Message from the Mayor

“When your heart is broken, it’s okay to feel lost; healing takes time” - Unknown

I wish to offer my own and Griffith City Council’s heartfelt and sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Professor Maxwell Hopp. Griffith was extremely lucky to have Professor Hopp serve our community for over 25 years, he was a loved member of our community, and his loss will reverberate in our City for years to come. We will do all we can to honour Professor Hopp and his work, and we will look at what fitting memorials we can assist with in that endeavour, thank you sir.

A couple of events earlier this week really stood out for me. Firstly the 17th annual National Chrysler Rally took place here in Griffith over the entire week. Approximately 102 cars graced our City and region, taking in many tourist attractions and adding greatly to our economy. The welcome dinner was wonderful, and I want to thank the organisers for choosing Griffith and hope we can continue to attract more such events to our City.

Also, earlier in the week, I attended the service for Police Remembrance Day which is an important way to honour the courage and sacrifice of our Police, especially those who have fallen in the line of duty. Thank you all for your determination and all you do for our City.

Lastly, I was at the opening of Gidget House, which is another wonderful service provided to our community. If you are an expectant, prospective or new parent, please look up Tresillian House and the Gidget Foundation, they both offer wonderful care for new parents suffering from perinatal or post-natal depression or anxiety. Being a new parent can be extremely rewarding but also scary and these services offer help where it is needed.

Stay safe, stay well and above all else be kind to each other and yourself, bye for now.

Doug Curran,
Mayor

“Good health is the most important thing. More than success. More than money. More than power.” – Lee Strasberg

I want to thank all of those in our community fighting so hard to improve the health outcomes for our community. To Doctor Jaya, Brendan Catanzariti, Bill Calabria, Rob Fattore, Helen Dalton and many more, thank you for your efforts to ensure our community get the services and treatment they require in a timely manner. As many would know, at the time of the rally, Council did not have a firm position, we now do have, following Tuesday night’s Council meeting. We will seek more feedback from the community via a survey as to your preference of a new health district or otherwise and also seek a meeting with the Health Minister as soon as practical to discuss community concerns about health in our region. I have had many community members, Councillors and Mayors from our region and health professionals express concern about a split, as it may be a duplication of bureaucracy which could ultimately reduce our hospital budget and potential health outcomes. Whilst there were up to 2,000 people at the rally, that means over 26,000 people haven’t necessarily been listened to, that is the purpose of the survey, please go to the Council website and let us know your thoughts.

Next week will see another conference take place in Griffith, the Murray Darling Association 2025 Conference will take place from Sunday to Thursday. It will see many politicians and decision makers around water policy attend Griffith and learn more about the excellent work being done by farmers and businesses to improve water use and output. The conference will provide great economic stimulus to local businesses but also seek to improve water outcomes for Griffith and our region, thank you to all involved.

Stay safe, stay well and above all else be kind to each other and yourself, bye for now.

“If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.” – John F. Kennedy

Wow, just wow, if you haven’t yet seen Mamma Mia! or have tickets to do so, please don’t miss out on this wonderful community production. 

Well done to everyone involved, especially the talented cast, the extensive support crew, the extremely talented band and the essential sponsors. Productions in Griffith such as Mamma Mia! only come around every two years, so don’t miss out.

I loved every minute of it and couldn’t be more appreciative of the time and effort these gifted community members have put back into the culture of our City.

Whilst at the Griffith Regional Theatre, please also take some time to view the beautiful exhibition by the late Veronica Collins, which we opened earlier in the week. 

Along with Veronica’s family, we also unveiled a plaque in honour of Veronica who painted the mural on the outside of the amphitheatre that you will see as you approach the Theatre. 

Another exhibition also opened last weekend at the Griffith Regional Art Gallery. I was delighted to open local artist Gerard Brown’s exhibition, Carrathool, a wonderful look at the annual Carrathool races.

We are very lucky to have so much art and culture in our City, but Council does need to look to the future and continue planning for a new Art Gallery, so that we can display and preserve the Couture Collection and the National Contemporary Jewellery Collection. 

We will also be hosting the Archibald Prize collection in coming years, so we do need a more befitting space to celebrate art and culture in our City.

Stay safe, stay well and above all else be kind to each other and yourself, bye for now.

Regards, 

“My dream would be a multicultural society, one that is diverse and where every man, woman and child are treated equally. I dream of a world where all people of all races work together in harmony.” – Nelson Mandela

In no way do I want to enter the current debate about migration rates and the like. However, over the last few months I have been lucky enough to see many cultures thrive in harmony here in Griffith and multiculturalism works for our community. Without migration, Griffith would not be the current economic powerhouse that we are, with GDP over $2b annually.

