I would like to thank the residents and ratepayers for their continued support for me as one of your seven Councillors.

I am excited about the potential of the candidates standing in 2020. Diversity, ability with fresh ideas and attitude.

When you vote for change, like I will be doing, I hope you also include a representative with experience and commitment to supporting a new council.  Local Government done differently, more effectively.

Last night I attended a Hamilton Showgrounds user group forum. The task was to provide a way forward for the Hamilton Showgrounds Masterplan which has stalled two years in. I declared my conflicting interest as being a member of the current P & A Executive alongside being a shire Councilor. This was a discussion forum not a funding or decision making forum.

Vote was about CONTROL not just FUNDRAISING

Scandalous. For some SGS Councillors to portray that the New Hamilton Gallery Board decision was just about fundraising, this was extremely misleading. The Foundation model previously approved by SGS Council WAS just about fundraising. THIS motion was about creating a Board then to be called Hamilton Gallery Inc "with a clear purpose of raising funds as well as operate the New Hamilton Gallery once built."

Your December Southern Grampians Council meeting provided action at last on RV dump sites to encourage tourist visitation to our Shire. We also approved letting contracts for an irrigation system for Pedrina Park and replacing the worn court 2 & 3 floors at HILAC.

However, I believe we missed an opportunity to upgrade our processes of managing our important community facilities by including council delegates for major facilities. Improving how Councillors are kept informed on major council facilities like Pedrina Park, the Hamilton Showgrounds, and our Botanic Gardens.

I think the best way to summarise the outcome of the 2017 application for support for Southern Grampians Shire Council for a Pedrina Park Hockey Clubroom has been less than ideal.

The process has been tough on everyone. Stressful and a lot of pain without much gain from what I can see at this stage. I have never experienced a community project being handled in this way before.