One way to keep in touch is to attend Council Meetings. Council has changed the date for its Ordinary Council Meeting to the third Wednesday of the month (excluding January). The new meeting is Wednesday October 18 at 6pm.

Councillors are keen to develop a strong communication strategy to keep you, the community, up-dated with Council matters in a way that works for you. I welcome ideas of how you best receive communications. I have opened a Facebook page called “Dungog Mayor” and welcome comments on that page. I only ask that you keep your comments civil.

I am trying to get to as many community groups, organisations and events throughout the Shire over the next few weeks, so I hope to catch up with as many people as I can.

Councillors will have the first of many workshops on Friday to be fully appraised of the wooden bridges issues. We will then devise a strategy to best deal with this issue, which affects so many people in the Shire. I will keep you updated on our progress. If you would like to receive the bridges update, please contact Steve Hitchens on 4995 7777.

The Australia Day Committee needs members. Please consider this worthwhile contribution to the Shire and help celebrate our achievers. Further details are found in this newspaper.

Our friends at Dungog Shire Community Centre (DSCC) have asked me to remind you about their Clarence Town Community Hub and Outreach at Clarence Town School of Arts, taking place every second Monday. 

This wonderful initiative involves the Nourish program, which encourages healthy eating; emergency relief for those in need; Ability Links, to help those with a disability reach their goals; and the Wesley Mission, working with families with young children. Boomerang Bags will also be there, making reusable shopping bags.

The Mayoral Update Hub meets Monday October 16 at 10am. For further information, phone the DSCC on 49921133.

With this warm weather our thoughts should be turning to issues around pool safety. We want to keep everyone safe.

Deputy Mayor, Digby Rayward, and I had the great pleasure of attending an open day at Destiny Haven that celebrated 10 years of empowering women to change their destinies. Its programs support women who are dealing with a number of problems, including addiction and abuse.

The programs also help women with life skills and job readiness. While many graduates go on to other careers and lives, some stay to help run the program for others in need.

Destiny Haven currently run two social enterprises. One makes and sells chocolates and preserves, with ingredients coming directly from Shelley’s beautifully tended organic garden and orchard. The other enterprise is a luxury resort cabin in the Eagle Reach Resort.

Thanks to Janine, Lewis, their Diamonds and all the volunteers for putting on such a wonderful day and well done for such a successful program. You guys are truly inspiring. For more information on Destiny Haven, please visit their website at: destinyhaven.org.au

The Dungog Arts Foundation (DAF) invites you to a community meeting at the James Theatre, Sunday October 22 at 4.30pm, to hear about and contribute to the future planning of the Festival. DAFs goal is to attract people to Dungog 52 weekends of the year.