Mayor Ken Keith, accompanied by Mrs Sharon Ross (council’s Legislation Officer) who managed the project when it was first suggested back in January, 2007, attended the awards ceremony at Parliament House in Sydney.

Mrs Ross managed the project from its beginnings in January, 2007, through to the stage when the first sign was unveiled during Naidoc Week on Thursday, 9 July, 2009, on the Newell Highway north of Peak Hill.

In a mayoral minute tabled at last Tuesday, Parkes Shire Council meeting, Mayor Ken Keith extended congratulations to Mrs Ross for her involvement and to the students of Parkes East Public School whose suggestion initiated the project.

He was supported by all councillors who endorsed his recommendation to formally congratulate

Mrs Ross for the exemplary consultative work and management of the project.

“Of greater significance than the award win however, is the importance of the project in building harmony in our community,” Cr Keith said.

Shire residents will be familiar with the distinctive signs that feature a goanna which is the appropriate Wiradjuri totem, a Welcome in

traditional Wiradjuri language and colours chosen to depict the ‘red dust’ people.

Local Wiradjuri artist Ron Wardrop donated drawings of the goannas for the project and his work was also gratefully acknowledged.

Graphic art firm Morabon Print and Design of Parkes were also

commissioned for the sign design work.