Mayoral Column 15 October 2018
Published on 15 October 2018
Healthy Minds Network Art Competition
Congratulations to Anne-Maree Hansen whose artwork R U OK? (stop bullying) won Best In Show at the Loddon Healthy Minds Network (LHMN) Art Competition. Anne-Maree’s artwork also received first and second prize in the open section of the competition.
I’d also like to congratulate Sophie Perryman from Boort District School for winning the Best In Show (Schools).
The yearly LHMN art competition, which is open to Loddon residents aged 14 years and above, aims to raise awareness of mental health. The competition has two sections – a school section and open section for all Loddon Shire residents.
This year’s competition had two themes entrants could base their artwork on “Stop Mental Health Stigma” and “Words for Wellbeing”.
Food and wine expo funding welcomed
It was great to hear that the Victorian Government has awarded a $50,000 grant to help deliver the very first Loddon Valley Food and Wine Expo. The funding is via the Stronger Regional Communities Plan.
The expo will be held on Saturday 16 March 2019 at the Newbridge Recreation Reserve, and will showcase our region’s wonderful fresh produce, as well as the liveability of the region.
The Loddon Southern Development and Tourism Committee is putting in a huge effort to plan the Expo, and is to be commended for its creativity and energy in making this new event a reality.
Regional achievement awards finalist
I’d like to congratulate Yarrawalla’s Kia-Ora Piggery on becoming a finalist in the Victorian Regional Achievement and Community Awards in the diversity and inclusion category.
Kia-Ora Piggery diversified its workforce by employing skilled Filipino workers. It continues to expand their business, now employing 24 Filipinos (accounting for 50 per cent of their total workforce). The company was also featured in a New York Times article in May this year, which focused on the success of the town’s multicultural population.
The winners of Victorian Regional Achievement and Community Awards will be announced at the awards presentation on 26 October.
Government mobile service coming to Pyramid and Boort
The Australian Government Mobile Service Centre will be in Pyramid Hill this Wednesday (17 October) from 9am to 3.30pm near the Neighbourhood House in Kelly Street. The mobile service centre will then visit Boort on Thursday (18 October) from 9am to 2.30pm, opposite BRIC in Godfrey Street.
The mobile service centre can provide you with information about Australian Government payments and services for rural families, older Australians, students, job seekers, people with disability, carers, farmers and self-employed. There will also be information about Departments of Veterans’ Affairs programs and support services for veterans and their families. Additionally, staff can help you create a myGov account, and provide other information and support. A Farm Household Case Officer will also be in attendance.
To find out more, visit www.humanservices.gov.au/mobileoffice or call 132 316.
Did you know?
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016 Census, Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing was the largest employer in Loddon Shire, making up around 41 per cent of total employment.