Loddon BulletinLODDONS H I R E

Strong communities proud of their individual identities Quarterly Bulletin - June 2015

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Anzac Day was commemorated with multiple services across Loddon Shire.

More than 1000 students and 500 community members attended the shire wide centenary ceremony on Friday24 April at Serpentine.

The moving ceremony was attended by a number of politicians and five current servicemen and women from the area.

The Honourable Tim Fischer AC, a former serviceman, formerly Australia’s Ambassador to the Holy See (the Vatican) and former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia addressed the crowd, speaking about WWI.

The ceremony had students from Loddon’s nine schools lay wreaths beside a plaque marking the commemoration of the centenary.

The unique ceremony was followed with an extensive WWI artifact collection compiled for the occasion by Loddon’s historical societies and RSL sub-branches.

The extensive collection received wonderful feedback from all who attended, with many asking if the collection would be on display in the future.

Loddon Shire Mayor Gavan Holt said the Serpentine centenary event was the centerpiece of Loddon Shire’s commemoration of the centenary of Anzac Day.

“This wonderful ceremony was put together by an amazing number of volunteers from the Loddon community, Whitmore bus line, Goldfields Choir, Eaglehawk Citizen’s Brass Band and Council staff. “There has also been an amazing contribution in the lead up to the event from Loddon’s historical societies and RSL sub-branches who worked with Council.”The commemoration ceremony was followed by the communities of Boort, Bridgewater, Inglewood, Korong Vale, Calivil, Pyramid Hill, Newbridge and Wedderburn holding their own local ceremonies on Saturday 25 April.“I had the opportunity to join with residents and attend three Anzac Day services across the municipality,” Cr Holt said.“Each service I attended was unique, with the largest contingency of people attending our Serpentine centenary ceremony on Friday.”Cr Holt attended the dawn service at Wedderburn and the Wedderburn Korong Vale service where he watched the Bendigo Brass Band lead more than 40 veterans, Vietnam soldiers, descendants of WWII and war widows in the march.“After the march, I listened to the stories and shared a drink with those who attended the ceremony at the Wedderburn Korong Vale RSL,” he said.

Rememberingour heroes

Rememberingour heroes

Loddon’s cityshowcase

Multiculturalfi esta to hit Pyramid Hill

Nationalmagazinefocuses onLoddon

New programfor community

Rich winecountryshowcased

Our new citizen

Youth Advisory Council

Laps towards active lifestyle

Loddon Valley Tourism Business Network

Join the battleto save our horticulture

Contact the Shire for planning advice

Continued Page 2

More than 1500 people attended the Anzac Day centenary ceremony.Photographer: Darren Roberts

A multicultural fiesta will showcase the richness of the Australian and Filipino heritage, as the Pyramid Hill community combines to offer a taste of each culture.

The Pyramid Hill Progress Association is spearheading a fiesta in conjunction with Filipino and other community groups. The fiesta will showcase the food, music, art, sport, drama and dance of the Australian and Filipino cultures.

Cr Cheryl McKinnon said there had been strong community support and everyone was excited by the idea.

“We want to display and share the Filipinos’ rich and diverse culture and heritage, as well as our unique Australian customs and traditions, with the wider community,” she said.

The event will be held on 17 October at Kelly Park in Kelly Street, Pyramid Hill.

For more information or to get involved, contact the Loddon Visitor Information Centre on 5494 1257.

Loddon Shire received wonderful feedback from staff who volunteered their time, attending the Regional Victoria Living Expo to speak to 10,000 visitors about our wonderful municipality.

All of Victoria’s 48 rural and regional councils took part in the Melbourne based event, which is designed to give city residents looking for a regional move the chance to investigate all of the municipalities under the one roof.

Mayor Gavan Holt said it was the fourth year Loddon Shire participated in the expo.

“Staff exhausted their efforts giving out hundreds of brochures and guides and talking to thousands of people about our region,” he said.

“Our Loddon Shire staff gave up their time over the weekend in May, and I thank them for providing such a valuable experience and showcasing Loddon to the masses who attended the expo.”

