It has been a great privilege meeting and engaging with people from all walks of life within our Local Government area, across the region and state, it has been an enriching and rewarding journey.

It is clear that a council will achieve much more through teamwork and I have always encouraged informed debate and attempted to execute fairness.

It is important to recognise on occasions compromise is the way to move forward in a cooperative spirit on the many important matters that come before council.

I thank our current councillors for their contribution to our community over the past four years and the many other diverse individuals who I have served with, over what is now almost eighteen years and sadly some are no longer with us.

To all aspiring councillors and mayors I wish good luck in the upcoming election with a note of caution as to the challenging nature of the roles. It is a demanding task but one that can bring great satisfaction.

I will sign off by thanking the Bellingen Shire Courier-Sun for providing the space for the Mayoral Column every fortnight and say farewell to all as mayor of our very special part of the world and I look forward to seeing you when I am out and about in a more relaxed fashion.

On behalf of the Courier-Sun’s editorial staff, who have worked during Mark Troy’s time as elected local councillor, I wish the mayor all the best in the years ahead.

It’s certainly true councillors are held to a high standard in the Valley – one would expect no less. However, as should be clear to those following the changes to local government during the last few years, simple solutions are fictitious; and difficult decisions unpopular. 

Councillors do not get much bang for their buck being stuck in a rock and a hard place: while they are in a privileged position, privileges are not abundant. 

Mr Troy has dedicated many years to this community. Whether a fan or not, it would be churlish not to acknowledge, thank and respect this tremendous service.