ShireLife - Autumn 2023

ShireLife

2023 Macedon Ranges

Autumn Festival

Page 5

Macedon Ranges

Community Choice Awards

Page 5

Environment news Pages 6–7

Kindergarten registrations for 2024

Page 12

Macedon Ranges Shire Council Newsletter Issue 45 Autumn 2023

CEO message

Welcome to another year! We’re already well into it and I’m really looking forward to what’s ahead. We will continue to work on our key projects including the Woodend to Riddells Creek Shared Trail project and Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct and to advocate for further funding required to realise projects identified in our Priority Projects prospectus. Last year’s weather events certainly had an impact on many in our community, none moreso than the residents of Darraweit Guim who were extremely hard hit by the floods. I’d like to thank everybody who has supported the flood recovery efforts which are still ongoing and will be for a while yet. If you get the chance to support impacted residents in any way please do so. A strong community is what gets us through these tough times.

I’d also like to thank the patience of our community as a whole as we continue to work through recovery efforts across the shire. We were still working hard on recovery from the 2021 June storms when the floods hit. Our operations team has had an extremely busy couple of years and is working hard to ensure roads and facilities are once again safe and accessible for all.

On a lighter note, the Macedon Ranges will soon be a hive of activity with the annual Autumn Festival kicking off throughout April. This time of year is one of my favourites with nature putting on its finest show and the shire abuzz with activity. Be sure to check out what’s on offer during the festival and enjoy experiencing some wonderful events in your own backyard.

Finally, don’t forget to nominate your favourite local business in our inaugural 2023 Macedon Ranges Community Choice Awards, and if you have an idea for an event or project that will benefit the community make sure you apply for this year’s Community Funding Scheme and Events and Festivals grants.

View Council’s current Priority Project prospectus at mrsc.vic.gov.au/prospectus

From the Mayor

We all know the Macedon Ranges is a unique and special place with passionate and dedicated community members that care about where we live. Being mayor is a great opportunity to support that great work and engage with all sectors of our community to deliver our Council Plan.

With a background in strategic stakeholder engagement, advocacy and campaigning, I can bring my experience to the role to be solutions oriented and forward thinking.

I live in Riddells Creek with my husband and two young children and it’s our community that supports us. Together we love exploring our beautiful natural environment, especially at Barrm Birrm, visiting our historical towns and supporting local businesses.

Council grants to support community

The next round of Community Funding Scheme and Events and Festivals grants will open in May.

If you have an idea for an event or a project that will benefit the community in the Macedon Ranges Shire then we would love to hear from you. Information sessions and grant workshops will be held to assist you with your application.

For more information or to speak to a Council officer about your idea visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/grants or call 5422 0333

Community resilience after flood event

On 12 October 2022, severe weather resulted in flash flooding across the Macedon Ranges.

Victoria State Emergency Service received nearly 300 requests for assistance from Macedon Ranges residents, with 96 properties impacted by flooding.

Darraweit Guim was hardest hit, with up to 15 houses inundated by floodwaters and significantly damaged. Council supported residents with clean-up efforts including delivering skips, portable toilets, showers and drinking water. Victorian Government agencies, utility providers, Council, local neighbourhood houses and community leaders worked closely together to clean up properties, restore infrastructure and support individual needs.

The Darraweit Guim community showed extraordinary resilience during the flood event. Darraweit Guim Primary School has reopened and Darraweit Valley Cider is again welcoming visitors to the town’s only local business. The town also hosted clinical psychologist Dr Rob Gordon, whose valuable insights into disaster recovery are available on Council’s website.

Council continues to coordinate and repair flood-impacted roads, Council venues and infrastructure across the shire, working with the Victorian Government to help manage flood recovery processes.

Council commends the resilience and support shown by Macedon Ranges communities during this unprecedented weather event.

Before, during and after an emergency

Whether it’s a fire, flood or storm, there are steps you can take to make sure you’re in the best position possible in the event of an emergency. Stay informed and monitor your local conditions. Check for updates, advice and warnings through the VicEmergency app, the VicEmergency hotline (1800 226 226) and your local ABC emergency broadcaster (e.g. 91.1 FM Bendigo or 774 AM Melbourne).

