Mayoral Matters November 2025

Published on 01 December 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on all of the events that have taken place throughout the year, from bushfires to tragic road fatalities, and the introduction of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) to name a few. Drought, from the farmers I have been chatting with across most of the shire at least, can’t be included in the annus horribilis section.
Our farmers sailed very close to the wind though and I believe if it wasn’t for the massive change in farming practices, we would have been experiencing a year similar to 1982.

Councillor Barker, Cr Uoy, our CEO Monica Revell, and I attended the Nhill and District Sporting Club (NDSC) Annual General Meeting on Monday 10 November 2025, a very well attended and run meeting. Congratulations to Dan Colbert who was re-elected as the NDSC President.
It was also a great opportunity to inspect the new grandstand. Wow, what a great facility for Nhill.

I had the, as always, immense pleasure of conducting an Australian Citizenship ceremony in November welcoming three (3) new citizens to our Shire. As I have said before, making people permanent residents of Australia is an honour.

I attended the Rail Freight Alliance meeting in Melbourne last week which was very enlightening. Our rail freight needs to be put high up on the agendas of both the State and Federal Government. Unless there is substantial change to freight lines in our state, rail freight is going to be unviable, leading to even more trucks on our already appalling highways. For those unaware, one freight train is equivalent to fifty B-double trucks.

With the emerging mineral sand mining project set to begin in the next few years, there is a once in a lifetime opportunity for funding to upgrade the rail network to modern, efficient standards, with some of the funds coming to our region from this, not necessarily a popular project, but it would be a huge legacy.

I also had an opportunity to speak with Alex Donnelly, the Rail Commercial Manager of GrainCorp. I have invited Alex to visit both Nhill and Rainbow in 2026, with the intent of getting an upgrade of the Nhill site. GrainCorp spoke to Council ten years or more ago with a pledge to spend $10 million but the rail became the sticking point. We need to turn that around.

Our council staff had an early end of year celebration on Friday; there was an abundance of staff both indoor and outdoor from all four towns. It was a special day for me as Phil King finished his final working day with the Shire after over nineteen years of dedicated service. Phil made it abundantly clear that he didn’t want any fuss made of his retirement.

Phil’s achievements in his time with Council are in such abundance it would be unethical for me to try and list them all here. His legacies are spread across every corner of our Shire with some amazing projects achieved.
Phil, it is abundantly clear that you will be missed by the abundant members of staff you have entertained with wit and humour in abundance.

If anyone is wondering, Phil has written speeches for me over the twelve years I have been a Councillor and Mayor. There was a secret word inserted in most of them (abundance). Phil always stood in the background snickering like a “precious pup” as I read my speeches unaware of the secret word. I am glad I made your time abundantly enjoyable Phil!

There are many events happening across the Shire during December. Below are a few that community members may be interested in attending.

Council is hosting 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence colour run events over the next two weeks with events planned in the four townships. Unfortunately, the weather was not in our favour, and we had to cancel Jeparit's event. We encourage Jeparit people to join us at one of our other colour runs. Please come along and support this very worthy cause.

Christmas Carol evenings are happening in Rainbow at the Oasis on Sunday 14 December from 6pm, and in Nhill at Jaypex Park on Saturday 13 December 2025 incorporating the Lions Twilight Market from 5:30pm.

Council is also celebrating International Day for People with a Disability in Dimboola on Monday 8 December 2025 at the Dimboola Bowling Club.

Next Friday 12 December 2025, Hindmarsh Shire Youth Council will host their end of year “Golden Hour Formal” at the Nhill Memorial Community Centre. We encourage youth across the shire to register and attend this end of year event which will see free supervised buses running from Rainbow, Jeparit and Dimboola.

If you don’t have any plans on New Year’s Eve, head down to the Jeparit Swimming Hole for the Jeparit Town Advisory Committee’s New Year’s Eve event with live music.

Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to everyone, I look forward to 2026 with passion and enthusiasm.

Cr Ron Ismay
Mayor

Pictured: Mayor Ron Ismay, Phil King and CEO, Monica Revell.