Another successful Festival of Mosman

The Mosman community and our many visitors have fully embraced the 2017 Festival of Mosman. The festival opened on Friday 13 October with the 75th anniversary celebration of HMAS Penguin exercising their right of Freedom of Entry into Mosman by a parade, led by the Commanding Officer of HMAS Penguin, Commander Ian Campbell.

Over 3000 people enjoyed the big brass sounds and drums of the Royal Australian Navy bands later at the opening night concert held at Balmoral.

During the festival, I was a guest at Scots Kirk for the annual Scottish Church service and attended a talk, given by Art Gallery volunteers, on the Mosman Art Prize which is Australia’s most prestigious municipal painting prize and is also celebrating a milestone 70th anniversary. I encourage residents to make the trip to the Gallery to view and admire this year’s entries and winning paintings.

The festival also spanned Mental Health Month, with its Market for Your Mind event effectively showcasing ways for high school students to manage their mental wellbeing and study stress, which was recently nominated by our youth as their key concern.

On behalf of your elected Councillors, I thank Council staff for their dedication and hard work organising another very successful Festival of Mosman. It is a truly wonderful community event and collaboration with considerable invaluable input from our volunteers and local community groups.

Aside from the festival, Councillors are attending four briefing workshops over the next few weeks to set the strategic direction for Council’s three-year term of office. I want to remind all residents that the November Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 14 November and I encourage and welcome visitors to the public gallery.