Once again, housing affordability, job vacancies, investment prospects, education options and sporting, cultural and recreational opportunities were at the forefront of those who are looking to make the move.

Loddon’s city showcaseMulticultural fiestato hit Pyramid Hill

Pyramid Hill College principal Joe Mazzarella views the extensive WWI artefacts on display. Photographer: Darren Roberts

Continued from Page 1

My fellow councillors attended ceremonies across the Shire at Boort, Bridgewater, Inglewood, Calivil, Pyramid Hill and Newbridge.

“Each ceremony was well attended by the local communities,” he said.

“It is very clear to me that Loddon residents continue to appreciate the sacrifice of those who went before us.”

Cr Holt said there had been a great resurgence across Australia for Anzac Day.

“Anzac Day is a time to remember the absolute carnage that occurred in proportions that would not be tolerated today and the damage that was done to people, that at the time, was not recognised,” he said.

“Many men and women of Loddon provided service to their country in WWI and later conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries.

“An honour roll hangs in our halls with those hundreds of names.”

Remembering our heroes

Anzac ceremonies across the Shire were well attended. Photographer: Darren Roberts

Loddon Shire CEO John McLinden, Manager Organisation Development Carol Canfield and Customer Service Officer Helen Tonkin get ready for the crowds at the Regional Victoria Rural Living Expo.

National magazine focuses on Loddon

New programfor community

Loddon Shire Council secured a massive feat when the team from Caravan and Motorhome agreed to feature the region in its magazine and on DVD.

The kudos comes after Loddon Shire contacted the magazine last year, after which the writers, photographers and production crew set up camp at the brand new Bridgewater Public Caravan Park to feature the region.

Using the caravan park as a base, they toured the Loddon, Bendigo, Maryborough and Castlemaine area, returning to the Loddon River each evening. The crew used the footage, photographs and interviews to develop a nine page feature spread in the April publication.

Mayor Gavan Holt praised the efforts of staff and volunteers for their contribution in securing the feature and welcoming the team from the magazine to the area.

“Our tourism department is proactive in sourcing valuable and creditable coverage to promote our wonderful municipality,” he said.

“I want to thank our wonderful volunteers and staff who contributed along with the businesses that went out of their way to assist and help.”

Cr Holt said the Caravan and Motorhome Magazine has a large audience with readers actively looking for places to visit.

“These travellers have the time to take advantage of our local attractions and amenities, spend money at our supermarkets, butchers and local eateries,” he said.

“We have already had bookings as a result of the feature, with those rolling into the Bridgewater Public Caravan Park finding us after reading the magazine.”

Loddon Shire Council is currently investigating a new user-friendly, internet-based mapping site, which will allow residents to view their neighbourhoods and the facilities around them from the comfort of their own home.

The program would also aid those looking to move to the area to obtain information including services and facilities nearby prior to purchasing property.

The system would look similar to Google Maps and would show municipal services, sporting and public facilities, education services, bus stops and routes, health services, recycle and waste management facilities, aerial photography and much more.

The initiative is still in the initial stages and Council is currently working with a company to develop the program.

Further information about the program will be provided closer to its release date, however residents wishing to make suggestions on what type of mapped information they would like included can email Council’s GIS Officer at loddon@loddon.vic.gov.au.

Manager Tourism Robyn Vella and tourism volunteer Roberta Foster are excited with the feature on Loddon Shire.

Loddon’s rich wine country was well represented at the Bendigo Winemakers Festival during the Easter long weekend.Water Wheel Winery, Turners Crossing Wines and Newbridge Wines all participated in the event, alongside 18 other vineyards, at the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens.More than 2000 people converged on the gardens, laying down picnic rugs and enjoying a glass of wine in their deck chairs under the beautiful sun.Water Wheel Winery proprietor Peter Cummings said all the wineries sold wine and everyone had a good time at the event.Newbridge Wines operator Andrew Simpson agreed, saying the festival had a fantastic crowd which compared with last year’s bumper event.“It’s a great day which gives people a unique opportunity to come and see all the wineries in the one place,” he said.Local resident Lynne Habner made the trip to the festival for the second time.“It was a fun day out, not only because of the wine, but also the fantastic bands and the quality foods,” she said.“We were very impressed by the consistent high quality of wines offered by the wineries in the region.“The festival is a great way of reminding us how many producers there are in our area.”Council’s Manager Tourism Robyn Vella said each of Loddon’s wineries displayed the Loddon Official Visitor Guide.“These businesses whole-heartedly want to bring people back to Loddon to explore our trails, eat in our venues and stay in our accommodation facilities,” she said.“It’s wonderful to have the support of local businesses to help drive our tourist numbers and bed nights in the region.”

