For those who came in late, there has been considerable discussion about the MidCoast Council representatives attending the aforementioned junket (aka The Gong Show). Ex-mayor Paul Hogan waded in, outlining his concerns to colleague Ainslee Dennis. There’s a whole swag of former councillors from Greater Taree and Great Lakes Councils on the gravy train, despite the fact none even gets a vote. Ex-mayor Hogan, channeling former PM Paul Keating, described them us ‘unelected swill.’ His concerns were backed in a poll run by the Times.

Now this correspondent likes a weekend away as much as the next person. Why, some of the best times of our youth involved a trip to the footy grand final in Sydney. Of course, we had to pay our own way, so, as a ratepayer of some 25 years standing, we deserve an all expenses weekend in Wollongong. We’ve been to Wollongong. From memory, it’s a reasonable place with lots of friendly bars and the like.

And we’ve heard stories about these local government conferences and if they're half correct they are certainly bacchanalian turnouts. We haven’t really been to a decent pissup since the demise of the Chatham Scoop touch footy kegs nearly two decades ago, so we’re due to make up for lost time.

Now we’re first to concede that we’re not a conservative party voter. We also don’t live in the Great Lakes. So there’s two strikes against us getting a start with the MidCoast delegation.

However, we can find some common ground. We’ve voted in elections where there have been conservative party candidates. We just didn’t vote for them, that’s all.

MidCoast administrator John Turner will lead the delegation to the Local Government NSW Annual Conference in Wollongong next month.

And we have close family who live in the Great Lakes. During footy season we’re a semi-regular attendee at Forster-Tuncurry games at the Harry Elliott Oval, so that gives us some kudos. 

If given the opportunity we’re sure we’ll be able to wax sort-of-lyrical about the wonders of the Great Lakes – the beauty of the Bellevue Hotel; the majesty of the Lakes and Oceans Hotel; the … well we’re sure there’s other stuff out there as well and if need be we can brush up before October. We also promise to spend funds provided from the public purse wisely, especially if we can sneak out to the races at Kembla Grange. 

Why, we might even take a delegation to the Dapto dogs for a nostalgic visit before the Baird government bovver boys shut the industry down.

Our current employment gives us some grasp of Local Government matters. That’s possibly more than some of those attending can say.