Mayoral Column - 26 February 2025
Published on 26 February 2025
I hope the start of the year is treating everyone well, especially as we get into the rhythm of the new school term.
As we focus on the future of our region’s rural areas, Council is currently developing its Rural Lands Strategy, and we’re seeking input from local farmers, landowners, or rural business operators to share their experiences, challenges, and ideas. Your feedback will help shape policies that support agriculture, rural industries, and sustainable land use in Cessnock, and I highly encourage local residents who rely on rural land to share your insights and get involved.
If you’d like to participate, please email your name, contact details (phone, email, postal address) and industry type (e.g. beef farming, agritourism, equine) to together@cessnock.nsw.gov.au. Please note that the Vineyards District is being addressed through a separate planning process. Moving onto upcoming Council events, I’m happy that our annual free Repair Café event is back for another year! Join us Saturday 1 March 10am – 12:30pm at Branxton Community Hall, where skilled volunteers will be on hand to help repair your beloved belongings. Alongside Council, this event is possible thanks to Branxton/Greta Men’s Shed, Branxton Women’s Shed, and Repair It Lake Mac.
On that note, we’re looking for handy volunteers with skills to repair things like bicycles, electrical goods, leather goods, jewellery, shoes, bags, sewing machines, and more. Sound like you? Please email environment@cessnock.nsw.gov.au to express your interest.
Additionally, Seniors Festival 2025 will soon kick off, with this years’ theme Time to Shine celebrating the unique contributions, talents, and stories that seniors bring to our local community every day. Running from 3 March until 16 March, the program includes activities such as a seniors portraiture photography exhibition, aqua fitness, Qi Gong Tai Chi, a wine tasting, high tea, free technology assistance, history talks, and more! Visit Council’s website to learn more.
In other exciting news, sponsorship has opened for the 2025 Mayoral Scholarship program. This is a fantastic opportunity for local businesses to provide much needed financial support to community members striving to achieve academic, education and training goals. Businesses can contribute $2,500 per scholarship, with the total amount being awarded to successful candidates to help offset study-related costs. If you’d like to take part in this wonderful opportunity or find out more information visit, www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/Residents/Community-services-and-support/Mayoral-Scholarship-Program.
It’s also easier than ever to stay informed, with Cessnock City Library offering a suite of digital newspapers free of charge for members. Library cardholders can now login to NewsBank – an online platform enabling access to newspapers including the Newcastle Herald, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Daily Telegraph. Check it out today!