The Communities in Lithgow, Wallerawang, Portland and surrounding villages are known for their resilience and stoicism in the face of adversity, and this continues to be the case as we battle COVID 19 at present.

Despite our many challenges in the recent past, Lithgow and its communities continue to fare better than our metropolitan friends currently, and we hope that the existing restrictions are short lived, so that both metropolitan and regional NSW can regain the momentum lost and continue the lifestyle we desire generally and for our children.

Without doubt, our local Health Workers, Doctors and Emergency Services are doing extraordinary things to help keep our community safe, but so are our unemployed local's, who through no fault of their own, have taken a hit for our community, forgoing their jobs for the overall benefit of all of us, and they should be recognised and supported by all.

We are also currently calling for volunteers from the Council administration staff who may be able to support local "not for profit" agencies and other "non-government" organisations who are endeavouring to assist the most vulnerable in our community.

Already, we see strong signs of hope, as Australian based Companies are moving into new areas of manufacturing, including the production of facemasks, and hand sanitiser etc, in response to the shortages imposed upon us by foreign companies buying up our supplies, and sending them overseas. Any increase in self-reliance for our local and Australian communities must be good for all of us.

I am particularly pleased that during this COVID 19 crisis, there has been bipartisan support at all levels of Government in order to protect the Australian Community socially and economically. Too often in the past we have seen federal, state and even local politicians use such emergencies to further their own political interests with complete disregard to the welfare of our community. I am particularly pleased to see that this does not appear to be occurring, and I wish to thank my local elected councillors also for putting our community first during this COVID 19 emergency.

We will continue to keep our community updated with the State and Federal strategies and I refer all to Council's website for the most recent information update.

As we approach ANZAC day, when we remember the huge sacrifice of our diggers, perhaps we can keep in mind that our efforts in social distancing and adhering to the restriction strategies developed, are our small contribution towards maintaining our way of life, which our fallen soldiers gave up their lives for.

I remain a very proud Mayor of the communities in our Lithgow LGA.

- Mayor Ray Thompson

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