General News
3 February, 2026
Country the backbone of nation with great opportunities
REGIONAL areas deserve access to the same quality, opportunity and investment as anywhere else in Australia.
“Regional community’s aren’t a side note to Australia’s story - they are the backbone of it,” guest speaker Shaun Stephenson told Wedderburn’s Australia Day ceremony on Monday.
The Bendigo solicitor and university law lecturer who grew up at Fentons Creek said local communities, farming and agricultural industries “quite literally keep the country running”.
“When regional towns thrive, Australia thrives. Supporting our regions isn’t an abstract idea - it’s about practical investment in Australia’s future and relevance in the modern world,” he said, “so towns like Wedderburn can continue to adapt, grow and remain places people are proud to call home.
“That’s what makes our regional communities so special - and why we are collectively so fortunate to be part of them.”
Shaun said Australia Day was also a time to reflect on “who we are ... on how we respond when it really matters”
“Over the past year, we’ve seen moments that remind us both of the fragility and the strength OF our country,” he said.
“The tragic events that recently unfolded at Bondi were felt right across Australia. And more recently, we’ve seen the devastation caused by the Victorian bushfires, once again testing communities across our state.
“What stands out in those moments isn’t just the tragedy, it’s the response happening at a community level.
“It’s the way Australians band together, it’s neighbours checking on neighbours, communities rallying and volunteers stepping forward without hesitation.
“Here in regional areas, that spirit is embodied by people like our CFA volunteers, men and women who put their hands up, often quietly and without expectation of recognition, to protect others. If there’s one thing regional communities have always been good at, it’s resilience. And that resilience, combined with inclusion, opportunity and a willingness to invest in the next generation, is what will carry us forward.”
Shaun reflected on the opportunities he had been given growing up and attending school at Wedderburn.
“It often takes moving away to realise that those things that seem quite small at the time are actually incredibly special,” he said. “Community isn’t something abstract. It’s purposeful. It’s people giving their time, supporting local businesses, showing up for events like this today and quietly doing the work that keeps our town going.”
Shaun said there was always more work to be done to ensure regional voices were genuinely heard, supported and properly represented.
“Each of us has a role to play ... particularly when the time comes to choose the leaders who make decisions on our behalf.”
Shaun said strong leadership, particularly at state level, started with understanding communities like Wedderburn “and ensuring regional voices shape the decisions that affect our future.