Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 16 November
Published on 16 November 2021
Looking forward
I’d like to thank my fellow Councillors for electing me Mayor at last Tuesday’s Special Council Meeting. It is truly an honour to be elected to such a position for the coming 12 months.
I look forward to bringing a fresh new approach to Loddon Shire and take the role of Mayor on in the best interests of the people I represent, as well as working closely with staff and Council’s new Chief Executive Officer.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Cr Neil Beattie for his excellent leadership as Mayor for the past year.
His leadership and contribution as Mayor to Council and the community has been invaluable – particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I hope that my leadership will help to bring prosperity for the younger generation and make Loddon Shire a great place for future generations to live, work and thrive.
What if I have to self isolate?
With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions we are now all starting to move around more.
As we do begin to socialise more and attend venues, events and gatherings, we may come into contact with the virus and need to isolate at home for a period of time.
Council is encouraging residents to plan ahead to be ready to isolate at home if this occurs.
This includes having some meals in the freezer and a few extra pantry items on hand, until food delivery can be arranged, and ensuring you don’t wait until the last minute to get any prescriptions filled – having a few extra days’ supply of medication on hand.
Council also advises having a few extra days of food available for pets, and chatting to family and friends to know who might be able to help you out if needed.
More information on what to do if you test positive for coronavirus is available here.
Belgravia Leisure now recruiting
Belgravia Leisure is calling on people interested in working at a Loddon pool this summer to submit an expression of interest.
There are five swimming pools within Loddon Shire, located at Boort, Inglewood, Mitiamo, Pyramid Hill and Wedderburn. The swimming pool season gets underway this week, with pools due to open this Saturday (20 November).
Council appointed Belgravia Leisure to manage its swimming pools after awarding the contract to the company at its September meeting.
To find out more about working at a Loddon pool and to submit an expression of interest, visit the Belgravia Leisure website.
Accessing help for young people: parent/carer webinar
headspace National in conjunction with headspace Bendigo are presenting a webinar for parents and carers of young people to learn about what you can do to provide support for your young person around their mental health.
The webinar will present information around mental health awareness, the conversational approach to mental health and well-being, available mental health support services, and practical strategies and resources to support mental health.
The webinar will be held on Monday 6 December from 7pm to 8pm via Zoom.
You can register for the webinar here.
For more information email: programsupport@headspace.org.au
North Central LLEN Youth Take Over
If you’re a young person looking to get some work experience to help you find a job, North Central LLEN’s Youth Take Over can help.
The program provides young people with work experience, industry contacts and transferable workplace skills to help when applying for jobs.
Current Take Overs available include: Design and create murals for a business and Make a website for local artisans.
To find out more (including more Take Overs in the near future) go to the North Central LLEN website.
Lockdown pests, weeds and diseases this harvest
Agriculture Victoria is encouraging farmers to be aware of farm biosecurity measures at harvest time.
According to Agriculture Victoria, the movement of grain harvest contractors between farming regions can spread diseases, pests and weeds through soil and plant matter found on clothing, vehicles, machinery and grain handling equipment.
The department is encouraging farmers to be aware of biosecurity risks that moving from farm to farm can pose and mitigate these risks, including asking some questions.
These include asking where the contractor last worked, if any properties had any hard-to-kill or pesticide resistant weeds, insects and diseases, what crops were harvested, and when, how and where did they clean their vehicles and equipment down.
For more farm biosecurity information, free biosecurity gate signs and farm biosecurity booklets call Agriculture Victoria on 136 186.
More information is also available from the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 or visit Plant Health Australia, Farm Biosecurity and Agriculture Victoria.