There is one thing that always brings a smile to my face. Community involvement. It is one of many strengths that Dubbo has. I have mentioned many times the wonderful asset we have called the Tracker-Riley Cycleway. There are many people in our community that use this on a regular basis. Two events have started in Dubbo in recent years that take full advantage of this piece of Council infrastructure. The Dubbo Stampede and the Titan Macquarie Mud Run. Both of these events are well organised and involve thousands of participants – with the majority coming from outside of Dubbo specifically to participate in these events. That would be enough to put a smile on the face of our residents. The icing on the cake is the fact that, not only do these events utilise our existing infrastructure, but they want to actively contribute to improve it. The two events have just donated $50,000 towards lighting a section of the Tracker-Riley Cycleway. The first stage will see a section of the Cycleway near Sandy Beach lit up to a standard that will allow people to run, walk and ride on the track at any hour of the day. With continued involvement from community groups, we hope to continue to light more sections of the track. Well done to the committees of these two events for making a contribution back to the community. If you want to help further, we are also offering the option to sponsor a light to any business or individual to help further extend the amount of the track that is being lit.
We saw more community involvement at the Dubbo Chamber of Commerce Rhino Awards last Friday night. The twentieth Gold Rhino was handed out on the night and a number of Silver Rhinos as well. I have attended almost every Rhino ceremony from 1996 through to this year and there is no doubt that the Chamber have managed to maintain a level of excitement and enthusiasm throughout the entire history of the event. Congratulations to all of the wonderful businesses we saw awarded on the night and the Chamber for their ongoing level of commitment.
One of the many pleasures I have in my role is the honour of hosting Citizenship Ceremonies where I formally grant citizenship to residents. Every time I read the formal message from the Federal Minister, I feel a tingle of excitement. I can’t imagine the decision-making process to become a citizen of another country – except to say that it would be a life-changing decision. I particularly enjoy talking to our newest citizens after the ceremony and finding out more about their background. Our next ceremony is this Thursday and, with ceremonies being public affairs, I encourage you to attend and welcome our newest citizens into the fold.
Still on international relations, we are hosting a dinner this Friday night with visitors from Wujiang to celebrate twenty years of our sister-city relationship. Our relationship with both of our Asian sister-cities continues to grow in strength and understanding.
Let me know your favourite section of the Tracker-Riley Cycleway at mayor@dubbo.nsw.gov.au
Councillor Mathew Dickerson
Mayor of the City of Dubbo