recipient of the CWA Citizenship Prize in my final year of High School, it was a particular pleasure for me to mark this occasion by presenting the branch with a well deserved Mayoral Good Citizen Award.

That afternoon, I ducked over to join the Yass and District Historical Society’s Graveside Yarns, which is part of the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival. After enjoying a lovely cup of tea, I got to speak to some of the wonderful visitors and locals who continue to participate in these events. A huge congratulations and thank you to the Society volunteers on this great initiative. It’s wonderful to see our community join together for events such as these.

On Friday, 19 April, I had the pleasure of joining with Alan Tindale to unveil his creation, the Len Waters Mural at Linton Village. The Mural has been crafted from bottle tops collected through the Village recycling program in the style of traditional Indigenous dot painting. The Mural honours Flight Sergeant Len Waters, the first RAAF Aboriginal fighter pilot in World War II. Congratulations to Alan and the RSL Lifecare for supporting this brilliantly conceived and beautifully completed work of art which is a wonderful addition to Linton Village.

On Tuesday, 23 April, I joined with our Yass Roo’s to watch Wendy Tuckerman MP turn on the brilliant new lighting at Joe O’Connor Park. The oval has never looked better at night! There will be no stopping the Yass Roo’s Aussie Rules Club from now on. A huge congratulations for all involved in this process of upgraded the previous lights. Another big congratulations to the Roo’s who won their first game under the new lights against the Belconnen Magpies. Well done team!

The following day, I was honoured to join with RSL President Luke Hagerty and RSL Vice President Rev. Steve Neuhaus RFD, Bugler Edward Alley, Peter Paulo, Lauren Jackson Brown and Ruth Bock to participate in an Anzac service. It was a pleasure to present the ANZAC address to the gathering at the Thomas Eccles Gardens. Thank you to everyone who attended.

That afternoon, I joined with Frances and Stuart Atkins as well as members of the Bowning Progress Association at the Bowning Pub. Former Labor Candidate Michael Pilbrow together with Bob Nanva MLC announced that the $80,000 committed to the Bowning Progress Association during the state election campaign had now been deposited into their account. Congratulations to the wonderful members of the Association for their plans to improve the village and their successful advocacy in delivering to the folk of Bowning.

On Anzac Day, it was great to see the large crowd attending the Yass Anzac Day March and Service (by far the largest I’d ever seen!). It is wonderful to see the growth in participation by so many individuals, community groups and organisations to honour our servicemen and women. Thank you to all community associations and groups who ran successful services, marches and breakfasts across the Yass Valley to honour those who have come before us.

Walking around Yass, I was pleased to see the great transformation to the frontage of DJ’s Family Butchery on Comur Street. It’s exciting to see this building truly shine on the main street. Congratulations to all concerned.

Until next month,

Allan