Mayoral Column 16 February 2015
Published on 16 February 2015
Youth to help steer Council projects
Council has joined with the Shire’s four high schools to pilot a program which will allow Loddon’s youth to make decisions within the municipality.
Boort District P-12 School, East Loddon P-12 School, Pyramid Hill College and Wedderburn College will appoint two Year 11 leaders to form the Youth Advisory Council.
The group will consult with the Shire on a range of issues and work with Council on its project planning.
This is a great opportunity for Loddon’s future leaders to gain an insight into civic duties and compliance policies and procedures.
Councillors, Council officers and principals will mentor the advisory council.
I will be attending the inaugural meeting this month with Council’s CEO John McLinden. There is no formal program set in place. We will work with the advisory committee to set our joint initiatives for the year.
As our municipality gets ready to commemorate the centenary of the landing at Gallipoli in World War I, Loddon Shire Council has been working behind the scenes with an organising committee to ensure this event is marked in our history books.
In June 2012 Council convened the Loddon Anzac Centenary Organising Committee with community representation from the local RSL sub-branches and historical societies, chaired by the then mayor, Cr Geoff Curnow.
Together with a number of smaller projects, the committee put forward plans to hold a significant event for the whole of the Loddon community to attend.
This year, a Shire-wide centenary ceremony will take place on Friday 24 April at Serpentine, the day prior to each town’s scheduled Anzac Day services.
The idea behind the ceremony is to mark this day in honour of the sons and daughters of the Shire who fought in, died because of, and lived through the First World War, for their service and sacrifice.
Many men and women of Loddon provided service to their country in World War I and later conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries. An honour roll hangs in our halls with those hundreds of names.
The honourable Tim Fischer AC will speak at the event and close to 1000 school children will be bussed to Serpentine from around the Shire and will receive a specially minted penny to mark the occasion.
A memorial stone from Pyramid Hill with a commemorative plaque will mark the event and provide a centrepiece for the ceremony.
An exhibit of World War I artefacts will be on show.
All residents are invited to attend the centenary event.
Along with the event, the organising committee will continue to work on projects over the next three years to feature around the Shire.
This year, two of the projects will come to fruition with a bronze statue of Victoria Cross recipients Albert Borella and Albert Jacka envisaged for the Soldiers Memorial Park in Wedderburn.
Two books will also be printed by the Inglewood and Districts Historical Society, ‘War Tidings’ and ‘Soldier’s Memorial’, which will be completed before this year’s Anzac Day.
RSVP to the commemorative service is essential for seating and catering purposes. To RSVP call 5494 1200 or email anzac@loddon.vic.gov.au by Friday 20 March. The hour long service will commence at 10am. Those in attendance will need to be assembled on site by 9.30am.
Healthy workshop visits Newbridge
At Loddon, we are always encouraging residents to take advantage of initiatives provided by community organisations.
This month, the Inglewood and Districts Health Service will run a Rural Health Day at Newbridge.
Loddon Shire Council is supporting the day, which is open to men and women of all ages living in Newbridge and the surrounding areas.
The program will offer guidance on the best way to live a healthy lifestyle, with an emphasis on healthy eating and prevention of chronic illnesses.
Inglewood and Districts Health Service decided to host the event after previous community consultation saw numerous requests for a health program to be offered to Loddon residents.
The Rural Health Days will be offered in three other Loddon communities: Serpentine, Inglewood and Tarnagulla.
I am pleased Inglewood and Districts Health Service has taken the community feedback on board and are offering healthy information and a guidance regarding disease prevention.
The aim of the Rural Health Day is to raise awareness that prevention of chronic conditions that are prevalent in the municipality is better than a cure.
It is hoped men and women of all ages will consider attending the day.
The first Rural Health Day will take place in Newbridge on Tuesday 24 February at 7.45am, starting with a healthy breakfast. The day will finish at 2.30pm and includes morning tea and lunch.
For more information, contact Inglewood and Districts Health Service health promotion officer Bethany Takakis on 5431 7000.
Pool party in Wedderburn
Residents have the chance to socialise by the water, with Council hosting a party at the Wedderburn pool this Friday. (20 Feb)
Council will provide a free barbecue at the family friendly event along with the popular inflatable lilos for everyone to use.
Community pool parties are an opportunity for residents to socialise and take advantage of Council pools.
A DJ will play music and prizes will be awarded during the evening.
Games featured on the night, include an egg and spoon race and lolly scramble.
The evening will start at 5.30pm and finish at 8pm.