Named by community elders, Guyati, Garraka wa Witing means Talk, Mouth and Lips in the Dunghutti language.

This innovative pilot program has been made in collaboration with our very own Dalaigur and Scribbly Gum Dalai Preschools, The University of Newcastle, the not-for-profit organisation Gunawirra and the Vonwiller foundation.

The program aims to provide greater speech pathology services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in rural NSW and help them overcome language difficulties to become more confident and happier within themselves.

I was fortunate enough to attend the launch of the project recently.

It's great news for our community and I applaud Dalaigur and Scribbly Gum Dalai Preschools for pursuing this valuable partnership.

I cannot wait to hear the stories of success as a result of the Guyati, Garraka wa Witing Speech Pathology Project.

Council's Community Catch-ups are returning.

I cherish these events. It is so wonderful to come to our villages across the shire and hear the big ideas and visions residents have for the future. It is also a great opportunity for the community to engage with Councillors and senior Council staff, to ask questions, get informed and reconnect in person again.

So, Gladstone and Smithtown, it is finally your turn! You've been patient with all the lockdown postponements, now we want to hear from you. Dream big with us, no idea is too far-fetched. We want to work with you to bring your ideas to life.

We've had fantastic projects come out of our Community Catch-ups previously including the upgrade of the very park we are holding the next catch up in.

We'll see you on Thursday 21st October at Gladstone Memorial Park between 5-7pm.

To RSVP, pose a question or get more information head to ksc.pub/catchups.