Last week I had the pleasure of attending the opening of the Abermain Fire Station. It was an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of Fire and Rescue NSW to our community, especially during the most recent fire season. Cessnock residents are very appreciative of the work emergency personnel do in protecting and educating our community. 

The Cessnock Cutest Pet Competition has wrapped up, seeing Miss Penny, the dachshund take out the title. It was great to see over 200 entries into the competition aimed at promoting responsible pet ownership. 

Cessnock City Council is excited to announce this weekend the Cessnock Performing Arts Centre will host what has been called the author event of the year with Sam & Cameron Bloom. The book titled Penguin Bloom: the odd little bird who saved a family, is a tale capturing the hearts of people all over the world. Penguin is the world’s most famous magpie becoming a social media sensation after befriending the Bloom family from Sydney and helping them cope with a tragic accident.

Not long before meeting Penguin, Sam Bloom suffered a fall that left her paralyzed, her spirit broken and her family reeling. Shortly after the accident one of Sam’s sons found tiny Penguin, who had herself fallen out of her nest and was in desperate need of help to survive.

The Blooms nursed Penguin back to health, and through the journey healed some of the tears left by Sam’s accident.  The event on Saturday, June 17, is ticketed with all proceeds going to Spinal Cure Australia. 

NAIDOC Week is just around the corner, running from July 2 to 9. Our celebrations commence early with the first event on the June 22. I encourage residents to get involved in the important week celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture and achievements.