Council has been holding these events twice a year since 2012 and they always prove to be a popular way for new residents to meet people and learn about what Dubbo has to offer them. The event also provides a platform for community groups to speak to new residents and potentially attract new members or volunteers.

A New Residents Guide will be handed out on the evening which contains all the necessary information to help you to settle in to our community. Everything from Council services through to local childcare and sporting clubs.

Dubbo Regional Council is dedicated to ensuring that the newly merged local government area enjoys similar functions to those previously conducted. 

By making some changes to the timing and length of the ceremony for both Dubbo and Wellington, it is possible that Australia Day celebrations will be conducted in each community with myself and the Australia Day Ambassador present for the Official Ceremony at each location.

Both programs will feature a free breakfast barbecue with a variety of events and activities scheduled to take place before and after the official ceremonies when Australia Day Awards will be presented. These changes were presented at the Local Representative Committee meeting held last month and was agreed to be the best way to ensure both Wellington and Dubbo got to celebrate our national day while maintaining their own unique identities.

It was with great pleasure that myself and State Member for Dubbo the Hon Troy Grant presented the cheques from the Stronger Communities Fund Community Grants to the very deserving recipients.

Cheque presentations were held at Stuart Town, Wellington, Geurie and Dubbo and it was fantastic to meet the recipients who drafted the applications for the projects the funding will be used for. All projects meet a community need and will be valued by the organisation and contribute to the social development of the community.

The Community Grants program is an initiative of the NSW Government which has provided funds to newly merged Councils through the Stronger Communities Fund. Dubbo Regional Council will allocate $1 million in community grants to incorporated not-for-profit community groups over the course of the program.

The cheques presented last week are from the first round of funding of $350,000 and council will be allocating more money to community projects in 2017/2018 and 2018/2019.

The smallest project in this round is $1,680 for the Wellington Amateur Theatrical Society to purchase and install metal clothing racks and the largest grant is $38,400 for replacement of water pipes for a village water supply project maintained by the Euchareena Village Progress Association.

This week you may have noticed Dubbo Busline drivers wearing bright NSW Bus Safety Week shirts and while bus safety is brought to the fore during November 6 to 12 it is important to be aware and safe all year around.

This is a reminder to drivers to slow down around buses and not to cut buses off when overtaking or changing lanes in front of them. Buses need more room to stop than cars so please give them plenty of space.

Not giving buses enough space at roundabouts and not giving them ample room to turn is also dangerous. Take care on the roads and make sure everyone gets where they are going safely.