Mayoral Column - 28 June 2023
Published on 28 June 2023
I was pleased to officially open the inaugural Hunter Valley Wildlife Park Community Day on 18 June. The event was well-attended and provided a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community and enjoy some much-needed time with our families and friends while celebrating the rich biodiversity and natural environment we enjoy here in the Hunter Valley.
Council was delighted to partner with Australian Wildlife Parks to bring this incredible event to our community for the first time. I am hopeful we can collaborate once again on such an event in the future, and for it to become a regular feature on the jam-packed calendar of tourism and community events that our local government area proudly hosts each year.
In June, we also inducted eight new members into the City of Cessnock Hall of Fame at an induction ceremony held at Performance Arts Culture Cessnock (PACC). The Hall of Fame was established in 2006 and highlights exceptional contributions and accomplishments by individuals with strong ties to local communities. Council has inducted 60 members over this period.
The ceremony featured a stirring performance from local artist Anna Weatherup, whose original single, Shine, provided an inspirational interlude for the audience to reflect on the achievements that were being celebrated.
The Hall of Fame is an important initiative that not only celebrates exceptional individuals, but also fosters community pride and inspires future generations to reach new heights. This celebration of talent, hard work, and dedication creates a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
Eight individuals were successful in gaining a place in the City of Cessnock Hall of Fame across four categories. They are:
- Science: Mark Hughes, and Dr Peter Laut
- Public Service: Ewen Cameron, Trevor Milgate ESM OAM, and Harold Sternbeck AM
- Sport: Matthew Johns, and Andrew Johns
- Business: Gregory Watson
Along with a place in the Hall of Fame, each inductee will be honoured by the placement of a plaque in the town or village of their choice to reflect that our high achieving community members come from all parts of our local government area.
Finally, at the recent meeting on 21 June, Council adopted the 2023/24 Operational Plan that outlines our key priorities for the next 12 months. The Plan prioritises investment in road and infrastructure improvements and includes a $78.4 million capital works budget to drive critical projects that will provide far reaching social, economic and environmental benefits to our community.