The AGM was held and councillor Katrina Humphries from Moree Plains Shire Council was re-elected for another term as chair. 

A key part of my role is to work with different levels of government to ensure that our community and sporting groups are well supported, and our facilities are up to a high standard.

I was pleased to receive the news that so many projects received an allocation in round two of the Stronger Country Communities Fund.

This included additional funding for many sporting groups across the region including activity pathways in Young and Harden as well as funding to support the upgrade of the Lambing Flat Chinese Tribute Garden.

As the year draws to a close, I am also pleased to see many projects funded in previous rounds near completion.

Of note are the pathways linking all of the major sporting fields and recreational areas in Young and major projects in Boorowa including the showground, the playground and recreation park all abilities upgrade as well as the finalisation of Stage 1 of the Burrangong Creek bridge and the Murringo and Cunningar Roads pavement widening projects.

Next week I travel to Sydney to attend the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Chinese immigration to Australia.

I am honoured to have received an invitation from the Chinese Consul General, Mr Gu Xiaojie, to attend this special event.

Chinese tourism is a growing market in the Hilltops region and to capitalise on this we are finalising a Chinese version of the Hilltops visitor guide which we hope will encourage even more Chinese visitors to enjoy our region.