David Mallard (aka Tobby)
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tobiasziegler.bsky.social
David Mallard (aka Tobby)
@tobiasziegler.bsky.social
350 followers 490 following 150 posts
Greens Councillor for Orange. Union organiser. Tinkerer with words, code & data. Former Greens staffer, psych academic, politics/media blogger. (he/him)
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tobiasziegler.bsky.social
Happy National Tree Day, everybody. There was not very much Blue Sky involved, but a bunch of local legends plus one excellent visitor from Albury helped get 600 native trees, shrubs and grasses planted at Black Sallee Reserve while getting damp and muddy.
Me and Dr Amanda Cohn MLC crouching near a native sapling we planted, wearing muddy clothing and gloves with green and white striped Central West Greens scarves. Four people standing and smiling for the camera with a new planting just in front of us and existing native vegetation behind us. Me standing and fiddling with a cardboard tree guard that I’m preparing to put over the native grass I just planted.
July 27, 2025 at 8:27 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
No cheating post your lock screen
Capture of a lock screen at 10:08pm tonight with a picture of a male Superb Parrot
July 26, 2025 at 12:13 PM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
Here’s the reported 2PP and a breakdown of the primary votes for Calare as reported in the local ACM media outlets
The former long-time National Party member now running as an Independent is in front of Sam Farraway of the Nats and rival independent challenger Kate Hook. The two-candidate preferred projection shows 57 per cent of voters supporting an Independent local voice in Canberra and 43 per cent backing the Coalition. Survey participants were asked to number the candidates and their party on their electorate's ballot paper in order of their preference. On first preferences, 38.9 per cent of the Calare voters chose an Independent, 25.1 per cent backed the Coalition, 13.9 per cent went for Pauline Hanson's One Nation, 8.2 per cent supported Labor and 5.1 selected The Greens. Pollster YouGov said Mr Gee had 23 per cent of the independent bloc and Ms Hook had 15 per cent, with Mr Gee the projected winner.
April 26, 2025 at 8:33 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
Just a reminder that you should lock in your plans to be in Orange next week for the Rainbow Festival - two big community events on Sat 22/3 & about a dozen awesome fringe events as well. Make sure you say g’day if we cross paths. #OrangeRainbowFestival

www.orange.nsw.gov.au/rainbow-fest...
Image promoting Orange Rainbow Festival 19-23 March 2025: Film Festival Comedy Pride Party Rainbow Walk Dining Experiences DJs Drag + much more Rhys Nicholson and Kirsty Webeck, live at the Orange Function Centre 21 March Rainbow Festival Drag Bingo, Thursday 20th March, Orange CWA Hall Pride Party with Odette
March 10, 2025 at 10:24 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
We launched the program for the 2025 Orange Rainbow Festival today. With Council organising the daytime Rainbow Walk & evening Street Party plus a whole huge lineup of events by local hosts with special guests, you all should check it out & make plans to come: www.orange.nsw.gov.au/rainbow-fest...
A big group of people standing on the concrete steps in the Orange Civic Precinct’s Southcourt, with clothing colours ranging from red on the left through orange, yellow, green and blue (with some pink and purple) to the right, smiling and waving their arms. In front of them at ground level is a square sign promoting the Orange Rainbow Festival.
February 13, 2025 at 10:27 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
Happy Homicide: Life on the Street Is Finally, At Long Last, Available to Stream Day to all who celebrate
Screenshot from SBS On Demand showing the first three seasons of Homicide: Life on the Street available to watch.
January 16, 2025 at 6:00 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
This morning I was reading this from Janette Sadie-Khan’s account of Bloomberg’s attempt in 2008 to introduce congestion charging in NYC - which was killed off in the New York state legislature - and I had no idea until this afternoon that congestion charging is actually commencing there today!
“We had lost this particular battle but had changed the conversation about how New Yorkers get around and who pays for it. The congestion pricing debate has made New Yorkers more receptive to projects like rapid bus systems. And congestion pricing remains on the table.” — Streetfight: Handbook for an Urban Revolution by Janette Sadik-Khan, Seth Solomonow
January 5, 2025 at 7:26 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
Some feline-flavoured additions to our household mugs to replace a couple of broken ones. These creations by Nia Gould (Niaski) join the Fido Kahlo I picked up in a local bookshop recently.
Two mugs in their display boxes. The mug on the left reads “Kitty Stardust”, printed on a white cat with red hair on top of their head and a red lightning bolt on its face, with the mug having a black background with white stars. The mug on the right reads “Vincat Van Gogh”, printed on a one-eared orange cat with sunflowers on their chest, with the mug having a blue background with white stars.
December 31, 2024 at 6:52 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
There it is - the recount confirms that Labor’s Rod Pryor, who would have certainly been elected if the Council chose the countback method, won the Mid-Western Regional Council by-election by a margin of one single vote, 4,454 to 4,453.
Distribution of preferences results table from the NSW Electoral Commission website, showing that at the final count (count 5) Rod Pryor was elected with 4454 votes, with Myff Clarke on 4453 votes.
December 23, 2024 at 9:02 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
Apparently the distribution of preferences in the Mid-Western Regional Council by-election happened yesterday, and the result had Labor’s Rod Pryor winning by one (1) vote - I didn’t see the numbers, but it’s been reported by 2MG Mudgee radio on Facebook. Now it appears there’s a recount pending.
Screenshot from the NSW Electoral Commission website. Heading: Mid-Western Followed by the text: A recount of this election is to be conducted. The final results are pending. And then links to: • First Preference Votes • Distribution of Preferences
December 22, 2024 at 7:14 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
Spent a couple of days (minus massive flight delay getting there) doing planning/training in Sydney, and then had a quick drink with my @nteunion.bsky.social & Newcastle Greens Councillor comrade Sinead in my #AusMusicTShirtDay apparel.

