REFLECTING on 17 years as the shire mayor, Lola Cummins said she was proud of the work council had done to improve Junee.
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Elected in 1997, councillor Cummins said Junee had changed from a town which looked like nobody loved it, to a town continually praised for its appearance.
"We are defying the trend of smaller communities close to a regional centre - we are growing," she said.
"And that's something to be proud of."
Cr Cummins said there had been an incredible amount of change for the better.
"When we started improving Lorne Street, there was a change in how people saw their town," she said.
"People have gradually improved their own properties as they've been able to."
Cr Cummins highlighted Main Street as a prime example.
"My criteria about whether a project is worthwhile is whether it's being used," she said.
The recreation centre, new library, upgraded sporting facilities and the medical centre were well and truly worthwhile and successful projects, Cr Cummins said.
With help from new councillors and staff, Cr Cummins said the changes from which the town reaped the benefit were easier to accomplish.
"We were fortunate that both Tony Heywood and Greg Campbell were men of vision, they didn't just sit there and say 'we can't do that because we don't have the money for it'," she said.
The phone hadn't stopped ringing since Tuesday's council meeting, she said.
"It's really encouraging and nice for people to take the time to make the call and say 'thanks for what you've done' and I do appreciate it," she said.
"All you can do is the best you can for your community and that's all I've ever promised."