Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 22 February
Published on 22 February 2021
Reminder regarding COVID-19 restrictions
I’d like to remind our community that as per the Victorian Premier’s announcement last week, a number of additional COVID-19 restrictions remain in place following the end of the “circuit breaker” lockdown.
These restrictions include the requirement to wear masks indoors at all times except for in your own home. Masks must also be worn outdoors where you cannot maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres.
No more than five visitors are allowed in your home per day, and up to 20 people can gather outdoors. Infants under 12 months old are not included in either of these caps.
For a full list of current COVID-19 restrictions visit the Department of Health and Human Services coronavirus website.
Expression of Interest open for Loddon arts trail
Local artists, makers, creators and local businesses who operate or live in the Loddon Shire are being encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest to be part of the Loddon Valley arts trail this spring.
To be held from 23 to 24 October, the arts trail will be created by artists for artists. It is open to both professional and amateur artists.
If you would like to be involved, please complete an Expression of Interest Form and return via email to loddonvisitorinformation@loddon.vic.gov.au
Expression of Interest forms are available here.
For further information contact the Loddon Visitor Information Centre on 5494 1257 or email loddonvisitorinformation@loddon.vic.gov.au
The Loddon Valley Arts Trail is a joint project between Arts of Olde in Bridgewater on Loddon and Loddon Tourism.
On-Farm Internet of Things trial – applications close Friday
Farmers in Loddon Shire have until this Friday 26 February to get their applications in for grants of up to $25,000 as part of the Round 2 funding for the On-Farm Internet of Things trial.
Grants are available to help farmers to invest in digital Internet of Things (IoT) technology on their farms.
The trial is designed to test IoT technology on sheep, dairy, horticulture and cropping farms in the trial regions, which includes Loddon Shire.
The grants are based on a two-to-one co-contribution. Every dollar a farmer invests will be matched by two dollars from the Victorian Government – up to a total of $25,000.
IoT network connectivity is also provided until the end of the trial in late 2022 to farmers taking part in the trial.
For more information and to apply visit the Agriculture Victoria website.
Boort Cups Day this Sunday
The Boort Cups Day will be on this Sunday 28 February, celebrating 130 years of the Boort Trotting Club, the oldest continuous trotting club in Australia.
Sponsored by Loddon Shire Council, the Cups Day includes the $14,500 Boort Pacing Cup. It is an honour for the Neil Beattie Family to support the Cup.
There’s also the $14,500 Boort Trotters Cup (sponsored by the Hon. Peter Walsh MP) and the $12,000 Rob Coutts Tribute Trotters Handicap (sponsored by the Boort Lakes Holiday Park). Additionally, there will be the $12,000 Bill Foley Memorial Pace (sponsored by Nutrien Ag Solutions, Boort) and the $10,000 Alabar Vicbred Platinum Maiden Pace.
The day will include the celebration of the Hall of Fame Champion Trotter and Grand Voyage’s Centenary Cup win – with the sulky from this win on display. There will also be Fashions on the Field including Hazel Whitmore’s Lady of the Day ($500), Sue Hellsten’s Boort Local Lady of the Day ($100), Milliner of the Day and Gent of the Day.
Other highlights include vocalist Susan Foley, yabby racing, sports bar, kiosk, coffee van and ice-cream van.
The Boort Cups Day supports the Boort Amity Club who will kick off their Good Friday Appeal for The Royal Children’s Hospital. It also raises funding and awareness towards ovarian cancer research. Duncan McPherson, who raises money and awareness for this research, will speak at the event.
Duncan also established Team Teal – who we’ll be barracking for on the day. Team Teal sees the women racing on the day wear teal driving pants, to raise awareness and funding for ovarian cancer research. Last year, Team Teal won five out of nine races.
Gates for the Boort Cups Day open at 12 noon. Admittance is free (along with free race books).
To be admitted on the day you must first book by calling John Campbell on 0437 077 887, myself on 0427 552 468 or Ray Stomann on 0427 552 497. You can also email boorttrots@gmail.com
When attending on the day you will be required to check-in via a QR Code to provide your details for contract tracing purposes. This QR code can also be downloaded ahead of time via the Boort Trotting Club’s Facebook page.