Council
7 March, 2025
Governor of New South Wales Visits Bland Shire
Her Excellency comes to West Wyalong
THE Bland Shire had the distinct honour of hosting Her Excellency The Honourable
Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, during her recent visit to the region.
The visit included a mayoral reception, where Her Excellency was welcomed by Bland Shire Mayor, Brian Monaghan, Councillors, Australia Day award winners, Ambassadors and principals of local schools.
The reception, held in her honour, served as an opportunity for local leaders to engage
with the Governor and discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the Shire. They were able to share the importance of education in their communities and the region’s bright future as well.
Her Excellency also visited key community sites throughout the Shire during her tour, including local schools, the hospital, and held court at the West Wyalong Anglican Church with numerous community groups including the CWA (Bellarwi), IPCA, RSL, Hospital Auxillary and Royal Far West (see inside this issue for more).
Ms Beazley, spent some time with the Lake Cowal Foundation and along with NSW Cootamundra MP, Steph Cooke, was also invited to the Evolution Mining Lake Cowal operation - just as they were given some great news and the green light for an extension until 2042, where she had the opportunity to engage with staff.
Cowal’s Operations Manager, Kyal Hunter, said, “It was an honour to have Her Excellency visit our site and learn about our operation, our contribution to the region and Evolution’s future plans following the recent Federal approval of our Open Pit Continuation Project”.
The visit highlighted the Shire's commitment to education, healthcare, and industry, and allowed the Governor to gain a deeper understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges faced by rural communities in New South Wales.
During her visit, Her Excellency highlighted the important role of volunteering in rural
communities. She praised the strong sense of community in these areas, where
volunteers play a crucial part in supporting their neighbours and enriching local life. The
Governor encouraged continued volunteer involvement, stressing its importance for
building resilience and social connection in rural New South Wales.
Mayor of Bland Shire, Brian Monaghan expressed his gratitude for the Governor's visit, saying -
"We are deeply honoured to welcome Her Excellency to our Shire. Her visit emphasises the importance of regional areas like the Bland Shire and we are grateful for the opportunity to showcase the work being done here to enhance the lives of our residents.
“The visit of Her Excellency The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC is a momentous
occasion for Bland Shire, highlighting the vital role of regional development, education,
healthcare, and industry in shaping the future of rural communities,” said Mayor Monaghan.
Her Excellency NSW Governor, the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC was equally thrilled to visit West Wyalong and other centres throughout the region. Her stay over in West Wyalong also culminated in the opening of Down the Track in Lake Cargelligo. Cowal supported the Trackin’ Good Social Enterprise Program, which received $15,000 in funding, via the Cowal Partnering Program. Members of the Cowal team then joined Her Excellency at the Lake Cowal Foundation where she participated in a tour of InHabitat, which is set to open in 2025 as an integrated eco-tourism and environmental education project incorporating the Lake Cowal Conservation Centre. Cowal is investing $280,000 over a two-year period to strengthen the Lake Cowal Conservation Centre’s Education Program.
Read More: West Wyalong
