December Council Highlights

Published on 26 December 2025

2025 has been a year of progress, collaboration and community focus for Swan Hill Rural City Council. From delivering key infrastructure projects to strengthening services and advocacy, Council has continued working to support a liveable, connected and resilient municipality.

This months issue is snapshot of key highlights from Council meetings and initiatives throughout 2025.

Download the December Council Highlights(PDF, 2MB)

Download Christmas Greetings from your Councillors(PDF, 966KB)

Christmas Greetings

Mayor Councillor Stuart King

As Christmas approaches, it’s a wonderful moment to pause and reflect on what we’ve achieved together this year. The opening of our redeveloped Art Gallery of Swan Hill and the new Swan Hill Tourism and Cultural Experience Centre are milestones we can all be proud of - spaces that celebrate who we are and what we value as a community. We’ve delivered record-breaking capital works, welcomed new citizens, improved our planning and community satisfaction results, and continued to make real progress on housing. And in Robinvale, the new Adventure Playground is bringing joy to families every single day.

None of this happens without the dedication, passion and community spirit that defines our region. Thank you for everything you do - big or small - to make our municipality such a special place to live and thank you for your contributions and willingness to engage with us. Your input strengthens our decisions and our community.

I wish you and your loved ones a safe, peaceful and joy-filled Christmas. Remember to look out for those less fortunate in our community and to support our retailers, cafes and restaurants by shopping locally. I look forward to what we will continue to achieve together in 2026. 

Councillor Terry Jennings

My first 12 months as a Councillor have flown by, and it feels like only yesterday we took the oath. It has been a big year of learning about the role and the responsibilities that come with representing our community. I want to thank Mayor King and Deputy Mayor McPhee for their guidance and support of us five new Councillors — it has been invaluable.

It has certainly been a busy year. We’ve just celebrated the opening of the new Gallery of Swan Hill, with the Swan Hill Tourism and Cultural Experience Centre soon to follow. The new Centenary Park playground in Robinvale and the ongoing work to improve access to affordable housing are also significant achievements. I have really enjoyed catching up with residents at regular Coffee with a Councillor sessions, it’s always great to have a chat. A lot has been accomplished, and with appropriate funding, even more is possible. We will continue to advocate for the priorities that matter to our region.

Wishing you and your families a happy and safe Christmas and may 2026 be all you want it to be. 

Councillor Hugh Broad

As the year comes to a close, I want to extend my thanks to everyone across the Swan Hill Rural City Council area for your commitment, resilience, and community spirit throughout 2025. Our region is defined by people who look out for one another, support local events and businesses, and take pride in the place we call home.

Christmas provides an opportunity to pause, reconnect and reflect on what matters most. Whether you are celebrating with family, travelling, volunteering, or taking a well-earned break, I hope this time brings you rest and connection.

Thank you to the many community groups, volunteers, emergency services, businesses, and Council staff who continue to contribute to the liveability and vibrancy of our towns and rural communities. Your efforts shape the strong and welcoming region we all enjoy and I am very proud to live, work and enjoy this region.

I wish everyone a safe, peaceful and enjoyable Christmas break and a productive start to the new year.

Councillor Philip Englefield

As we approach the festive season, I would like to wish everybody a very Merry Christmas and a happy and relaxing New Year.

As we wrap up 2025, I want to thank our community for your support, resilience and goodwill throughout the year. It’s been a privilege to work alongside you, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together.

When you are out and about over the Christmas–New Year period, please take care on the roads so that we can all enjoy a safe, happy and prosperous 2026. I look forward to continuing to serve our community in the year ahead.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful festive season.

Councillor Les McPhee

With the end of the year approaching fast, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year. For those of you that are fortunate to have time off over the festive season, I hope you are able to enjoy time with family and friends.

We all thank those members of our community that have to work over the festive season to provide services for all of us, I thankyou and hope you also get to spend some time with family and friends. This time of the year we get a lot of people travelling to and through our Municipality, so we all need to be patient and keep safe on our roads. I look forward to continue working with my fellow Councilors and Council staff in 2026 in delivering the Council Plan. 

Councillor Lindsay Rogers

Wishing our entire community a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. If you’re travelling to celebrate this season, please stay safe on the roads. Try to travel during quieter times and remember to take regular breaks, everyone deserves to celebrate with their loved ones, so let’s make sure we all arrive safely.

This time of year is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect. If you have family or friends visiting, show them around our beautiful region and support the local businesses who work hard through this busy period to deliver great visitor experiences.

And if you can, spare a moment for those doing it tough. The festive season is a time for giving, and even small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

I look forward to the next 12 months and wish everyone a safe, joyful, and prosperous New Year. 

Councillor Peta Thorton

Christmas is such a special time for family and community. It’s a moment when we pause, come together, and appreciate the people and places that mean the most to us. I'm grateful for this special place we call home and wish all across the Municipality happiness and peace for the festive season.

This time of year brings a sense of warmth and connection, and it’s lovely to see our community supporting one another and celebrating in so many different ways.

Christmas can also be a difficult time for those struggling and for those remembering loved ones lost during the year passed. For many, the season brings mixed emotions, and it’s important that we acknowledge and support those who may be finding things a little harder. Let's extend kindness and joy wherever we can to those in need. Even small gestures—a conversation, a visit, or a simple act of generosity—can make a meaningful difference. 

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Questions?

Contact Council on 03 5036 2333 or email council@swanhill.vic.gov.au