Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 26 July
Published on 26 July 2022
Loddon Valley Arts Trail EOIs
Expressions of Interest for artists and host venues who would like to be part of the Loddon Valley Arts Trail, which will be held from 22 to 23 October, have been reopened until Friday 26 August.
A number of host venues and artists have expressed interest in being part of this year’s Loddon Valley Arts Trail, but Council would love to see some more artists come on board.
Artists and venues that are willing to host artists, can express interest by visiting www.bendigoregion.com.au/visit-loddon-valley
More information is also available by contacting the Loddon Visitor Information Centre on 03 5494 1257 or emailing loddonvisitorinformation@loddon.vic.gov.au
Dairy Australia Foot and Mouth Disease webinar
Dairy Australia is hosting a webinar for farmers, processors and any interested groups on Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) this Friday 22 July from 12pm to 1pm.
The webinar will cover what is currently being done to prevent a FMD incursion in Australia, what farmers can do now to increase their biosecurity measures on-farm (including what tools are available to use), and what the first few days of an incursion could look like, including a potential livestock standstill.
The webinar will be targeted toward farmers, however processor reps are encouraged to join to help pass on important biosecurity information to their suppliers.
Participants are required to register to attend the webinar. To find out more and to register, visit https://bit.ly/3J60pwc
Rural Women Online program
A new program to empower rural women to learn digital skills has been launched by the Victorian Women’s Trust.
Rural Women Online will provide training, support and mentoring to help women living in regional and rural Victoria fast track their connection to the digital world.
Rural Women Online consists of three streams, a set of how-to-guides and learning opportunities, a tech help desk and one-on-one mentoring.
To find out more visit https://ruralwomenonline.org.au/
Congratulations to Karen Twigg
I’d like to congratulate historian Karen Twigg on being awarded the biennial Serle Award for her thesis Along Tyrrell Creek: An Environmental History of a Mallee Community.
Karen, who is originally from Loddon Shire, grew up in Bears Lagoon and attended East Loddon P12 College in the 1970s.
The Australian Historical Association Serle Award is for the best postgraduate thesis on Australian history.
Terrick West Poll Merinos wins Australian Sheep and Wool Show title
I’d also like to congratulate the McGauchie Family from Prarie West whose Terrick West Poll Merino Stud took out the National Champion March-shorn pair and Reserve National March-shorn pair at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo earlier this month.
It’s fantastic to see a local Loddon producer take out this prestigious title, and again put Loddon Valley on the national map.
Citizenship Ceremony
This morning I had the honour of presenting citizenship certificates to our newest Australian citizens, including to the Ceballos family from Pyramid Hill – Maria, Allarah and Josephine, as well as the Gumilao family from Boort – Dave, Jan and Sarah.
I’d like to congratulate our new citizens, all of whom are formerly from the Philippines, and who made the Australian Citizenship Pledge during today’s ceremony at the Council Chambers.
Murray River Group of Councils meeting
Last Friday (22 July) saw the Murray River Group of Councils meet, discussing a number of regional issues.
The day also included a meeting with Senator Bridget McKenzie, Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell and upper house candidate for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad.
We discussed number of issues, including Foot and Mouth Disease preparations, as well as water, transport, infrastructure, and agricultural matters, including the agricultural workforce at a Federal level.
Council also met with Senator McKenzie, the Federal Member for Nicholls and Ms Broad in private, where we discussed issues affecting Loddon Shire, including childcare and NBN.
I thank Senator McKenzie, Sam Birrell MP and Ms Broad for their time last Friday, and for the fruitful discussions regarding issues within our region and Loddon Shire.
The Murray River Group of Councils includes Loddon Shire, as well as Mildura Rural City, Swan Hill Rural City, Gannawarra Shire, Campaspe Shire and Moira Shire councils.