Mayoral Matters
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In the Wonwondah Community Hall, the walls are decorated with memorial boards to honour local soldiers – “Our Boys who served in the Great War 1914 to 1919”
Names are listed in alphabetical order. A small star next the name signifies the ‘boys’ that never came home. Among the boards, some families have more than one star. We can only imagine the anguish of those days in our history.
Today is Remembrance Day. As we take time out from our busy lives to reflect on the events of 100 years ago, we should imagine what life could have been like were it not for the deeds of “our boys” … our brave boys.
We welcome the Tri-State Games athletes to Horsham. Sometimes we get frustrated by the things we can’t do, but we are all good at something. The games are a celebration of what we “CAN” do. We wish all the competitors well and thank everyone who has worked so hard to make it happen.
Last week in a wool shed at Warracknabeal, we met with the Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce, our local federal member and our local state member. It could have been a film set … the sights and smells of the shearing shed, weather-beaten, hard working farming folk, flies and a sheep dog. The reason was to talk, and to listen. To share and to paint a picture of the current season, on top of last year’s season. To make some points, offer some suggestions, and bend the minister’s ear. It was a good opportunity that will hopefully have a positive outcome.
Finally, as I pass the mayoral baton to Councillor Heather Phillips, I take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to serve as your mayor for the past 12 months. It has been a fascinating life experience, meeting people and going places. I have quite an album of interesting photographs taken along the way.
It has been a learning experience too, with many of the speeches I have written often drawing stories from our Horsham history book – a pioneering history that is a tale of perseverance, commitment and vision. It is these qualities that should lead us forward today. Thank you for your support … it’s all happening in Horsham!