A message from the Mayor

I was fortunate to have been elected as Mayor for another year at last week’s Mayoral election.

Now, as we look to the next 12 months, there is plenty to be done. As a Council, we must continue working to improve the way we deliver services to our community, balancing the need for extra funding within the State Government’s rate cap.

We must deliver on projects like the new community hub and library at Robinvale P-12, the Robinvale town levee, a new boat ramp in Swan Hill’s Milloo Street, and the Swan Hill saleyards redevelopment.

We will also continue working to improve the housing situation in Robinvale and to deliver more projects within the Swan Hill riverfront.

And I look forward to seeing how our place as a region for solar power generation grows, with a number of solar farms due to come online, and discussions continuing with other potential developers.

Congratulations BPW

I want to congratulate the Swan Hill Business and Professional Women ahead of the Victorian State Gathering and their club’s 60th birthday celebrations this weekend.

A full-day conference will include local and visiting speakers talking about women in senior management, equality on boards and rural women in business. There will then be a dinner to celebrate 60 years since the group formed. I look forward to being part of the celebrations.

White Ribbon Day this Saturday

This Saturday is also White Ribbon Day – an internationally recognised day of action that aims to raise awareness about violence against women, and raise funds for prevention programs.

Violence against women is not in any way acceptable. Women experiencing violence need to know that it’s okay to ask for help. And men in our community need to stand up and speak out against anyone that commits violence against women. This is what White Ribbon Day is all about.

On White Ribbon Day you can take the oath online, and receive a kit about stopping violence against women, and find out more at www.whiteribbon.org.au.

Giving thanks to our farmers

This Tuesday was National Agriculture Day – a national day to thank farmers and celebrate the contribution of farming to Australia and the world.

As we know, our region is one of the most diverse agricultural areas around – winter cereals, rice, stone fruit, grapes, nuts, olives and vegetables are all mainstays in our region. And we know that agriculture is the backbone of our region’s economy, along with manufacturing. Ag employs 1440 people in our municipality, with $333 million of product sold each year.

So to the hundreds of farmers, farming family and farm-related businesses in our region, we say thank you this National Ag Day.