There is a push on to establish a community bank in Kentish. Deloraine has one. It is under the Bendigo Bank badge. Some of the profit stays in the community which is what we all want.

Click here to listen to a public meeting that discusses community banking in Kentish. Click here to look at a Powerpoint Display that went with the talk.

What do you think? Do you want to be involved?

Some of us lost a good friend last week to cancer. Debbie died at home with her family. As she would have wanted it. The Murray-Wattons have been good friends of ours for years. We have a fair bit in common. Large home educating families. Kids are friends.

Debbie was pretty central to the family. Holding many things together like a good mum does.

Debbie’s death is our children’s first close experience with grief. Our grief must be nothing to what the Wattons is.

Debbie is missed by so many of us.

The grass is growing quick as we all realise. Council is starting it’s slashing program for the year. Have a look at the timetable. Please note these times may change a little given weather conditions etc.

I have been Acting Mayor basically since the new Council came into being. I have been thrown headfirst into the role.

I chaired my first Council meeting on November 17 at Barrington Hall. Pretty happy with how it went. I have mentioned before my dislike for the formalities of these meetings. That said it went well. There was only one question from the gallery which was unusual.

I have had to deal with the media. I always fear being misquoted and are quite guarded. I have been happy with how I have been reported though with no real issues.

The phone rings a lot more when Acting Mayor. It seems many roads lead to the Mayor. I have lost no sleep in the role and have enjoyed it. I could not see myself in the role in the future because of the huge time commitment. Yes a small municipality but very complex with people feeling free to go straight to the mayor with a grievance or comment.

I have quit my contracting web design job to concentrate on being Deputy Mayor. I receive an allowance to be Deputy Mayor which offsets the loss of income.

The Mayor is slowly coming back on board and should be well and truly back at the helm in around a week. Looking forward to handing it back to him. He is one elected to the role. Many Deputy Mayors sit and wonder when there chance will come to fill in for the Mayor. I had no time to wonder and wouldn’t have it any other way.

E-Waste is old electronic bits. They can now be dropped down at the Sheffield Waste Transfer Station. Let’s face it who wants a Pentium 75 these days? Till now they have ended up in landfill. Now they don’t have to. There is no fee to drop them off. The parts will be recycled wherever possible. You can also drop old tv sets off as well. Ring Council on 64912500 for a complete list of what you can dump.

We had our first get together of Councillors last Tuesday. A forum (informal discussions). We had the ex Mayor of Flinders Island Lyn Mason come and give an induction on the roles and responsibilities of Councillors. Brilliant. What stood out to me was the legal undergirding of Local Government and that procedures and processes matter. I have come to the conclusion that if I do not follow formal procedures then formal procedures will be visited upon me. Serious stuff.

The local government act is the authoritative document for councils. There are other documents but this one is mentioned most. Click here to have a look at it.

I have my first council meeting to chair in a week. Plenty to learn before I front up for that. I thought the Deputy Mayor could sit somewhat in the background. No luck!

Well the Mayor will be away for a while so I have to step up. My first meeting to chair is our first council forum next Tuesday night. I am looking forward to it all. Shall do my best.

I will also need to chair the Council meeting in November. A great challenge for a wet behind the ears deputy mayor.

I have been elected Deputy Mayor in Kentish. A bit shocked really. Thank you to those who voted for me. What a challenge it will be.

Should I buy a tie?

Here is a photo from the 60’s. This is the stockyards that were on Hope St in Sheffield very close to where we live. It was a real social occasion for the locals. I heard a story of some cattle being brought to the stockyards up the main road in Sheffield with one going astray into Slaters Country Store. Must have been a shock to the patrons.

Have a good look at this photograph. Who can guess where it is taken? It is an old shot? Any ideas? The clue: not too far from Sheffield……..