The life of being the Mayor of a city like Lithgow seems to require great balancing skills. This was demonstrated during the week just gone. Mayor Maree Statham moved between running her own successful small business, managing a large working farm, tending to family and on top of all that the duties required as the Mayor of Lithgow City Council.
The week started on Monday 25 September, where the Mayor spent the morning running her own business as a hairdresser. After lunch she came into town to chair the Seven Valleys Tourism Committee meeting, alongside representatives from local businesses including National Parks and the Zig Zag Railway. Later that night there was the September Ordinary Meeting of Council, where the election for Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the next year took place. Cr Statham was successful in being elected as the Mayor for the remaining term of this Council.
On Tuesday 26 September the Mayor attended the promotional photoshoot for the Beatlesfest event which ran across the Lithgow area over the October long weekend. Then it was into Council to attend to briefings and paperwork, then spending the afternoon back at her salon.
Wednesday 27 September was another day filled with events, starting in the salon then a radio interview with 2LT about the upcoming events in the local area. In the role of being the Mayor, Cr Statham is invited to many openings of businesses and events, this day it was the Official Opening of Westfunds’ new Dental Care Centre in Main Street Lithgow. To finish off the day there was another promotional photo shoot for the upcoming Opera at the Union Theatre in November.
Thursday 28 September the Mayor had planned to be with her grandchildren, but she put that aside to attend a meeting in Orange as part of the Central NSW Joint Organisation of Councils to discuss local democracy, improved local government and the role of social media at a Local Government Policy Lab. Cr Statham attended this event alongside the newly elected Deputy Mayor Darryl Goodwin and General Manager Craig Butler. Being a part of the joint organisation is a chance for the councillors to meet other councillors from across the region and to work on priorities that are important to their communities.
Friday 29 September started off with the weekly radio interview with 2BS, before fitting in some appointments at the salon. Then the Mayor was off to the NSW Police Force – Police Remembrance Day Ceremony held in Bathurst to remember and acknowledge the service men and women who have died in the line of duty as part of the NSW Police Force. Friday night the Mayor attended the Official Opening of Beatlesfest at the Gang Gang Gallery. Concluding the night at the Seven Valleys Hotel with the ‘Super 70’s Beyond the Beatles’ concert.
Weekends blend with every other day and on Saturday 30 September the Mayor attended numerous Beatlesfest events including an interview with the Today Show in Cook Street Plaza, morning tea with the Deputy Mayor where they then walked Main Street talking to visitors who were in Lithgow for the Beatlesfest, afternoon spent at the Tuscan Room at the Workies to watch the ‘Rubber Soles’, and concluding the day at the Twilight Markets at the Foundations Portland.
On Sunday 1 October the Mayor then attended and welcomed visitors to Lithgow for the 2023 NSW State Titles Combined Districts Kart Club at the Lithgow City Raceway in Marangaroo. This event drew 230 competitors, and their families and support crews to the Lithgow area. The Mayor then concluded Beatlesfest festivities at Club Lithgow with ‘The Lost World’s Octopus Garden’.
Although being the Mayor requires attending meetings, openings, events, promoting events, advocating for the community and local area, all while running a business, a farm and attending to family duties, being a Mayor is a rewarding role which Councillor Statham takes great pride in, never missing the opportunity to promote Lithgow and all it has to offer.