From the Mayor's Desk - Friday 7 August 2009
Date: 07-Aug-09
Author: Alison Davey
Council has formed an Environment Committee and the inaugural meeting of the Committee will be on Thursday 20 August. The goal of the Committee is to establish how to progress the aims of the Committee and to develop a framework for future direction in planning for sustainability because ecologically sustainable development is a pathway for change, not a goal or end state in itself. It does not prevent development rather it just ensures that it occurs with the future of the whole community in mind.
***
A representative from Keep Australia Beautiful Council will be visiting our LGA from 17 to19th August carrying out assessment of entries submitted in this year's Tidy Town event. Entries have been submitted for projects in Kurri Kurri, Cessnock, Millfield and Wollombi. The assessment is part of the annual Tidy Town State Award's Program with the overall winner announced at the Award's Ceremony which will be held in Tamworth in late October.
The Cessnock LGA is well represented again this year, an indication of the community pride and involvement we have in our area. I would like to wish all our entrants the best of luck in the competition and thank them and all the Tidy Town Committees and their volunteers for the continued support they provide for our community.
***
On Wednesday 5 August at a Business Breakfast at Sebel Kirkton Park I launched the exciting business attraction "Pick of the Bunch" campaign. The campaign was developed by Council to showcase the many advantages that our City has to offer business and skilled workers who are looking to relocate. The morning was very successful with approx 69 businesses in attendance. The booklet and multi-media e-book are a flexible resource that Council will use to raise awareness outside our Region that Cessnock LGA is the Pick of the Bunch when it comes to business, investment, work and play. Congratulations to our General Manager and Council's Economic Development Manager who coordinated the development of Pick of the Bunch and many thanks to Vignerons Mr Bruce Tyrrell and Mr John Drayton, manufacturer Mr Garbis Simonian, Weston Aluminium and Mr Phil Cox from TAFE for their support and involvement. If you would like to view the e-book it is available on Council's website.
***
Cessnock Community Performing Arts Centre will be presenting the concert "The Voice of the Heart" to be held on Saturday 29 August. At the upcoming concert the Tone Shadows Choir will be performing a mixture of nature based, patriotic and life affirming songs composed by Anne Whale. The Tone Shadows Choir was formed by Anne Whale in the latter part of 2007.
This was the fulfilment of a dream Anne had since moving to Cessnock at the end of 2002.
The choir performs at retirement villages and other venues in the region. The most recent appearance was at The Freeman of the City ceremony in the Community Performing Arts Centre on 24th July. The choir sings a variety of music styles in unison and in two part harmony with a beautiful blend of tone and is unique in some ways, having two mother and daughter members and the ages of the members range from the very young to more mature age voices. In 2008 The Tone Shadows were awarded 2nd place in the Muswellbrook Eisteddfod at its first public performance.
***
The Mayoral Academic Challenge is again underway this year and I believe students are looking forward to the challenge. The event is to be held at Cessnock Community Performing Arts Centre and heats to be held on 1st & 2nd of September followed by the semi and finals on Thursday 3rd September. This year will also involve the four High Schools in our region. For further information on the Challenge please contact my office
