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


Monday, May 19, 2008

Australian Rural Leadership Foundation- Kimberley's 19th May to 2nd June


This was the most amazing experience in my life. Well next to becoming a mother that is.

I was away from home for a period of 14 days where I had no contact with my family and wandered and drove through some of the most amazing terrain. The Kimberley's was the place I had ventured to, after being successful with my application to the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation. It has all been quite amazing.

There were only 35 places available in Australia and I had successfully gained a place in an 18 month program proudly sponsored by the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

About this part of the program the visit to the Kimberley's, well it has been quite deep and meaningful. By that I mean the journey we had taken not only as a group of 35 but to then be condensed to a team of 6 with many challenges ahead. For me the experience was both mentally and physically challenging and took me far away from my comfort zone and way of thinking.

Initially I felt I was in a world of chaos. We were carrying our life in a back pack which was limited to 13kg and out of that back pack we had to live for 12 days. The lifestyle we were accustomed to had changed dramatically and we were thinking on our feet with people we had not met before.

On my return to Orange I have not as yet shared my experience with anyone, this will come in time. I often find myself wandering off in my mind to the Kimberley's and the many fear's and challenges I faced in those 12 days. I am truly grateful for this wonderful experience and have gained a greater appreciation for myself and others when working as a team.

I welcome the opportunity to speak about this experience and in the very near future will have a presentation of this amazing journey. Not to give away to much course 16 is now open so if you believe you are a leader or would like to learn how to become a great leader then I suggest you visit the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.

This is a life changing experience that runs for 18 months and although I have only undertaken the first part of this amazing program I would fully recommend you undertake this incredible experience, so jump on line and check out the web-site.
My next trip away is to Adelaide so stay tuned and learn more about part two of the Australian Rural Leadership program.

Posted by Fiona at 11:29 PM

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