Messages of hope and resilience were the theme delivered at the 2017 Mayoral Dinner attended by more than 350 community members and special guests on Wednesday night.
His Excellency General, The Honourable David Hurley, Governor of New South Wales and Mrs Hurley were invited as special guests, alongside Former Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson and Mrs Anderson, Liverpool Plains Shire Council Mayor and Namoi Joint Organisation Chair Andrew Hope and Mrs Hope, Tamworth Regional Council Mayor Col Murray and Narrabri Shire Mayor Cathy Redding.
The event began as a breakfast in 1998 when the Gunnedah community was going through difficult times with the closure of the abattoir and mines, which resulted in more than 1000 jobs being lost.
“The Mayoral Breakfast, run in partnership with the Gunnedah Ministers Fraternal, began as a forum to think about hope from a Christian perspective and pray for the community. It was such a success that it became an annual event here in Gunnedah, with this year being the 20th anniversary,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.
“With the acceptance of our two very distinguished guests, I decided a Mayoral Dinner would be an appropriate way for the whole community to come together and celebrate our achievements and also those whose selfless acts for others in our community have truly changed lives.
“My pride in our Shire grows with each and every conversation I have with local residents and visitors, who tell me just how vibrant our community has become. Taking pride in the resilience in our community and moving ahead through tough times has given us a trust in our abilities and an unwavering belief in our values.
“It has provided all that we enjoy today, with the promise of an even stronger future.
“I would like to thank everyone for attending the dinner and for the very inspiring words shared with us by our distinguished guest of honour – His Excellency General, The Honourable David Hurley, Governor of New South Wales.”
The Vice Regal Couple visited a number of Gunnedah’s services while in town, including GoCo Community Care, Gunnedah High School and Gunnedah Girls Academy, Gunnedah Conservatorium, and took part in the Soil Collection for the Anzac Memorial at the Gunnedah Cenotaph.
“I was honoured to meet local community leaders at the Mayoral Dinner on Wednesday night and to speak about the role that service and faith plays in my personal life, as Governor of New South Wales and as former Chief of the Defence Force,” His Excellency General, The Honourable David Hurley, Governor of New South Wales said.
“One of the most important ways we can each serve is through our contributions to the community.
“Linda and I have been privileged to have seen many outstanding examples of service to the community of Gunnedah and surrounding areas in the past few days. To meet the leaders of those community organisations and listen to their views on building a strong community has been a highlight of this regional visit.”
Photo (1): 2017 Mayoral Dinner official party and special guests.
Photo (2): 2017 Mayoral Dinner.
Photo (3): Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey; His Excellency General, The Honourable David Hurley, Governor of New South Wales; Mrs Linda Hurley; and Mrs Judy Chaffey.
ENDS
Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.
