Message from the Mayor - May 2025

Published on 02 May 2025

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Easter and Anzac Day. Seeing our community come together to reflect, celebrate and commemorate these important occasions was rewarding. 

As we move into autumn, I’m sure many of us are relieved to see the back of the extended spell of hot and humid weather. Welcome rain has fallen and we now await further follow-up rain. The rice and corn harvest continues across the area, and we hope for good returns. 

Looking back at the summer season, I would like to acknowledge all students across the Murrumbidgee LGA who have had the opportunity to represent their schools at local, zone, regional and state levels in swimming. We have some talented and committed kids that have certainly shone and we congratulate them on their achievements. 

We have recently undertaken extensive community consultation and engagement to help us develop our Community Strategic Plan, providing an informed roadmap for the future. I would like to thank those community members who filled out our survey or took the opportunity to engage with us face-to-face. Our visits to our schools were enlightening and thought-provoking and reinforced the fact that our children are happy and always thinking of making where they live the best it can be. 

On 29 March I had the pleasure of attending the 100-year celebrations of the Punt Hotel in Darlington Point. In rural Australia, the “local” pub holds a place of special importance. My congratulations to Bruce Gowrie Smith, his Manager Kylie Trethowan, and his other vital staff, both current and previous. 

On 1 April 2025 Councillor Robert Black and I, along with a small representation from Darlington Point, met with Sussan Ley MP, Federal Member for Farrer, to discuss our major focus for the upcoming Federal election. We presented our recently updated Advocacy Brief and highlighted the importance of the Caravan Park Redevelopment Project and the need for serious consideration of the Conargo Road upgrade. 

On 8 April I had the opportunity to meet with and walk through the River Red Gum Estate at Darlington Point with Leadsun solar light contractors. It is my hope that these solar-powered street lights, utilising cutting-edge technology, will service this estate well into the future. Not only do these lights utilise renewable solar energy, but their design eliminates the need for traditional in-ground cabling, reducing both installation costs and environmental impact.

We recently celebrated NSW Youth Week across the Murrumbidgee Council area under the inspiring theme “We are the future and the future is now”. Young people from Coleambally, Darlington Point and Jerilderie enjoyed a range of creative and energetic activities, including mural painting at the Darlington Point Skate Park, a canvas workshop in Coleambally and a lively trip to Bounce. Be sure to check out the new mural on the skate park at Darlington Point when you’re going past. We proudly supported these events, along with the NSW Government. 

Seniors have also been celebrated across the council area with a series of special events, including free morning teas and luncheons in Jerilderie and Coleambally, along with a delightful choir performance by St Joseph’s Primary School students at Jerilderie. A seniors’ movie screening was also held at Jerilderie Library. A free Seniors High Tea and movie screening of Thelma is coming up in Darlington Point on Tuesday 13 May 2025 at 11:00 am—bookings are essential via 1300 676 243 or at your local council office. 

In closing, it was exciting that Darlington Point was named a finalist in the Tiny Towns category of the NSW Top Tourism Town Awards—an exciting recognition of its unique charm, rich history and welcoming community. The winners will be announced at the end of May.

Regards

Ruth McRae OAM