No one could fault mayor Ben Shields for attempting to make the most out of a visit by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Dubbo on October 17.
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Most of the finer details of the visit are not in the council’s control, but the mayor has appeared on television, radio and in print far and wide spruiking the virtues of Dubbo, and he plans to keep the publicity campaign on full throttle until the royal couple arrive.
“I know that everyone would like us to be able to announce a detailed itinerary for what Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will be doing while they are in Dubbo but unfortunately that is out of our control,” Cr Shields said.
“The Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) and Kensington Palace are working that out and only once it has been finalised will we be able to say for sure what they are doing.
“But, one thing that is certain is that council is looking to maximise the benefit from the visit by Prince Harry and Meghan.
“Our economic development team is working with DPC and coming up with some great ways to promote the visit and attract a large audience for the day.”
Cr Shields said the council wants the citizens of the city to be involved with the visit in as many ways as possible.
“I have some ideas for promotion that we are working towards, including a CBD window display competition, similar to the one we run at Christmas,” he said.
“The council would like to find a way to get schools and students involved as well because I remember how much impact the Queen’s visit had on me as I stood there with my classmates at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in 1992.”
“Council will certainly have a gift to present to Prince Harry and Meghan and we have already had some preliminary discussions around what it should be. It is important that we choose a gift that represents Dubbo and will be a welcome reminder of their visit to our region.
“I have already heard from people from all over the region who intend to come to Dubbo on October 17 for a chance to see Prince Harry and Meghan and I think we will see people travelling quite large distances to be involved.
“I really believe that if people want the best chance to see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, it’s not Sydney or Melbourne, it’s here in Dubbo.”
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Craig Thomson
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
