Blog

Local Government Elections will be held on September 4, 2021. It has been my privilege to serve our community as Mayor at Willoughby City Council for the past 7 years.  Much has been achieved but there is still much more to do.  I will be standing for re-election and would greatly appreciate your support. These are challenging times and I genuinely believe Willoughby needs a Mayor with Experience, Accountability and ...
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Thank you Walangari Karntawarra and Diramu Aboriginal Dance and Didgeridoo for your Acknowledgement of Country. As I mentioned the Australia Day theme this year is “Reflect. Respect. Celebrate”. Well, what a time we have been having of it. This time last year we were living through an overwhelming bushfire season, with our city blanketed in smoke. Like many of you I was showering with a bucket in my recess, to ...
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In welcoming you to Remembrance Day 2020, I wish to formally acknowledge today Representatives for the French and Italian Consuls, our Federal Member of Parliament for North Sydney, Mr Trent Zimmerman MP, the Board and members of the Chatswood RSL and sub branches,  the Legion Ex-Services Club,  the Dawn Service and Commemorative committee, Legacy, fellow Willoughby City Councillors and Willoughby City staff and so many of the special members of our ...
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Willoughby City Council’s Business Support Plan, worth up to $1.66 million over six months, was approved at an extraordinary meeting last night. It offers relief on rents, fees and penalties to help support local businesses and community groups through the COVID-19 pandemic. The Business Support Plan includes: Rent relief for Council’s restaurants and cafes tenants totalling $573,000 over six months. Waiving licences and fees for sporting organisations for up to ...
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Ten years ago today I was fortunate to be elected as a Councillor for Sailors Bay Ward of Willoughby City Council. What an honour it has been to serve this wonderful community. I have learnt so much, met the most amazing people and hopefully made a positive impact. There is still lots to do and I thank you for your ongoing support ...
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It is hard to believe that it has been a year since I was honoured to be re-elected as Mayor of Willoughby City Council, since Councillor Hugh Eriksson was re-elected and since Brendon Zhu joined us to represent Sailors’ Bay on Willoughby Council. I would like to again thank you for your support during the lead up and on election day. It was your encouragement and support in our team and ...
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For over 100 years Australians have been involved in conflicts in an effort to preserve our democracy, our freedom and our way of life. These conflicts have included the Boer War, WW1, WW2, Korean War, Malayan Emergency, Vietnam War, Indonesian Confrontation, Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq and service in peacekeeping forces from 1947 to the present day. Repeatedly, Australian service men and women have proudly distinguished themselves by answering the call ...
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This week marks four years since I was given the honour of being elected as Mayor of Willoughby City Council. During those four years a lot has happened and I am proud of what has been achieved. Inescapably, the threat of Council Amalgamations loomed large for a greater part of this time. Willoughby City Council worked efficiently, with residents interests' paramount and kept ratepayers out of expensive litigation.  As it turned out, ...
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Running an election campaign is a huge undertaking and takes a lot of hard work by a lot of people.  I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the incredible support I have received by so many in our community, my friends and my family. The counting continues but initial results show that I have secured close to 70% of the Mayoral vote and I will get to continue to serve this wonderful ...
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For those I haven't run into door knocking or at street stalls in the past few weeks, I've provided below a few answers to questions that I am regularly asked. Your feedback is always welcome at gail@gailgg.com.au, or at my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/gilesgidney/ 1. Why are you standing/what got you into politics? I’m standing for re-election as Mayor of Willoughby because, whilst I have delivered many things for our community over ...
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