Rich wine country showcasedNewbridge Wines were one of the vineyards that represented the

Loddon municipality at the Bendgio Winemakers Festival.

Youth Advisory CouncilCouncil has joined with the Shire’s four high schools to pilot a program which will allow Loddon’s youth to help make informed decisions within the municipality.

Boort District P-12 School, East Loddon P-12 School, Pyramid Hill College and Wedderburn College each appointed two Year 11 students to form the Youth Advisory Council.

The representatives will meet with Councillors, Council officers and their principals on a regular basis.

The group will consult with the Shire on a range of issues and the students will have an opportunity to develop an insight into how Council operates including its processes, budgets, compliance procedures and decision making processes.

Mayor Gavan Holt said the program was a fabulous way to engage with youth on current Council initiatives.

The Inglewood Swimming Pool took a dive towards encouraging a healthy lifestyle, introducing an active pilot program during the summer season.

The program, Lap to Loddon, was run in conjunction with the pool’s management contractor Unified Community Sport and Leisure and aimed to encourage locals to take a dip in the water more often.

The initiative received a fantastic response attracting 14 participants.

Loddon Shire congratulates all who participated in the Lap to Loddon program.

Laps towardsactive lifestyle

Youth Advisory Council members (back) Thomas Jackson, Steven Gunther, Cyan Norton, (front) Monique Vella, Daniel Hercott and Arron Curry.

The program challenged the locals to pick a swimming distance, either the Inglewood to Newbridge swim (22.2km), or Inglewood to Bulla Bull Creek (3.5km), and complete the distance over multiple visits to the pool.

The 22km leg is equivalent to 655 pool laps or 904 laps if you swim across the pool, while the 3.4km distance is 106 laps of the length of the pool or 208 when swimming across the pool.

The participants gave Loddon Shire Council great feedback about the program, and after such a wonderful response, the Shire will consider implementing the program at all of its pools next season.

A big congratulation to Joan Bradley who completed the Inglewood to Newbridge and back (44.4km), Barry Norman who achieved the Inglewood to Newbridge leg, and Merilyn Chamberlain, Chris McEwan, Joan Bradley, Win Fuller, Mavis Needs, Sharelle Iverson, Pat L’Huillier, Karen Trevaskis, Brenda Jones, Zelma Dowling, Anne Manguson, Jane Kelly and Jill McFarlane for participating in the 3.5km distance.

Our new citizenStephanie Guy, of Bridgewater, was awarded Australian citizenship during a special ceremony held at the Serpentine Council Chambers.

Stephanie was born in the UK and moved to Australia in 2010. Stephanie and her husband Anthony decided to make Loddon Shire their home after falling in love with the area and moving to Bridgewater five months ago.

Mayor Gavan Holt awarded Stephanie with her citizenship.

“Congratulations again Stephanie, on your citizenship,” he said.

“My fellow councillors and I wish you all the best for your future life here.”

Residents are urged to join the fight

against one of the biggest threats to the

future of our orchards in Loddon Shire

and our Victorian fruit farmers: backyard

fruit fly.

Outbreaks occurring across Victoria are a

direct threat to Loddon’s farming future,

with fruit flies already being captured

within our municipal boundaries.

Council is asking all of its residents to

be proactive in an effort to protect the

farming industry.

The consequences to farmers with a fruit

fly problem are considerable, with all

fruit requiring fumigation at the farmer’s

expense, which is then coupled with the

inability to sell produce as a premium

organic product.

Mayor Gavan Holt said the added cost for

fruit farmers to produce the fruit along

with the lower dollar value obtained

when sold, would considerably hurt the

farming industry.

