Tickets have already sold out for the Welcome Dinner on Friday night, but don’t worry because there is still plenty of action to enjoy on the Saturday.

Cameron Park will be transformed on 19 August when the celebrations begin at 8am.

There will be markets, Wiradjuri Dancers from local schools, re-enactments, free bus tours to Wellington Caves and Lake Burrendong, free Cobb and Co Coach rides, carousel rides, jumping castle, live entertainment and much more.

The MC on the day will be Tim Gilbert from Channel Nine’s Today Show and renowned Australian actor Max Cullen, who was born in Wellington, will be a special guest.

There is also plenty happening during the week.

Call into the Wellington Visitor Information Centre and browse works by renowned artist Eris Flemin.

You can visit Wellington Library from today to view an exhibition detailing the construction of Burrendong Dam or visit the library on Friday to see John Oxley’s diary on loan from the State Library.

There is also a wonderful exhibition on at the Old Western Stores Building called Town Art-a-facts.

Hosted by the Wiradjuri Wellington Aboriginal Town Common Aboriginal Corporation this exhibition features works from works from Doug Ah-See and other local artists and covers the history of Wellington as well as the personal experiences of the artists.

These stories include those about Nanima Mission and Nanima School and the experiences of growing up on the Town Common.

On August 19, 1817 John Oxley and his crew became the first non-Wiradjuri people to enter the valley which he named Wellington after the "Iron Duke" of Wellington.

Wellington is a wonderful town and it is great that this Bicentenary will not only celebrate the past but also look towards the future.

The Local Government Elections on 9 September are fast approaching and all candidates for each ward have been announced.

You will need to understand the ward you are registered in as it will affect the locations you will be able to vote at and the candidates you can vote for.

You may not be able to vote for your ward at all of the polling venues so you will need to make sure you can vote for your registered ward at the polling venue you wish to vote at.

Another significant change is that you may only vote for those candidates who have nominated to run in your registered ward.

The Electoral Commission of NSW provides a facility where you can enter your name and address and it will verify your enrolment and the ward you are enrolled in this can be found at https://roll.elections.nsw.gov.au/NSWLookUp/?aspxerrorpath=/NSWLookUp/ or you can call the Electroal Commission on 1300 135 736.

Due to unforeseen circumstances the rates notice for the first quarter of 2017/2018 has been delayed.

As a result payment of this instalment, which is traditionally due for payment by 31 August 2017, is now extended to 30 November 2017, to coincide with the due date for the second rate instalment.

This means residents can pay their rates any time after they receive the notice, but the final payment date will be at the same time as the second rates notice is due on November 30.

If you have weekly or fortnightly automated payments set up these will continue as normal.

Don’t forget to update the biller codes as well which will be printed on your notice.