January passed with a flash and it's the start of the new school year for all our local students. From kindergarten right through to vocational and higher education, I hope that students (and their parents) have had a smooth return, transition or start to the academic year. Let's hope not too many tears for your babies transitioning to big school, or your teen becoming an adult, or perhaps already dreading a packed assessment schedule!
With the start of the new term, make sure you keep an eye out for school zones and associated speed limits, crossings, flashing lights, buses pulling in and out, and parking restrictions. Take special care around primary schools with young children, be patient and on the lookout.
As most people would know, I am passionate about our young people having access to educational opportunities, so you can have pursue whatever your dreams are and contribute to our community.
While education is not technically a local government responsibility, we provide essential resources that are available to everyone, including our valley's students.
Our sporting ovals are kicking off a new season of sports, with the cricket season coming to an end and the winter football season just around the corner. Look out for registration days and maybe get into a little pre-season training.
Our swimming pools are always in hot demand in February and March with schools holding their swimming carnivals. As a Kempsey High School Alumni, I have to say, "Go Lawson!".
And of course, our fabulous libraries, with our talented librarians who offer Baby Bounce and Storytime for our babies and pre-schoolers, devise engaging school holiday programming for primary and high school aged students, and even offer special support for our senior students with bookable study rooms and HSC textbooks.
We can't forget our older citizens, engaged in lifelong learning in these fast-paced times, able to access technology support and education, family tree and research resources and much more at our local libraries. Don't forget that our library van also conducts fortnightly visits Hat Head and Crescent Head.
No doubt, all these services keep our community together. My vision for the Macleay Valley is not one where we lose these essential services that add to the richness of our community, but one where we are able to sustain them.
For more details on any of these community resources, check out our Council and Library websites.
Take care,
Kinne
