Council News Issue No: 166
CITY OF WAGGA WAGGA
FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 14 OCTOBER 2017
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TAKING THE CREASE: (From left) Sydney Thunder General Manager Lee Germon, Sydney Thunder's Rachel Trenaman, Member for Wagga Wagga Daryl Maguire and Mayor Greg Conkey are set for the WBBL games at Robertson Oval
WAGG A O N S TR I K E TO H OS T W B B L
Howzat! Wagga’s summer of cricket just got better with Sydney Thunder locked in to play two Women’s Big Bash League games at Robertson Oval. Wagga Wagga City Council has been working with Sydney Thunder, Cricket NSW and the NSW Office of Sport to secure the two WBBL matches for January 2018. Sydney Thunder will take on the Adelaide Strikers on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 January, with both games starting at 2pm. Both fixtures will be free admission with Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM confident the games will attract big crowds. “Wagga has a big appetite for cricket and we are excited to host these thrilling, fast-paced Women’s Big Bash League games,” he said. “We expect many locals and visitors to head down and watch a game this summer in the heart of our city at Robertson Oval.” The games will feature local talent, with 16-year-old Wagga cricketer Rachel Trenaman recently signing with Sydney Thunder. Sydney Thunder General Manager Lee Germon says the calibre of athletes taking part in these matches is incredible. “We’re going to see two days of fantastic, family-friendly cricket and some great cricket in terms of quality,” he said. “It is wonderful news that Rachel is contracted. We’re hugely excited about what Rachel will bring to the squad and we know that she’ll be a Thunder cricketer for many years to come and do Wagga Wagga proud.” The Women’s Big Bash League games are the latest in a string of high-level matches played in the City of Good Sports. In recent years, Wagga Wagga has hosted a Sheffield Shield game, Super Rugby and AFL pre-season matches and City-Country Origin, along with the Rugby League World Cup warm-up game for Samoa last night. For more information visit sydneythunder.com.au.
General Manager appointed The City of Wagga Wagga has appointed Mr Peter Thompson to the position of General Manager on a five-year contract at an Extraordinary Meeting of Council on 13 October. “I am pleased to announce that after an extensive recruitment process, Councillors have made a decision to appoint Mr Peter Thompson to the position of General Manager,” Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM said. “My fellow Councillors and I are excited by this appointment and feel that he will bring the level of stability, commitment and strategic thinking that the community is looking for. “With major projects such as the Bomen Enabling Roads and Main City Levee upgrade currently under way and the city experiencing strong growth, my fellow Councillors and I are
confident Mr Thompson will help further establish Wagga Wagga as a thriving regional capital.” For the past 10 years, Mr Thompson has held the role of General Counsel at Tamworth Regional Council and for the past two years has also held the role of Director Planning and Compliance. Professionally, Mr Thompson is qualified in both science and law and is accredited by the Law Society of New South Wales as a specialist in Local Government and Planning Law, with seven years’ experience in private practice. He has held subsequent employment with the NSW Environment Protection Authority as a Senior Operations Officer, and the Department of Land and Water Conservation. “My aim as General Manager is to deliver a progressive local government authority with an
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impeccable level of integrity and public confidence,” Mr Thompson said. “I’m incredibly impressed by Wagga Wagga and its facilities and I’m equally impressed and excited by what it wants to achieve over the coming years. "The strategic direction articulated by the Council is clear and clever. It will deliver prosperity, quality lifestyles and security to the people of Wagga Wagga and I look forward to being a part of the key organisation responsible for making that happen.” Mr Thompson’s priority in the short term is to get to know the Council and the community he will serve, while the long-term priority is to ensure the community trusts and respects the work of the council, which he believes will be delivered professionally, efficiently and passionately. Local Government NSW Management Solutions
coordinated an extensive meritbased recruitment process, including nation-wide advertising that resulted in 25 applications for the position by the 21 August closing date. Following short-listing, a panel consisting of the Mayor Greg Conkey, Deputy Mayor Dallas Tout, Councillor Vanessa Keenan and AlburyCity General Manager Frank Zaknich conducted first-round interviews. Four candidates were then interviewed by all Councillors present at an Extraordinary Meeting held Tuesday, 26 September where it was resolved for the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor to negotiate with the preferred candidate. Mr Thompson will take up the role of General Manager in about six weeks. Mr James Bolton will continue as General Manager until Mr Peter Thompson Thompson starts.
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