Since writing the last column, we have conducted "Listening Sessions” in Rainbow, Yanac, Jeparit, Nhill and Dimboola. These were all reasonably attended. All the issues raised at the meetings have been documented and will be acted on where appropriate, while others will be listed for consideration when funding becomes available. As a Council, we rely on feedback from our communities to give us direction and focus on priorities, so thank you to the community members who attended.
It was disappointing to hear the Prime Minister suggesting his government will fund road repairs in Urban areas if re-elected, with nothing mentioned about Regional and Rural Victoria. I have no doubt this will have got the hackles up on most regional/rural councillors. It certainly had that effect on me. I will be meeting with members of parliament, both State and Federal in the coming months and intend to voice my concern regarding the funding short falls that have been going on over the last decade. As I have said before, funding for our local road network, along with VicRoads roads, is totally inadequate. Grant funding for, not only roads but any major projects, will be greatly contested for by every Council in the State.
Enough of the doom and gloom for the moment at least.
I had the delightful pleasure of welcoming our 2025 Youth Councillors for their year ahead. A very diverse group of young people, some returning, some new. It is great to have our youth engaged in our community. This experience will be something that they will look back on in the years to come, as a great time in their lives, I'm sure.
I attended the Women of the Wimmera Riverbank Fiesta in Jeparit on Saturday evening. What a great event, great weather, wonderful food, excellent music and the Q&A session with the three young ladies was very well done and informative.
In closing, I would like to thank my fellow Councillors for all attending so many events in the past month, they are a pleasure to work with.