parkeschampionpost.com.au
THE POST, Thursday, October 9, 2024 - Page 1
ESTABLISHED 1891 Thursday, October 9, 2024
rpowell@midwestmedia.com.au
parkeschampionpost.com.au
$2.20 inc GST
BEST WISHES TO CLASS OF 2024 AS THE HSC BEGINS Special feature inside
Cheers to 30 years festival Page 3 Parkes Shire councillors (back) Doug Pout, George Pratt, Bill Jayet, Matthew Scherer, Ken McGrath, Glenn Wilson (front) Joy Paddison, Mayor Neil Westcott, Deputy Mayor Marg Applebee and Louise O’Leary.
Leaders returned Neil Westcott mayor, Marg Applebee deputy as new councillors take up role NEIL Westcott and Marg Applebee will serve as Parkes Shire Council’s mayor and deputy mayor for the next two years after our new councillors made their first decision. Our shire’s 10 councillors took their oath of office one by one at the council chambers on Tuesday afternoon, before the election. There were two nominations for each role, with Cr Neil Westcott and Cr Glenn Wilson nominated for mayor and Cr Marg Applebee and Cr Ken McGrath nominated for deputy mayor. Voting was by show of hands, with voting split seven to three on both counts. Mayor Neil Westcott said he was humbled by the support of his fellow councillors as well as the first preference votes of the community.
He welcomed new councillors Matthew Scherer, Joy Paddison and Doug Pout and said he looked forward to their advice and ideas to advance the shire. Returning fellow councillors are George Pratt, Bill Jayet, Ken McGrath, Glenn Wilson and Louise O’Leary. There is plenty in the planning for the shire in the four-year term ahead. “To all of the staff at Parkes Shire Council we are so fortunate to have you all,” Cr Westcott said. “The term promises to be an extraordinary time for the Parkes shire and we the council look forward to sharing that journey with you. “This is an exciting time for the Parkes shire, what a privilege for us to find ourselves right here and right now.” Deputy Mayor Marg Applebee also
thanked the community and councillors for their support. “I look forward to continuing the work that we started last year as mayor and deputy and I intend to work hard - as hard if not harder - than what I have done in my first term of council,” Cr Applebee said. “I look forward to working alongside our new council and representing our communities - very importantly our communities, it’s not just the community of Parkes.” Both mayor and deputy acknowledged the contribution of three councillors not reelected, thanking Daniel Weber and Jacob Cass for the notable difference they made in the shire in their term. Cr Westcott paid tribute to Ken Keith’s long service to the community.
“Ken Keith, it is difficult to put into words that do justice your 40 years of service to the Parkes shire, the state of NSW and I wouldn’t be understating it to say to the Australian nation itself,” Cr Westcott said. “When you consider the influence and relationships you worked so hard for over such a long time. “Thank you, and by extension Sue, for giving half your life in selfless service to the community you love, and to the causes you have been most passionate about.” Cr Westcott then announced that Parkes Shire Council would selfreport to the Independant Commission Against Corruption on all allegations made in the lead up to the election in an online blog published by Cr Glenn Wilson, and await their response.
Hard work recognised Page 4
The best of Astrofest Page 7