'Historic' moment in old town hall

An invitation by the OCTEC board for City Council members to hold a meeting in its restored building has captured what could turn out to be an ‘historic’ moment : the last meeting of an Orange City Council in the former Town Hall.

A framed photograph of the meeting in April last year, timed to mark the centenary of the landing at Gallipoli, was presented by OCTEC this week to hang in the new council chambers.

Speaking at a morning tea (25 May) to mark the handover, OCTEC Board chair Cr Jeff Whitton said the photograph was “possibly the last sitting of the Orange City Council in the Town Hall “ ahead of the flagged council amalgamations.

A key provider of training services, OCTEC owns and has restored a number of historic buildings including the former Town Hall at the corner of Byng and Anson Streets, and the Croagh Patrick buildings.

“OCTEC is a proud citizen and is proud of its commitment to take care of these buildings,” Cr Jeff Whitton said.

OCTEC CEO Andrew McDougall paid tribute to the OCTEC board members. “To be a board that supports that sort of expenditure on those assets is great for the city.”

Photographer Alf Mangicali has produced “a wonderful work”, Andrew McDougall said, which is “a great picture and beautiful representation of the room.”

Mayor John Davis said he was delighted at the “absolutely fantastic” gift.

“At this stage when it looks like the term of this council is drawing to a close, it’s appropriate that all the councillors and senior staff are in the photo,” John Davis said.

“In the last three years this council has worked so well together. You wouldn’t get a better group of councillors.”

“I want to congratulate the OCTEC board andf staff for keeping the former Town Hall building and the historic meeting in great condition.”

The framed photograph, which has been hung in the current council chambers, features all the council members together with the General Manager are senior council staff.

Also captured in the public gallery behind the meeting table are a reporter from the Central Western Daily, three children of one of the councillors, a Sister Cities visitor from Mt Hagen in PNG and a member of the Orange Ratepayers Association.

FRAMED : Pictured at the presentation are (l. to r.) Mayor John Davis, OCTEC CEO Andrew McDougal, Cr Jeff Whitton, OCTEC Board member Val Myott and deputy Mayor Cr Chris Gryllis.