The Nhill Town Committee met at the beginning of September and again two weeks later with very good and enthusiastic input from a wide range of community groups. It is exciting to see representation from community groups discussing ideas and projects important to West Ward. I’m hoping we can progress some of the ideas into projects to enable us to obtain grant funding.
Councillors and Executive staff travelled to Beaufort and met with the Mayor and staff of Pyrenees Shire Council during September with discussion and a tour of the residential estates that they have developed along with projects they are currently developing. I had the opportunity to see the first stages in the very early days back when Tony Doyle was the CEO, they have come a long way since then. We were extremely well received by Mayor Tanya Kehoe and CEO Jim Nolan, we have come away with some great insights and good advice, thank you.
On the way back we also had a guided tour of the Donald industrial estate along with a walk thru of Kooka’s Country Cookies. Again, very well received and expertly guided by Graeme (Pickles) Harris, an amazing man I met back in the late eighties. He is still very much a driving force behind Donald’s industry. The new biscuit factory will almost triple production and employ 11 extra staff.
Deputy Mayor Cr Uoy, CEO Monica Revell, and I attended the Wimmera Southern Mallee Alliance workshop in Horsham alongside a combination of five other councils with the intention of working together on issues that affect us, such as the Emergency Services & Volunteer Fund (ESVF), and Renewable Energy and Mining. Strength in numbers as they say.
It has finally happened - the Wimmera River Discovery Trail has officially opened with the official opening held on Sunday 14 September at Antwerp. A project, ten plus years in the making. People young and old from all parts of Hindmarsh Shire attended the opening, with businesses and tourism operators attending a presentation by GWM Tourism and Council staff prior to the event.
Western Highway Action Group met in Beaufort last week. We have appointed Ratio Consultants to put an advocacy document together to take to the government with our issues and priorities for the Western Highway from Melton to the SA border.
AFL Football is done and dusted for the year, with the grand final being held on Saturday just gone, this was a bit of Deja vu from the one I watched at Warracknabeal the week before. Fitzroy, well they are still Fitzroy in my head (now known as Brisbane Lions), by far the better side on the day.
The Nhill and District Sporting Clubs new grandstand is looking spectacular and will be ready for the next season. This is a wonderful new asset for the town.
Fire season is fast approaching, and after the disastrous events at Dimboola, Winiam, and the Little Desert last season, we all need to be totally committed and ready for the coming summer. Council will be accepting green waste free of charge at our transfer stations during the month of October, we will also be holding Fire Readiness Information Sessions across the Shire during October in conjunction with the CFA.
The September School Holiday program is up and running and a Senior's Concert will be held on Thursday October 9 at Nhill Memorial Community Centre with Melissa Langton performing songs of Petula Clark. Great music I recall from my early teens, unfortunately I will be at the MAV conference in Melbourne. Tickets are booking out fast so please contact our Customer Service Centres to reserve your ticket before they are all gone.
There is a tractor pulling event in Rainbow this weekend (Saturday 4 October) with vintage and modified tractors, bring your ear plugs!!! Will be a great event.
Until next month, keep smiling.