Just briefly...

Throughout 2023–24, 39 Victorian local councils will undergo electoral structure reviews, with round one reviews for 12 rural shire councils, including Hepburn, Moorabool, Central Goldfields and Mt Alexander shire councils, kicking off this week.

The Local Government Act 2020 introduced several changes, including that all small and large rural shire councils must now have electoral structures that are either unsubdivided, subdivided with single-councillor wards, or multi-councillor wards with an equal number of councillors per ward. Public information sessions will be held on February 6 from noon and February 7 from 6pm. Preliminary submissions open on February 8 at 9am and close on March 1 at 5pm. Link: vec.vic.gov.au

Victorians can pick up two free packets of RATs through their local council to help with early detection and treatment of Covid-19.

State health minister and Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas said the council RAT distribution program was operating across more than 200 local sites, such as libraries and council customer service centres. All eligibility requirements have been removed. Individuals can collect up to two packets for themselves plus up to two packets for each household member per visit while people with a disability or their carer can collect up to four packets of tests.

A free resource has been made available for members of country committees around Australia to help guide them as they make a contribution to their community.

30 tips for being a valued contributor to show societies, rural boards and agricultural committees is an initiative of Agricultural Shows Australia’s Emerging Leaders program. The free, 17-page resource arms young leaders with practical support and guidance to help them, their committees, and the show movement across Australia, thrive. Link: agshowsaustralia.org.au

Wheatsheaf artist Frances Guerin will hold an exhibition, Immortal Diamond, at the Southbank Vitrines on Melbourne from January 30 to February 26.

Frances said the exhibition honoured the dreamers of the first dreams. "The language of dreams arises down the millennia at times, always unexpectedly, pointing to the great secrets written on stones and clay pots, the first music and powering the imagination of those inclined to listen and see." Frances will hold an open studio during the ChillOut weekend. Link: www.francesguerin.com.au

Macedon Ranges Shire Council held a ceremony on Australia Day with 29 people given Australian citizenship and a number of award winners announced.

The Connecting Communities Award went to Romsey Ecotherapy Park Committee and the Healthy People and Environment Award went to joint winners Woodend Masters Football Club and Friends of Daly Nature Reserve. The Business and Tourism Award went to Matthew Barry of Woodend and Citizen of the Year went to Sue Anderson of Gisborne.

With The Rex now in private hands, The Local last week asked the Local Government Inspectorate what was happening in relation to Hepburn Shire Council and the investigation into purchase of the Daylesford building in 2016.

The Local Government Inspectorate wrote back that it was the integrity agency for local government in Victoria. "Our formal investigation into Hepburn Shire Council started in June 2019. It is not appropriate to comment on specific cases until our investigation is complete. The inspectorate will follow a process to communicate the findings to councils, councillors and the community."

Message From The Mayor

It was exceptionally pleasing to see a large number of community members attend Council’s Civic Ceremony at Daylesford Town Hall on 25 January. The event was a wonderful opportunity to welcome new Australian citizens – all 21 of them - and to acknowledge the valuable contributions made by the nominees for the Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Event of the year awards.

The 21 new citizens came from far and wide – Argentina, Britain, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Israel, Italy, France, Germany, New Zealand, Philippines, Romania and United States – and have chosen to live in our beautiful part of the world. Welcome and congratulations to all!

Nominees for the Citizen of the Year were Terry Bolton, Gayle Chappell, Michelle Clifford, John Drife, Margaret Giles, Natasha Hall and Jennifer Hind.

Congratulations to the 2023 Citizen of the Year John Drife. John is a pivotal part of the Clunes and surrounding community which is concreted by his dedication to all the committees and community groups he serves on. Over the years he has donated his time to the CFA, School Council, the Mt Bolton-Beckworth Landcare Group, and the Clunes and District Agricultural Society Committee, and has always stepped forward to support friends and neighbours.

Nominees for the Young Citizen of the Year were Flossy Haughie, Lucinda Lowe, Atticus Punt-Trethewey and Sasha Taylor.

Congratulations to the 2023 Young Citizen of the Year Atticus PuntTrethewey. In 2022, Atticus engaged a team of young people, young musicians and entertainers, community groups and businesses to initiate a new youth music event. His persistence and willingness to ask for help encouraged everyone to work together well and provide an opportunity for young musicians to perform, people of all ages and abilities to come together as a community, whilst raising awareness and money for youth mental health.

Nominees for the Community Event of the Year were AltWave Youth Music Event, CresFest, Reconciliation Walks and Wombat Trees community project.

Congratulations to The Great Dividing Trail Association Reconciliation Walks. Based in Daylesford, GDTA led two walks, open to the public, which focussed on local sites of Aboriginal Protectorates built between 1840 and 1849. These events highlighted the early post-contact history of Indigenous people and emphasised the need to acknowledge mistreatment of Aboriginal people as a step in the Reconciliation process.

And thank you to all nominees for your significant and valuable contributions to our community.

Cr Brian Hood, MAYOR

Community Awards Recipients

Dog Park For Trentham

Fences are now in place for the trial off-lead dog park in Trentham. The trial site is the park near Trentham Swimming Pool, formally named Trentham Recreation Reserve. This trial is a quick and lowcost way to improve safety for children at the playground, while giving four-legged friends the chance to run free.

We’re working on a broader project for dog parks around the Shire, and more information will be available later this year.

Community Grants Open

The latest round of our community grants are now open and we invite community groups and not-for-profits to apply.

Check out the guidelines and apply on our website at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/grants

ARTS & CULTURE STRATEGY

Council is starting the next stage of engagement for the Arts & Culture Strategy. We’re keen to hear from the creative sector and community to further guide this strategy.

We’ve launched a new online survey which is available at https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/arts-culture-strategy Even if you completed the stage 1 survey last year, we’d love to hear from you. Survey closes 31 March.

Join Our Team

Are you looking for a career move or a job closer to home? We are recruiting new staff across a number of roles. Along with great teammates, we offer attractive and flexible working arrangements. Stay up-to-date with the latest job opportunities and apply at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/jobs.

The Council Plan 2021-2025 describes how Council will strive towards our vision, where to focus efforts, and how to measure progress. Each Focus Area has a series of priority statements, with actions against each item.