While the Narrandera Shire Council may not have been sitting since December the Narrandera mayor Neville Kschenka continued his regular duties in January.

These included regular meetings with the new general manager Tim Coote to discuss various matters. The deputy mayor, Cr Sue Ruffles, is also invited to attend the Monday prior to ordinary council meetings.

Together with the general manager, mayor Kschenka enjoyed attending Barellan’s Annual ‘Light Up Barellan’ event, where the community gathered to celebrate the start of the festive season.

Despite the humid evening, spirits were high as residents came together to enjoy a variety of activities, Christmas carols, council-provided barbecue, and of course, the light up of the Christmas tree.

This was an opportunity for newly appointed GM Tim Coote and Ilda to meet local residents and try their hand at cooking sausages.

A big thank you to Sharon Benjamin for providing the sound equipment and performing the much enjoyed Christmas songs. Thanks also go to Meg Hollins for her performance.

Cr Kschenka said the new fence was appreciated by all in keeping people safe next to the busy main road.

Cr Ruffles attended the Narrandera Public School’s annual school award presentations on the mayor’s behalf and presented an award from council.

Councillors, executive staff, and partners enjoyed the annual Christmas dinner, which was held this year at the Charles Sturt Hotel after the December meeting.

Cr Ruffles also attended the Narrandera East Infants annual school award presentations on the mayor’s behalf and presented an award from council, while the mayor attended the St Joseph’s Year 6 annual graduation mass and dinner held at the Narrandera Ex-Servicemen’s Club.

In January the mayor attended an online meeting with Murrumbidgee Health, COAG on Improving Access to Primary Care in Rural and Remote Areas Section 19.

Together with the GM performance review committee members and facilitated by Christian Morris of LGNSW Management Solutions, he also attended a workshop setting the GM agreement KPIs.

An Australia Day ambassador dinner meet and greet was held at Hall’s Cottage and Craft was attended by the mayor with the Australia Day ambassador Gerry Tatrai and local ambassador Mrs Cassie Jess.

Committee members, some councillors and last year’s local ambassador Denise De Salvia were also in attendance.

The mayor then attended 2026 Australia Day events, commencing with a breakfast hosted by the Narrandera Lions Club. Due to the high temperature warnings, the awards ceremony event was moved to the Narrandera Ex-Servicemen’s Club.

MCs on the day were Hannah Beer and Amy Hall. Beryl Brain, chairperson of the Australia Day planning committee, read the citations for all the nominees.

The winners of the 2026 Australia Day awards were announced, recognising outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations who have made a lasting impact on this community. Certificates and awards were presented by the mayor and GM Tim Coote.

Sports awards were presented by ambassadors Gerry Tatrai and Cassie Jess and the mayor, with Gail Murphy reading the citations and announcing the winners.

The ambassadors and mayor then travelled to Grong Grong to join the celebrations. The events included the judging of the best ute and the best dressed young person. The traditional yabby races were replaced by matchbox car races due to the extreme heat.

Cr Kschenka later took, ambassador Gerry Tatrai on a tour of Narrandera including the Sky Walk, Rocky Water Holes and the Five Mile, where other events were being held.

During the Australia Day proceedings, the mayor conducted the citizenship ceremony for a local family: Manu George, Sobha Jose, Annliya and Anston Joseph, who became Narrandera Shire’s newest citizens.

In February the mayor represented Narrandera Shire at the state funeral of Narrandera-born, former long-serving NSW governor Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO at St James Church, King Street, Sydney.

Many current and former government representatives, as well as family members, were in attendance to pay their respects to Dame Marie. Her family spoke very confidently during the eulogy as did the guest speakers from various government roles.

“The performance by the choir was superb, it was a very fitting farewell to one of Australia’s most revered, successful women. Narrandera, as Dame Marie’s birthplace and early childhood home, was mentioned many times during the service, and evidence that she referred to her beloved hometown to all that she encountered in her long and amazing career,” Cr Kschenka said.

The livestreamed service at the Narrandera Destination and Discovery Hub was well attended. The deputy mayor spoke on behalf of the council prior to the event.