Mayoral Column 19 January 2015

Published on 19 January 2015

Come along to the celebrations

Loddon Shire will be flagging its hopes for successful celebrations and a prosperous future when nine centres across the municipality host ceremonies on Monday to mark Australia Day.

From Eddington and Newbridge in the south to Pyramid Hill and Boort up north, people will come together over barbecues, lunches and morning teas to salute our nation’s history.

Ten Victorians with distinguished records in community service will visit the Shire as Australia Day Ambassadors to share their thoughts on what the day means.

The ceremonies will be spread throughout the day, with Eddington and Bridgewater leading the way with 8am starts, followed by Dingee at 8.30am and Boort at 9.15am.

Inglewood opens its festivities at 11am, Newbridge at 11.15am, with Wedderburn a little later at 5pm.

Pyramid Hill and Arnold round out the list with barbecue teas planned for 6pm and 6.30pm.

I encourage all residents to come along and enjoy these special community celebrations as we reflect on the many privileges we have in this country.

Inglewood opens pool for seniors

Inglewood Swimming Pool is opening its doors to seniors an hour earlier than the general public to allow them to utilise the pool for aquatic exercise.

Currently, the program, which runs between 2pm and 3pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, is attracting around eight people at each session.

The early open hour comes through consultation with a number of community groups who requested a session to be run locally to avoid travelling to Bendigo.

The program will run for the duration of the swimming season, with the pool’s opening subject to weather conditions.

The program fits with Loddon Shire Council’s Community Access and Inclusion Plan 2013/2015.

Australian Masters Water Skiing Championships

Bridgewater Water Ski Club will again host the Australian Masters Water Ski Championship, featuring some of Australia’s best skiers in trick skiing, slalom and jumps.

Loddon Shire Council, Danny Clapp the Good Guys, Inglewood Community and District Bendigo Bank, Bridgewater Bakehouse and Malibu Boats have all sponsored the event.

More than 90 entries have already been received, with people from Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, New South Wales and across Victoria entering the competition.

The entries also include disabled skiers who are looking to head to the world disabled water ski championships later this year.

Bridgewater Water Ski Club vice-president Craig Stephen said the Bridgewater competition is a premier event on the Australian water ski calendar.

“It will be the fourth year in a row since the 2011 floods that we have hosted this event which is a great credit to the club members and the Shire for keeping this event here,” he said.

“We will have more than 90 people compete over the weekend, bringing in hundreds of supporters officials and spectators.”

Mr Stephen said participants looking to compete in the Melbourne Moomba Masters use this event to earn an invite.

“Skiers who perform well here, will be considered for invitation to compete at either the junior or senior Moomba Masters,” he said.

“This has allowed us to attract top line skiers.”

Participants in the event compete in age divisions ranging from the under 10s right up to the master age group and open men and open women sections.

The event will be held on January 24 and January 25, starting at 8am, with the jump event featured in the afternoon from 3pm.

Centrelink visits Pyramid Hill

Loddon Shire residents with questions about Centrelink, Medicare and other government services can get the answers they need when the Australian Government Department of Human Services Mobile Service Centre pays a visit this week.

The vehicle will stop on Tuesday, 20 January, at Kelly Street, Pyramid Hill between 10am and 3.30pm.

Staff will be on hand to give advice on Australian Government payments and services for rural families, older Australians, students, job seekers, people with disabilities, carers, farmers and self-employed people.

For more information, go to www.humanservices.gov.au and search for Mobile Service Centre or call 132 316.