What are you happy to say goodbye to from the last year? What new experience would you commit to for the year ahead? What’s a routine you’ll prioritise that keeps you sane/brings you peace? Two-week holiday anywhere you want in 2026...? 

I’m a Christmas grinch so there’s definitely no Santa hat on my head but if I run through my other hats…

Farmer hat…last year was a barely break even year so I’m desperately hopeful that next year might have that ever aspired for…profit. 

Sheep beef and venison all up on last year so the prospects are good at the moment. If the weather gods play ball, a bit more rain than last year and nothing expensive craps itself then we might just get there.

Business hat…it was a tough year for my businesses, workload high, challenges with repairs and upgrades, and a drop off in volume. I have felt a recession for some time, I think we have teetered at the edge of it, but am very hopeful of a better year coming.

Clown hat…the past ORC council I’m very happy to say goodbye to, and I really like the make up of the new council. I think we can really achieve efficiency, rates reductions, and streamline the necessary services of ORC. 

We’ve gone from the council that was the governments’ justification that regional councils have to go, to being the council that could turn that around. 

If the recent announcements proceed then ORC will be gone, but I’m hoping across the new year we can be included in assisting the mayors in shaping the future new look for regional and local government. Bring on unitary authorities.

Christmas for me will be with our family at Dad’s, roast goose is a tradition we all love (with the exception of my army Colonel sister), and the irrigation will all need moved at some stage during the day. But I do wish everyone a very happy holiday season, thank you all for your support across the year and especially in the October elections, and best regards for the New Year.

I’m hoping to have my next break in the middle of winter, when I escape to Melbourne for some downtime to reflect - but it won’t be two weeks.