Celebrating the Gannawarra's small towns

Published on 22 January 2024

Gannawarra’s smallest communities will have the chance to showcase their achievements and unique challenges during a Gannawarra Tiny Towns Showcase, occurring in Kerang next month.

Hosted by former 10 News First journalist and Sports Tonight presenter, Brad McEwan, who is passionate about the future of small communities, the Gannawarra Tiny Towns Showcase will also include a launch of the Connecting Gannawarra Community Plans completed by six of Gannawarra’s agricultural-dependent communities throughout 2023.

The showcase – occurring at Northern District Community Health, Kerang on Friday, 16 February from 10am-2pm - forms part of the ongoing commitment to raise the profile of the Gannawarra’s smallest towns and rural communities and to provide inspiration and motivation for them to continue to thrive into the future.

“The Gannawarra is made up of many small communities, who pride themselves on their uniqueness and community connections,” Mayor Ross Stanton said.

“This event is particularly aimed at community leaders, emerging leaders and other interested residents, from across our smallest communities who continue to volunteer their time to ensure that our small towns and rural communities remain sustainable and great places for people to live and visit.

“Brad, who grew up in Lockington, will help inspire residents who attend this special event that nothing is impossible for a small town or community when everyone works together to achieve a shared vision.”

The event will double as the launch of the six community plans developed as part of the Connecting Gannawarra Project.

Funded by the Agriculture-Dependent Community Resilience Project, the Connecting Gannawarra project has seen six of Gannawarra’s small agricultural dependent communities develop new community plans.

Plans have been developed for Lalbert & District, the Lakes District, Leitchville & District, Macorna/Tragowel & District, Murrabit & District, and Quambatook & District.

“I am looking forward to officially launching the community plans and hearing from each of our small towns about what they want to achieve over the coming years and how Council and other partners can assist them to achieve these community goals,” Mayor Stanton said.

“The Gannawarra Tiny Towns Showcase will also enable these communities to hear about available funding opportunities and how best to access this funding to achieve the goals set by the community.”

The Gannawarra Tiny Towns Showcase is supported by Victorian and Commonwealth Governments under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) as part of the Gannawarra Community Flood Recovery Program.

Bookings are essential, with morning tea and lunch provided. To book, visit www.trybooking.com/CODJV or phone Council’s Flood Recovery Team on (03) 5450 9333.