Cr Column Councillor Amanda Hall

How good was the Harvest Festival?  Congratulations most certainly need to be extended to Mark Vass and his committee for yet another incredible display of community spirit.  From the Ephemera and Festival launch through to the culmination with the Grand Parade and festivities, everything was spot on.  Personally, the highlight for me, apart from catching up with people I haven’t seen in yonks, was Ida Arici’s deliciously decadent Italian sweets.  😊
The Burdekin Machinery Preservationists in Brandon recently celebrated their 40th Anniversary with an open day on 10th November.  Unfortunately, I was unable to attend but I thoroughly enjoyed visiting earlier in the year and encourage everyone to (in the words of Molly Meldrum), “do yourselves a favour” and go.  You won’t be disappointed.
I had the honour of attending the Remembrance Day ceremony in Ayr at the Anzac Park War Memorial on the 11th November with Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort and Councillor Fina Vasta.  A small but extremely moving event commemorating our returned, lost and fallen men and women who so valiantly served.  Joe Giddy once again performing a very solemn, stirring ‘Last Post.’  Lest We Forget.
As a Shire, we would be much the poorer without the dedicated people who proudly put their hand up for the benefit of everyone else in our community.  They love our towns and want to see them thrive.  That is why the reaction recently from a vocal few out of a population of around 17,000 has been extremely disappointing and hurtful.  I have never in my 58 years, felt so uncomfortable to walk down the street as I did the other day.
Social media can be fantastic when used for good with all the CORRECT information.  There we all are, reading one another’s posts, feeling inspired, informed, supported, or seen.  It’s uniting, it brings people together.  But please be mindful of what you say and do.  Unsolicited opinions, offhand comments or quick judgements can hurt, particularly when they come from family and friends.  Before sharing a negative opinion or verbally attacking someone, take a moment to put yourselves in the other persons shoes; how would YOU feel?  Everyone is facing their own battles, juggling countless responsibilities whilst doing their best to meet the needs of many.  
In the lead up to the Christmas season as well as all year round, let’s all choose kindness, understanding and empathy.  
Sometimes silence can be the most powerful response.

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