Fungi Caravan

The Fungi Caravan is an artistic installation created by artist Kathy Holowko – and you!

Debuting at Woodend’s Regenerating the Ranges Festival, the Fungi Caravan continued its evolution at Newham Primary School. You too can get involved with this crafty creation at the upcoming Autumn Festival and local farmers markets.

Go to mrsc.vic.gov.au/fungi-caravan for dates and locations.

The Fungi Caravan is delivered in partnership with Woodend Neighbourhood House and supported by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) ‘Targeted Funding Initiative’ grant.

Insurance may help replace important belongings and rebuild your life if you are impacted. Download the ‘Insure it. It’s worth it.’ guide DFFH has developed in collaboration with Good Shepherd to learn about the benefits of insurance: goodshep.org.au/publications/ toolkit-insure-it-its-worth-it

Connect with your community. Emergency services are the lead during an emergency, with Council the lead agency for emergency relief and recovery at the local level. Council works with government departments, community organisations, support agencies and volunteer groups to provide assistance to our communities.

To learn more visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/emergency

Photo courtesy of Kathy Holowko

Kyneton Town Hall Events

Daniel Champagne

Saturday 11 March, 8pm

With more than a million streams on Spotify for his song Indigo, Daniel Champagne has been praised for being naturally adept at techniques others can’t master. He is regarded as a leading light in acoustic music, with a firm reputation for jaw-dropping performances and making crowds buzz.

The Multicultural Comedy Gala

Saturday 25 March, 8pm

A night celebrating cultural diversity with a superb line up of some of Australia’s best stand-up comedians. Join a star-studded line-up of comedic talent as they touch on cultural identity in a concoction of comedy that pokes fun at what makes us all different, but so much the same.

Diesel: Greatest Hits Alone with the Blues

Tour 2023

Sunday 30 April, 7:30pm

An intimate two-set solo concert performance designed especially for theatres.

“This show is arguably the most encompassing concert performance and song collection I’ve curated to date. It makes for an uplifting experience for both the audience and myself. I feel they are getting ALL of me with this one. I simply had to bring it to more towns. Like unfinished business but way more fun. The singa-longs are epic!” – Diesel.

Alexander McCall Smith in Kyneton

Thursday 16 March, 7:30pm

The author of over 100 books, Alexander McCall Smith is one of the world’s most prolific and bestloved writers. McCall Smith returns to Australia to celebrate the release of three new books in the past

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow

Friday 28 April, 7:30pm

The ultimate comedy trip returns in 2023. Australia’s biggest comedy festival is hitting the road for a huge 25th year! Featuring the best and brightest of the 2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival in a jam-packed show that’s sure to leave the whole nation laughing.

Buy tickets

These

year and to reflect on his expansive four-decade career, journeying from children’s books to his best-selling series.

For children and families

JUNKLANDIA

Thursday 1 June, 1:30pm

In the hands of the Junklandians, everyday objects and recycled materials are transformed into extraordinary musical instruments, and forgotten junk comes alive in exciting and surprising ways! Two brothers from the faraway planet JUNKLANDIA embark on a mission to Earth to teach the earthlings the Junklandian ways of music and creative recycling!

Whalebone

Friday 30 June, 2pm

Whalebone takes a fun and magical look at the importance and future of stories in a new era where Artificial Intelligence starts to substitute human decisions. It is a visually rich family show about real memories in a world flooded by digital media.

Alphabet of Awesome Science

Monday 3 July, 11am

A scientific race through the alphabet – where awesome words inspire awesome science! Join professors Lexi Con and Noel Edge for a thrilling voyage through the alphabet – where great big, chewy, sesquipedalian words inspire mind-blowing scientific surprises.

Gather friends and family and experience autumn in your own backyard from 1–30 April. A month-long program of curated trails and itineraries, foodie experiences, artisan workshops, autumn gardens, farmers markets, and events is on offer across the shire.

Follow the popular Autumn Pie & Tart Trail, or vote for your favourite plant-based dish on the Macedon Ranges Edgy Veg Trail. Wet your whistle on a variety of Tipple Trails, where you’ll get a taste of local wine, craft beer, gin and cider served up in our country pubs, distillery doors and breweries.

