Mayoral Column - 25 November 2020

Published on 26 November 2020

Image of Mayor Pynsent.

It is with great sadness Cessnock City Council has had to cancel Carols in the Park 2020. Community safety is a priority during a time of continued uncertainty and risk.  The silver lining is that we are still planning to celebrate and be merry this Christmas, we are just going to do it in a unique way!

Council has organised a number of FREE activities that engage children, young people and families throughout December. These include a Christmas Magic Show at Cessnock Performing Arts Centre (CPAC), the screening of three festive movies at CPAC and Council’s Facebook page will feature three special recordings of Carols performed live at CPAC by talented artists. The Cessnock Youth Centre and Outreach Service is joining in on the fun offering 12 Days of Christmas where 12 diverse festive activities will be delivered. Our libraries are also getting involved with activities including Christmas craft workshops and Storytime.

Council’s annual Christmas Gift and Food Appeal is on again with all donations accepted from Tuesday 1 December. This year donations will be given to Barkuma Neighbourhood Centre who will ensure families doing it tough get a bit of relief. Residents can provide donations of new, unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items. Let us all dig deep and do what we can as a community to support the vulnerable after a year full of challenges. Donations will be accepted up until Wednesday 16 December. Visit Council’s website for donation drop-off locations.

It was wonderful to mark the completion of Bluey Frame Park Weston last week. The upgrade totalling over $70,000 has enabled the installation of new playground equipment and landscaping. A much needed facelift for the facility which has been welcomed by local families who can now better enjoy the space. Our Open Space and Community Facilities Team at Council do an exceptional job at delivering upgrades. This was recently acknowledged with the team receiving a Highly Commended in the 2020 Kidsafe National Playspace Design Awards recognising the state of the art design of Bridges Hill Park Playground. Congratulations to the crew working on the project and for delivering such high quality work.

A highlight in the last fortnight was attending Ngarralingayil Barker, a school located in Wollombi offering a new approach to Indigenous education, catering to students from the Cessnock, Maitland and Kurri Kurri area. During the visit to Wollombi it was great to see the students place handprints on totem poles erected. A very special way to finish the celebrations of NAIDOC Week 2020.

It was also great to walk alongside community members in the ‘Lions to Lap the Map’ hosted by the Branxton Lions Club on Saturday 14 November. A fantastic community event to raise awareness and funds for diabetes. Well done to the organisers. 

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