Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 19 August 2019

Published on 19 August 2019

Naturally Loddon Spring Festival is almost here

I invite you to discover even more of our wonderful Loddon region with this year’s Naturally Loddon Spring Festival, which offers a range of fun-filled outdoor activities aimed at all ages.

Commencing on 1 September with the annual Father’s Day family picnic at Piccoli’s Star Spanner Sculpture Gardens, the festival continues until 3 November with a range of events showcasing the region’s history, art and natural wonders.

This year’s festival will see the return of regular popular events, including the Wedderburn Vintage Machinery Rally (7 to 8 September), Kooyoora Wildflower Show (21 to 22 September) and the Terrick Terrick National Park activities weekend (4 to 6 October).

There’s also the Boort Sculpture by the Lake competition (12 October), Nardoo Hills Reserve Guided Trip (12 October), Wedderburn Community House’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Spring Dance (18 October) and the annual Boort Angling Club Family Carp Eradication Weekend (19 to 20 October).

Green thumbs will enjoy tours and information at the Native Gardening for Sustainability on 13 October and the opportunity to view Wedderburn Open Gardens on Sunday 20 October.

For fun on the water, there’s a chance to try stand up paddleboarding, on Saturday 19 October at Little Lake Boort. Or use your new-found skill in the Stand Up Paddleboarding Guided Tour on the Loddon River at Serpentine on Saturday 2 November.

The finale of this year’s Naturally Loddon Spring Festival will be the Lions Inglewood Alive Festival on Sunday 3 November. This event transforms the town’s Brooke Street into a vibrant space filled with gourmet food, live entertainment, custom car and motorcycle show and shine display, market stalls and more.

For more information or a calendar of events, phone the Loddon Visitor Information Centre on 5494 1257, email loddonvisitorinformation@loddon.vic.gov.au or visit www.loddon.vic.gov.au

Victorian Rural Women’s Network Leadership and Mentoring programs

The State Government is encouraging women looking to make a difference in regional Victoria to apply for a place on the Victorian Rural Women’s Network Leadership and Mentoring Program in order to develop their leadership skills and advocate for country communities.

The 2020 intake of the program is now available, with applications open throughout 2019.

The $500,000 program provides funded places for women on a range of leadership programs targeted to rural Victorian women connected to agriculture. The programs offer opportunities for training along the many stages of the leadership journey.

More information regarding the Leadership and Mentoring Program is available from https://extensionaus.com.au/VRWNetwork/home and clicking on “Leadership program”.

Conduct of 2018 Victorian state election to be examined

The Victorian Parliament’s Electoral Matters Committee has started a public inquiry into the conduct of the 2018 Victorian state election.

The Committee is inviting people to submit their views on how the election was conducted and suggestions on how things could be improved. It wants to hear what the community has to say based on their experiences in the lead up to the election and on polling day.

This is an opportunity to have your say on issues such as the enrolling process, being a candidate, how the Victorian Electoral Commission managed the election, and voting (including whether there are any barriers that make it difficult for people to vote). It will also look at if there is a need to change any electoral legislation to improve the way things are done.

The inquiry is focused solely on the 2018 Victorian state election and will not be considering anything related to the 2019 Federal election. Written submissions are welcome until 30 August 2019.

For information on how to make a submission, go to the Committee’s website at www.parliament.vic.gov.au/2018electioninquiry

Volunteering Victoria Award nominations

Submissions are currently open for the 2019 State Awards, which embrace and showcase the work and partnerships of organisations that involve volunteers.

The awards are an opportunity to recognise and promote the outstanding work that volunteer-involving organisations do for the benefit of communities and for the volunteers themselves.

I value the contribution that volunteers make in support of our community. Not only do they play an important role in the provision of services, but they help to develop pride and a sense of social inclusion.

Award Categories include Grassroots Organisation, Inclusion and Innovations Awards. Application forms are available from www.volunteeringvictoria.com.au/award-categories-and-nomination-forms/

Did you know?

If you are holding an event and would like it listed on the Loddon Shire website Calendar of Events page, you can submit the information and a photo to: http://www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Visit/Events-calendar/Event-submission or email information to loddonvisitorinformation@loddon.vic.gov.au