There are plenty of congratulations to extend in our community this fortnight.

Firstly, congratulations to all our young people who were presented at the Rotary Club of Gunnedah West Debutante Ball and the Combined Catholic Debutante Ball held in Gunnedah this month.

I was honoured to be a guest at these special events and see more than 40 young women presented, along with their partners. I always enjoy meeting these young people and seeing the way the whole experience of preparing for a debutante ball helps them to develop their confidence and the way they interact with one another.

Thank you to all the hardworking volunteers who enable our young people to have these positive experiences.

While we are talking about the value of volunteers, I’d like to congratulate the committee and volunteers who have delivered another successful Whitehaven Weeks of Speed Gunnedah this month.

The annual motorsport festival crossed the finish line on the weekend with the Gunnedah Rural Museum open day on Sunday. If you’ve never been to the museum on the Mullaley Road, there is so much to discover. It’s like going back in time, seeing the vintage vehicles, agricultural machinery, collector items, and of course, a community favourite – Don McDonagh’s much-loved miniature railway and village, donated to the museum in 2015.

For two years, the museum members worked on the special exhibit, which has two trains, a bridge, a river, a railway station and a village. The miniature station modelled after Gunnedah’s own railway station.

Some of the museum’s tractors featured in the annual Tractor Trek on the first weekend of Weeks of Speed. Combined with the official opening by Parkes MP Jamie Chaffey, the Show ‘n’ Shine in the Woolworths car park, and the hot rod display in Wolseley Park, there was plenty to take in and there was a good turn-out in town. The new displays of model airplanes and a full-size glider at the park drew more people to the CBD and signalled a great start to the festival.

Unfortunately, some events that were part of the original program had to be cancelled or postponed. The Gunnedah Motorcycle Club hopes to reschedule The Railway Cup for a later date, outside the Weeks of Speed program. A new date will be announced once it has been confirmed. The Gunnedah Motoring Enthusiasts who present Full Throttle Fest during the festival, are excited to bring the Hill Climb event later in the year, so there is plenty for racing fans to look forward to.

Despite the program changes, there has been plenty of positive feedback and chatter in town about the festival, so congratulations to the committee and all the volunteers who bring it to life.

I am pleased to share that Eric Groth has signed a new contract of employment for a further five years with council as general manager. This is good news for the Gunnedah Shire and for council.

I have enjoyed working alongside Eric for 13 years and I believe council is very fortunate to retain Eric as the general manager. Council is in a very good position, thanks to the strong leadership Eric has displayed, backed by capable, hardworking staff, and I thank Eric for the way he has invested in this community and this council.