Philled In: Mayor Stone's June-July Engagements
Mayor Phill Stone was up at all hours over the past month representing our city, this time keeping the entire country ‘Philled in’ on the latest Whyalla news!
His main focus was the cuttlefish situation, with interest coming from across Australia on how our favourite creatures were faring and whether the diving season would continue.
This involved meetings with government representatives / key groups / community members to discuss possible options; as well as numerous media interviews to keep interested onlookers up-to-date. This included a live 6am interview with ABC TV’s National News Breakfast crew in Melbourne, which was broadcast across Australia.
Above / top: Mayor Stone promoting Whyalla by moonlight as he talks to ABC TV's National News Breakfast crew live from Melbourne.
“Although a lot of the interviews were informing people that they wouldn’t be able to dive with cuttlefish this season, they also provided opportunities to promote all the other great things about Whyalla and encourage tourists from across Australia to check out everything else we have to offer,” Mayor Stone said.
“It was also great to meet with both of the potential new owners of the steelworks and hear about their aspirations for the operations, as well as their views on supporting the local community and economy.”
Other highlights from Mayor Stone’s past month include:
- Meeting with Minister for State Development Chris Picton to discuss potential future development across the city
- Announcing the tender for the new foreshore building
Mayor Stone enjoying NAIDOC Week festivities with Deputy Mayor Tamy Pond, left, and indigenous artist Scott Rathman.
- Attending numerous NAIDOC Week events, with highlights including meeting indigenous artist Scott Rathman while he worked on a new mural at the recreation centre; and presenting awards at the art prize
- Welcoming Whyalla’s newest Australian citizens at last week’s citizenship ceremony
- Discussing numerous issues with other Eyre Peninsula mayors, including health issues facing smaller communities; changes to the next Local Government elections; and updates on the steelworks
Discussing council's local spend with WGA Industrial Drafter Elliot Hall at the Whyalla boat ramp project, which has utilised WGA Whyalla’s services.
Mayor Stone also contributed to council media releases / updates on:
- Recent council spend in the local economy
- The importance of seaweed / vegetation / sand management at the foreshore
- Encouraging residents to make use of free waste options, including Bedford’s hard waste pick-up
You can read Mayor Stone’s full list of engagements here: https://whycc.au/4gTya6J (if the link doesn’t take you directly to the report, it can be found from page 139-142 in the agenda).