Two gongs for council at assembly

CLARENCE Valley Council has bagged at least two national awards at this year's National General Assembly in Canberra.

CLARENCE Valley Council has bagged at least two national awards at this year's National General Assembly in Canberra.

Representatives from the council, including Mayor Richie Williamson, along with delegates from other councils around Australia are in the nation's capital for the annual assembly. Part of the four-day event is the issuing of awards recognising local government initiatives and programs.

On Monday, the council received a Community Collaboration and Partnership Award for its Industry Education Forum program, a combination of services linking local businesses, community groups and training organisations to improve local education and job prospects for young people.

Cr Williamson said the council snagged another gong yesterday.

"We've also now received a national award for the Fresh Start program which the Clarence Valley Council and the Department of Education have partnered in which is about giving Aboriginal students a pathway to employment," Mr Williamson said.

"That program has been widely accepted in our community, which is fantastic and it's also now being looked at at a state level in other areas as a program that can deliver some good things to a community.

"We're very proud of everyone who worked on both these programs and its not just council staff; this is about partnerships. So I accepted both awards really on behalf of everyone involved in making these programs happen - this is the fruits of their hard labour."

The council was in the running for two major NGA national awards which were due to be announced during a ceremony last night.

Originally published as Two gongs for council at assembly