2024 is drawing to a close and will soon enough be done and dusted, the harvest for most, finished or close to, with yields above what was expected. The summer rain early in the year and the cool lead up to harvest has been a get out of jail card for most farmers I have talked to.
Councillor Uoy and I attended two days of Mayor / Deputy Mayor training, run by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) last week. I was very impressed with the quality of the presentations and workshops.
This training is now mandatory, a new experience for most of those who participated. This was also a great opportunity to network with our neighbouring Councillors and CEO’s.
We met as a Council for the second time, and the last meeting of 2024 on Wednesday 18 December. I must say as Mayor, how impressed I am with each and all of my fellow Councillors'. I have renewed enthusiasm and passion for the four years ahead and I’m totally confident that we can work with our Executive Team and CEO. They’re a strong team that will have opportunities along with challenges requiring some tough decisions. Costs are increasing dramatically and as I said in my last report Government's both State and Federal are not exactly financially sound presently.
On a lighter note, we appointed a new Hindmarsh Shire Youth Council at the last meeting, also a great group, some returning, some new. Part of my Election campaign back in 2013 was advocacy for a Youth Council with Tony Doyle as CEO. These young people will be the future of communities wherever they may go. It is an absolute pleasure, and rewarding, to be able to assist these young people with a portion of their future.
I hope the businesses in our four towns will be supported through the festive season, into the new year and our hospitals, police and emergency services are required minimally over Christmas and New Year.
On behalf of my inspirational fellow Councillors, please thoroughly enjoy your Christmas and New Year. We all look forward to working with all our communities again in the New Year.