Councillor Role

In 2008 Fiona ran for re-election on her own ticket- Team H. She was successful in being re-elected and only 100 votes short of her second candidate Gerald Power being elected also. If she had of been successful with the second candidate Orange Council would have had its first Aboriginal Councillor.

Items of particular interest to Fiona at this time would be the water issue in Orange. She has been active in working towards a way for future water sustainability. Evidence of the work done to date can be viewed on the Council web site- Water Project

Fiona also enjoys the role she plays in the numerous areas relating to the major portfolio in which she holds- Community Services. Given her background as a Registered Nurse, previous Councillor, Justice of the Peace, involvement in local community projects and various fundraising activities Fiona believes she is well suited to this role. In particular she is approachable, empathic, professional, understanding and seeks out the various needs of her community. Projects Fiona has been involved in through Council are:

* Water strategy for the future 2050
* Storm Water Harvesting scheme
* Planning and development of the New PCYC centre in Orange
* Spring Street Bridge
* Children's Memorial Garden
* Expansion of the Skate park
* Advocate for Icely and Ophir road users linking to Northern Distributor
* Youth Conference Orange
* Australian Rural Leadership Course- Vision Task needs assessment for families.
* Crime Prevention CCTV cameras
* Christmas Festival
* Chamber of Commerce representative for Council
* Disability services
* Mount Canobolas as a Tourist area
* Dragon Boats Orange

In 2004 Fiona was first elected as a Councillor with Orange City Council. After a busy time with election and campaigning against 77 other possible candidates. Fiona became the third female Councillor at Orange. Fiona is an extremely active Council member and some of the projects that she has driven or been involved in are:

  • Designing and building two BMX Tracks in Orange after establishing a partnership with organisations to provide funding in support (competitive and recreational)
  • Lobbying and building a recreational play area for children at Glenroi
  • Working with the community and other Councillors to have an Aboriginal Flag flown at the Council Chambers
  • Working with a committee and Youth to establish "Not just another CafĂ©" (NJAC)
  • Set up a Pilot Project with Police, Public School and Council to provide bikes and helmets so that bike riding could become part of the sport curriculum at no cost to students.
  • Lobbied for changes in phone directory, reduced speed on distributor road, better meeting times, shared space, and much more.
  • Been an active member in the Community Plan 2020 for Orange
  • Amongst many other things... Visit this site monthly to stay updated on what Fiona has been involved in with Council.

Fiona's objectives on council

Council Objectives (PDF File)

Orange Councillor and Candidate 2008 Election
Please find in this document the completed profile with full policy information and many other extras added in.

You Tube- Orange Electorate Fiona Rossiter Team H

Visit this new website Australian Family Matters


Saturday, January 31, 2009

Canobolas Kites


What a fun day we had!

We went up to the end of Cecil Road to the Orange Christian Ministry Centre and there were kites flying high. There was the parachuting Teddy and some other amazing designs. A huge tent was filled with activities for children and some rather funny clowns who wanted to make animals out of sausage balloons.

We even had the chance to learn how to make a kite from scratch and then go outside and fly it. There was music, food and games and amazingly it was all free. It was a day which brought us outside to share some quality time with our children, it definitely has the thumbs up from our family.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Australia Day in Cook Park- Orange


What a day for celebrations! Australia Day in Orange was held at Cook Park. A spectacular place in its own right. The beauty of nature with the glorious trees and plants.

Catriona Rowntree who is the well known presenter for Nine Networks Getaway program was our Ambassador for the day.

It was a day jam packed with activities, presentations, entertainment and of course the early morning cooked breakfast. Every year we take our children and this year was no different. Sporting our Australian T-shirts and hats, off we ventured for the 8am start. The breakfast was delicious and filling sitting out in the beautiful park and becoming a part of the atmosphere.

The excitement could be heard along with laughter and singing.

The days activities included presentations of the CWD colouring in competition, Canobolas Highland Pipe Band and the march. The official ceremony which has the flag raising, the Mayors welcome, a speech from our Ambassador Catriona Rowntree, the Citizen Ceremony and Australia Day Awards presentations were included. A presentation to the family of the late Tom Moore was done in recognition for the many years in which he designed the art work for the children's colouring in competition.

There was plenty of entertainment, music and dancing along with the judging of the Aussie Hat Competition. The finally for the day was the drawing of the raffle and presentation of prizes for the painting competition. There were plenty of stalls filled with gifts and plants, something for everyone.

It is an event that our family has always attended and our thanks goes to the committee who do all the hard work and make possible the event.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Wiradjuri Cultural Centre- Condobalin


Myself and several fellow Councillors made a trip to Condobalin to see the new cultural centre which was being built by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people. The design had been developed and the building was well underway. Percy Knight gave us a brief about the Centre explaining the significance of the building and how the internal and external design would be complimentary to the Aboriginal culture.

It was amazing to see the builders at work. They were young men who were being trained by qualified builders helping them to gain a trade. The bricks for the walls were made from mud and were made on site. There was a machine which they used and the soil came from the area of Condobalin.

The building is circular and has various rooms to accommodate different educational and community areas. I found the visit to be very informative and gave me a clearer understanding for the proposed cultural centre for Orange. In the near future Orange will hopefully be able to

have this same facility complimentary to our Aboriginal people.