Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 18 July 2023
Published on 18 July 2023
Business Networking Dinner – Inglewood
Last Monday (10 July), saw the Loddon Shire tourism team host its first Tourism Business Networking event for 2023 at the Inglewood Town Hall. Over 50 guests attended from across the Loddon Shire.
These networking events provide an opportunity to discuss strategic tourism and economic development work, gather the latest tourism insights from the tourism industry, hear from guest presenters, and provide a space to network and collaborate together.
In additional to tourism updates from David Stretch (Manager of Tourism and Economic Development) and Bradd Worrell (Tourism and Marketing Coordinator), Susan Fayad the World Heritage and Regional Development Lead at City of Ballarat provided a keynote presentation on the Goldfields World Heritage project and its importance for the Loddon Shire (and broader Goldfields Region).
The tourism team is excited to welcome the return of regular business networking events this year, which will be hosted in different locations across the Shire.
Yarrawalla Bonfire Night
I had the great pleasure of attending the Yarrawalla Bonfire Night last Friday (14 July). Conceived by the Yarrawalla Community as a way to come back together and reconnect after a long, hard and disruptive period of flood recovery, the Bonfire Night had something for everyone.
From bush poetry and live music to ‘campfire’ themed collages and damper making over coals, the Bonfire Night had it all. The East Loddon Lion’s Club put on a delicious spit roast dinner plus piping hot desserts while new local coffee van vendor, Coffee to Di For, ensured the hot chocolates, teas and coffees were flowing.
Culminating in an all-in-group-spoon-playing-jamboree, the night was a terrific success and a testament to the strength and spirit of Yarrawalla and its residents. Well done to all involved and especially Sue Bennet, Brian Smith and Tom Smith and all those who have since signed up to volunteer in future activities in the community.
Loddon Valley Arts Trail returns
Council is thrilled to announce The Loddon Valley Arts Trail is going ahead in 2023 and will be led by local creatives and the Inglewood Community Neighbourhood House. After cancellations in previous years due to the COVID pandemic then flooding, the event has been revamped and invigorated by the Inglewood Community Neighbourhood House, supported by Loddon Shire’s Tourism and Economic Development team.
Participation in the Loddon Valley Arts Trail is open to all Loddon residents and will be a fantastic way to showcase the creative talents of our region, attract many visitors to the Shire and therefore support to local businesses across the Shire.
You can participate as an individual open studio, or set up a pop-up exhibition with other artists if you prefer. All Loddon businesses are invited to participate on the Trail as well, not only arts-based or creative business, but tourism, accommodation or hospitality businesses are encouraged to connect and learn about the event and opportunities for the local economy.
For more information and to for registration forms for participants, email info@icnh.org.au or phone 5438 3562 before August 31.
The Loddon Valley Arts Trail will run from 10am-4pm on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 October 2023.
Upcoming Council meeting
Council’s July meeting will be held next Tuesday (25 July) at 3pm in the Loddon Shire Council Chambers, located behind the Wedderburn Council Office, off Peters Street.
You can also watch the Council meeting live via Council’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LoddonShire
To view the July Council Meeting agenda visit https://www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/Agendas-and-minutes/Agendas-and-minutes-2023
Rural Councils Victoria forum
Last Friday (14 July), I attended the Rural Councils Victoria (RCV) forum, alongside my fellow Councillors and Loddon Shire Chief Executive Officer. We had the privilege of hearing from a number of speakers.
We had the valued presence of The Hon Melissa Horne, who holds key positions as
Minister for Local Government, Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation. Minister Horne discussed her perspective on importance matters that directly impact our municipalities.
Cr Mary-Ann Brown, Chair of RCV, provided a valuable insight into the advocacy efforts and outcomes achieved by the RCV. Cr Brown reinforced the significance of building strong partnerships with other councils across Victoria to achieve collective goals. By collaborating, we can amplify our voices and work towards common outcomes that benefit the residents in Loddon Shire.
The forum also shed light on the pressing issue of housing in rural Victoria. We heard from Darren Fuzzard, CEO Mount Alexander Shire and Brett David, CEO Moyne Shire.
One of the highlights of the forum was the “Doing Things Differently” session ran by Malcolm Lazenby and Gayle Hardie – Global Leadership Foundation Co-Founders. This segment encouraged us to think innovatively and explore new approaches to address the unique issues faced by rural communities.
Another crucial topic discussed was the need to promote and support active farming in our region. We had the pleasure of hearing from Claire Harrison and Marliese Heffernan, who are advocates of the “Active Farmers” initiative. Their presentation highlighted the significance of a healthy and resilient agricultural sector, fostering a sense of community and wellbeing among our farming families.
We also heard from Liz Ritchie, CEO of the Regional Australia Institute, who presented on the “National Regionalisation Alliance”. Her talk emphasised the power of collaboration between regional areas across the nation, showcasing how we can learn from and support each other to achieve common goals.
Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Local Government, The Hon Peter Walsh, provided a presentation on the Parliament of Victoria Inquiry into Local Government funding and services.
Whole Loddon Love – Live Music For Flood Recovery
Whole Loddon Love is bringing live music back to pubs and halls in flood-affected areas along the Loddon River this October.
The series of live music events on beautiful Dja Dja Wurrung and Barapa Barapa Country are supporting venues, musicians, event producers and crew, draw heavily from people with live music experience who reside and work in flood-affected areas, and will showcase regionally-based musicians.
The shows are free for locals, super-affordable for those travelling from outside the Loddon Valley and feature live music from a minimum of three acts each night, including artists from the local community. Money raised at the events will be donated to local organisations chosen by the local community, to help support flood recovery.
Friday 6 October - Victoria Hotel, Pyramid Hill
Queenie, Dan Kelly + more
Saturday 7 October - Railway Hotel, Boort
Queenie, Dan Kelly, Jess Parker Band + more
Sunday 8 October - Newbridge Hotel (daytime)
Jess Parker Band, Dan Kelly + more
Saturday 14 October - Bridgewater Hotel
Jess Parker Band, Valley Road + more
Sunday 15 October - Baringhup Hall (daytime)
The Maes, Felicity Cripps Band, Jess Parker Band + more
The artists performing at Whole Loddon Love hold regional Victoria close to their heart, and are all excited to be hitting up country pubs and community halls in support of the locals and each other, bringing not only a joyful and rollicking good time, but bringing together communities and acknowledging the tough times they have been through.
The Live Music for Flood Recovery Program is supported by Music Victoria and the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. The program has supported many events throughout 2023, from small gigs in pubs featuring local musicians, to large-scale festivals and community events, with passionate artists supporting communities and sharing music to provide a space for impacted communities to revive, recover and gather together after a tumultuous year.
Whole Loddon Love is supported by Loddon Shire Council and Mount Alexander Shire Council, and is produced by regionally-based Fionna Allan (Lady Adventurer Creative Projects) with support from Theatre Royal Castlemaine.
Tickets on sale 12 July
www.wholeloddonlove.com
For further details, contact Fionna Allan: wholeloddonlove@ladyadventurer.com.au