Organised by the Lebanese Muslim Association, last weekend's event was most informative, with guests given the opportunity to ask questions of the hosts to gain a better understanding of all aspects of their religion.

Set against the backdrop of a beautiful Autumn Young morning, locals and visitors alike mingled and enjoyed the friendly atmosphere of the day.

If the numbers were any indication, the event was a great success and I congratulate the organisers on this excellent initiative.

The election to decide the makeup of the new Hilltops Council is now not too far away.

As many readers would be aware, voting will take place on Saturday, September 9, 2017, to select 11 council members.

To ensure voters are up-to-date with all the latest election information, the NSW Electoral Commission has launched a website which is basically a one-stop-shop providing material on all aspects of the election process.

There's a link to the website on the Council's homepage, or you can access it by visiting www.votensw.info

Last but by no means least, I'd like to thank everyone who has participated in our recent community feedback forums.

Consultation is certainly key when it comes to creating and developing an inclusive plan for the region's future, and I wholeheartedly thank all those who joined in and were a part of our conversation with the community.

From the Operations Plan & Budget, to the Disability Inclusion Action Plan and most recently the Economic Development Strategy, your input has been invaluable; the feedback we've received has been both well-considered and constructive, and I hope this pattern of positive engagement continues well into the future.