Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 10 August
Published on 10 August 2021
Regional Victoria out of lockdown
In some good news, the lockdown in regional Victoria was lifted at 11.59pm last night – including the removal of the stay-at-home requirement and five-kilometre travel limit.
While there is no limit on the distance regional Victorians can travel from home, you can only travel to Melbourne for a permitted reason. Once you’re in Melbourne, you must follow the Melbourne restrictions.
Schools will resume face-to-face learning, while hospitality businesses, retail, gyms, hairdressers, beauticians and personal care services can reopen – with density limits in place.
Private gatherings in homes are not allowed, except for intimate partner or single social bubble. Public gatherings are permitted for up to 10 people.
Face masks are still required indoors and outdoors whenever you leave your home.
Workers will be able to return to the office at a maximum 25 per cent of capacity or up to 10 people (whichever is greater), however if you can work from home you should continue to do so.
Community sport is open for all ages, for training and competition. A density limit of one person per four-square-metres applies and is limited to a minimum number of people required to participate in and facilitate the activity (i.e. players, coaches).
Spectators are not allowed (this excludes people necessary for events such as teachers, instructors, trainers, coaches, umpires, carers, parents and guardians).
For full details regarding current restrictions visit the Coronavirus Victoria website.
Kindergarten enrolments close 31 August
Enrolments for three and four-year-old kindergarten in Loddon Shire are open until the end of this month (Tuesday 31 August).
If your child will be three or four years old by 30 April 2022 and you live in the Loddon Shire, you can enrol your child via the online kindergarten enrolment form. The form is available here.
If you cannot enrol online or are having trouble, please contact Council’s early years team for assistance on (03) 5494 1201.
Families with children eligible for three-year-old kindergarten have been mailed an information pack that includes instructions on how to enrol, information about the kindergarten in their area, and tips and tricks for preparing for kindergarten.
Staff are also happy to discuss their kindergarten programs or any questions with prospective families.
Unfortunately, current restrictions do not allow for visitors to undertake tours of services. However, when restrictions ease, if families would like to visit a kindergarten, this can be arranged.
If parents have any questions or would like more information regarding a kindergarten, they are encouraged to contact Council’s early years team on the number above.
Information regarding kindergartens in Loddon Shire, including enrolment, is also available from Council's website.
Nominations for Australia Day awards now open
Nominations for the 2022 Australia Day awards are now open.
Council is receiving nominations for the Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Services and Community Group/Event of the Year awards.
These awards celebrate the achievements and contributions made by outstanding members of our community who, through their efforts, make us feel proud to be Australian.
The awards are provided by Loddon Shire Council in conjunction with the Australia Day Council of Victoria.
Nominations are also open for the Community Service Awards. These awards recognise the outstanding contribution to the local community during the current year or noteworthy service to the local community over a number of years.
There is an award for each Council Ward (Boort, Inglewood, Tarnagulla, Terrick and Wedderburn), which will be presented on Australia Day 2022.
Nomination forms and further information is available from Council's Australia Day awards webpage or by emailing australiaday@loddon.vic.gov.au
Nominations for the awards close on Friday 29 October 2021.
Australia Day competitions
As part of its Australia Day celebrations, Loddon Shire will be holding competitions for colouring (Prep to Grade 2), a photographic competition (Junior, Senior and Open categories) and a Literature Competition (for Prep to Year 12).
The topic for the competitions is My Town.
The competitions are free to enter. Entries close at 4pm Friday 29 October 2021.
For more information go to Council's Australia Day competitions page.