Mayoral Matters June 2025

Published on 30 June 2025

It is always pleasing to get to 22 June when the days start to get longer and warmer, at least for me as the short and cold days don't agree with me at all. However, the recent rain has been great for our gardens, tanks, and most importantly of all the farms. Great to see everything turn green and hopefully the second half of the year will bring more rainfall than average.

A very well attended gathering of local and former local residents celebrated the centenary of the Jeparit Memorial Hall in early June. Craige Proctor, a local historian, gave a well-researched account of its very interesting history.

Matthew Polack premiered a YouTube video at the Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum the following evening on a gentleman by the name of John Coppock. John leased the Albacutya station in the mid 1850's. A fascinating story that was very well presented. Here is the link for anyone who is interested in the history: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCQoW8jLDUs.

Councillor Rosie Barker and I attended the Nhill Lions Club change over recently, Rosie emceed the day exceptionally well. As always, it was a pleasure to work with Rosie, and be delightfully entertained, as described in the Nhill Free Press. Ian Meek has taken over from Wayno Meyers as President. I'm sure Ian will continue the great work this club does. Lions along with the other service clubs and volunteers in Hindmarsh are such great assets to our communities and much appreciated.

Our CEO, Monica Revell, and I attended the National General Assembly of Councils in chilly Canberra last week along with twelve hundred and ninety-eight delegates from across Australia. The number one topic raised was the shortfall in funding for small rural councils Australia wide. This was reflected in the large volume of motions put through by so many Councils.

Speakers included the Governor General Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Kristy McBain Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, and Stephen Scheeler former CEO of Facebook Australia and New Zealand. Stephen spoke about emerging AI and potential implications which made for a very interesting presentation. Just as he didn't know where Facebook was going in the early days, AI is in a similar situation.

David Speers emceed a couple of panels with politicians of alternate persuasions. Having watched Insiders every Sunday for so long, I was still very impressed with his articulate ability. 

All the presenters were great, as was the range of stalls providing info on their various services.
Networking, as they call it, provided a wonderful opportunity to chat with councillors from across Australia. Again, roads or the poor quality of them, was a very common problem to all.

At the Council Meeting held on Wednesday 18 June 2025, our 2025/2026 budget was adopted with investment in our roads a priority for Council. There will also be a change to the purple bin collection from eight to twelve weeks beginning at the end of the year following community feedback received indicating that over two thirds of people do not put their bins out every eight weeks.

Until next month, enjoy your day.

Cr Ron Ismay
Mayor

Pictured: Cr Ron Ismay with David Speers in Canberra.