Councillor Role

In 2008 Fiona ran for re-election on her own ticket- Team H. She was successful in being re-elected and only 100 votes short of her second candidate Gerald Power being elected also. If she had of been successful with the second candidate Orange Council would have had its first Aboriginal Councillor.

Items of particular interest to Fiona at this time would be the water issue in Orange. She has been active in working towards a way for future water sustainability. Evidence of the work done to date can be viewed on the Council web site- Water Project

Fiona also enjoys the role she plays in the numerous areas relating to the major portfolio in which she holds- Community Services. Given her background as a Registered Nurse, previous Councillor, Justice of the Peace, involvement in local community projects and various fundraising activities Fiona believes she is well suited to this role. In particular she is approachable, empathic, professional, understanding and seeks out the various needs of her community. Projects Fiona has been involved in through Council are:

* Water strategy for the future 2050
* Storm Water Harvesting scheme
* Planning and development of the New PCYC centre in Orange
* Spring Street Bridge
* Children's Memorial Garden
* Expansion of the Skate park
* Advocate for Icely and Ophir road users linking to Northern Distributor
* Youth Conference Orange
* Australian Rural Leadership Course- Vision Task needs assessment for families.
* Crime Prevention CCTV cameras
* Christmas Festival
* Chamber of Commerce representative for Council
* Disability services
* Mount Canobolas as a Tourist area
* Dragon Boats Orange

In 2004 Fiona was first elected as a Councillor with Orange City Council. After a busy time with election and campaigning against 77 other possible candidates. Fiona became the third female Councillor at Orange. Fiona is an extremely active Council member and some of the projects that she has driven or been involved in are:

  • Designing and building two BMX Tracks in Orange after establishing a partnership with organisations to provide funding in support (competitive and recreational)
  • Lobbying and building a recreational play area for children at Glenroi
  • Working with the community and other Councillors to have an Aboriginal Flag flown at the Council Chambers
  • Working with a committee and Youth to establish "Not just another CafĂ©" (NJAC)
  • Set up a Pilot Project with Police, Public School and Council to provide bikes and helmets so that bike riding could become part of the sport curriculum at no cost to students.
  • Lobbied for changes in phone directory, reduced speed on distributor road, better meeting times, shared space, and much more.
  • Been an active member in the Community Plan 2020 for Orange
  • Amongst many other things... Visit this site monthly to stay updated on what Fiona has been involved in with Council.

Fiona's objectives on council

Council Objectives (PDF File)

Orange Councillor and Candidate 2008 Election
Please find in this document the completed profile with full policy information and many other extras added in.

You Tube- Orange Electorate Fiona Rossiter Team H

Visit this new website Australian Family Matters


Saturday, September 13, 2008

Local Government Elections


Well what a lead up to this event. The dirty politics and smear campaigns didn't surprise me at all. Something I have become educated in since being in Local Government. Not that I condone it, in fact I had my share of it being on the receiving end earlier this year. What surprises me about all of it is how short memories are. I could go onto a whole lot more discussion on this matter but I don't feel like wasting my time.


For the most part of election day my family, friends and running candidates had a great day both pre-polling and enjoying the company of most other people who were handing out flyer's. The weather was lovely and there was a hive of activity. I was offended though with the two situations that occurred with my children and husband and after having them recorded have now moved on.


Of course election evening was a waiting game with the results looking good. We had my running candidate's at our house for a relaxing BBQ but we just couldn't help ourselves from sneaking into the computer when the chance arose.


For the remainder of the election results it was a slow long old wait. We were sure that I had been elected but were hoping that we could have drawn in some more of our candidates. We had hoped that the preferential system would have been a bonus and we were pleased that we had been open and honest with the community in showing what arrangements had been made.


As part of the smear campaign I acknowledged that there were people who had been quite vocal and making a distinction between true independent and independent and using MP Peter Andren's name when distinguishing the difference. I found that in poor taste especially given that our long serving Councillor Margaret Stevenson OAM had always given referential's and ran successfully for 34 years as an independent. I can only say again how short memories are!


Unfortunately the results came in without Gerald Powers name attached. I was disappointed to see that we could not get him over the line even though he had a significant amount of votes. I understand that he missed out by about 100 further votes. He would have been the first Aboriginal Councillor for Orange and he would have come with a great connection to children, youth and families, to this end I feel it has been a loss to our community.


Our team worked hard in promoting themselves below the line and this was evidenced by the results that appeared on line. I feel proud that Team H made a concerted effort to promote themselves. The Team H T-shirts certainly stood out at the polling booth and was a comment we all heard regularly. It was a pleasure working with such an enthusiastic team who had a heart felt want to become a Councillor.


I thank all of the people who gave our team and myself a vote and especially the number one votes. They all count in the scheme of things and I am thank full that we still have female representation in Orange. Although very limited and quite surprisingly given that there were quite a few women who were on the election ticket. I met a gentleman outside pre-polling who made a point of telling me that he had voted for all the women on the pre-polling ticket, to him I say well done! clearly one of our "new age men" who has a great outlook on life.


Well on with Council I guess it is. With a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor we will see what the future has in store. I was disappointed to miss out on the Deputy Mayoral position myself and was in absolute awe at the fact that a Councillor who was elected to vote on important Council decisions abstained from voting in this instance. I was thinking it may have been a draw and would have been comfortable with a draw out of a hat again but it was not to be the case.


From this time on I will be making a point of recording my opinion and account of future Council meetings on a bi-monthly basis. Remembering that we live in a Democracy and that I have freedom of speech and I will not be swayed by past events when having a say.


To be continued..........

Cr Fiona Rossiter

Orange City Council NSW

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