There will be so much to see and do across the shire during autumn! To plan your itinerary go to: visitmacedonranges.com/autumn-festival

Kyneton Museum

The museum is currently closed for renovation and is due to re-open late March.

The first exhibition, Stitch in Time, will uncover the innovations of local craft hobbies throughout the years. Hours will be 11am-4pm Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. For information visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/Kyneton-Museum

Macedon Ranges Community Choice Awards program

Macedon Ranges has a host of outstanding businesses committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences.

In recognition of this, we’re inviting residents and visitors to nominate their favourite in the inaugural Macedon Ranges Community Choice Awards.

An extension of the Business Excellence Awards program, the Community Choice Awards seeks to recognise and celebrate those who go above and beyond in their day-to-day business.

Nominations will be decided by popular vote for each of the five categories:

• Excellence in Customer Service – Agribusiness and Primary Production

• Excellence in Customer Service – Health and Wellbeing

• Excellence in Customer Service – Hospitality and Accommodation

• Excellence in Customer Service – Retail and Service

• Excellence in Customer Service – Trades and Manufacturing

Nominations close 24 March. Voting opens 1 April. Visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/business-awards

Counting Down to Zero

Council has joined many governments and organisations committed to addressing climate change in an accountable way by endorsing a plan for zero net emissions for Council operations by 30 June 2030.

The Counting Down to Zero plan outlines action Council will take to reduce and avoid emissions in its own operations, offset residual emissions, and influence key stakeholders to also reduce emissions.

Key actions include:

• “getting off gas” at Council facilities

• transitioning to a zero-emissions passenger vehicle fleet

• working with tenants of Council-owned buildings to reduce emissions

• increasing generation of renewable energy and installing battery power

• exploring options to create local or regional carbon offsets with social, environmental, and economic benefits.

The plan will be reviewed every two years to ensure it remains valid, and Council’s progress will be reported annually.

Cool Changes is complete

Since 2018, Council’s Cool Changes program has helped seven communities across the shire create a Community Climate Action Plan unique to their area in the Macedon Ranges.

These communities have been actively keeping the plans alive with numerous climate action groups and projects underway.

Community achievements include:

• Sustainable Malmsbury starting a local food swap and looking towards the world of electric vehicles

• Gisborne launching the Gisborne Renewable Energy Group – or GREG – piloting a program to increase the uptake of household and business solar systems

• Riddells Creek investigating a large-scale, communityled solar project

• Cool Changes: 3442 participants creating ‘Cool Changes in Schools’: a program that assists teachers to embed climate change education into the school curriculum.

Council would like to thank everyone involved and especially neighbourhood houses in Lancefield, Romsey, and Riddells Creek, and community houses in Kyneton, Macedon and Mt Macedon for partnering on the design and delivery of Cool Changes.

Check out the Cool Changes plans at mrsc.vic.gov.au/cool-changes

Get active in the environment

Council’s autumn environment events program provides an opportunity to connect with the outdoors and enjoy the stunning nature of the Macedon Ranges, while learning about sustainable living.

Come along to a workshop to find out more on weed identification, having healthy soils and what’s on your roadside.

Join the annual ‘Creatures of the Night’ spotlight surveys along the roadsides, covering six biolink areas in the Macedon Ranges.

Look out for the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group’s hands-on events including the Edgy Veg Trail, Zero Emissions Vehicle Expo and Electric Bike Expo.

To view the autumn environment events program visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/environment-events

Electric vehicle charging stations

Council is supporting a transition to a low-carbon transport world, including by growing the electric vehicle charging infrastructure throughout the shire.

Council is committed to seeing charging sites in all our major townships and continues to seek funding to make this happen. In addition to the existing charging sites in Kyneton and Woodend, new public charging sites will soon be arriving in Macedon and Lancefield, as well as an additional site in Kyneton.

Additionally, charging stations will be installed at all three office sites (Gisborne, Kyneton, Woodend), as part of Council’s Counting Down to Zero plan to transition our passenger fleet to electric vehicles.

