Although numbers were a bit down on previous years – largely due to flooding – this event still has tremendous support and is a great gathering of local and regional talent of all ages.

Every year HCMA donates the proceeds to the Wauchope Hospital Auxiliary. I hope I have the figures correct but from what I was told, over the past 20 years, HCMA has donated close to $150,000 to the Hospital Auxiliary. That’s a tremendous contribution from a voluntary group. I know from speaking to Roger Adams and Win Secombe how much it is appreciated.

Wauchope has a genuinely remarkable history of self-sufficiency and local support for its people and services. That’s especially so in the area of health and aged care, with our vibrant Hospital Auxiliary providing extras to the hospital that aren’t covered by government funding, and to the locally owned and operated Bundaleer Care Services and Hastings Court.

The Hastings Co-op is another prime example of locals helping locals, keeping jobs for locals and money circulating in our community and not lost to the big conglomerates.

That spirit of generosity spills out into the broader community, as evidenced by the immediate response to the recent fires in Pappinbarra. Truly uplifting.

A gift to your community is a gift that keeps on giving, and the list of organisations and individuals contributing to local welfare is long – the teachers who go the extra mile, carers of all ages, as well as everyone who contributes to our strong local sporting tradition. It makes for a great quality of life but easily taken for granted and sadly missed if it was gone. Don’t be bored. Jump in and become part of keeping our community great.

These are Cr Intemann’s opinions and not necessarily council’s.