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


Monday, September 28, 2009

Tim Sullivan Car Park

On Wednesday the 30th of September an unveiling ceremony was held for the Tim Sullivan car park which is at the near of the Orange Civic Centre.



The dedication reads:

"This facility was named in honour of Tim Sullivan (OAM) in recognition of his commitment to civic duties and to the Orange community. Mr. Sullivan was an Orange City Councillor from 1978 to 1991 and from 1995 to 1999. He was mayor of the City of Orange from 1983 to 1991. Mr. Sullivan was born on the 22 November 1944 and was educated at De la Salle Orange. He was a former board member of the Central Tablelands County Council, Advance Energy, Country Energy, Orange Agricultural College and the Bathurst Orange Development Corporation. He is a former president of the Orange City Rugby Union Club and the Orange CYMS Rugby League Club. He was awarded a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship in 1990. In 2003, Mr. Sullivan was also awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to local government and the Orange community."


This is a fitting and much deserved acknowledgment for a popular, fair and equitable mayor; a respectful recognition of his work and achievements.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Civic Reception for St. Petersburg Quartet

On Wednesday 23rd September Orange City Council held a civic reception for the St. Petersburg Quartet. This is the third visit to Orange for this group. They found Orange to be a delight and they thanked the community for the opportunity to perform.

The St. Petersburg Quartet is one of the world's most esteemed chamber ensembles and they did not disappoint. All in all, this was a very enjoyable evening.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

NAIDOC Week 2009

This week is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and an opportunity to recognise the contributions of Indigenous Australians in various fields.


NAIDOC stands for the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. It is a movement that started with the recognition of Aboriginal groups in the 1920's and aims to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians.

Activities will take place across the region during NAIDOC Week (20th September - 26th September) and all Australians are encouraged to participate. The celebrations will culminate with a Family fun Day in the North Court near the council chambers (behind the Art Gallery and Library). There will be music, dance, jumping castles, food, local services, AMS, fire brigade, police, Bush Babies BBQ, bush tucker and games. There is something for everyone!

I am so proud that the Orange City Council as one of the major sponsors of this week of activities and that it strives to uphold its Statement of Commitment to the First People: to acknowledge and promote Aboriginal culture and heritage, to support Aboriginal people in the Orange community and to address issues specific to the local Aboriginal community.



Fusion’s 20th Anniversay in Orange

On Saturday the 19th September, Fusion held their 20th Anniversary and celebrated with a Variety Night Fundraiser! This was a very enjoyable evening with numerous performances, a silent auction, audio-visual presentations and supper.

Fusion is a youth and community organisation which emerged as a response to socially-at-risk young people in Australia. Today, Fusion has over 250 staff and thousands of volunteers in 45 teams and centres throughout the world.

Part of the work of Fusion includes seeking to build a sense of community and purpose for individuals. Fusion Centres are established in response to local need. In Australia Fusion supports: drop in centres and Youth Cafes, lunch time programs in schools, accommodation programs, craft and social activities for isolated women, parenting programs for young single mothers, mentoring and special programs for teenagers at risk, employment training schemes, outdoor education programs, and community festivals designed to build connection.

This is a worthwhile organisation that deserves greater recognition for the work they do.