IN the first week of the new decade some significant voices from around the district shared their thoughts on the year just completed and the year ahead.
Gannawarra shire will
grow and diversify
AS 2019 was a very difficult year for our farmers – especially the irrigators – which had flow-on effects on our small businesses, I look forward to a season with plenty of rain, as well as positive outcomes for farmers and the environment thanks to reviews into the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
I believe 2020 will be a year of opportunity and challenges, as many will look to diversify into other industries.
We have many great communities who continue to work hard towards connecting and supporting their members.
The roll-out of projects that have been identified to receive support from the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Program – Extension will increase confidence and opportunities over the next few months.
We will also work towards completing projects as part of the 2019/20 Capital Works program and achieving the goals outlined in the Gannawarra Shire Council Plan 2017-2021.
Gannawarra Shire Council will continue to advocate strongly for business developments; tourism investments; improved transportation services; a transmission power line upgrade to accommodate solar farm developments connection; and other opportunities that arise that will benefit the Gannawarra.
As we enter the final months of the current term of council, many may be considering standing for election.
You can find more information on the Victorian Electoral Commission website: vec.vic.gov.au.
I encourage you to consider standing, as it is an interesting and challenging time.
You realise the amazing work done by individuals and communities, and how interesting and diverse the Gannawarra is.
I believe Gannawarra Shire will continue to grow and diversify, as we care and support our communities throughout 2020.
Lorraine Learmonth,
Gananwarra Shire Council mayor.
Lakes communities
offer support
IN this busy and at times challenging world it is important to take time to pause and reflect, especially on the small positives in life.
The Kerang Lakes community is like many of our small, struggling rural communities.
However, within them we find many wonderful, unique individuals who offer what they can and come together, especially in times of hardship.
The opportunity to have a laugh and to ask for help or offer support, in even a small way, is so important.
As a community, our volunteers have come together to offer phenomenal support to others doing it tough, through both firefighting and the Sharing The Load hay drive.
The Sharing the Load drive has gathered 300 tonnes of hay, a road train, five B-doubles, four singles, one hay truck, fuel, cash and other donations to help their neighbours.
This is an example of what a small group of informed, involved and proactive locals can achieve when they set out to make a difference.
Our farmers and rural businesses have continued to do it tough, and with the impacts of water politics, climate change and inequity in telecommunications, transport, health and educational opportunities, can often feel powerless.
In a world that seems at times to overwhelm with advice, stereotyping, poor communication and difficult choices, it is important to try to keep life simple, to be kind, to value each other and embrace each other’s differences.
We don’t know each other’s stories, and it’s important to continue to take the time to actively listen to each other, check in and share a smile.
Through events such as Cooking Up a Storm, community get-togethers, concerts, arts and environment projects, raffles at Mystic Park and shared meals, we have welcomed new individuals and businesses, supported the amazing local school and continued to offer the opportunity for everyone to come together over the last year.
While our population and community group numbers are declining and life’s pressures are increasing, our small communities continue to offer support, inclusion and a helping hand.
The Kerang Lakes community is very resourceful and skilled and we need to continue to encourage each other, work together, speak up, share the load, dream big, be positive, show gratitude for the little things and celebrate together.
Gaby Hogg,
Lakes Community Development Chairperson and Lake Charm Landcare secretary.
Community has resilience
and strength
As a community we have certainly been tested this year.
Our amazing farmers, who we rely on and sometimes take for granted, have faced some of the most trying times.
Farming families have been backed into a corner and forced to sell cows and property that have been in their families for many generations.
Their reduction within our district has had a great impact on many local businesses, the local businesses that put their best foot forward day after day and hope the income can outweigh the ever growing expenses.
Online shopping is becoming more and more of a threat to our local retail stores.
If you haven’t got an online presence, you’ll be left behind, but for some stores that isn’t possible.Internet shopping is going to affect local foot traffic more and more every year.
Our sporting community is under constant pressure to be able to field teams and continue to be financially viable in the current environment.
A lack of members and players has brought so many clubs to a sad demise.
I can remember when I was young playing in the Wandella Tennis Association, which had 16 teams.
Lake Charm, Quamby, Lake Meran, Kerang East, Dingwall, Sandhill, St Patricks and St Andrews all had two teams with 12 players per side.
Lake Meran is the only team from that competition still playing today.
Football is no different, with Rovers, Lakes, Appin and Wakool all folding, and a few other local clubs struggling.
With more rules and more regulations to adhere to and small clubs under completely voluntary administration, I’m sure many more will follow, unfortunately.
But the resilience and strength that the Kerang and district community has shown over the years will stand us in good stead for the coming decade.
If we can remain positive and enthusiastic in all our endeavours, I’m sure 2020 will be one to remember.
Happy new beers!
Mat Chamberlain,
Manager, Kerang Sports and Entertainment Venue.
Compassion, respect and common sense needed
For the people of Gannawarra, 2019 delivered mixed outcomes.
Seasonal conditions were far from ideal – there was no early break but thankfully enough rain fell to germinate and deliver reasonable crops and grass growth.
On the down side, there was insufficient water captured in our storages, low water allocations and exceptionally high temporary water prices coupled with the continuing implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan.
There is no doubt that the community feels very much left out of, and talked down to on the Murray Darling Basin, when all we want is a genuine and meaningful discussion about working together on Basin concerns.
The same could be said about many issues confronting us.
Once again, in 2019, we continued to see too much of an adversarial approach in our politics and political leadership at all levels of government.
Ever-increasing red tape is too often dumbing down issues, taking initiative away from individuals and enhancing the power of governments and bureaucracy.
