Mayoral Column - 9 October 2024

Published on 09 October 2024

I’d like to thank the community for their support and for placing their trust in me following my recent election as the Mayor of Cessnock City Council. I’m committed to being a voice for all residents and ensuring that our community thrives. After being a Councillor for the last three years, stepping into this role is a tremendous privilege and I’m really looking forward to getting to work!

I’d also like to express my gratitude to my predecessor, Jay Suvaal, and his hard work over the last term of Council. I’m excited to continue advocating for our community and exploring new opportunities for growth and unity, harnessing the potential that we have within our community. Together, we can honour the legacy of thoughtful leadership and strive for a future that uplifts every resident.

I’ll share more about my plans and priorities for the next term of Council in future Mayoral Columns, as well as updates on all Council projects, initiatives, and events. I’ll work hard to keep the community up to date with the direction we’re heading, and I encourage everyone to stay connected and keep an eye out for my fortnightly column! On that note, I’m honoured and excited to share my first Mayoral Column with you.

In exciting news, Cessnock Sportsground will host an exhibition match between the Newcastle Jets and the Central Coast Mariners, ahead of the A-League Women season.

There will also be public training sessions for fans to watch the players on Friday 11 October and Saturday 12 October, as they prepare for the big game on Sunday. The Saturday will also include a Jets PLAY community clinic, where children aged 5-13 can learn from players in the Ninja A-League Women’s squad. This is an excellent chance for local football clubs and aspiring young athletes to engage with the professionals and enhance their skills, here in our town.

I encourage everyone to attend for what promises to be an exhilarating weekend filled with sportsmanship, community spirit, and family fun. Don’t forget to grab your free ticket online to secure your spot. You can find the booking links to each of the sessions here.

Finally, as part of our ongoing ‘Support Local’ campaign, this month Council is giving away a selection of incredible Hunter Valley wine and beer experiences as part of this month’s Support Local campaign, to celebrate the vibrant beer, wine and spirit businesses that make the Hunter Valley a renowned destination.

For competition terms and conditions and more information on how to enter, please visit the Support Local page on Advance Greater Cessnock’s website.