“Ghost of Dickerson's past” in mayoral message

Like the “Ghost of Christmas Past” from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”, our former mayor just keeps popping up.

Long-time former supremo, Mathew Dickerson, was known for his interesting answering service messages, the last one of which featured lift muzak and yuletide theme.

Rather disconcerting for local reporters to receive just this same message when trying to reach our current incumbent, more than 12 months after the last government election.

Accompanied by a rather-scratchy violin recording, the soundtrack says:

“I’m sorry that I’m not presently here;

But for Dubbo, I serve with great cheer!

Leave your name and your tale,

I’ll return your call, without fail,

I look forward to you bending my ear!”

Mayor Josh Black said that the old message sometimes pops up when he’s out of range, as a “ghost in the machine”, as it were…

North Yeoval ratepayers off to Cabonne… eventually!

Changing Council boundaries – moving ratepayers from one local government area to the next – may seem to most people as a relatively minor administrative issue!

Not so, as Dubbo has found in its long-running North Yeoval saga, with Council recently adopting a resolution to inform Cabonne Council that it has “no objection” to transferring areas of Yeoval north of Buckinbah Creek to that shire council.

“This has been going on for the best part of three years, with lots of discussions and public consultations and the like,” Mayor, Josh Black, told Dubbo Photo News.

“This resolution is formalising the last step, involving Dubbo Council, Cabonne, and the Boundaries Commission, with lots of back-and-forth over a long period of time,” he added.

The North Yeoval area, involving about 40 homes, already have their rubbish pick up and most other local government services provided by Cabonne anyway, with all ratepayers in agreement with the move.

“This is a way to iron out that bulge, so that all of Yeoval will now be in the same council area,” Cr Black said.

“It’s been a long, drawn out process, it is no easy thing to change council boundaries, and we’re hoping to have it all finalised this financial year,” he concluded.

Final step in this process requires, a formal application to the Minister for Local Government and, lastly and finally, Vice-Regal approval with “consent” from the Governor of NSW!

Howzat? “Scoreboard” art applications for WPCC

Local artists in Dubbo region are being invited to apply to paint a year-long installed mural at the entrance to the Western Plains Cultural Centre (WPCC).

Known as the “Scoreboard Project” – apparently due to it being adjacent to the local cricket ground – it involves selection of a creator from Dubbo LGA, who will work with a community group to capture the artwork.

“This initiative provides the local artistic community with another avenue to expand their artistic practices and connections,” DRC’s Arts and Culture Coordinator, Rebecca Walker said.

“In 2025 we had local Indigenous artist, Hayden Wood, work with young people from ‘Boys to the Bush’ to create the artwork that is currently installed in the space,” she added.

The artwork will need to be completed for installation by May next year, with applications closing on Friday, November 28.

In-house candidate; acting GM appointed

Council’s current Director Infrastructure, Luke Ryan, has been appointed as interim General Manager as the search for a permanent replacement goes on.

The Interim General Manager appointment will be for a period of 12 months, so to allow sufficient time to undertake the recruitment process for the permanent position.

This timeframe is a maximum, with the appointment ending when and if a permanent replacement for current CEO, Murray Wood – who finishes later this month – is finalised.

“It is up to 12 months, this allows for an extended recruitment process to find the new GM,” Mayor Josh Black explained.

“The appointment ends, when that process is successfully completed,” he told Dubbo Photo News.

Short film vista of sister city as delegation visits

Going creative to celebrate our three-decade Sister City, locals can enjoy an online short film experience from Wujiang in China.

This follows students from Wujiang submitting short videos showcasing “interesting and culturally-significant” aspects of the region, including their thousand-year-old silk industry.

“The short films showcase the interesting and vibrant culture that Wujiang enjoys, and I’d encourage all residents to give them a watch,” Mayor Black enthused.

“The films also coincide with a visit from a Wujiang delegation, who will be visiting our region at the end of November to mark our 30-year relationship,” he added, with the videos on Council’s website.

With Dubbo also having a long-standing Sister City relationship with Minokamo in Japan, applications for students who want to apply, can come along to an early information session on Monday, December 1.

Grave concern, as cemetery mapping tool is launched

For those with an interest in local memorialised history, Dubbo Regional Council has launched its new online cemetery mapping tool, Memorial Mapper.

The mapping tool allows users to search historical records related to gravesites and locate available plots for purchase in cemeteries managed by Council.

Historical data is currently available for Dubbo and Wellington cemeteries, however the data for all locally-managed cemeteries is also being collated for future release.

The new platform will be of particular interest to historical societies and those wanting to know more about their family history, Council’s Community, Culture, and Places Director, Craig Arms, said.

“The launch of the Memorial Mapper complements other improvements we’ve made in the cemeteries space,” Mr Arms said.

“Our cemeteries are an important part of our region, and these improvements will ensure they continue to meet and exceed the needs of our community,” he concluded.