Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 25 January
Published on 25 January 2021
Australia Day celebrations
Tomorrow will see communities across Loddon Shire host local events to celebrate Australia Day.
The theme of this year’s Australia Day is Reflect. Respect. Celebrate. It is a day to reflect on what it means to be Australian, to celebrate contemporary Australia and to acknowledge our history that stretches back more than 65,000 years.
It is also a chance to celebrate all the things we love about Australia – its land, sense of fair go, lifestyle, democracy, the freedoms we enjoy, but also our people. Australia Day is about acknowledging and celebrating the contribution that every Australian makes to our contemporary and dynamic nation.
As mentioned in my previous column, celebrations will be held at Boort, Bridgewater, Calivil, Eddington, Inglewood, Newbridge, Tarnagulla and Wedderburn.
Times and locations of these Australia Day celebrations are listed on Council’s website at
www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/Ceremonies/Australia-Day
The day will also include the announcement of the Australia Day Awards for Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Services and Community Group/Event of the Year.
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.
Outdoor dining activation continues to roll out
Council is continuing to activate outdoor dining and entertainment across the Shire, with three sites launched last week at the Newbridge Hotel and in Pyramid Hill at the Bakery Café and Coffee Bank.
More outdoor dining and entertainment sites are underway, with hospitality venues in Wedderburn, Tarnagulla, Logan, Boort, Korong Vale and Bridgewater to launch over the next few weeks.
Council is working with local hospitality businesses to activate outdoor dining and entertainment offerings to help them recover from COVID-19. This has been made possible through the Victorian Government’s Local Councils Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package, under which Council was successful in securing $250,000 (ex GST).
Border changes welcomed
It was great to see the easing of border restrictions last week, which allowed many Victorians to return home.
The easing of restrictions also saw New South Wales border towns with Victoria move to a green zone – making it much easier for people on either side of the border to move between the two states.
This is very much welcomed, particularly for rural border towns, including for local tourism, hospitality and other businesses that need to travel over the border between Victoria and New South Wales.
For more information regarding current Victorian border restrictions visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/victorian-travel-permit-system
New newspaper for Loddon
A new newspaper has launched in our Shire, with the first edition of the free weekly newspaper Loddon Herald out this Thursday 28 January.
It is fantastic to have a local newspaper back in our Shire after losing The Loddon Times last year.
Having a local newspaper is important in terms of keeping us informed regarding local news, events and sport, and what’s happening right across the Shire. It also provides a chance for local businesses and organisations to get the word out through stories and advertising.
Welcome to the Loddon Herald – I look forward to picking up and reading a copy this week.
Voice of our Youth project report out now
More than 5,000 young people from across the Loddon Campaspe region have participated in the Voice of Our Youth project. The project identified what our region’s young people want and need for a better education experience and easier transition to work.
Conducted from July through to December 2019, the Voice of Our Youth project was a six-month youth consultation and listening exercise initiated by the Loddon Campaspe Regional Partnership. It engaged 12.5 per cent of young people aged 12 to 25 years in the Loddon Campaspe region on their experience of the education system.
The report from the project is now available at www.voiceofouryouth.com.au
Local History Grants Program applications open
Applications are now open for the 2020-2021 Round of the Local History Grants Program.
The Local History Grants Program encourages and fosters community activities that preserve, record and share the local, social and community history of Victoria and Victorians.
For more information and to apply go to:
https://prov.vic.gov.au/community/grants-and-awards/local-history-grants-program
Applications close at midnight, Tuesday 9 March 2021.