During the 80 years of trading as Harvey's Menswear, Brett has been part of that for 40 years.

In that time, Brett has earned himself a loyal following of satisfied customers.

I wish him all the best in whatever future ventures he may have.

Behind the scaffolding recently erected in Victoria Street stands the old School of Arts building – One of the oldest and most historical buildings we have left in the city.

The foundation stone was laid on March 21,1855. 

When it was opened The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River  General Advertiser reported on Saturday, April 11, 1857 that "Thursday evening's opening of the new School of Arts was a great success, in several senses of the word-successful in the crowded assembly, so largely composed of ladies; successful in the delivery of a very eloquent opening lecture, by a gentleman who has already identified himself in every way with the mental progress of the colony; successful above all in the fact that the fine building belongs to the people of Maitland, the remaining debt on it being of the most trifling amount – some £100, of which £50 only need be raised by contributions, as the half-yearly report has told us.”

It was also reported that “the room is the biggest in Maitland”.

Over the years the building hosted thousands of meetings, as no matter the organisation or the reason, any meeting that had to be held was always at The School of Arts.

In flood times it was always a place of refuge for flooded -out families. During the big flood of August 1857 the Mercury reported that  “On Sunday night nearly two hundred persons were in the School of Arts,” and  also that the building’s caretaker had chiselled a “government arrow” in the stone work to mark the level of the flood.

The building was purchased by the Dominican nuns in late1932.  It is hoped that the builders will treat this building with the care and respect it deserves.

Maitland City Council at their meeting on December 9  approved a Green Waste household collection at a cost to ratepayers.

I wonder if the residents of Maitland are aware they will receive a third bin for green waste?

I had previously requested from council information on this proposed service that will commence in the 2016/2017 financial year, bearing in mind that I had purchased a compost bin from council for $65 some time ago and still use it.

I would like for the council to explain to their ratepayers the answers to the following questions:

(1) Did you take into account the ability of ratepayers to pay the cost per service?

(2) In setting a cost per service, will it be based on every ratepayer paying for this service?

(3) Will pensioners be required to accept green waste services?

(4) Will residents who use contract lawnmowers be required to accept the service?

(5) Will residents/ratepayers have an option to refuse the new waste service?

(6) Will those in residential units be forced to accept the additional service and cost?

(7) Multi-residential units storage space is now limited for storage waste bins. How will they find the extra space for additional bins?

(8) Will rural property owners who now receive a waste service be required to accept this new service? 

I estimate a large percentage of ratepayers will not have a use for such service.

It would be appreciated if ratepayers can be informed in advance of council proposals and the likely costs.