Mayoral Matters – August 2026

Published on 02 September 2026

My first week of August started with mandatory training over two days in Warracknabeal, accompanied by my fellow councillors, CEO, Executive staff and representee's from five nonboring councils (that was meant to be neighbouring but good old spell check which I’d be buggered without by the way, gave me the alternative, thought I would leave it there). We covered a large array of topics and as always, had time to exchange thoughts on many issues that are affecting all rural councils, Australia wide of course. Funding, or the lack of it, at least and potholed roads were top of list.

Our CEO, Monica Revell and I, spoke on radio in Nhill recently at Jaypex Park as it was judged best playground in Mixx FM / 3WM's "Our region's best" competition. It was wonderful to be able to promote such a great council asset to the people traveling on the Western Highway, a top place to take a break.

The Dimboola Ski Club took Councillors and executive staff on a very pleasant tour of the Dimboola River weir pool. We were all impressed with the work they have done to minimise erosion, unlike the Jeparit weir pool, which is mostly hard clay, the Dimboola area has large areas of sand. Floods will always change the course of rivers, but the works being undertaken will certainly help minimise the change.

I, along with Cr Aitken, Cr Barker and our CEO, Monica Revell were warmly welcomed to the Centenary of the Woorak Hall, still a very sound building, a credit to the current and past committees who have maintained the space so well. The second one on the site though, as the first one blew away with the great cyclone of 1897. Micheal Koop, along with a very proud dad and emcee Gus Stephan spoke of the history, and Lucy Stephan, Woorak's Olympic Gold medallist, gave an amazing account of her time in the area and her Olympic achievements. Ted Merrett also did a great job on the almost 100-year-old button accordion. A scrumptious afternoon tea was provided by the Menzies Symposium Committee of Jeparit.

We had a tremendous turn out in Jeparit for discussions on the replacement of the weir which has reached the end of its useful life. This is such an important structure for Jeparit, the health of the river and the surrounding communities. We all need to be engaged, positive and very much committed to seeking funding as the cost involved is way outside the scope of what our Council can provide. The photos supplied show the enthusiasm of the meeting.

The Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Transport Group (WSMRTG) met in Horsham recently, surprise, surprise, the terrible and ever declining state of our road network was the main focus. It is pleasing to note both the Government and the opposition are engaging in new funding promises for regional roads. Unfortunately, neither of them has committed anywhere near the funding required. While it sounds like a large amount of it will go nowhere near what will be required to get our regional roads back in a reasonable condition as section replacement will be required in many locations, not just pothole fixes.

Rainbow Rises Events Committee hosted another successful off-road event in Rainbow on the weekend, great weather, and the competitors said they enjoy coming here. There will be a Tractor Pull and Sand Drag event in early October. For those unfamiliar with either, tractors with 2,000 plus horsepower and motorbikes with V8's doing 200 km/h over a ¼ Mile.

Everywhere I go the crops are looking brilliant. The canola crops are providing some much-needed brightness as we head into spring and warmer weather. If the crops finish the way we hope they will, it is going to be a massive harvest, fingers crossed.

The next round of the School Holidays Program is out and open for registrations and it’s another jam-packed two weeks. There are lots of activities ranging from Roller Discos, Indoor Soccer, Cooking Sessions, Show Entry Crafts for each of the four towns, two movies, one in Nhill and one in Dimboola and much more. There’s something for everyone, so if you’re curious, head to our website and register now: www.hindmarsh.vic.gov.au/school-holiday-program

Until next month, smile, it increases your face value.

Ron Ismay
Mayor

Email: rismay@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au
Phone: 0429 951 094