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Page Last Updated:
Friday, 18 May 2012 |
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News>Mayoral Column - 16 May 2012
| Grant is great news | | In an exciting development for Loddon Shire, the Wedderburn Community House has received a grant of $50,000 to further expand its programs.
I was at the centre last Friday to hear Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh announce the funding as part of the State Government’s Adult, Community and Further Education Board Capacity and Innovation Fund.
This fund has provided grants totalling $2.3 million to 60 Learn Local organisations in the third round 3 of its grants program.
These grants help adult community education Learn Local organisations expand their services, improve efficiency and offer new courses.
Mr Walsh commented that the Wedderburn Community House was looking to expand its services by developing links between itself and similar organisations throughout the Loddon and Buloke Shires.
He said its aim was to strengthen existing co-operative programs and to identify ways of increasing student numbers and participation.
In addition, an e-learning platform is to be established to allow trainers to engage with learners in different locations simultaneously.
With 310 Learn Local organisations across Victoria, more than 95,000 people access vocational, language, literacy and numeracy and work-skill courses each year.
Here in Loddon Shire, we are delighted to receive this grant and sincerely thank Mr Walsh for his advocacy on our behalf and his “good news” visit.
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| Busy making plans | | This past week has had me criss-crossing the Shire, but it’s been an enjoyable time of meeting people and hearing their stories.
First off, I was in Kerang for the latest meeting of the Central Murray Regional Waste Management Group, where we planned our program for the coming year.
This is one of 12 such groups across Victoria, established in 1999. It exists to support its five member Councils to plan and manage their waste and recycling work, to educate their communities about reuse and recycling and reduce the impact of waste and litter on the environment.
A day later, I visited Wedderburn Men’s Shed, where a band of regulars was busy tutoring students from the local P-12 school in welding and other practical projects.
The Shed is going from strength to strength, having recently received a federal grant of $4000 to buy more equipment, including tools, a wood lathe with bowl jar, chucks and chisels.
Later in the week, I was in Bridgewater for the launch of the new strategic plan and website of the Loddon Healthy Minds Network. This plan lays out strategies to continue the group’s work and sets out a range of actions to address mental health issues in the Shire.
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| Planning changes unveiled | | More welcome news arrived last week with the announcement by Victorian Planning Minister Matthew Guy that he intends to relax the requirements on councils seeking to rezone land for residential development.
He is expecting to introduce major changes to the state’s planning laws later this month which will have the effect of making it easier for rural shires to encourage population growth.
At present, owners of land in a Farming Zone can’t build on anything less than 40ha, but the minimum size in Rural Living areas is 8ha.
Mr Guy’s reforms will free councils from the lengthy and expensive processes of making a case for rezoning and give councils’ planning schemes far greater flexibility.
Having just gone through our own Rural Zones Review here in Loddon Shire, we can appreciate that the Minister’s planned changes will potentially be a great help in the future development of our Shire.
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| Gala not far away | | Here’s a late call for bookings for Loddon Shire’s gala event of 2012, now just two weeks away.
Reservations for pre-paid tickets at $50 need to be made by Thursday 24 May. Bookings are essential, but if payment is made on the night the price is $55. The entry price provides pre-dinner drinks and canapés, a three-course meal and refreshments at bar prices.
Planned for Thursday 31 May at Serpentine Hall, this will be an evening of fine food and entertainment by a nationally known comedy duo.
For bookings or further details, please phone Christine Coombes on 5494 1200 or email ccoombes@loddon.vic.gov.au
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| Industrial land opens | | The new Wedderburn Industrial Estate in Reef St is open for business, with two fully serviced blocks now available for lease.
The development of the formerly vacant land by Council has seen major clearing and levelling work undertaken, significant drainage work completed, new fencing erected and all services supplied.
There are two blocks now available, with three more expected to be ready later.
The project has been funded by a 50/50 partnership between Loddon Shire and the State Government.
New or existing businesses are welcome to apply. For more details, phone Bryan McEwan on 5494 1200.
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| New service for businesses | | Loddon Shire has moved to assist local businesses and organisations with the creation of a new customer service email network group to help operators improve their performance in this area.
The initiative follows the staging of two workshops at Serpentine in March, organised by Tourism Victoria, Goldfields Tourism and Loddon Shire, which were designed to guide local business operators in improving their customer service skills.
Thirty-four local business owners took part in those sessions, both of which were led by business coach Carol Hulst, a former president of Tourism Hepburn and member of trade missions overseas on behalf of Tourism Victoria.
Shire Tourism Manager Robyn Vella says the idea of the email network is to share helpful information on good customer service in the future. It is also hoped the network will act as a channel for business operators to give feedback to Council on suggestions for relevant business-related workshops.
All business operators are welcome to join. For more details, phone Mrs Vella on 5494 1200.
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| Get your message across | | The Shire’s Nature Tourism Festival Committee is running a one-day workshop on Thursday 24 May at the Boort Resource and Information Centre to help businesses and organisations of all kinds deal effectively with the media.
The workshop will cover such issues as good communications, preparing posters and flyers, writing news releases and preparing for interviews.
At the time of writing, there were four places left. For more details, phone Shire Tourism Manager Robyn Vella on 5494 1200.
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| Volunteers a vital resource | | This week is National Volunteer Week and, here in Loddon Shire, we have plenty of people we need to thank for their ongoing community service.
Last Monday (14 May), I was at the Loddon Visitor Information Centre to present certificates to volunteers at the Visitor Centre and Wedderburn Community House.
Then, this Thursday (17 May), the focus turns to the Council offices in Serpentine, where a morning tea is arranged to applaud the many volunteers who help with our Home and Community Care services.
While we are most grateful for the volunteers we do have, there is always need for more.
I mentioned the CFA and Loddon Visitor Information Centre last week, but would like to add my encouragement to anyone interested in becoming a mentor to young learner drivers under the Shire’s new L2P program.
The L2P program is a VicRoads-funded initiative aimed at giving young people a helping hand to complete the mandatory 120 hours of driving experience they need before they can take their licence test.
For more information on this, contact Sue Devereaux on 5494 1200.
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| Wedderburn’s big weekend | | Wedderburn has a busy weekend coming up, with its annual debutante ball and popular swap meet.
The Wedderburn College 2012 Debutante Ball will be held at the Mechanics Hall this Friday (18 May), with doors opening at 8pm and the girls and their partners presented at 8.30pm.
There will be nine debs taking part, all Year 11 students at the school, plus two flowergirls.
The ball, which is organised by the college parents’ association, will feature live music and supper. Tickets will be available at the door at $25 for a family, $10 for adults and students $5. For more details, phone 5494 3011.
On Saturday (19 May), the annual Wedderburn Swap Meet and Market will be held from 6am to 4pm at Engine Park.
Organised by the Wedderburn Historical Engines and Machinery Society, the event invites anyone to bring along their unwanted engine parts, garage bits and pieces and household goods.
Entry costs $2 for buyers and $10 for stall holders. For more details, phone Peter Lockhart on 5494 3593 or Trevor Bailey on 5494 3152.
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