For information visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/EV-stations

Cool-ER Changes

Join Council in the launch of Cool-ER Changes: a project that will create a collaboratively designed Council and community Climate Emergency Response Plan.

From renewables to regenerative agriculture, future-proofing community sport to the liveability of our homes, this plan will cover all things climate change and needs your input.

The launch will be held from 7-8:30pm on Thursday 2 March at Kyneton Town Hall. Celebrate grassroots climate action and learn how you can get involved in the creation of the plan.

Following the launch, there will be six workshops including:

• Nurturing Nature – Thursday, 16 March

• Climate Ready Communities – Thursday, 30 March

• Health & Wellbeing – Thursday, 20 April

To hear about upcoming environment events and updates, sign up to Council’s environment e-news: mrsc.vic.gov.au/ Environment-eNews

• Post-Fossil Fuels – Thursday, 4 May

• Waste and Circular Economy – Thursday, 18 May

• Adaption and Emergency Response – Thursday, 1 June

For more information visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/Cool-ER-Changes

Regional Sports Precinct update

Construction of the MRRSP is underway with construction of Stage 1 having commenced in August 2022. Stage 1 consists of a three-court sports hub, a natural turf oval and sports pavilion, passive recreation facilities, landscaping and associated infrastructure.

A number of substantial civil and earthworks requirements have been completed to date and slabs were poured for the sports hub prior to the Christmas break, with structural works for the stadium now advancing.

The wet weather experienced in late 2022 caused delays to works on the sports field and pavilion, with earthworks now well underway to prepare and level the site. Stage 1 of the MRRSP is scheduled for completion in early 2024. Advocacy for the final $9.5 million required to realise Stage 2 is ongoing. Stage 2 will include three additional courts, change rooms, cricket nets, a function room, additional car parking, a practice oval, outdoor multi-sport courts, additional sports pavilion amenities and further landscaping. For information visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/mrrsp

Shared Trails

The Woodend to Riddells Creek Shared Trails Project will deliver an increase in visitors to the region, while also providing locals with a fantastic nature-based activity right on our doorstep.

The shared trail will run for 24 kilometres through key towns in the region, providing a trail for walking, running, low-volume cycling, and commuting; as well as linking rural landscapes, towns, heritage and the community.

The trail will meander its way through Woodend, Macedon, New Gisborne and Riddells Creek with minimal vehicle interaction, providing locals and visitors with a safe and convenient way to take in the natural beauty of the region, and experience local hospitality and produce on offer in each of the townships.

Progress so far

Council awarded the design and construct contract of the 24km trail to local business Newearth Constructions, taking the project a step closer to its realisation and creating further employment opportunities for locals.

The required environmental, heritage, and planning approvals for the trail are currently being finalised with construction due to commence in the coming months. The project is scheduled for completion in early 2024. For information visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/shared-trails

Daylesford to Hanging Rock Rail Trail

A proposal is also underway for a Daylesford to Hanging Rock Rail Trail, in partnership with Hepburn Shire Council.

The trail would provide another unique experience to the region, linking rural landscapes, towns and heritage through the Macedon Ranges areas of Hanging Rock, Woodend, Kyneton, Carlsruhe and Tylden, and then on to neighbouring Daylesford in Hepburn Shire.

The 37.2km section of the trail that Macedon Ranges Shire Council will be responsible for reaches from Tylden to Carlsruhe; from Carlsruhe to Kyneton; and from Carlsruhe to Woodend and on to the iconic Hanging Rock.

Council is continuing to advocate for the funding required to continue planning and pre-construction activities for this project.

Why register your pet?

Pet registrations renewals are due by 10 April 2023. Four important reasons to register your pet:

• Pets found wandering unregistered and unmicrochipped make it difficult for our Rangers to reunite them with their owner. Sadly, some pets (particularly cats) are never reunited and end up rehomed or worse yet, euthanised.

• It’s the law - your cat/dog must be registered with Council by three months of age.

• Registration cost is much less than the fine.

• Registration fees assist Council in providing animal management services, education materials, incentives and programs, and welfare assistance for animals in our shire.

