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Mayor's Message - 5 June 2025 - Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick

Each fortnight, Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick shares his insights on his community conversations, ongoing project progress, events and activities. Stay connected and collaborate to share the future of our community.

Russell Fitzpatrick, Mayor of Bega Valley Shire.

Authorised by Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick

5 June 2025

As a local Mayor, one of the most enjoyable duties is hosting Citizenship ceremonies and it was a pleasure to officiate and welcome 17 new Citizens at the latest Ceremony. It was great to have the Bega Town Band perform and make the day truly memorable as well as Bega High Captain Anise Yi reciting Dorothy McKellar poetry.

Last Wednesday I also had the pleasure of opening the Bega Circular Workshop attended by 140 local people and facilitated by the CSIRO. The workshop brought together a remarkable cross section of our community all united by the shared vision to create a vibrant, resilient and regenerative Bega Valley.  We know real change can occur when we work together and begins within the community. It was a chance to listen, learn and imagine what a circular Bega Valley could look like in 2030-2040 and beyond.

The recent damage to the iconic Merimbula Boardwalk has seen parts of the Boardwalk close. Council staff are assessing the damage and will look at repair options in the short term. The good news is that in 2022, Council obtained $8 million in funding from the then State Government and a further $2 million recently from the Federal Government which will allow construction of a wider more accessible boardwalk in early 2026.

Lastly, as Mayor I get to be a Patron of the Far South Coast Surf Life Saving Association and I attended their annual presentation dinner at the Narooma Surf Club. Congratulations to all the Annual Awards winners. You are all Hero’s in my eyes.

Also, a special mention to Tony Rettke who is standing down after 16 consecutive years as President of the Association.

Let's hope for great weather for the Wintersun and Jazz Festivals this coming June long weekend.

If you’d like to get in touch with me, please send an email to  RFitzpatrick@begavalley.nsw.gov.au

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend.

© Bega Valley Shire Council 2025

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