Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 13 September

Published on 13 September 2022

Expressions of interest are now open for local businesses for small-scale improvements to help encourage outdoor activation within Loddon Shire.

Improvements could include adding more street furniture for customers outside, or extending/upgrading an outdoor dining or business space with barriers, blinds or furniture. It may be extra signage to safely direct pedestrians to outdoor gathering places or other outdoor attractions that encourage people to stop and stay longer in a business area.

These improvements should be deliverable before the end of 2022.

If you have a proposal for outdoor activation that will bring more people to your business or help them stay for longer, please submit an expression of interest before close of business 30 September 2022.

You should include information such as type of equipment or installation, location, cost estimates, and even product suppliers. The more information you can provide, the easier it will be to assess your idea’s suitability for funding.

Submit an expression of interest by completing as much information as you can via the Loddon SmartyGrants website. 

For further information email [email protected]  

Loddon Shire has been included as a priority area for the roll out of the Japanese Encephalitis vaccination (JEV).

In addition to those that work or reside on pig farms, you are also eligible to receive a JEV vaccination if you are a Loddon Shire resident or a worker with a usual place of work in the Loddon Shire, and are aged 50 to 65 years, and employed in an occupation that is largely or totally outdoors.

Locations to receive the vaccination include Inglewood Pharmacy – call 5438 3021; Wedderburn Health Clinic – 5494 3511; Boort Community Pharmacy – 5455 20044 and Boort District Medical Centre – 5451 5220.

Please contact your vaccination provider of choice to make an appointment and be aware that you may be required to make a co-payment.

For more information regarding Japanese Encephalitis visit the Victorian Department of Health website. 

Healthy Heart of Victoria has officially changed its name to Healthy Loddon Campaspe after Stage 2 of the initiative was launched last Thursday (September 8).

The initiative will continue to work within the Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Loddon, Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander Shires and the City of Greater Bendigo over the next four years. This will include continuation of projects to help encourage healthy eating and getting more people, more active, more often.

Achievements during Stage 1 include the development and roll out of the first regional Active Living Census which received over 24,500 responses. The initiative also saw the delivery of outdoor fitness equipment and supporting programs as well as new water fountains across the region, including Loddon Shire.

Planning is currently underway for the implementation of Stage 2 of the Healthy Loddon Campaspe initiative and new projects will be announced in early 2023.

I’d like to congratulate everyone involved in local football and netball grand finals held on Saturday, including the North Central Football League and the Loddon Valley Football Netball League.

I headed along to the Loddon Valley Football Netball League grand final day, which saw good weather and a big crowd of supporters for both football and netball.

Congratulations to all the teams who played on grand final day including Marong and Bridgewater in the Seniors football and Maiden Gully YCW and Mitiamo in the A-Grade netball. It was a great day of local sport that saw communities come together to cheer on their teams.

Council remains committed to supporting our sporting leagues throughout our region and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who continues to support local sport – including the tremendous effort of volunteers.

Again, I’d like to thank everyone involved in the day and look forward to a great 2023 season.

A huge congratulations to Wedderburn College’s Kerry Walker who was named the 2022 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year. Kerry was one of eight finalists in the running for the coveted title.

Kerry has worked at Wedderburn College since 2002, and has been crucial in supporting the inclusion, wellbeing and learning of students from Foundation through to Year 12, both within the classroom and at home.

Read more about Kerry’s national achievement.

I’d also like to congratulate Hazel Whitmore of Boort who was recently inducted into the Road Transport Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Alice Springs.

Hazel drove buses full time for more than 30 years, after Hazel and her husband Reg purchased the Leaghur school bus run in 1964. The business continued to expand, eventually becoming Whitmore’s Bus Group.

I’d also like to acknowledge and congratulate the organisers of two other events in our Shire over the weekend – the Tarnagulla Strictly Vintage Fair and the 30th Annual Wedderburn Vintage Machinery Rally.

I was fortunate to attend the Tarnagulla Strictly Vintage Fair, which was a great day out for the family. While I did also manage to get to the Wedderburn Vintage Machinery Rally, unfortunately it wasn’t until the end of the day, when the organisers were packing up.

It was great to see both events return after a hiatus, both of which saw great participation from locals and visitors outside of the Loddon Shire. 

On behalf of Councillors and staff of Loddon Shire Council, I offer condolences to all those mourning the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

In June this year we celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee marking 70 years as Australia’s Head of State. Her presence spanned across generations, continents, languages and major world events.

Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered fondly for her affection of our country, her grace and kindness.

May she rest in peace. Vale Queen Elizabeth II.