Mayoral Column 1 December 2014
Published on 01 December 2014
Council supplies new mower for sports centre
Caption: Mayor Gavan Holt, Inglewood Sports Centre president Alan Last, curator Gordon McNaughton, Cr Colleen Condliffe and Les Miller inspect the new mower.
Inglewood Community Sports Centre has become the fifth community facility to benefit from a policy approved by Loddon Shire Council last year, to update six oval mowers around the Shire within three years.
I was on hand last week to officially present the keys to the new machine, valued at $27,273.
Inglewood Community Sports Centre Committee of Management president Alan Last was grateful for the Council contribution.
“Our grounds-keeper Gordon McNaughton volunteers his time and does an amazing job,” Mr Last said.
“This new machine will cut Gordon’s workload in half, down to probably just around an hour and a half.
“Gordon is my right hand man and without him we would be lost.”
Knowing the new mower will not only save time for the ground’s dedicated volunteer Gordon, but also enable the venue to be presented ready for its calendar of events is a wonderful feeling.
In Loddon, we recognise that our recreation reserves are more than just sporting venues, they are a place where our community comes together to socialise.
The Inglewood Community Sports Centre is used for more than just football, netball and cricket; walking groups and caravans utilise the venue’s facilities, even people with dogs are often found on the grounds.
The new mower will complement Inglewood Sport Centre’s recent works with the installation of new windows and a bar in the pavilion.
Streets of Inglewood set to come Alive
Caption: The streets of Inglewood will be filled with visitors at this year’s Inglewood Alive festival.
Inglewood will burst to life on Saturday, with colour and sound filling the town for the Inglewood Alive festival.
Classic cars and motorbikes, market stalls, baby farm animals, and a community garage sale will all feature in the town.
There will be plenty of entertainment for children with a petting farm, jumping castle and face painting.
One of the biggest highlights will be the Wimmera Axeman wood chopping competition, which will be featured on the day.
Past president John Coffey will run the furious wood chopping action from 10.30am, with three open events, including participants under 18 years of age and a modified chainsaw event.
A guided history walk and live music will attract visitors from across Victoria.
Locals and visitors alike will enjoy a walk through the Eucalyptus Distillery Museum, and the town’s antique and collectable stores.
I encourage all Loddon residents to support this wonderful event.
The garage sales will start at 8am with the entertainment commencing in Brooke Street at 9am.
Register your pet today
Caption: Mayor Gavan Holt encourages everyone to register their pets on the National Pet Register.
In Loddon, we place a great value on all family members including our furry friends.
Reuniting a lost pet with its owner should only ever be a phone call away, however, each year tens of thousands of pets cannot be returned home simply because their owners cannot be contacted.
In Loddon, each year, more than 100 lost pets will end up in Loddon Shire Council’s hands.
Council will try to reunite each pet with its owner, however, in many cases pets are not registered and the Shire is unable to reunite the lost pet with its family.
December is National Pet ID Month, and I am asking all community members to put their pet’s identification at the top of their priority list.
If your pet is already registered and your contact details have changed, it is important to update the information which corresponds with your pet’s microchip.
For more information call the National Pet Register on 1300 734 738 or visit www.petidmonth.com.au.
Advice from the experts
Loddon Shire residents with questions about Centrelink, Medicare and other government services can get the answers they need when the Australian Government Department of Human Services Mobile Service Centre pays a visit this week.
The vehicle will have two stops on Thursday, 4 December, with one at Rheola Recreation Ground, Inglewood Rheola Road between 9am and 11.30am, and the following visit between 1pm and 4pm at Bridgewater on Loddon, Mobile Library Site, Lyndhurst Street.
Staff will be on hand to give advice on Australian Government payments and services for rural families, older Australians, students, job seekers, people with disabilities, carers, farmers and self-employed people.
For more information, go to www.humanservices.gov.au and search for Mobile Service Centre or call 132 316.