MAYORAL COLUMN 28 August 2017
Published on 28 August 2017
Public Health and Wellbeing Plan – out for comment
At August’s Ordinary Meeting last Tuesday, Council approved the draft Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 to go out for public comment.
The plan, titled Living Well in Loddon, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of our community during the next four years. The plan has been developed through consultation with our community as well as agencies and Council officers who deliver health and wellbeing services.
While acknowledging the health challenges in Loddon Shire, the Living Well in Loddon plan aims to address these challenges, including through working hand-in-hand with agencies and organisations across the region.
The plan incorporates four health and wellbeing priority areas: Good Physical Health, Good Mental Health, Protect and Promote Health and Feel Safe and Secure.
Outcomes include a healthy start in life, reducing preventable disease, increase mental wellbeing, increasing health eating and active living, reducing tobacco, harmful alcohol and drug use and local and accessible services.
To view the draft Living Well in Loddon plan, visit www.loddon.vic.gov.au. Hard copies are also available from Council’s Wedderburn and Serpentine offices.
Feedback to the draft plan closes on Sunday 10 September.
Naturally Loddon Spring Festival launch
Join renowned Australian actor John Wood this Father’s Day, 3 September, at John and Sonia Piccoli’s Star Spanner Sculpture Gardens at Barraport, near Boort, for a special Open Day and launch of the 2017 Naturally Loddon Spring Festival.
Organised by the Boort Business and Tourism Council, Mr Wood will be a special guest speaker at the event, and will officially launch the festival’s calendar.
As always, the day is certain to see locals and visitors take the chance to explore the gardens and John Piccoli’s fascinating display of metal sculptures crafted from spanners.
The Piccolis’ gardens will be open from 11am to 4pm, with the official launch of the Naturally Loddon Spring Calendar at 2pm.
The day will include an art display from Golden Rivers Artists, jumping castle and face painting. There will also be a barbecue, lunch and afternoon tea, catering on site and refreshments available all day.
Entry for the day is just $5 for adults, with children under 16 free. All proceeds will be donated to the pool of prizemoney for this year’s Boort Show metal sculpture competition.
The Naturally Loddon Spring Festival runs until the 28 October. To find out more visit www.loddon.vic.gov.au or call the Loddon Visitor Information Centre on 5494 3489.
Australia Day competitions
Having mentioned last week that nominations for Australia Day awards are now open, this week I wanted to highlight the Australia Day competitions for the 2018 celebrations.
This includes a colouring competition for Prep to Grade 2 and a photographic competition with the topic “Energy”, with junior (Prep to Grade 6), senior (Year 7 to Year 12) and open sections.
There will also be a literature competition for school-aged children with the topic “Volunteer Groups in the Loddon Shire”.
Last year we had some great entries and I’m looking forward to again seeing the fantastic creative talents of young people in our Shire.
Competitions are free to enter and must be in by 4pm on Friday 22 September 2017.
Get your entry form from www.loddon.vic.gov.au, by calling Shannon Brown on 0429 380 465, emailing loddonausday@bigpond.com or contacting the Loddon Shire Council office at Wedderburn on 5494 1200.