Jason Hamling was elected Mayor of Orange at the December 2021 local council election.
Born and bred in Orange, he’s served on Orange City Council for the past 18 years, including twice as Deputy Mayor.
Jason grew up in Glenroi and has spent his adult life in Orange, making a home with his wife Melissa and three boys. He had a successful career spanning 25 years as a local TV news cameraman. Now he is self-employed operating a transfer business for locals and visitors to Orange. He also works at a local high school as a student support learning officer.
A keen sportsman, he has played in and coached numerous junior rugby teams for the Orange City Rugby Club, has been involved with Orange Bush Nippers and several other community and sporting organisations.
Jason has been instrumental in driving the development of the city’s new $25m sporting precinct at Jack Brabham.
As mayor, he is committed to building a community that has facilities and spaces which promote an inclusive environment for all residents.
Jason believes the work-life balance which many Orange residents already enjoy, can be further improved with new and updated facilities including the Aquatic Centre, Lake and Mount Canobolas, Anzac Park extension, playground installations, and council-led approaches to private indoor/outdoor recreation companies to incentivise local operations such as rock walls, ropes courses, mountain bike trails, inflatable obstacle courses and orienteering.
Jason is also passionate about creating a youth mental health training facility at the Bloomfield campus, to bring more clinical expertise to the region.
Another priority is to explore new opportunities for young people to train for the local hospitality industry.