Council recently purchased the car park located behind the Lachlan Hotel and the laneway which runs adjacent to the Hotel. The purchase will enable Council to ensure the parking area is retained as well as renovate the laneway to turn it into a well-designed pedestrian thoroughfare.

This year will mark the 75th Anniversary of the Cowra Breakout. As part of the commemorations, the Cowra Breakout 75th Anniversary logo was launched along with the Facebook, Instagram pages and the hashtag -  #cowrabreakout75 - that will be used to keep everyone up to date with all the events happening during the Anniversary week, this coming August.

After a successful auction on Saturday 9 February for the newest stage at Valley View Estate, a total of nine lots are now under contract. Anyone interested in seeking information on the purchase of the remaining un-sold lots can visit www.valleyviewcowra.com for further information or contact Director of Environmental Service, Kate Alberry on (02)6340 2040 or kalberry@cowra.nsw.gov.au.

I would like to thank my colleague, Cr Ray Walsh for representing me at the pool party and services expo at the Cowra Aquatic Centre on Wednesday 13 February which kicked off Cowra's 2019 Seniors Festival. The Festival finishes this Sunday 24 February with the 11th Annual Great Seniors Trivia Challenge at the Cowra Bowling Club. Council has received some very positive feedback about this year’s events and Council acknowledges the support of several local community organisations that contributed.

My congratulations to the Cowra Business Chamber on hosting the very successful Cowra Business Awards at the Showground Pavilion last Saturday night. It was a delight to have our Federal Member, the Hon. Michael McCormack MP and our State Member, Steph Cooke MP both attend the Awards. Cowra Council were a proud sponsor of the ‘2019 Employer of Choice’ Award which went to the very deserving Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre. Congratulations to all of this year’s nominees and winners.  

Continuing the local business celebrations, the grand opening of the Cowra Business Hub will take place this Saturday 23rd of February at 59 Kendal Street. Unfortunately I’m unable to attend, but I thank our Deputy Mayor, Cr Judi Smith for representing me at the event. It will be a great opportunity for the public to inspect the premises and discuss with the Cowra Business Chamber what exactly will be provided from the Cowra Business Hub, of which Cowra Council are a major supporter.

A reminder that Round Two of the Cowra Community Grants Program 2018–19 closes 28 February. Be sure to contact Lawrance Ryan at Council if you are a group with a worthwhile project, require new equipment or want to make improvements to a garden or building to discuss the grant funding.

There’s a new exhibition at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery this month. War and Pieced: The Annette Gero Collection of Quilts From Military Fabrics is a unique showcase of complex geometric quilts made from military fabrics drawn from the collection of internationally acclaimed quilt authority Dr. Annette Gero. The exhibition runs until 28 April, 2019.

We're on the countdown to this year's Cowra Festival of International Understanding, to be held 15 to 17 March featuring special guest nation, Japan. Check out the exciting program of events and activities to be held over the Festival weekend at Council’s website or the Festival Facebook page.

I have a busy few weeks of travel and meetings coming up, including the Central Joint Organisation Strategy meeting in Blayney, the Centroc Board Meeting in Orange and the Country Mayors Meeting at Parliament House in Sydney which provides the opportunity to discuss the issues and promote the achievements of our Shire to a State wide platform.

Cr Bill West