As ever, it was great to chat with locals, catch up on stories and discover how council can continue to help in a community that is still feeling the combined impact of fires and water shortages.

It was also wonderful to see all the trees, so recently blackened by fire, covered in shoots of green thanks to the recent rain.

Yet that long-awaited rain has flushed ash and debris into the waterways.

Sadly, this means we are still some time away from the rivers fulfilling these communities water requirements and we will continue to truck water in until that time.

I am always proud to say that I am a Kempsey Senior!

I love that this shire has such a strong, vibrant and passionate Senior community, and what better way to celebrate them than the Seniors Festival which begins this week.

It's going to be 12 days filled to the brim with all sorts of activities, for seniors of all abilities.

With such a wide variety of events on offer across the Valley, I'm sure there is something for everyone.

We've got walking netball, a high tea boogie, card making and you can even learn to be a DJ at our much-loved Tank FM.

Check out the program on the Kempsey Council website for details and I hope I'll see you all at the Seniors Expo at Slim Dusty Centre on opening day.

In a hectic summer filled with disasters and distractions it can be easy to overlook selfcare.1 in 7 women in New South Wales will develop breast cancer, and breast screening is the most effective way to find breast cancer early. The BreastScreen mobile breast screening van offers a free service to all women over the age of 40.

It will be on Tozer Street at the Kempsey District Hospital until 11 May from 7.50am until 5pm, Monday to Thursday (except from 2 - 17 March). I urge all the women of the valley to take advantage of this lifesaving service.