Temora Shire Council has received state-wide recognition for a project that has helped strengthen wellbeing and resilience across the community, winning the 2026 NSW Local Government Excellence Award for Community Partnerships (Population Under 100,000). The award was presented for A Community Wide Approach to Resilience, an initiative that brought together local schools, businesses, community groups and residents to support mental wellbeing, social connection and resilience across the shire. Temora Shire Council mayor Rick Firman said the award recognised a genuine community effort. "This recognition belongs to our entire Temora Shire community as much as it does to Council," Cr Firman said. "The success of the Resilient Shire initiative has been built on the willingness of our Shire schools, businesses, community organisations, sporting clubs, volunteers and residents to come together and invest in the wellbeing of our shire community." The initiative first started at Temora Public School and Temora High School before expanding across all five schools in the shire, including Temora West Public School, St Anne’s Catholic College and Ariah Park Central School. Through The Resilience Project program, students are supported to build confidence, develop positive coping skills and strengthen their sense of belonging, creating a shared language of resilience that extended beyond the classroom into homes and the wider community. As the program grew, it evolved into a broader community-wide initiative bringing together schools, families, businesses and community groups with a shared focus on wellbeing and connection. The initiative also included community events, mental health breakfasts and the six-month Resilient Men Program, which provided practical tools and peer support for local men experiencing stress, burnout or social isolation. Cr Firman said the success of the project was only possible because of the strong partnerships formed across our shire community. "Councillors and I would particularly like to acknowledge our Shire schools, which have been at the heart of this initiative from the very beginning," Cr Firman said. "What started at Temora Public School and Temora High School grew into a shire-wide effort involving all five schools, and their commitment to supporting the wellbeing of our young people has played a significant role in the success of this project." "Council wishes to thank the many community members, organisations and partners who embraced these programs, as well as our council staff whose commitment and hard work helped turn an idea into a program that has made a real difference in our shire residents’ lives." The Resilience Project™ has delivered positive results, with surveys showing more than half of participating students reported feeling more resilient, while anxiety levels among students also reduced significantly. Following its success in Temora Shire, the program has since expanded into Bland Shire, providing a model that can be adapted by other regional communities. Adding to the achievement, Council also received a Highly Commended recognition in the Partnerships and Collaboration category for its Enabling Unique Housing Opportunities – Skypark Estate project. Cr Firman said receiving recognition for both projects highlighted the value of working together to tackle local challenges and create opportunities for the future. "Whether it's supporting people's wellbeing or creating new housing opportunities, these achievements further demonstrate what can be accomplished when councils, organisations and communities work together." "This recognition reflects the strength of our shire community and the dedication of the many people who have contributed to making Temora Shire a great place to live." Temora Shire Council
