City of Greater Geraldton council votes to invite Governor General Sam Mostyn to help voice problems of region

City of Greater Geraldton councillors have unanimously agreed to invite Australia’s new Governor-General Sam Mostyn to visit Geraldton to help generate discussion about the Mid West region. The council’s executive recommendation described the visit as providing an opportunity for the Governor-General to meet community members to learn more about the region and its issues and build social cohesion. The item was passed at the August meeting on Tuesday night. In the recommendation to the council, it was included the CEO Ross McKim should approach the Northern Country Zone of the Western Australian Local Government Association Mr McKim would be seeking support from the surrounding Mid West shires for a joint invitation to be sent from the region. Representatives from various Mid West local governments recently attended the Australian Local Government Association Annual Congress in Canberra. The aim of the congress is to present requests and concerns directly to the Federal Government and to hear their responses directly. At the congress, Ms Mostyn gave her first public speech after being appointed to the position by the Federal Government earlier in the week. Ms Mostyn acknowledged local government as the closest level of government to the people that does a great deal with limited resources and that it is the level of government that repeatedly has the highest level of community trust. In the minutes from the meeting, it was suggested the visit could coincide with a significant local event such as the annual HMAS Sydney II Memorial service, the wildflower season or the annual harvest.