There are a number of ways you can renew your pet registration including in person at a Council service centre, by mail, BPay, or online.

For information visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/petregistration or call 5422 0333.

Local Law Review

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is reviewing its General Purposes Amenity Local Law No.10, 2013.

From permits, to rubbish, to pets – our Local Law covers a wide range of activities that impact our community.

Council has a legislative obligation to review and prepare a new Local Law every ten years.

For updates on this project, including future opportunities to comment on the new local law, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/local-laws or call 5422 0333 to register your interest.

Community House opening

In November 2022, the Macedon and Mount Macedon Community House was officially opened, making it the seventh neighbourhood house in the shire.

Neighbourhood houses play a pivotal role in bringing people within the local area together to meet, socialise, and achieve positive community outcomes. They strengthen community spirit, pride and connection and play a key role in supporting communities in times of emergencies. They also provide the opportunity to learn through courses and activities.

Council would like to acknowledge the hard work of the Macedon and Mt Macedon Community House Committee in being instrumental in proposing the refurbishment of the building and implementing the steps needed to enable it to come together.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s neighbourhood houses include:

• Kyneton Community Learning Centre

• Woodend Neighbourhood House

• Macedon Ranges Further Education Centre (Gisborne)

• Lancefield Neighbourhood House

• Riddells Creek Neighbourhood House

• Romsey Community House

• Macedon & Mount Macedon Community House

To find out what’s on at your local neighbourhood house including events, activities and courses, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/Neighbourhood-Houses

Aquatics and fitness

Gold safety awards for aquatic facilities

The Gisborne Aquatic Centre (GAC) and Kyneton Toyota Sports and Aquatic Centre (KTSAC) have recently had facility safety assessments undertaken by Life Saving Victoria (LSV), the peak industry body for aquatic safety services in Victoria.

The assessment was undertaken as part of the LSV Safer Pools Program and compares the management, supervision and operational systems of a facility against a best practice model outlined in the Safer Public Pools Code of Practice.

Council is extremely proud to advise both GAC and KTSAC have achieved near-perfect scores across the board and been provided gold accreditation under the Safer Pools Program.

This award is a significant achievement for our facilities and places them as some of the safest and most professionally run aquatic venues in the state.

Council will continue its focus on water safety in the coming months in a bid to secure an exclusive Platinum Pool accreditation. Platinum accreditation is reserved for the top 40 pools in the state that achieve the highest standards in aquatic safety and risk management, with accreditation being recognised as a sign of excellence in the industry. Look out for the Gold status sticker at the entrance to GAC or KTSAC!

Work in the aquatic industry

Our aquatic facilities are currently recruiting aquatic educators and lifeguards to fill vacancies at our sites.

If you love working in a team environment, are looking for great benefits and are passionate about water safety, we would love to hear from you.

To find out more, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/jobs

Get fit together!

There’s a number of benefits that come from working out with a friend including improved motivation, increased effort and social benefits.

It’s easy to say “I’ll give my work out a miss today”, but knowing there is someone waiting for you provides that extra motivation to stay committed to an active and healthy lifestyle.

Why not grab a friend, your partner or your neighbour and come in to share the benefits of regular exercise.

With group fitness classes to suit all fitness levels, buddy up and find a class that suits you at mrsc.vic.gov.au/leisure

Back in the Game

Back in the Game is a modified social indoor sports program catering to older adults. A great way to make new friends while keeping active. Back in the Game is endorsed by the Council of the Ageing (COTA).

For information contact Romsey Recreational Centre on 5429 5637 or email rrc@mrsc.vic.gov.au

Get active indoors this autumn

With summer coming to an end, take your exercise indoors and get involved in one of Council’s senior indoor sport competitions. Social competitions are a great way to stay active and meet new friends.

• Senior Women’s Netball - Buffalo Sports Stadium, Woodend - Tuesday evenings.

• Senior Mixed Futsal - Romsey Recreation CentreTuesday evenings.

• Senior Mixed Basketball - Riddells Creek Leisure Centre - Thursday evenings.

Programs run for two seasons per year, February-June and July-December. Individual and team registrations are welcomed.

For information visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/leisure

Dance

Are you after dance classes for your children with a focus on fun, friendship and enjoyment rather than competition?