On the weekend, along with our Local Member, Helen Dalton, I was lucky enough to attend the Onam celebration with the Malayalees community, a community that originates from Kerala in southern India. Last weekend I was invited to the flag raising in the community gardens for the Malaysian Independence Day. Last week was an entire week celebrating all things Italian, and what a wonderful week it was. This weekend coming is the 50th Independence Day celebration for our Papua New Guinean community, again in the community gardens. All of these events celebrate our diverse communities that live in harmony here in Griffith and we should be proud to celebrate that inclusivity and success.

Last week, the General Manager and I were invited to attend the Proud and Deadly awards for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children that achieve great things in one of our 15 local schools. It was wonderful to see so many worthy recipients, the next generation of leaders being honoured for their school and sporting achievements, well done, one and all.

Lastly, thank you to all involved in last weekend’s hugely successful ALGWA Conference held in Griffith. I had the opportunity to speak to many of the over 100 attendees, and they were extremely impressed with our community.

Stay safe, stay well and above all else be kind to each other and yourself, bye for now.

Regards, 
Mayor,
Doug Curran

1. You’ve only been in Griffith for a week, what are your first impressions of the city and community?

I’ve been made to feel very welcome. Griffith has a friendly, down-to-earth feel and I can already sense the strong pride people have in their community. It’s also such a vibrant, multicultural city and I’m looking forward to exploring more of what makes it unique.

2. You’ve had a varied career - what skills and experiences do you think will be most valuable in your role at Council?

My career has taken me across very different organisations - from Campbelltown City Council to Cricket Australia to Hyundai Motor Company Australia, and each experience has shaped my approach to leadership and problem-solving. What has been consistent throughout is a focus on people: empowering staff, supporting them to be their best, and working together to deliver great outcomes for the community. I also believe strongly in the power of volunteers, who are often the beating heart of any community. These are perspectives I hope to bring to Griffith, to help us keep delivering outstanding services and experiences.

3. What attracted you to apply for the position of General Manager at Griffith City Council?

Griffith has a reputation as a progressive regional city, and I was excited by the chance to be part of its future. Councils play such an important role in shaping communities, and this role offered the opportunity to work with a talented team, a dedicated group of Councillors and an engaged, passionate community.

4. What are you most looking forward to working on in your first 12 months?

Right now, my priority is to listen and learn - to spend time with the Council team, Councillors and the community to understand what matters most. Once I’ve settled in, I’m looking forward to helping progress key projects and supporting Griffith’s growth and liveability. I think it’s important that we foster pride in our community, have the courage to dream big and also take time to celebrate the small wins along the way.

5. Outside of work, how do you like to spend your time or unwind?

I enjoy both watching and playing sport, especially cricket and I like to get outside for a walk and some fresh air. I’m also a bit of a car enthusiast - I love muscle cars and the technology behind luxury vehicles. And I definitely enjoy good food! I’m keen to explore Griffith’s food and wine scene. I had my first taste on Sunday at the Salami Festival, which was a terrific introduction.

6. Do you have a favourite book, movie or travel destination that tells us a bit about you?

That’s a tough one. For books, I’d say The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell - I enjoy things that give me a fresh perspective and I like how it shows the way small actions can gather momentum and make a big difference. Travel-wise, Japan is a favourite, I’ve visited many times, and I enjoy discovering new places and learning about different cultures. My favourite movie is an unusual choice: The Pink Panther (Steve Martin). I think it appeals to me because sometimes humour can be at its best when it’s completely ridiculous!

Regards,
General Manager,
Scott Grant

“Life is a combination of magic and pasta”. – Federico Fellini

There is a real sense of renewed focus and new beginnings at Council at the moment. With the recent retirements of Brett Stonestreet and Max Turner we have a new General Manager and a new Director, Cultural & Financial Services in Scott Grant and Matthew Hansen.  We of course welcome both gentlemen to their respective positions but also look forward to the new directions they look to take their roles and our City.

This week of course celebrates A Taste of Italy, a wonderful showcase of Italian culture, food and wine. The week, culminating in Sunday’s sold-out Salami Festival at Pioneer Park has seen many events, including tomorrow’s sidewalk sale and many wineries and restaurants hosting events. Although Griffith is very well known for being a multicultural City, it all started with Italians who began immigrating to Griffith in the early 1900s but increased dramatically in the 1930s. Approximately 60% of Griffith’s population has Italian ancestry and we are richer for their contribution and culture. Head down to the Tourism Hub and find out more about events that are still to be held, more about our Italian history or enjoy tomorrow’s sidewalk sale.

Lastly, there is quite a lot happening in the housing space in and around Griffith. We have been speaking with the developer of the last farm in Collina; they will begin works very soon. The Hanwood Master Plan is continuing to be developed and despite some late changes we hope to see activity out there also. Finally, Lake Wyangan will see a flurry of activity very soon with a $10m grant for roads and drainage from the Federal Government that must be spent by June 30, 2026. These developments will see hundreds of houses built over the next few years.

Stay safe, stay well and above all else be kind to each other and yourself, bye for now.

