Mayoral Column 11 March 2019

Published on 11 March 2019

Food and Wine Expo is this weekend

Don’t forget this Saturday (16 March) will see the Loddon Valley Food and Wine Expo take place at the Newbridge Recreation Reserve from 10am until 5pm.

This event is a fantastic opportunity to showcase not only our local produce, but the Loddon Shire overall as a great place to live.

ABC Central Victoria will be broadcasting live from the site on the Friday morning (from 8.30am to 10am), and will interview a number of local producers, further highlighting what a magnificent array of products we have in our region.

I’m also looking forward to the chance to be interviewed by the ABC and discuss the great opportunities that come with living in Loddon Shire.

The Food and Wine Expo itself on the Saturday will offer the chance to sample the region’s gourmet food and wine, enjoy live music and entertainment, and savour a three-course lunch prepared by chef Karen Martini (which will incorporate local produce).

Please note, tickets to the lunch close this Friday (15 March), so if you’re interested in being part of this fantastic opportunity, please make sure to book your tickets via
www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/program/river-feast-with-karen-martini-7111

For those not attending the lunch, entry is $10 (under 16 free) or $20 for entry, tastings of food and wine, plus a souvenir wine glass. There will also be children’s entertainment throughout the day.

For more information call the Loddon Visitor Information Centre on 5494 3489.

Grains Research Update – Boort

This Friday 15 March, the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) will hold a Grains Research Update at the Boort Memorial Hall from 9am to 1pm (doors open at 8.30am).

The update will focus on Boosting Profitability – Resilient Solutions. Topics include nitrogen and soil organic matter decline, how hay is “stacking up”, GRDC’s stubble research initiative, virtual fencing and the war on weeds.

The cost is $30 per person ($20 for subsequent people from the same business). Morning tea, lunch and a booklet is included.

To find out more and to register, visit https://grdc.com.au/events/list/2019/03/grdc-grains-research-update-boort

You can also call Brett Symes on 5441 6176 or email admin@orm.com.au

World’s Greatest Shave campaign

The Leukaemia Foundation is calling for Australians to help them “shave the world from blood cancer” during the annual World's Greatest Shave campaign from 13 to 17 March.

The fundraising campaign this year has an urgent message – it needs more help. The number of Australians being diagnosed with a blood cancer is rising. Over the next decade the rate is expected to jump 30 per cent, taking the current diagnoses rate from 12,800 to 17,000 people as early as 2025.

There are currently 100,000 Australians living with blood cancer - and by 2025, close to 50 Australians will face a blood cancer diagnosis every day – or two people every hour.

Schools, businesses, councils, individuals and teams in communities are urged to make 2019 the year they support World's Greatest Shave so the Leukaemia Foundation can continue to meet growing demand.

Charter adopted

At its meeting last month, Council adopted the Victorian Local Government Women’s Charter. Councillor Colleen Condliffe was appointed as the Charter Champion.

The Charter recognises the need for increased women’s participation in key decision making forums in the community and in democratic governance. The Charter promotes the principles of gender equity, encouraging diversity in representation and participation, and women’s active citizenship.

The Victorian Local Government Association (VLGA) is encouraging all Victorian councils to formally adopt the Charter. According to the VLGA, 71 councils have formally adopted the Charter (now 72 including Loddon Shire).

Did you know?

Council is currently developing a new Economic Development and Tourism Strategy. This strategy will focus on attracting new business opportunities and maintaining support for traditional industries, including agribusinesses (both current and future).