Give our classes a try at Buffalo Sports Stadium and Gisborne Community Centre.

• Tiny Tackers – for ages 2-5 years. Includes ballet, tap and jazz.

• Studio2 MIX – for ages 6-12 years. A mix of ballet, tap and jazz.

• Studio2 Hip Hop and Tap dance – for ages 8-12 years and 13-18 years.

For information visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/dance

Registrations for kindergarten

Online registrations are open for free 3-year-old and 4-year-old kindergarten in 2024. Registration is easy with our online system.

Visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/kinder-rego and register for one of our eight kindergartens before 30 June 2023.

Lancefield’s new kinder and MCH

The building of a two-room kindergarten with a maternal and child health (MCH) centre in Lancefield will come to fruition with funding of $1.8 million from the Victorian Government under the ‘Capacity Building’ stream of the Building Blocks Grants.

The new centre will provide a contemporary, purposebuilt kindergarten to accommodate all children, as well as a dedicated MCH centre for families. The facility will have capacity to be utilised by the current community-based Lancefield Playgroup, with potential for supported playgroups in the future.

It is anticipated the new facility will be ready to open for kindergarten in 2024.

Shade

sails

for Woodend and Swinburne Avenue

Swinburne Avenue Children’s Centre and Woodend Kindergarten have been successful in receiving funding through the Department of Health’s Community Shade Grants Program, which will provide shade sails at both kindergartens.

The shade sail at Swinburne Avenue Children’s Centre will provide shade and UV protection over a swing set.

During damaging winds in June 2021, Woodend Kindergarten lost a large tree which provided shade. The new shade sails will replace shade that was lost by the tree and also shade over a swing set.

Early childhood opportunities

Have you thought of a career in Early Childhood, or are you currently working in Early Childhood and want to work locally? To find out more information about job opportunities at Council kindergartens, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/jobs

Leaders in the Loop

Do you know what young people want and want to share it with us? Leaders in the Loop gives young people a seat and a say at the Council and community consultation table.

Leaders in the Loop:

• supports young leaders by bringing them into consultation and decision-making

• enables young leaders to give feedback directly to decision makers in the community

• offers payment to young leaders for their time and input into consultations.

Participants can apply by registering their interest through the Leaders in the Loop portal.

Green Means Go:

• gives dollars and project support to young people looking to do just that

• supports young people in pursuing projects they are passionate about

• offers financial support of up to $1,000 for selected projects.

Participants can apply by pitching their projects through our Green Means Go ‘pitch portal’.

To apply for Leaders in the Loop or Green Means For information mrsc.vic.gov.au/youth

Join our Youth Spaces program!

Macedon Ranges Youth Spaces encourage young people aged 12-17 years to connect with each other, youth services and the greater community through programs, events, activities, mentoring and workplace training across the Macedon Ranges. Youth Spaces operate at various locations across the shire during school terms between 4:30pm-6pm.

For more information visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/YEP

Music in the Sticks (MITS)

Young people in the Macedon Ranges aged 1225 interested in the music industry are invited to join Music in the Sticks. This fun program has been running for over 15 years and provides skills and experience to young people in event management, sound and lighting, photography and film, publicity and management, live and studio recording, sound production, and hospitality. MITS meets on a fortnightly basis and new members are welcome.

For more information visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/MITS

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Learn how to help young people experiencing mental health problems by participating in one of our award-winning Youth Mental Health First Aid courses.

The 14-hour program for adults teaches participants first aid skills, to give initial help to young people who are in a mental health crisis or in the early stages of a mental illness.

The course covers various mental health problems experienced by young people and is delivered using case studies, films and group discussions.

For more information visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/ Youth-Mental-Health

The importance of reading to children from birth

While newborn babies may not understand the words you’re saying, reading aloud gives them information about the world around them, helps build communication skills, and strengthen the most important aspect of their life – their connection to you.

When you read to your child, they hear your voice change as you convey emotion and express sounds. They watch as you point at pictures and turn the pages. Then they copy you – mimicking the sounds you make, beginning to recognise the pictures on the page as they turn them. They’re boosting their language, social, emotional and motor skills, all while having fun!

