Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 18 January
Published on 18 January 2022
Celebrating Australia Day 2022
Next Wednesday 26 January we come together as a community – and nation – to celebrate Australia Day 2022.
We respect the stories, histories and contributions of all Australians, especially those who have sacrificed so much over the past year.
We celebrate our nation’s place in the world – a proud, ancient, multicultural nation built on shared values that allow us to enjoy the freedoms and opportunities that other nations aspire to.
The day will also see community celebrations held across our Shire to recognise what it means to be Australian, to acknowledge our rich history and celebrate the selfless contributions of our volunteers.
These celebrations are also a chance to reflect on the resilience of our communities and their spirit of helping and giving that defines the Australian way.
Recipients of the 2022 Loddon Shire Australia Day awards will be honoured at these community celebrations. Presentations will also be made to winners of the Shire’s annual Australia Day competitions.
Community celebrations will be taking place at:
- Boort – Nolen’s Park, food vans and activities from 11am
- Bridgewater – Sloan’s Park, barbecue breakfast from 8am
- Eddington Community Centre, barbecue breakfast from 8am
- Inglewood Swimming Pool, sausage sizzle from 11am
- Newbridge Hall, sausage sizzle from 11.15am
- Pyramid Hill Memorial Hall, community dinner from 5pm
- Tarnagulla – Soldiers Memorial Park, barbecue from 5pm
- Serpentine – TJ Rudkins Reserve, barbecue from 8.30am (BYO chairs)
- Wedderburn – Soldiers Memorial Park, barbecue from 5pm
Startup Central Victoria seeking business mentors
Startup Central Victoria is seeking a range of experienced business people in business to share their skills in 2022.
If you would like to volunteer and help inspire and grow entrepreneurs and businesses in Central Victoria, then Startup Central Victoria would like to hear from you.
Opportunities include: mentoring an Accelerator Program team (up to six hours between February and May), mentoring a Hackathon team (Sunday 27 March and/or 3 April), speaking about your Startup/Scaleup experiences at a Meetup event, and presenter at a Regional Professional Services (for Business) Showcase.
If you are prepared to contribute a few hours of your time, and would like more information and to register your interest, visit Startup Central Victoria.
Partners in Wellbeing – business support
If you own or run a small business, and are experiencing increased stressors owing to the impact of the pandemic, you are eligible to receive small business support through Partners in Wellbeing.
Qualified financial counsellors can offer you free financial counselling if you are struggling with financial pressures in your small business. This includes advice and information about understanding the financial position and viability of your business, access to grants and support measures, assistance managing personal financial debts, referrals to experts, and more.
You can speak to someone by phone, email, or chat. Contact the helpline on 1300 375 330 or visit the Partners in Wellbeing website.
Business Recovery and Resilience Mentoring program – closing soon
Applications for the Business Recovery and Resilience Mentoring program will close at the end of this month (31 January).
The free Business Recovery and Resilience Mentoring Program offers tailored guidance on business recovery, market transformation, digital literacy and engagement, market and supply chain diversification and reskilling and retraining.
Participants in the program receive up to four two-hour sessions with a mentor, will be given guidance to help make informed decisions about the future of their business and be matched with an industry leader who suits their business needs.
For more information and to apply visit the Business Recovery and Resilience Mentoring program website.
Inquiry into support for older Victorians from refugee and migrant backgrounds
The Parliament of Victoria has begun an Inquiry into support for older Victorians from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
As part of the Inquiry, the Legal and Social Issues Committee would like to hear from people with lived experience on the challenges faced by older Victorians from migrant and refugee backgrounds, and the adequacy of Victorian support services.
The online survey is available in 10 languages. The Committee will also accept audio, video or written submissions in participants’ preferred language and have these translated to English.
Have your say before Monday 31 January at Parliament of Victoria.