COUNCILLOR LARA GRESHAM RESIGNS FROM COUNCIL

Councillor Lara Gresham has announced her resignation from Glen Innes Severn Council, effective Thursday, 9 May 2024, after nearly two and a half years in the role. Cr Gresham is stepping down due to personal reasons, marking the conclusion of her tenure during which she actively represented the interests of the community.

Glen Innes Severn Council Mayor Rob Banham thanked Cr Gresham for her hard work and dedication to the Glen Innes Severn community.

“Councillor Gresham has been a valued member of Glen Innes Severn Council, bringing pragmatic thinking and a rural perspective to our discussions,” Cr Banham said.

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“Lara’s departure leaves a gap in our council. We wish her well in her future endeavours and thank her for her service.”

Glen Innes Severn Council General Manager Bernard Smith also acknowledged Cr Gresham’s contributions and approach to her role.

“Councillor Gresham has been a dedicated councillor, consistently demonstrating a strong commitment to her responsibilities,” Mr Smith said.

“She is one of the most conscientious councillors I have worked with and has been a staunch advocate for our community. Lara’s professionalism and collaborative approach have been appreciated by our staff, and her departure will leave a notable gap within our council.”

Council will be requesting that, considering the upcoming local government election in September 2024, the position remain unfilled until after the election.

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SPIRITS NOT DAMPENED BY 2024 AUSTRALIAN CELTIC FESTIVAL’S UNPRECEDENTED WET WEATHER DISRUPTIONS

The 2024 Australian Celtic Festival was a remarkable success, drawing in approximately 5,000 people to Glen Innes Highlands for the weekend, despite the challenging wet weather conditions that forced event organisers into Plan B mode on the final day of festivities.

A record number of festival goers flocked to the Australian Standing Stones National Celtic Monument on Saturday to enjoy a Celtic celebration like no other. The event featured a jam-packed program of attractions and entertainment with pleasant weather conditions until the rain set in that afternoon.

Following more rain overnight, a decision was made to assess Sunday’s events and relocate part of the program’s entertainment and ceremonies to other venues, ensuring the show could go on.

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Local business Glen Innes Bus Services played a key part in ensuring continued support for the stalls that remained trading at the festival grounds that day, kindly transporting ticket holders from various locations around Glen Innes to the Standing Stones.

The festival organisers expressed their gratitude for the understanding and flexibility demonstrated by vendors, performers, contractors, and patrons impacted by the change in plans due to the unfavourable weather conditions.

Given the circumstances, the unprecedented spike in the festival’s Saturday attendee numbers was somewhat of a relief.

Glen Innes Severn Council Mayor Rob Banham said Council is delighted with record attendance at the 2024 Australian Celtic Festival.

“Spirits were not dampened by the challenging weather at the 2024 Australian Celtic Festival. Despite the rain, the resilience of our town and the unwavering support from businesses and attendees truly shone through, making this festival a memorable success,” Cr Banham said.

Glen Innes Severn Council Coordinator of Economic Development and Tourism Rhonda Bombell said Council has been inundated with positive feedback following the festival.

“Council has received many congratulations from businesses and attendees who empathise with the difficult decisions and the speed in which alternative arrangements were made, highlighting our town’s resilience and commitment from businesses and Council to the festival,” Ms Bombell said.

Council extends its sincere thanks to The Glen Innes Services Club and its dedicated staff, Pinknoize Audio and the talented performers of the festival for their invaluable support of the revised entertainment program.

To help shape future events, Glen Innes Severn Council is asking for anyone who attended the festival to partake in a short 5-minute online feedback survey.

The 2025 Australian Celtic Festival and fringe events will take place 1-4 May 2025, with tickets on sale from 3 March. Keen festivalgoers are already booking their accommodation in advance for the festival’s 33rd year, which will highlight the Celtic nations of Brittany, Cornwall & Wales.

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RESUMPTION OF SITTINGS AT CASINO COURT HOUSE WELCOME NEWS

The resumption of sittings at Casino Court House tomorrow after it was closed following the 2022 floods is welcome news for the local community according to Clarence Nationals MP, Richie Williamson who advocated very strongly for the Court House to reopen as a matter of priority.

Mr Williamson delivered a Private Member’s Statement in the NSW Parliament in May last year followed by a letter to the NSW Attorney General, Michael Daley supporting a Mayoral Minute from Richmond Valley Mayor, Robert Mustow seeking urgent priority to be given to expediting flood recovery works at the Court House given the impacts on the local community and economy.

“Whilst the number one priority of flood recovery should always be about supporting flood victims, restoring key community assets should be a high priority,” Mr Williamson said.

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“As I said at the time, the closure of the Casino Court House was having a negative impact on the local community and economy with the nearest sittings being heard at Kyogle and Lismore and disadvantaging many in the community.

“Its closure impacted on low socio-economic and high Indigenous communities, some of whom have very limited transport and were struggling to attend because public transport is almost non-existent.

“It was also impacting family members needed at court as support people as well as having an operational impact on our local police force because local police officers were required to travel to Kyogle or Lismore for appearances and court hearings.

“Economic impacts on Casino were also being felt because of the lack of court days, which would normally bring to the community a high number of professional people to the community, where they would quite often stay for the night.

“I thank the NSW Attorney General for his assistance in ensuring the Casino Court House is back up and running.

“It is a great shot of confidence for the community and is part of the healing and recovery process that is so important for my community,” Mr Williamson concluded.

For more Casino news, click here.