As you and your baby grow to love reading together, you’ll want more and more books to read. A visit to your local library gives you access to thousands of books, and can also introduce your little one to storytime sessions where you and your child can experience the joy of books, songs and rhymes with other young families.

At storytime, children can dance and make new friends as they learn vital skills for healthy literacy development. These free sessions are tailored to your child’s age and developmental needs and are run by skilled staff.

Families can also sign up for the 1000 Books Before School program to further build their child’s literacy skills. The free program encourages reading through an interactive reading log, with incentives awarded for reaching milestones along the way.

An extensive eLibrary for kids is also available, including online storytime sessions, animated picture books and learning activities suitable for children up to 12 years. For information on storytime sessions for 2023 and the early learning resources available at Gisborne, Kyneton, Romsey and Woodend libraries visit ncgrl.vic.gov.au/children, or pop by to chat with the friendly staff.

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Macedon-Ranges-Shire-Council

Rates instalments

Rates and charges must be paid in four instalments by no later than the due date. Instalment reminder notices will be sent prior to each instalment date. (Please note: rates can be paid in full by the due date of the first instalment 30 September, however the due date for 2022/23 payments in full has now closed).

The next two instalment dates for 2022/23 are 28 February and 31 May 2023.

You can pay your rates via BPay View®, online with Visa or Mastercard at mrsc.vic.gov.au/payments, direct debit, Australia Post, mail, centrepay or in person at a Council customer service centre during opening hours.

If you have any questions about rates payment methods, or if you have difficulty paying your rates on time, call the Rates department on 5422 0322.

Contact Council

5422 0333 mrsc@mrsc.vic.gov.au mrsc.vic.gov.au

PO Box 151, Kyneton VIC 3444

Visit one of our service centres

40 Robertson Street, Gisborne

129 Mollison Street, Kyneton

96−100 Main Street, Romsey

Cnr High and Forest streets, Woodend

Residents who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment can contact us through the National Relay Service:

• TTY users phone 133 677 then ask for 03 5422 0333.

• Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 03 5422 0333.

• Internet relay users connect to the NRS (see relayservice. com.au for details) and then ask for 03 5422 0333.

If you or someone you know may benefit from receiving a large print version of this newsletter: 5422 0333

comms@mrsc.vic.gov.au

Free pool pass

Present this voucher at any of Council’s indoor or outdoor pools to receive free entry.

mrsc.vic.gov.au/leisure

Valid for one adult or one child until 1 April 2024. Limit one per person.

Have your say

Have your say on Council projects and decisions and participate in our consultation activities.

For more information: mrsc.vic.gov.au/yoursay

5422 0333

Hanging Rock

Complete and present this coupon at the Hanging Rock Café to receive your exit ticket.

Name:

Address:

Offer valid until 31 Dec 2023. Not valid on event days and not to be used for commercial purposes. Limit one coupon per household per annum.

Cr Annette Death Mobile: 0427 956 117 adeath@mrsc.vic.gov.au

Cr Geoff Neil Mobile: 0419 244 776 gneil@mrsc.vic.gov.au

Cr Bill West Mobile: 0400 025 455 bwest@mrsc.vic.gov.au

South Ward

Cr Dominic Bonanno Mobile: 0419 829 867 dbonanno@mrsc.vic.gov.au

Cr Rob Guthrie Mobile: 0419 309 953 rguthrie@mrsc.vic.gov.au

Cr Anne Moore Mobile: 0419 917 278 annemoore@mrsc.vic.gov.au

West Ward

Cr Jennifer Anderson Mobile: 0408 273 670 janderson@mrsc.vic.gov.au

Cr Janet Pearce Mobile: 0437 282 096 jpearce@mrsc.vic.gov.au

Cr Mark Ridgeway Mobile: 0437 938 766 mridgeway@mrsc.vic.gov.au

and pays respect to their Elders past, and present.

Council also acknowledges local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander residents of

ongoing contribution to the diverse culture of our community.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council acknowledges the Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land and waterways. Council recognises their living cultures and ongoing connection to Country

Macedon Ranges for their