Australian Water Summit Sydney-29th to 1st May

This was the 4th Annual Australian Water Summit held in Sydney. A distinguished panel of water and climate experts gave presentations and held discussion panels. There was the opportunity for debate and questions on water management. We heard from industry leaders about the 21st century water demand and supply, while applying the lessons they learnt to businesses.
Speakers and panel members guided us through the practicalities of managing scarce water resources, while ensuring security of supply this decade.
Some of the reasons for attending were to learn more about:
Benefit from post-election reforms.
Clarifying funding and policy priorities
Identifying big-ticket contracts
Ensuring security of supply
Managing the impact of climate change
Meet shortages in drought-affected areas
Protection of stressed rivers and waterways
Building of a world class water business
Identifying alternative water sources
Quantifying the ROI for desalination
Boosting reuse and recycling efforts
Attracting infrastructure finance partners
Benefits from water exchanges and trading
Clarifying access and pricing trends
Assessing water management technologies
Improving customer care, billing and metering
Balancing supply and demand management
Rewarding "smart water" use

Another Autumn Art School- 26th and 27th April

It wouldn't surprise you to know that with the magnificent views and amazing colours in Orange that there would be artists near by. In fact Orange has quite a few. My daughter and I enrolled in a weekend in which we were able to learn about painting with water colours.
It seemed perfect, you see we have what I think is a budding artist in our home. Our young daughter is always drawing or painting so we decided to have a girl's weekend. The atmosphere was set with our teacher and Artist being Joy Engelman http://joyengelmangallery.com . We were using water colours and how magic it is working with those. They seemed to have a mind of their own once you laid the initial foundation, or should I say once you made the initial strokes.
We spent all weekend totally lost in painting nature with leaves, trees and landscapes. We were fascinated with the whole process and totally lost in time. How relaxing it was. We met some new people enjoyed our time together and had the opportunity to view some of Joy's work.
If you would like to contact Joy email joy@joyenglmangallery.com
Definitely a great way to enjoy some mother and daughter time together!

Complete Sports Marketing

The City of Orange has a strong sporting tradition and annually plays host to a large number of events in many different sports. Council recognises the benefits of staging major sporting events within the City and acknowledges the potential to increase its market share.
From a historical perspective, the vast majority of sporting governing bodies have elected to conduct their events in major metropolitan areas however, this view is now under a high level of scrutiny, as city-based events do not have the ability to deliver community, participation, commercial and business outcomes. As a result, event "owners" are seriously looking at options to relocating events into pre-selected regional centres.
To ensure Orange is well positioned to secure its share of events, Council has recently partnered with an experienced sports marketing company. They will be responsible for promoting the our sporting organisations and facilities to governing bodies and event owners to attract more sporting events in our City.
Sport and more specifically sporting events, are no longer just about recreation. In commercial terms, sporting events offer economic, social and community opportunities to the regional destinations that are prepared to recognise and exploit them. Events attract visitation and result in significant cash inflow. Sport provides the basis for public and private infrastructure development; it attracts investment, builds social capital, creates employment and provides opportunities to impress sport specific visitors, which leads to return visitation.
This meeting proved to beneficial in two senses. The first being the opportunity to speak with someone who has some what experience in the sports market and secondly for us as Councillors to have input into such a beneficial component of our communities fabric.

Pet and Community Expo

We as a family have attended this event for the past few years. In fact we have gone as far as to invite some of our own animals along with us. They were our dogs, Sharpie's Lily and Shadow. In the first couple of years I was invited to be a part of the fly ball which was an event that challenged both the dogs and their owners. It was an educational moment and gave us an indication of how obedient our dogs were.

The Pet Expo is an event that has been put on by Orange Daybreak Rotary club in conjunction with several significant sponsors. There are a variety of activities, fun things to do, activities, rides and competitions. Plenty to see and do for everyone.

As if that wasn't enough there is the opportunity to do some shopping for your pampered pet. You could gain accessories and equipment, as well as learn about grooming, diet and hygiene for your pet. This is always an event that we enjoy as a family including our pets.

Opening of Community Garden- Glenroi area

A great deal of work has been done near the Coote's Street area. With the establishment of the Coote's street Tenant group to the community building, grass cutting service, bread service, Muriel painted by the children, establishment of a play group and changing of the environment with building layouts, it has become a changing and welcoming place. The residents are enjoying the new lifestyle and that someone has taken the time to help improve the area.
The Coote's Street community building now has a telecommunication centre which is allowing children the ability to tap into the system and research homework. Also people have the ability to access the Internet and job search.
The most recent addition to this area has been the "Community Garden" built by the people living in this area and help from the Department of Housing. With the visit of Senator Ursula Stephens saw the planting of their first lot of vegetables and fruit trees donated by Bunning's. This location has become a hive of activity and will be a wonderful resource for the people living in this area. They will enjoy the fruits of their labour in the not to distant future.

