Loddon Shire Mayoral Column

Published on 24 August 2020

Australia Day awards nominations open

Nominations for the 2021 Australia Day awards are now open.

Council is receiving nominations for the Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Services and Community Group/Event of the Year awards.

Criteria and eligibility for the awards includes contribution towards values such as a fair go, concern for the environment, shared prosperity, participation in sport, cultural diversity, importance of strong community values and support systems.

Nominations are also open for the Community Service Awards. These awards recognise the outstanding contribution to the local community during the current year or noteworthy service to the local community over a number of years.

Nominations for the awards close Friday, 30 October 2020. 

As part of its Australia Day celebrations, Loddon Shire Council will hold competitions for colouring (Prep to Grade 2), a photographic competition (Junior, Senior and Open categories) and a Literature Competition (for Prep to Year 12). The competitions are free to enter. Entries close at 4pm Friday, 30 October 2020.

For more information or for nomination forms and competition entry forms, visit www.loddon.vic.gov.au or call Council on 5494 1200.

Congratulations to our newest citizens

I’d like to congratulate our newest Australian citizens Ursula Fionne Dotollo Garchitorena as well as the Talaid family – Marissa De Leon, Rolando Cuizon and Raphael De Leon. All our citizens are originally from the Philippines.

It was a great honour to conduct the citizenship ceremony which was held virtually due to current COVID-19 restrictions.

Help develop the 2030 Community Vision

Council is asking residents to participate in developing the 2030 Community Vision as part of The Loddon Project.

The Community Vision will be a statement of our Loddon Shire communities’ goals and aspirations for the future over the long term. We will be asking you to consider What do I want my community to look like in the year 2030?

You can have your say in a number of ways. This includes via the online survey at The Loddon Project page on Council’s website www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/Community-Engagement/The-Loddon-Project

This webpage also provides updates regarding The Loddon Project and has a link to join The Loddon Project’s Facebook group. I’ll also provide regular updates about the project via my Mayoral Columns and messages.

You can also register your interest in joining The Loddon Project Community Reference Group by completing an Expression of Interest form which is available from the website.

Additionally, you can have your say by filling out brochure/worksheets that will be located at various locations across the Shire or you can take part in random phone sampling if you receive a call.

Virtual Loddon Valley Business Network evening

A virtual Loddon Valley Business Network evening will be held on Tuesday, 1 September at 7pm.

Council’s Tourism Department will provide an update on tourism initiatives moving forward post COVID-19.

This virtual evening is open to Loddon Valley businesses directly or indirectly involved in tourism.

To register your attendance for the event, please email loddonvisitorinformation@loddon.vic.gov.au by this Thursday, 27 August.

Once you’ve registered an email will be sent with a link to join the presentation.

For more information, or if you have any questions about the presentation, call the Loddon Visitor Information Centre on 5494 1257.

Kindergarten enrolments closing soon

Enrolments for four-year-old and three-year-old kindergarten in Loddon Shire close Monday, 31 August.

If your child will be three years old or four years old by 30 April 2021 and you live in the Loddon Shire, you can enrol your child via the online kindergarten enrolment form. If you live outside of the Loddon Shire, please contact Council’s Early Years Department on 5494 1201.

For more information and to access the online kindergarten enrolment form visit www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Our-Services/Services-for-our-younger-residents and click on the Kindergartens link.

Shade structure grants now open

Applications for the Victorian Government’s Community Shade Grants Program are now open to incorporated community organisations.

The program provides funding for new permanent shade, repair or replacement of existing permanent shade, natural shade, portable shade, and sun protective items

Applications close at 11:59pm on Friday, 11 September 2020.

To find out more or to submit an application visit www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/preventive-health/skin-cancer-prevention  

Regional Growth Summit registrations open

Registrations are now open for the next virtual Regional Growth Summit on Wednesday, 2 September. The theme is How to get your business to stand out.

The one-day event will bring together business leaders from across regional, rural and outer metro communities. The summit also provides the opportunity to meet these business owners through interactive sessions and participate in a marketing masterclass or workshop.

The cost to join the Regional Growth Project is $20 (for lifetime access). However, Loddon Shire residents are able to join for free by using the code: LoddonRGSPass

Registrations are open right up to the event. You can also register after the event to access recordings to watch at a later date.

To register (and to find out more) visit www.marketingentourage.online/courses/regional-growth-virtual-summit-sep-2020

Loddon Valley Spring Calendar postponed

Unfortunately, due to current COVID-19 restrictions, the Naturally Loddon Spring Festival Calendar has been postponed for 2020.

I know our groups put in a lot of work to bring us these events. However, Council’s tourism team is looking forward to bringing a fun-filled family calendar of events in 2021.