Its citizens elected the councillors who represented them at a local government level.

It was where the decisions were made that built the town into what it is today. Those decisions were not made in Sydney.

While the campaign continues by ANTY to pursue hope of the amalgamated council being overturned, it is more likely that Armidale Regional Council is here to stay.

In that case The Armidale Express supports official recognition and remembrance of the council that served the Guyra community for so long.

ANTY members Beth White and Robert Gordon both spoke at Wednesday’s meeting of Armidale Regional Council, which was held in Guyra, calling for such recognition.

Their comments to council were in response to the removal of the former Guyra Shire Council signs, which were recently taken down from the council chamber in Guyra.

“Since they’ve taken down our signs, we want to make sure that there’s something in its place,” Ms White said.

“We want something to say ‘this is how it was and these are the formative people’.”

We couldn’t agree more. More than a century of the community’s history deserves recognition.

Mr Gordon suggested two plaques be placed in a prominent position outside the Guyra council building, which we agree would be a great way for the new council to honour what came before it.

Many organisations, such as the current council, have a long history, and bore other names.

We have seen sporting teams change names. Guyra’s rugby team will take to the field in a merged side with the Glen Innes Elks this season.

Residents can recognise that team as a continuation of the Guyra Ghosts, and support the team and its players as passionately as they barracked for the Ghosts.

It still represents Guyra.

We ask the same of Armidale Regional Council. It needs to recognise its history, which includes the first six councillors who formed Guyra Shire Council on November 24, 1906, as well as the many who followed in their footsteps.

And all that is being asked for is something as simple as the erection of two plaques to honour so many years of Guyra’s history.