A message from the Mayor

Milloo Street boat ramp headed for upgrade

Anglers will be pleased to hear that a new boat ramp, toilets and carparking will be built in Swan Hill’s Milloo Street. The boat ramp will be extended to two-lanes, public toilets built and a sealed carpark installed, as well as landscaping, tables and seating.

We know the current boat ramp has its limitations and the community made sure it was included in the Swan Hill Riverfront Masterplan. I’m glad to see that with State Government and Council funding it will now go ahead.

Keep an eye on local media, Council’s website and Council’s social media platforms for details of an on-site meeting in August, where you will be able to hear more about the project.

From Italy to Swan Hill – Da Vinci Machines on now

I’m looking forward to opening the Da Vinci Machines exhibition at Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery tonight. Our Gallery has earned a great reputation for hosting amazing touring shows, and this is sure to be up there with the best.

Leonardo Da Vinci came up with concepts for cars, helicopters and planes in the 1500s – amazing when you think of the times he lived in. In recent years, the Niccolai family, from Florence in Italy, has turned his drawings into real-life machines. And that’s what will be on show at the Gallery until 20 August.

If you’ve never been to the Gallery before, this might just be your chance. It’s something that both adults and kids will be interested in, and you can even get involved by using some of the machines For more information on the exhibition, special Da Vinci events and entry prices, visit gallery.swanhill.vic.gov.au/davinci or call the Gallery on 5036 2430.

Natural gas for our industries

People working in retail, hospitality and industry were part of a business breakfast yesterday to learn more about natural gas, now that the system is up and running.

Enwave representatives travelled from Tasmania to talk about the natural gas rollout to commercial users and some of the special offers that will be available to those who sign up early. If you are a business operator and want to know more about how natural gas can be used in your business, contact our Economic Development Unit on 5032 3033 and they will put you in touch with a natural gas representative. Massive Masterchef audience

Wow – 1.02 million people. That’s how many tuned in to see Masterchef and world-famous chef Heston Blumenthal on Sunday night, filmed from the Pioneer Settlement. I hope you got to see it. We are backing up the Masterchef episode with a marketing campaign that we hope will draw plenty of those Masterchef fans to Swan Hill and the Settlement.

Impressive memorial

Congratulations to the Robinvale Memorial Park Committee for installing the new rising sun memorial.

The five metre high structure is impressive – sure to attract people to the area and serve as a great memorial to our veterans.

It is just the first part of the committee’s plan to revitalise the park and we look forward to seeing what comes next.

Marking 100 years since battle

Next year will be 100 years since the battle of Villers Bretonneux and a local working group has been formed to organise commemorations here in Robinvale.

CEO John McLinden will join the group for their first meeting this week. We look forward to telling the wider community about the celebrations, and getting their involvement soon.

Thanks for your involvement

Thanks to the community members who met with Council CEO John McLinden and myself last week in Robinvale.

Each month we invite any community member to meet and discuss their issues and ideas, with six community members taking up that chance last week.

We will set another meeting date for July and advertise it through The Sentinel. In the meantime, if you want to be included in the next meeting, get in touch with Sharon at Council offices on 5036 2333.

Lake Boga celebrates 125 years

Finally, quick note to congratulate the Lake Boga Football Netball Club on its 125 yea r anniversary, which was celebrated on the June long weekend. Footy and netball are central to small communities and being there for 125 years is testament to both the club and the town of Lake Boga itself. Well done.