These are a four-year apprentice carpenter and apprentice mechanic position, and a two year business administration trainee and concreter trainee, and casual dducator position for the Early Learning Centre.

We recommend these positions to Year 12 students who have just completed their HSC and wish to continue to live in Nyngan.

It’s always a great pity and a loss to our town, when our Year 12 students head off to university, or other tertiary training, and then cannot return to Nyngan as employment opportunities are not available for them after they graduate.

Council employs over 90 people, and places a very high priority on being a well-managed, safe and secure employer.

The announcement last week that the NSW Planning and Environment Department had given development consent to the Nyngan Scandium Mine was good news for future local employment, small business patronage and a contribution from the mine to local community events and infrastructure.

The predicted 26-year life of the mine, and the fact that scandium should not be subject to international fluctuations like coal and iron ore are positives.

Scandium oxide enhances the life and durability of aluminium, which gives it a secure future in the development of aircraft construction.

As the end of the year again approaches two important events in the December calendar have been confirmed.

On Saturday, December 10, the Nyngan Garden Club Markets and Carols by Candle Light have been combined at the same venue, The Teamsters Rest Car Park, near The Mid-State Shearing Shed.

The Nyngan Baptist Church suggested the change of venue from Davidson Park, hoping that those who attend the markets will stay on for the Carols. Sounds like a safe and commendable family outing.

Councillors and senior staff, mainly for the benefit of the new councillors, will be visiting a number of areas we have responsibility for over the next few months.

Last month we inspected the new arrangements and recycling areas at the tip, the new staff houses and the new section at the cemetery for the burial of cremated ashes. This month we will inspect the swimming pool and other amenities in O’Reilly Park.

While the result of the recent Orange byelection doesn’t concern us directly, surely the major swing away from the National Party will ensure their MPs pay more attention to the needs of rural and regional areas, and collectively take stronger action in state parliament.

Some of these would include extended funding for rural financial councillors, winding back daylight saving, increased penalties for rural crime and trespassing, and Natural Disaster Road Repair Funding.

Ray Donald OAM, Mayor