Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 13 June 2023
Published on 13 June 2023
If in doubt, sit it out!
Sport plays an essential role in our Shire, and it is crucial to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of athletes, especially when it comes to injuries such as concussion.
I am pleased to announce the availability of a new short course specifically designed to educate sporting clubs, volunteers, umpires and other interested people about prevention, identification and appropriate response of concussion.
Cost: Free
Duration: 15 minute interactive online course
Module I: What is a concussion and how do they occur?
Module II: Recognising a concussion
Module III: Responding to a potential concussion, concussion management and recovery
The course also includes stories from people with lived experience of concussion in a sporting context including:
- Kellie Gibson, AFLW West Coast Eagles player
- Tom Bergin, former hockey player
- Renee Forrest, jockey
This course additionally provides guidance on return to learn, work and sport, as well as providing downloadable fact sheets covering sport related concussion and persistent post-concussion symptoms following sport related concussion.
To register for the Sport Related Concussion Short Course please visit: https://connectivity.thinkific.com/courses/sport-related-concussion-short-course?_gl=1*1yb43pa*_ga*MTI0MjY3MDY0MS4xNjg2NjEzOTYw*_ga_31PEFZCE57*MTY4NjYxMzk2MC4xLjEuMTY4NjYxMzk4Ni4zNC4wLjA.
Flood Recovery Round in Newbridge
I’d like to encourage everyone to head along to Newbridge Recreation Reserve on 24 June as the Newbridge Football Netball Club teams play their first home games this season, and take on Bears Lagoon Serpentine for the inaugural Flood Recovery Round.
Loddon Valley Football Netball League (LVFNL), Newbridge Football Netball Club (NFNC) and Loddon Shire Council (LSC) have worked closely to oversee repairs to infrastructure damaged by the October 2022 Flood. LSC and NFNC have partnered to host the special round, which is testament to the resilience and tireless dedication of the entire Newbridge community.
The day will kick off with free kids’ activities including AFL Victoria’s come and try “Footy 4 Fun” which will run from 10:45am -11:45am for boys and girls aged 5 to 12 years. Registrations are required via the AFL Central Victoria website https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/c23e18?fbclid=IwAR1SSkseUBqxJZ-VcsOQeD4APCj2RJMBWIVmnXrnAt2VwkLrfYpgFXhfhzk
Netball medallions will be awarded to Best on Court for U/17s; A Grade; B Grade; C Grade and C Reserve.
Football medallions will be awarded to Best on Ground in both the Reserves and Seniors matches.
LSC partners in wellbeing, including Agriculture Victoria, ARC Justice and the Rural Financial Counselling Service, will be available for a friendly chat and to provide information and advice on all things flood recovery.
Entry is free on the day so come along to what’s sure to be an incredible day of fun for the whole family.
Reminder - Save Money and Energy with a $250 Rebate
On 24 March 2023, a new round of the Power Saving Bonus program commenced. This program is designed to provide financial assistance and advice on energy plans to eligible residents and a $250 rebate. I encourage all eligible residents to take advantage of this rebate.
Eligibility requirements:
- You must be a residential energy consumer (i.e. have a residential electricity account)
- You must be the account holder
- Only one payment is available per household
Applications will take between five and ten minutes of your time and you will need a copy of your recent electricity bill on hand.
To apply, simply visit https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/
Getting prepared for tax time
With the end of June fast approaching – and the end of the financial year, we start to look towards tax time.
The Australian Taxation Office has tailored toolkits to help people to prepare and lodge their tax return.
Although these toolkits are aimed at tax professionals, they contain helpful information for the general public. This includes work-related expenses (what can and cannot be claimed), income (what income needs to be declared), and record keeping (keeping the right records to substantiate claims and not miss out on a deduction).
There are also specialised toolkits for people in building and construction, health, education, government, retail, real estate, small business and more.
These general and tailored toolkits are available via www.ato.gov.au/taxtimetoolkit
Tourism Networking Night – Invitation
The Loddon Valley Tourism team invite industry partners to a Business Networking Dinner in Inglewood in July. With so much happening across the tourism sector, the tourism team is excited to see business networking events return this year and rolling out in towns across the Loddon Shire into the future.
The July event will be a special occasion to reconnect with new and existing business operators, and hear an overview of current and future tourism and business initiatives.
Where: Inglewood Town Hall Hub, 25 Verdon Street, Inglewood
When: Monday 10 July 2023, 6:00 - 8:00pm (Doors open from 5:45 pm for a 6:00 pm start)
Dinner: You will be treated to a delicious Spanish street food inspired meal provide by Little Sangria
Keynote Speaker: Susan Fayad, World Heritage and Regional Development Lead, City of Ballarat
Susan is co-coordinating the roll out of the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid program for 13 local government partners and will provide an update on the project and discuss opportunities for tourism.
RSVP: To confirm your attendance at the Networking Dinner, please RSVP by Monday 2 July via the booking link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/loddon-valley-tourism-business-networking-dinner-tickets-657252438737
If you have any questions or dietary requirements, please contact Faith Cooper on Fcooper@loddon.vic.gov.au or 03 5494 1257