Mayor,

Doug Curran

“Any new beginning can start now, find the courage to pursue it with all you have.” - Nikki Rowe

As you read this column, our former General Manager Brett Stonestreet has left the building. We have been talking for some time about Brett’s accomplishments and his legacy and one last time I want to thank him. From the bottom of my heart, I truly feel Griffith is a richer, more vibrant City from Brett’s time in charge. So much positive development has taken place, we are turning the corner in regard to the housing shortage, but we have more work to do. I wish Brett and Vicki all the very best for their future endeavours and look forward to seeing them around our City for many years to come.

In saying that, I now want to welcome our new General Manager Scott Grant and his wife Meegan to our City and our Council. Scott brings a new approach that Councillors are excited about, bringing marketing and promotion experience, along with a few years in local government in the Sydney area. Working in senior roles for large private firms such as Cricket Australia and Hyundai Australia means Scott likely will have a different view on how we operate and that truly excites the Councillors. Good luck to Scott and Meegan and I look forward to working closely with Scott and our Senior Management Team on new approaches and vision for Griffith.

We are hopeful to hear the outcome of the Sustainable Communities Program from the NSW State government soon. Council has applied for $3M to upgrade our CBD and City entrances so this could be transformational for our City should we be successful. We did meet with Minister Moriarty in Sydney the week before last so hopefully we have put our best foot forward.

Stay safe, stay well and above all else be kind to each other and yourself, bye for now.

Mayor,
Doug Curran

Friday, 15 August 2025

Q&A with retiring General Manager, Brett Stonestreet

Q: You’ve been with Griffith City Council for 14 years. What are you most proud of achieving during your time here?

When I commenced with Council in 2011 our financial position was not sustainable. I am proud of the fact that we have achieved significant internal cost reduction and identified additional revenue streams (other than rates and charges). These strategies have extended our financial sustainability by more than a decade and enabled Council to leverage significant grants and other partnership capital to build important infrastructure.  

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of your role?

To have the privilege of working with such amazing staff, and this is not a flippant comment.  Here are just three examples.

First up, in 2012 a major organisation restructure was required and this directly impacted several of our staff. This was a difficult time for everyone but I am so proud that our staff as a whole approached this in a mature fashion and got on with the job. 

Secondly, who will ever forget the terrible floods of March 2012? This tragedy impacted so many residents and businesses especially in Yenda, Hanwood and Yoogali.  Griffith City Council staff “stood up when it counted”. Everyone pitched in without question to assist others who needed a helping hand. 

The third example is the resilience of our staff in the face of “working in a fishbowl”. Unlike metropolitan councils, regionally based council staff cannot disappear into anonymity by jumping on a suburban train after work. You all live and work in the same community and this can at times be a very challenging environment. Notwithstanding this you all “keep on keeping on” knowing that you are making a positive difference.     

Q: What will you miss most about working with Council?

My response to the last question probably answers this one as well. Local Government has been central to my life from 18 years of age. Back in 1980 my Dad noticed an advertisement in the “Lyndhurst Shire Chronical” (Blayney Newspaper) for a cadetship at the local Council. My LG story started there. I will really miss everyone associated with Council, but I am determined to keep myself busy and I dare say that local government will probably play a part in that. 

Q: What’s next for you? How do you plan to spend your retirement?

A road trip through central Queensland with Vicki is first up on the agenda then back to our home in Griffith to explore the next chapter. I’ll be doing some work for sure but not on a full-time basis. 

Q: Any final message you’d like to share with the Griffith community?

Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this community and as Griffith always does, “keep the glass half full”.

Friday 8 August 2025 

“Good vibes are nature’s way of telling you that you’re in the right place or with the right person.” – Bruce H. Lipton

Last weekend’s Griffith Business Chamber awards was a stunning evening, spent with some of Griffith’s finest businesses and businesspeople. Well done to all of the winners, but a big call out to Multiquip who won the major award sponsored by Griffith City Council. There are so many wonderful businesses doing great things in our community, from supporting residents as we get a little older, to businesses operating environmentally sustainable practices, ensuring our community is well set up for the future. The economic benefit so many businesses bring to our City is enormous, but they also support our local sporting and service clubs, who in turn make our City a better place to live. Well done again to all nominees and winners, please keep up the great work and our community will continue to support you all.

This week has been rather hectic, with meetings in Sydney, advocating for a better share of the pie for Griffith and our region. We continue to push for a better outcome in regard to water buybacks and housing enabling infrastructure funds, these are Griffith’s two biggest hurdles at the moment in my opinion. We cannot accept to be forgotten and disregarded as we have been in the past, we must continue pushing our case and fighting for our region.

Last week Council released our investment prospectus and also had a presentation on our local economy. There were some really good figures released, and I encourage everyone to grab a copy of the prospectus, it highlights many opportunities that our region continues to see and that we must continue to work towards.

Stay safe, stay well and above all else be kind to each other and yourself, bye for now.

Doug Curran 
Mayor