Narrandera Shire Council Mayor Neville Kschenka had a myriad of meetings and interviews throughout the past month, including a meeting with the owner of an industry being established at the Red Hill Industrial Estate.

Together with former GM George Cowan and Deputy GM Infrastructure (DGMI) Shane Wilson, he was updated on the progress of the industry and established what further assistance Council might be able to advocate for or provide.

Mayor Kschenka also accepted an invitation from AFL NSW, to attend the RFNL Grand Final Chairman’s Function held at the Narrandera Sportsground. All who were in attendance were very impressed with all facilities at the Sportsground.

He and his wife Carmel, fellow Councillors and Senior Managers and their partners, attended a special dinner to celebrate the retirement of Council’s General Manager George Cowan.

George was at NSC for the past eight years and is now looking forward to his and his wife Shirley’s retirement.

The Mayor attended the RAMJO Water sub-committee meeting via teams and chaired by Jackie Kruger, Leeton Shire GM. Presenters included Harriett Whyte, Executive Director - Regional Programs and Partnerships - Regional Development and Delivery. She said that the initial $15M had already been exceeded.

Mayor Kschenka made it known that the Narrandera Shire Council area had not received an allocation from the Sustainable Communities Fund, and was advised to keep trying.

Many Council representatives agreed that the distribution of funding was unfair and should be directed at long-term employment rather than feel-good projects. It was mentioned that revised guidelines were to come.

The Annual Koala Festival held at Brewery Flats and the annual Police Memorial Service at St Alban the Martyr Cathedral in Griffith were also attended by the Mayor, as well as the annual Barellan Good Old Days event at the Barellan Showgrounds where a record crowd was in attendance.

“The number of volunteers who worked at Barellan, not only on the weekend but throughout the year, is amazing. On behalf of Council, I thank them for making Narrandera Shire’s biggest event even bigger each year. I also thank the many sponsors who generously donated, including Bendigo Bank – Community Bank Narrandera and District.”