As COVID concerns rolled over from 2020 to 2021 is 2022 to year we return to some sense of normalcy?

New Years Resolutions are plentiful and a number of Griffith's community leaders have revealed their 2022 intentions whilst reflecting on the year that has been.

Longstanding councillor Doug Curran ended 2021 with a bang, elected by an incredible majority as the new Mayor of Griffith City Council, following the retirement of John Dal Broi.

He said that whilst he generally wasn't a 'new years resolution' person, he was eager to see the newly elected councillors work cohesively together for the betterment of the city.

"I want council to work cohesively together with the common aim of improving everything about our city," Councillor Curran said.

"We need to sit down and get our priorities sorted for the year ahead, work towards common goals and areas to prioritise.

"From there we can look for funding and bring these shared goals for Griffith to fruition."

Mayor Curran said that 'going in different directions' would lead 'nowhere'.

"In a years time I want to say Griffith was able to put COVID behind us and learn from the challenges we faced," Councillor Curran said.

"I want to see more capital works projects, like Lake Wyangan or the Griffith Regional Art Galley so when the money becomes available we can put our hands up."

President of the Griffith Multicultural Council Carmel La Rocca also had a busy year.

Every month, the council helps hundreds of migrant workers renew visas, find accommodation and secure work - but hundreds more are left in the lurch with no idea support is available

Early in 2021, Mrs La Rocca told The Area News that a permanent office and staff member to help migrant workers in need access support and resources was a goal for the Griffith Multicultural Council sometime in the near future, with high hopes for this dream to come to fruition this year.

"This is still in the works for us, we need to apply for grant funding and hopefully this will enable us to be able to help those who need it in the community more," Mrs La Rocca said.

"There is such a massive need at the moment, and this work takes lots of time and energy from our volunteers so we are hopeful that a full time support staff member will help council members redirect their energy elsewhere."

Unfortunately the 2021 Multicultural Festival was put on hold again due to ongoing coronavirus concerns but there are hopes to bring the much loved event back in the coming months.

"We are all really hanging out for the festival to go ahead in 2022 after a two year absence," Mrs La Rocca said.

The Council was able to go ahead with the Multicultural Christmas Carols which bought music and joy to Memorial Gardens.

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In 2021 Griffith also welcome a new Commander of the Murrumbidgee Police District in Superintendent Chris McKinnon.

He told The Area News that he had a strong investigative focus, and wanted to ensure police across the Murrumbidgee were taking 'every step necessary' to solve crimes.

Domestic violence was also a top priority for Superintendent McKinnon and will remain on the forefront of his command in 2022.

"Domestic violence crime rates are high state wide and I hope that we are able to work on this to get these numbers down within Murrumbidgee communities," Superintendent McKinnon said at the time.

Griffith Local Health Advisory Committee member Margaret King said 2021 showed just how strong the Griffith community was in the face of another year of pandemic woes.

"I am super proud of Griffith and how we have come through these past two years, everyone followed instructions and whilst it is disheartening now to see cases rising across the Murrumbidgee, our vaccination rates are really high and its amazing to see everyone get behind public health measures," Mrs King said.

Mrs King was quick to note that 2022 would see a significant 'shift in thinking' towards COVID-19.

"It will still be a struggle but it will be a different type of struggle to live with this virus," Mrs King said.

"Our hospital is very prepared, there is nothing to be frightened of.

"Securing more rapid antigen tests is the next road bump we need to live with through this next phase of the pandemic."

And whilst it remains to be seen if 2022 will end on a similar note to its predecessors, the community is set to continue thriving with the change time brings.

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