Welcome everyone to a new year. I hope you all have had an opportunity to rest and found some time to enjoy with your family, friends and loved ones.

For residents making the most of our summer days or having a staycation in the Southern Grampians, I encourage you to visit some of our stunning natural locations.

We are blessed to have unique waterways at the Wannon and Nigretta Falls. We have some stunning walking tracks up Mount Rouse and of course out through the much-loved Grampians. The Hamilton to Coleraine Rail Trail offers landscape, vegetation, and special vistas just for you. And let’s not forget to take a walk and appreciate the beauty of our Botanic Gardens in Hamilton and Penshurst. There are also short walking tracks in Cavendish, Balmoral and Coleraine and as an added bonus, all of these towns have beautiful coffee and food so make the most of these well-maintained Shire assets.

It’s easy when planning a vacation to look for the best elsewhere but (call me bias) we have such a special environment that invites appreciation right here within the Southern Grampians. On that note, the Council Plan for Nature is currently still open for community feedback so have a think about what naturally is located within our region that you appreciate most and tell us your thoughts. These will ultimately contribute to the overall future sustainability of the region. Head to the Council website for more details.

Next Thursday, January 26 is an important date for many that invites conversation around how and when Australia Day is marked each year. But one thing that I think encourages strong unity amongst all residents is the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate those who make the Southern Grampians a better place to live.

Over the years we have had some amazing award recipients where their community activities and personal actions cannot and should not be minimised to “just doing the right thing”. There are plenty of us who live by that motto to help to support our community where we can, but these residents do more than that. They put the comfort of others before their own needs, they provide support to those who need it most, and they most often continue those efforts in a sustained way that has a lasting and long-term impact upon many people within our community.

So, let’s take the time on Thursday to celebrate the achievements of these incredible Southern Grampians residents, congratulate them on their award, and reflect upon why we are lucky enough to call this region our home.

Australia Day Celebrations

We have celebrations occurring right across the region on Thursday, January 26, 2023 with our main event being held from 10.30am at the Hamilton Botanic Gardens. This will include our official Australia Day Awards, performances from local musicians, a flag raising ceremony, and a light lunch that will be distributed by the Hamilton Lions Club. We will also welcome new citizens in a citizenship ceremony which is always such a privilege and pleasure to share a small part of their special day.

There are events occurring in almost all Southern Grampians townships with details unique to each location. For a full list of those events, please check out the Southern Grampians Shire Council website at sthgrampians.vic.gov.au

I encourage you all to get along to your local event, have some family friendly fun, and contribute to the spirit of supporting our community.

Finally, I would like to mention the passing of David “Daffy” Ryan who was an icon of the wool industry in the late 1970s and 1980s. He set many Australian and world shearing records and was a great ambassador for the Hamilton region, being crowned the inaugural Sheepvention Wool Monarch. He will be remembered in high regard by those within the industry, not only in Western Victoria but across the nation.