FIRST of all, my congratulations to all graduating students from schools across the shire.
I attended a number of graduation ceremonies this month and it is a delight to see how students have increased their knowledge and grown over the past year.
To those families who are moving to Perth to assist with the further education of their children, thank you for your past association with the shire.
My second message is for everyone to enjoy Christmas and new year with family and friends, wherever possible.
Please continue to support your local businesses, as many need a good December trade to get them through a traditionally quiet January, so that they can be around next year to continue to service our needs.
With this year rapidly drawing to a close, the state road death toll is way above average.
Motorcyclists are particularly over-represented and the Wheatbelt statistics are, yet again, too high.
I urge everyone to take great care this festive season and not become another white cross by the side of the road. My final comment is in relation to next year.
The shire has commissioned a bronze statue of Hugo Throssell VC to go in the Avon Mall, next to Fitzgerald's Hotel, ready for Anzac Day.
The mall will also have signage proclaiming the area as Hugo Throssell VC Walk.
This will be a satisfying tribute to our armed forces in the 100th anniversary year of the Gallipoli landings.