Mayoral Column 18 January 2016

Published on 18 January 2016

Keep cool at Bridgewater as competition heats up

Thankfully the extreme heat we faced during the middle of last week has passed, and hopefully you’ve been enjoying getting out and about in more temperate conditions.

If not, this coming weekend provides an ideal opportunity to pack a picnic and head outdoors, with Bridgewater set to host The Australian Masters Water Ski Championships.

The two day event sees some of Australia’s best trick, slalom and jump skiers take to the waters, making Bridgewater a destination of choice, between Saturday 23 January from 8am, through to Sunday 24 January at 5pm.

Bridgewater Bakehouse will be providing refreshments on site to help keep those fluids and sugar levels up!

Join our Australia Day celebrations

This time next week I expect to meet many of you at Australia Day celebrations across the Shire.

Our Australia Day Committee has worked tirelessly to arrange a variety of events across the Shire from breakfasts, morning teas, barbecue lunches and teas, through to swimming carnivals, merry-go-rounds and live music at some locations.

An Australia Day ambassador is set to speak at each event, which will feature a special flag raising ceremony and national anthem rendition.

Australia Day Award recipients including citizen of the year, young citizen of the year, community group of the year, community project of the year and various community service awards will be announced on the day.

Join in celebrating all that makes us proud to be Australian at Boort’s Nolan Park from 9.15am, Bridgewater’s Sloan Park from 8am, Calivil Hall from 8.30am, Eddington Community Centre at 8am, Inglewood Swimming Pool from 11am, Newbridge Hall at 11.15am, Pyramid Hill Hall from 6pm, Tarnagulla’s Soldiers Memorial Park from 10.30am and Jacka Park in Wedderburn at 5pm.

Have you checked out the About Town website?

Word on the street is that master plans for your town are ready to view!

If you live in Bridgewater, Boort, Inglewood or Pyramid Hill, I’d encourage you to hop onto www.abouttown.org to get a clear idea of what’s in store for your town.

Master plans for the development of the main street, town entries and key township areas are currently available on line, with feedback being welcomed until the end of February.

From the earliest brainstorming stages of the process where we literally caught people walking into their local supermarket, post office or park, we’ve been seeking to actively engage community members and document their thoughts.

Council has also been working closely with the Bridgewater-On-Loddon Development Committee, Boort Development Committee, Inglewood Development and tourism Committee, Pyramid Progress Association and associated community and business groups in each town.

We trust that after such an extensive community consultation process, you’ll discover the plans capture the unique character of each township and its surrounding landscape.

To share your thoughts about the master plans, log onto the About Town Website, click on the image of your town and stroll down to the survey section.

Copies of the master plan are also on display at key locations within each township, where you have the option to collect and complete a hardcopy survey.

Timely to register your pets

Council has recently returned several lost dogs to their owners after they became frightened and disorientated in stormy, unpredictable weather.

While it’s pleasing to note all bar one has been happily reunited with their owner due to an increase in microchip and registration numbers, it’s timely to remind people to continue taking pet ownership seriously.

Please take extra care to ensure your dog is safely secured when stormy weather is predicted, check they have plenty of water available in the heat and never leave them locked in a hot car.

If you’re heading off on holidays make suitable arrangements for pet care well in advance.

All dogs and cats should be registered and microchipped by three months of age.

Responsible pet owners will also review their pet’s microchip details from time to time, keeping them up to date for a quick and safe return should something go astray.