"Breakfast with the Senator"

Senator the Honorable Ursula Stephens Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector was visiting Orange. Senator Stephens outlined the Australian Government's approach to build social inclusion in our communities and the important role of community organisations within the new agenda.
It was a lovely start to the day with a drive to Croagh Patrick which is a historical building occupied by Orange Community Technical Education College (OCTEC). The young group of people working with Tracey from NJAC provided the bountiful breakfast. They had done well to cater for the many people in attendance at this event and it was pleasing to see them congratulated for their work.
We heard the Senator speak with a passion about her committment to her port-folio. The Senator was then off to see the many projects undertaken in the Orange community by the various organisations to help make Orange a better place and support its community.

Fresh, Fast Family Meals with Mini Maison

Another event of Food Week which my youngest daughter and I attended was the cooking fresh, fast family meals. We learnt how to incorporate local seasonal produce into fast, fun, family meals. They were low budget and tasted sensational.
We were able to reinvigorate meal time with the fresh new ideas we had witnessed being cooked. Best of all so my youngest daughter thought was the tasting. Yummy! were here words, "can we cook this for dad and the other kids"
Dinner at our house courtesy of KK and I it was after that. mmmm delicious!

Food Week Night Market- Opening Evening

We had no sooner got home from a delightful afternoon with family and friends visiting the Race Day then we were off to the opening night of Food week. What a fantastic night! It was relaxing, friendly, full of cheer and happiness and of course good food and wine. Children were dancing to the music and people were out in a mass.
There were plenty of people to talk with and lots to learn from the many food, wine and produce people had with their stalls. Paul and I had sneaked out from home and were wandering around looking at what was on offer. This was one of those evenings that kept you engrossed catching up with people you hadn't seen for some time.
We sat on the grass and watched the entertainment and enjoyed the joy of the many children who were laughing and dancing. This is the start for more to come.....

Golden West Race Day Meeting

We dressed ourselves up in our glamorous clothes and finished of our outfits with a hat. We were on trip to the Golden West Race day club meeting and were looking forward to viewing the fashions on the field. After picking up a few friends and placing our young boy safely in the car we were on our way.
On arriving we were met with a friendly welcome and given a guide. We had the opportunity to wander the grounds and have a look at what was located there. There was an area for children which provided some colouring in, face painting, jumping castle and a free balloon. Tristan was now happy with the fun he had. Next we wandered around to see the other sites.
We stopped at some of the visitors tents and said hello to people we knew. It was amazing how many young people were there, they looked terrific all dressed up and relaxing enjoying the event.
My teenager daughter came along and explained the system with the coloured bracelets that people were wearing.
We viewed the fashion parade and all the outfits were beautiful.
Saw some of the horse races and the speed at which they raced, not to mention the bright colours they wore. You were also able to view the horses in a parade prior to the race.
The food was delightful as was the coffee we had. Although we only spent a short time there with a tired young boy, it was an entertaining afternoon.

Civic Reception, NSW Business Chamber

Orange City Council and the Mayor John Davis organised a welcome for the NSW Business Chamber President Board and Council. The reception was held at the Orange Art Gallery with a Civic Reception and welcome from Mayor John Davis.
This was a welcoming evening for the NSW Business members who had travelled from a variety of different areas. The President said that they had enjoyed there visit so far and look forward to viewing some of the sites of Orange after their meeting.
They have picked a good time of the year to visit with the many changing colours apparent.

Seniors Week Concert

Seniors Week celebrates older people, their leadership, diversity or skills and the important contribution they make to the quality of life and development of our community. Seniors Week provides an opportunity to thank older people for their longstanding commitment to the ongoing improvement of our local region.

It was my pleasure to present the recent Seniors Week Awards for 2008. The Seniors Week Awards are a prestigious recognition of the contribution to the development of our community and the leadership shown by seniors and seniors' organisations. The awards provided an opportunity to formally thank our community.

All the nominations for an award this year highlighted the diversity of older people in our community and their contribution to families, friends and workplaces in our community. The award recipients we honour for their tireless work with various members of our community to provide a range of services that contribute to the everyday lives of so many. Our award recipients completed all of this work on a volunteer basis each and every week. It was our chance to throw the spotlight on these people and say thank you for their tireless work in the community and to let them know the community is aware of their work and it is greatly appreciated.

Mr John Holland won the individual Seniors award and The Country Women's Association was the winner for the Community Organisation Seniors Award. Congratulations for all that you have done!