“If fruit fly becomes a problem within our municipal boundaries, there is no doubt that it will impact on our economy,” he said.

“There have already been reports of these pests within our Council boundaries.

“We need to be proactive, work together and eradicate fruit fly before it becomes a problem for our orchards.”

Cr Holt urges residents not to become complacent.

“We have fruit producers in our municipality and this could be a massive problem for them,” he said.

“I encourage everyone to provide the assistance you can by doing a few simple things at home.”

Residents are asked to monitor their backyard fruit trees for fruit fly. If trees are no longer required, residents are asked to remove them.

“Looking after fruit trees in your backyard will look after the industry.”

The first Loddon Valley Tourism Business Network meeting was a great success, with more than 20 business operators from across the municipality attending the meeting.

The evening gave business owners the opportunity to talk openly about their operations, however most of the conversation was geared towards marketing initiatives that the businesses could collaborate on.

It is hoped the network will initiate joint campaigns which in turn would boost the municipality’s economy through increased visitor experiences and an extension of bed nights in Loddon.

Meat on Brooke proprietor James Clee said the first meeting was valuable, with plenty of marketing ideas suggested including placing brochures in businesses.

“Knowing what other businesses are doing allows me to refer tourists throughout the municipality,” he said.

“If a tourist is in town they don’t mind travelling up to Boort and around the Shire.”

Tarnagulla Ebajinda Enterprise owner Jan King said initially she wasn’t sure if the network was something that would be beneficial.

“My businesses sells name badges, labels and signs to direct people,” she said.

“I’m not directly involved in tourism, but I am indirectly involved with the tourism businesses using my services.”

Ms King said the network night allowed her to learn about other operators in the area to refer friends and family when they came to town.

“When you know what other businesses are doing you can point people in the right direction,” she said.

“Every business should be attending this meeting. Everyone is indirectly involved in tourism. If someone comes to town and books accommodation they are still going to go and buy the local newspaper.”

For more information about the next meeting, contact the Loddon Visitor Information Centre on 5494 1257.

Loddon Valley Tourism Business Network

How can you help? • Prune trees so you can reach all fruit each tree produces.• Pick all ripe fruit before it falls to the gound.• Collect any fallen fruit.• Seal all fruit and veggies that are not going to be used in a black plastic bag and leave in the sun for a new days before disposing of it in the bin.• Do not compost rotten fruit.• Cut down unwanted trees.

Join the battle to save our horticulture

The Loddon Valley Tourism Business Network meeting was attended by 20 local operators.

SHIRE OFFICES:

Wedderburn

41 High St, Wedderburn 3518

Monday to Friday 8.15am to 5pm

Tel: (03) 5494 1200 Fax: (03) 5494 3003

Serpentine

37 Peppercorn Way, Serpentine 3516

Monday to Friday 8.15am to 5pm

Tel: (03) 5437 7999 Fax: (03) 5437 8407

E: loddon@loddon.vic.gov.au

Web: www.loddon.vic.gov.au

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POSTAGE

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AUSTRALIA

Mayor

Cr Gavan Holt Wedderburn Ward

0408 943 008

Cr Neil Beattie Boort Ward

0427 552 468

Cr Cheryl McKinnon Terrick Ward

0409 557 888

Cr Colleen Condli� e Inglewood Ward

0428 778 025

Cr Geo� Curnow Tarnagulla Ward

0429 383 553

Residents looking to lodge a planning permit application are encouraged to talk to Loddon Shire Council staff fi rst, in order to improve turnaround times and effi ciencies.

Residents who talk to staff fi rst can obtain a comprehensive checklist and an overview of the application process. Talking to staff will ensure Council receives all the information required to evaluate the permit without going back to the applicant for more information, which would hold up the process.

Council is also aware of instances across the municipality where people have been unaware they required a planning permit to undertake some activities.

Erecting a shed, removal of native vegetation, works to a heritage building and opening a business all require a planning permit.

For more information, contact Council’s Wedderburn offi ce on 5494 1200.

Contact the Shire for planning advice