Forbes Shire Council elections are coming up on December 4 and the Advocate is profiling our candidates beginning with current councillors who are going to stand again. They'll be featured, in alphabetical order, over the coming week ...
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Being a councillor is an absolute privilege and Michele Herbert looks back on the past five years with Forbes Shire Council with a lot of pride.
Stepping up to a role as an elected member is no small thing, and Cr Hebert says she's enjoyed grasping deeper understanding of the processes and planning that takes place to make everything that council achieves happen.
"The developments taking place across our town are exciting and will increase our population and prosperity, providing more opportunities for young people," Cr Herbert said.
Cr Herbert chairs the council's heritage committee and it's been a busy time looking at heritage and tourism.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed chairing the heritage committee and have worked with amazing people who all have a passion for preserving the past but also a drive for making heritage interesting and alive for future generations," she said.
"I am especially proud of the QR project that is currently being developed which has been a vision of mine since 2012.
"It takes a team to bring things to fruition and I can't wait to be part of this project to completion."
Seeing the former Vintage Village gain a new life is another exciting development.
"I am very excited about the Lachlan Vintage Village information centre as I remember being at the opening when I was in year 5," Cr Herbert said.
Some of the other council initiatives she's admired include the farm to trade program that saw agricultural works hit by drought offered employment.
"The fencing at the rugby union club looks sensational and the solar lights installation makes our lake so beautiful at night," Cr Herbert said.
"There is so much more to come with the Lake Activation Plan and Forbes is fast becoming a destination place not only for tourism but as a lifestyle change."
Come December, you will see her name on the local government ballot paper again and she'd urge others to reach out to learn more if they're interested as well.
"Being a councillor is a privilege," she said.
"I encourage anyone who is interested in being part of great team focused on strategic planning and improvement to nominate for the December elections.
"It is rewarding and exciting and gives you a great appreciation of all of the staff and the work that they do to make Forbes amazing.
"Thank you to all the people who have supported me over the last five years and I hope you can place your trust in me again in December."
Learn more about standing as a candidate for local government through the Electoral Commission website.