Then another flight delay and a bumpy ride, but I’m home now.
Me wearing a “No music on a dead planet” shirt and Sinead wearing a First Dog “People’s Blockade” shirt standing in a pub
November 28, 2024 at 12:25 PM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
Kicking off the LGNSW Annual Conference with some ICAC action - including cautionary tales of the dishonest, self-interested and downright silly shit some Councillors have got up to in NSW and beyond.

One key takeaway - don’t lie to ICAC.
Commissioner Helen Murrell SC of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) speaking on stage about “Key risks and challenges for local government” at the Local Government NSW Annual Conference
November 17, 2024 at 3:31 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
To the homophobes & haters - I regret to inform you that tactics like posting these images at polling places failed to prevent my re-election. Welcome to the future, where Orange is a diverse, inclusive & vibrant community, where many of us stand up to ensure everyone feels safe, accepted & loved!
A printed A4 sheet with a picture of the tableau from the Paris Olympic Games Opening Ceremony based on “The Feast of the Gods” (which was misinterpreted as being based on the Last Supper), which has the text “Is this REALLY WHAT YOU WANT” added across the top, and with various Orange political figures’ heads Photoshopped onto some of the characters, including Mayor Jason Hamling, independent federal MP Andrew Gee, several Councillors and Council election candidates, and in the two central positions Cr Melanie McDonell and Cr David Mallard - two of the most vocal and strident supporters of the Orange Rainbow Festival who called out the bigotry and toxic behaviour of many of those actively campaigning against both Rainbow Storytime and the Festival.
October 1, 2024 at 10:21 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
The silvereyes are enjoying the fig tree this year
Three silvereyes, small green/olive birds with a silver ring around their eye, gathered on a fig tree while one pulls at what remains of a fruit
January 1, 2024 at 1:40 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
Happy #AusMusicTShirtDay y’all, and farewell Sydney
Me, wearing a navy T-shirt with a picture of a magpie-lark in a chair sitting near a speaker, holding a phone and sayi g “Sounds like Paul Kelly!”
November 30, 2023 at 8:03 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
I think that, outside of feeding time, this is the first opportunity I’ve ever had to get them all in one photo. Usually someone doesn’t want to be near anybody else.
Four cats snoozing on a lounge - one on the cushions piled in the corner of the lounge suite, another in the foreground near the base of the cushion pile, a third to the right of the cushion pile’s base and a fourth on top of the back of the lounge.
September 10, 2023 at 5:57 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
Last night in Orange: the final result wasn't what we hoped for, but the vibes were very good.
A few hundred people sitting on the tiered concrete seating at the side of Orange Regional Museum in the Civic Precinct's Southcourt, rugged up and watching the Matildas play. Megan Woods playing guitar and singing in front of the big screen that shows a young girl wearing green and gold, beaming as she walks toward the stadium. Deputy Mayor Gerald Power and Cr Tammy Greenhalgh revving up the crowd before the game. Food stalls - Bodhi Garden, the Little Puckers food van and Trang Hue's food truck.
August 17, 2023 at 2:06 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
Old tail-face is back
A tabby cat sleeping on a rug with her tail curled up in front of her eyes
August 12, 2023 at 11:34 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
It’s a two-cat night at this end of the couch
My right leg is pressed against the seat of the couch with a largish tabby cat laying along my thigh. My left leg is bent, knee up in the air and foot on the couch, with a much smaller tabby cat laying on the couch between my legs
August 11, 2023 at 10:09 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
The exclamation mark makes me feel WillyWeather is excited about this news rather than alarmed by it
Phone notification bubble from WillyWeather that reads: New Climate Record! Last month was the hottest July on record for Orange Airport, with an average temperature of 6.16°C.
August 4, 2023 at 10:11 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
The old girls
Two tabby cats laying on a small purple cat bed, each looking at the camera but not seeming entirely comfortable to have company
August 2, 2023 at 10:28 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
why would you orient a display like this
Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull photographed watching soccer on TV while he sits in a lounge chair at an awkward 45 degree angle horizontally and vertically to the telly, which sits on the edge of a high mantelpiece
July 28, 2023 at 10:16 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
This evening’s pre-dinner snuggles will be provided by Lexi
A tabby cat with a white chest rests against one of my trackpant-clothed legs on the couch
July 21, 2023 at 8:50 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
Outdoor event this evening (that I had been really looking forward to) has been cancelled due to inglorious weather and all I feel is relief
Weather app screenshot showing Orange at 2:06pm had a temperature of 6.3 degrees Celsius and a “feels like” temperature of 1.0, with a shower or two forecast.
July 21, 2023 at 4:13 AM
tobiasziegler.bsky.social
Good evening
A small tabby cat snuggles against the thigh of my tracksuit pants
July 14, 2023 at 11:11 AM