Happy new year!
HAPPY new year to residents in our municipality!
I hope you had a wonderful festive season and were able to enjoy some well-deserved time with loved ones. It’s a great time of year to relax, recharge, reflect, and set some goals for the new year ahead.
I was fortunate enough to take a short break myself, stepping away from the mayoral duties to spend time with those closest to me.
In addition to a home full of visiting family and the fun of grandchildren over the Christmas and new year period, my wife Angela and I took a short break to the South Island of New Zealand to visit my eldest daughter Natalia (and have a look around!).
Aside from the tourist hotspots of Christchurch, Queenstown, Central Otago and Milford Sound, we enjoyed a motorhome expedition to some quieter off-grid areas to fully embrace and appreciate the rugged snow and glacier-capped mountains, crystal clear streams and vast lakes.
I find travelling to other places, particularly other countries, extremely educational to witness and learn how they do things with respect to the tourist experience, on this occasion in everything from cycling paths to RV dump stations, and explore ways to implement positive changes here. It was a refreshing chance to relax, and I hope you too had an opportunity to do the same.
A year of projects and opportunities
AS we step into 2025, I am filled with optimism for the year ahead. This year promises to be one of growth, opportunity and achievement for our region.
Council has scheduled a remarkable $24 million worth of projects to roll out over the next 12 to 18 months, marking a significant investment in our community’s future.
These projects will not only create new infrastructure and opportunities but will also have a lasting impact on the lives of those who call this region home.
In addition to the exciting projects already in motion, there are even more initiatives currently in the planning stages. These will help set the foundation for continued growth and development throughout the municipality.
Aside from new investment in projects our team continues to focus on the day to day business of Council with a significant program of road and community facility improvements scheduled.
Council will also be developing a new council plan for the next four years which will require the input of the community to ensure we are delivering on community expectations.
Updates to our planning schemes, increasing our industrial land supply and improving our waste management systems are all ahead of us.
Building on the successes of 2024, we will continue to advocate for the best interests of our community, ensuring that our efforts align with the needs and aspirations of our residents.
With a federal election looming and less than two years until the next state election, Council is committed to ensuring the Swan Hill municipality is forefront of the political radar.
Jam-packed weekend of events to celebrate Australia Day
I AM honoured to be joining our community for a weekend full of events to celebrate Australia Day 2025 this weekend.
The festivities begin on Saturday, January 25, with citizenship ceremonies and Australia Day Award ceremonies in both Robinvale and Swan Hill.
These ceremonies will honour our newest citizens and acknowledge the outstanding contributions of Australia Day Award recipients, including the Citizen of the Year and Community Event of the Year Awards, along with recognising the achievements of local students.
On Sunday, January 26, celebrations will continue with a range of events across the municipality.
Australia Day breakfasts, a beloved tradition, will bring people together to enjoy great food, entertainment, and community spirit while reflecting on what it means to be Australian.
In a fantastic return, the Swan Hill breakfast at Riverside Park will be hosted by some of our dedicated local service groups, making the morning extra special for attendees.
The weekend will culminate in the Shared Connections event on Sunday evening from 6pm to 9pm at Riverside Park, Swan Hill.
This event celebrates culture and community, showcasing the region’s diversity through storytelling, performances, and shared experiences. It promises to be a meaningful and memorable way to end the Australia Day festivities.
For a full list of events, please visit swanhill.vic.gov.au/Explore-our-region/Events/Australia-Day-Celebrations.
