Mayoral Matters April 2025
Published on 30 April 2025
It is great to finally see rain across the region in the last few days, maybe not quite enough in some areas, but at least it’s started, resulting in an amazing transformation in attitude in the farmers I deal with regularly.
I recently had the pleasure of conducting citizenship ceremonies for two people, Lah Shwe and Wiremu Larkins on 1 April. This is always a rewarding experience for myself and the recipients I would expect.
“Whimpey” Reichelt celebrated a milestone birthday recently, 90 years young. We have been friends for a long time; going back to the old Shire of Dimboola days, when we stayed at the lodge. How he put up with “Boof” Argall and myself back then is anyone's guess. Anyway we are still mates and his party at Winiam Hall was very well attended by a vast range of people from across the region. Testament to a man who has dedicated his life to the community in so many ways. So sad it couldn’t have been at the Lodge.
Rainbow Town Committee hosted a new residents BBQ at Yurunga Homestead. Our small towns rely on new residents for their survival. The event is a nice gesture to make new residents feel welcome.
Chief Executive Officer, Monica Revell and I attended a meeting of regional councils in Horsham and discussed a range of issues with Jeroen Weimar, Secretary to the Department of Transport and Planning. Jeroen listened intently to everything we had to say and was very receptive of our issues. It was great to be able to meet in person with someone of his standing in State Government.
Congratulations must go out to my fellow Councillor and Deputy Mayor, Chan Uoy, for his role in organising the Wimmera Steampunk Festival. What a great event, well organized, very well attended, and certainly put Dimboola and the Wimmera on the map big time. Chan must have breathed a sigh of relief at the end of the weekend, as I know how stressed he was in the lead up in the months before. He had the support of the township and the Dimboola Progress Association, both very important for an event of the scale of Steampunk. I am sure Steampunk will be talked about for many years to come, well done Chan and your community.
I attended the ANZAC Dawn Service at Rainbow, which was highlighted by Alira Roberts and Peter Ralph giving a history of the servicemen who perished during the second world war. Alira, our Citizen of the Year, researched, along with students from the Rainbow P-12 College, their origins and where they served and fell, resulting in an enlightening tribute, honouring our ANZAC troops.
Councillor Rosie Barker and I, both attended Nhill’s ANZAC Day Ceremony, where we marched and laid a wreath at the Cenotaph. We proceeded to the Nhill Memorial Community Centre for the commemoration service. The old bloke they had as MC (being myself) started out a little rough at the start, not realising the program he was sitting on was the running sheet. Just a tad embarrassing. Guest Speaker, Wayne Batson gave a great reflection of his career in the RAAF, having served in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of our newest citizens, Wiremu Larkins sang the New Zealand National Anthem, something I hadn’t heard before - what a great voice. He was also coerced into singing the Australian Anthem to save the old MC further embarrassment. I have sung it many times but not from a microphone.
Saturday, 3 May is polling day, so don’t forget to vote. Your vote is important and could affect the result, this year in particular.
Until next month, keep smiling it increases your face value.
Ron Ismay
Mayor
