From the Mayors Desk - 29 July 2011

Date: 29-Jul-11
Author: Alison Davey
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I recently met with members of Weston Aluminium to discuss their new business venture in developing a new industry and a world leader in recycling with their proposed $400milllion recycling plant planned for the Lower Hunter. Congratulations to Weston Aluminium on this great initiative.

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The 2011 Mayoral Debate for Years 9 & 10 students from the four High Schools is to commence with a workshop for the teams and their teachers. The workshop is to be facilitated by Mrs Judy Clark and Mrs Janette Jackson and to be held at Council. The heats are to be held on Wednesday 10 August and the finals to follow in the next week on Tuesday 16 August at Cessnock Community Performing Arts Centre. I look forward to hearing the great debates in which our extraordinary students present their views for or against the set topics.

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Nominations are open for Cessnock City Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognises people who have a strong association with the communities of the Cessnock LGA and who have achieved prominence in their chosen field at a state, national or international level.

There are 6 categories of achievement: Arts, Business, Public Service, Science, Sport and Meritorious Families. Anyone considering making a nomination or requiring assistance with making the nomination is asked to contact Council's Community and Cultural Engagement Manager, Mr Simon Eade on 4993 4293 or email simon.eade@cessnock.nsw.gov.au. If you go on Council's website, www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au, you will be able to read about our previous exceptional Hall of Fame recipients and what they have achieved over their lifetime.

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On Wednesday 3 August at 10.30am a ceremony is to be held at Edgeworth David Park, Abermain to commemorate the 125^th anniversary of the discovery of the Greta Coal Seam by Professor TW Edgeworth David in 1886. The ceremony also signals the beginning of the month long River of Black Gold Festival. Everyone is welcome to attend this great event.

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The River of Black Gold Festival will run throughout the month of August and includes:

an outstanding exhibition Black - a Coal Case at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery,
historical displays and talks at Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries,
a special steam event at the Richmond Vale Railway Museum,
a Pits and Pubs Tour,
a Heritage Day Craft Market at Marthaville and
an open day at Sir Edgeworth David Museum at Kurri Kurri.

This will culminate with a Family Fun Day on Sunday 28 August at the parkland adjacent to the Railway Hotel in Vincent Street. Come along and enjoy this great Festival and Fun Day to celebrate this historical occasion. For further information on the Festival please view Council's website www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au and information on the Fun Day contact Peta Jackson on 4990 5956 between 6pm-9pm.

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Council, NSW Police Force and Victims of Crime Assistance League Inc (NSW) have worked in partnership to design a community promotional campaign that encourages people to report the incident of crime and Council is in the process of actioning the strategies listed in Cessnock's LGA Crime Prevention Plan (2009-2012). As part of the Crime Prevention Plan, Council is distributing a crime prevention education message, with the aim to emphasise how crime can be reported and also offers simple strategies for protecting properties. For further information on the project please contact Council's Community Planning Co-ordinator Natalie Drage on 4993 418.

'Optimism is not the result of blinding oneself to problems, but of always believing there is a solution'

Alison