Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 5 April

Published on 05 April 2022

Mobile base station batteries replacement

It is good to see that Telstra has replaced back-up batteries at mobile base stations in Dingee and Serpentine.

Ensuring battery back-up is available at mobile base stations is crucial during power outages to ensure the community can make and receive mobile calls.

Council raised concerns about this problem at its March Council Meeting, including safety issues around the loss of phone service, and further impacts on local businesses, such as the ability to use Eftpos and ATMs.

The replacement of batteries in Dingee and Serpentine mobile base stations means there will be battery back-up during future power outages – a positive and reassuring step for residents in these communities.

Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food free online cooking classes

Healthy Heart of Victoria is inviting children and families from across the region to participate in five online cooking classes with Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food these school holidays.

The free classes will show you how to prepare and cook a range of simple, delicious and healthy Jamie Oliver meals, using cheap and accessible ingredients.

Participants will have free access to the course, to either participate in live or via the recordings.

The first set of the one-hour cooking classes will take place during the first week of the school holidays on Monday 11 April, Tuesday 12 April and Wednesday 13 April from 11am to 12pm.

The next cooking classes will take place during the second week of the school holidays on Tuesday 19 April and Wednesday 20 April from 11am to 12pm.

To find out more and to register, visit the cooking classes website or go to the Healthy Heart of Victoria Facebook page.

Loddon students explore career opportunities

The new Minerals Council of Australia school program has seen Loddon students among the first in the state to explore job opportunities in the mining industry.

The school program saw Pyramid Hill College students visit the Fosterville Mine last month with Wedderburn College students to take a tour in May.

The school program raises awareness of jobs available in mining in Victoria and Australia, and the pathways for locals interested in working in the industry.

Agriculture Victoria Energy Storage Options webinar

Agriculture Victoria is hosting a webinar to explore energy storage options for on-farm use, as part of its Energy Webinar Series.

To be held on Wednesday 6 April from 12pm to 1pm, the webinar will include presenter Ellie Shirdel from Pitt & Sherry, who will speak about energy storage options including batteries, thermal storage and kinetic systems.

The presentation will include an overview of each technology and how these technologies may be utilised on-farm.

A Gippsland dairy farmer will also share his experiences and the benefits of installing a solar and battery system.

For information on other webinars in this series or other energy events, visit the Energy Smart Farming website.

AgMove relocation assistance

If you’ve been thinking about trying agricultural work, including harvest work, the Australian Government’s AgMove initiative can assist to provide financial support. This includes helping cover the cost of travel, accommodation and work-related expenses associated with moving.

Eligible Australians can claim up to $6,000 in reimbursement of travel and accommodation costs associated with relocating to take up short-term agricultural work, and temporary visa holders with general working rights are able to claim up to $2,000.

Harvest work is a great opportunity to travel, learn new skills, meet new people, stay physically fit and help to provide the nation with a fresh food supply. There is agricultural and harvest work available right now on farms across Australia.

There is a huge variety of jobs available, ranging in duration from weeks to months with no prior farm experience necessary.

To find out more, visit the Harvest Trail website or call 1800 062 332.

Women on Farms Gathering event a big success

I’d like to congratulate everyone involved in this year’s Women on Farms Gathering held from 25 March to 27 March.

The weekend was well attended, with more than 100 rural women from across Victoria gathering in Inglewood.

The weekend included a number of activities for the participants, including a Pop Up Market, welcome dinner at St Mary’s Primary School, workshops, guest speakers (including Young Victorian of the Year and doctor Skye Kinder), tours and fashion parade.