Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 6 July
Published on 06 July 2021
Victorian Government mobile coverage and broadband survey
The Victorian Government is asking people to provide feedback via a survey on where it should be prioritising better mobile and broadband connectivity.
The survey is an opportunity to have your say about connectivity issues where you live or work, and when you’re out and about. It will also help the State Government to understand where mobile and broadband improvements are needed across Victoria.
The survey is part of the $550 million Connecting Victoria program, under which the Victorian Government is fast-tracking better mobile coverage and broadband across the state.
The program will focus on getting more Victorians access to business-grade broadband and upgrading mobile coverage, improving 4G mobile coverage, helping more places become 5G ready, and improving access to safety information during bushfires and other emergencies.
To find out more and take the survey visit Connecting Victoria.
The survey is open until 20 September 2021.
Loddon Valley Business Network Dinner next week
The next Loddon Valley Business Network Dinner will take place on Tuesday 13 July from 6pm to 8.30pm at Inglewood Community Neighbourhood House.
The session will explore the theme Sharing the social love, and will be presented by Kath Bolitho from Tough Cookie Marketing.
The evening will focus on the simple, best practice use of Facebook, Instagram and Google My Business for small regional tourism businesses.
It will teach easy, best practice, essential actions businesses should be using right now and tips and tricks to create attractive posts and updates. The session will also teach how to check accounts have been set up properly and how to be a destination, not just a location.
Session attendees must have a Facebook account and a Facebook page for their business. Please bring your own laptop and mobile phone to work from during the session.
The session is free, and finger food is also provided. Please RSVP by midday this Friday 9 July.
Find out more and book for the session here.
The event is sponsored by Regional Development Australia – Loddon Mallee.
Have your say on the proposed new State electoral boundaries
The Electoral Boundaries Commission (EBC) is asking Victorians to have their say regarding new State electoral boundaries.
Every eight years, Victoria’s State electoral boundaries are reviewed and adjusted to make sure that each of the State’s 88 districts and eight regions represent an approximately equal number of enrolled voters.
This formal process is called a ‘redivision’, and one is currently underway in Victoria. The EBC is the independent and impartial statutory body responsible for a redivision, which is a consultative process that invites submissions from the public.
People interested in making a submission can map their proposed boundaries using the Public Submission Tool available on the EBC website.
To look at the proposed boundaries and have your say go to the visit the EBC website.
A hard copy is also available for viewing at Council’s Wedderburn office.
The EBC are accepting submissions until 5pm, Friday 30 July 2021.
NAIDOC Week
This week celebrations and events are being held across Australia for NAIDOC Week, which started on Sunday 4 July and runs until this Sunday 11 July.
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the oldest continuing cultures on the planet.
The theme for this year’s NAIDOC Week is Heal Country! – which calls for stronger measures to recognise, protect, and maintain all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.
For further information, please visit the NAIDOC Week website.
Loddon Healthy Minds Network art competition reminder
A reminder that entries for the Loddon Healthy Minds Network art competition close Monday 2 August.
Categories include an open section for those aged over 18 years (or under 18 if no longer attending secondary school), upper secondary students in years 9 to 12 and middle school students in years/grades 5 to 8. There are also two junior students’ categories – grades 3 and 4 and grades Prep to 2.
The competition also includes literary entries between 500 to 1000 words.
Find out more about the competition and download an entry form from the Loddon Healthy Minds Network website.
If you would like to receive an entry form via mail please contact Council’s Community Wellbeing Officer on (03) 5494 1230.
You can also call the Community Wellbeing Officer for any other enquiries about the competition or by emailing healthyminds@loddon.vic.gov.au