On February 18, 1860, a group of residents gathered for the first meeting of the Orange Municipal Council. The meeting was held in the then Court House and was presided over by the Chairman, John Peisley with Councillors John Woodward, George McKay, William Dale, Dennis Hanrahan and William Tucker Evans in attendance. Crown Solicitor, George Colquhoun was appointed Council Clerk and James Dalton and Patrick Kenna were appointed auditors. The names read like a street directory of today’s city. A 2010 calendar marking 150 years of local government in Orange will be distributed to residents and is also available at the Library, Civic Centre, Visitor Information Centre and Neighbourhood Centre in Kite Street. Orange City Councillor Chris Gryllis said the calendar featured historic photos charting the development of the city, historic dates over the last 150 years, key dates for 2010 and council contact numbers. Council is also developing a Wiki to commemorate the 150 years of local government. The Wiki will mirror the calendar design. If anyone can identify people or has information about the photos in the calendar, they can contact Chris Stanger on 6393 8120 with the details. Each month the Central Western Daily newspaper will highlight a theme from the calendar and Thursday’s (21 January) article on page 11 described our Tourism history and was prepared by members of the Orange and District Historical Society. Pictured above is Chairman of the original Orange Municipal Council John Peisley.