General News
15 January, 2025
Festivities usher in big plan year
Loddon Shire’s Inglewood Ward councillor Miki Wilson writes about what’s ahead in 2025 AS I write this I am reflecting on recent days, the sheer joy of Christmas for most of us, especially children, and the busy time that the end of the year...
Loddon Shire’s Inglewood Ward councillorMiki Wilson writesabout what’s ahead in 2025
AS I write this I am reflecting on recent days, the sheer joy of Christmas for most of us, especially children, and the busy time that the end of the year brings to us all.
I am also developing my diet strategy for 2024! The community gym at Inglewood and Districts Health Service and outdoor gym in Inglewood and new Loddon Fitt group in Bridgewater will feature heavily, I hope to see lots of community members taking advantage of these groups/ facilities, as part of our work/life balance!
How anyone in the shire had time to organise their own Christmas festivities amazes me - as everyone was so busy contributing to Christmas community events.
Carols services and barbecues being put on by Bridgewater on Loddon Development which saw Bridgewater and Tarnagulla Primary Schools coming together for carols.
The Inglewood Lions Club hosting a carols service and barbecue at the Inglewood recreation reserve, featuring music by the fantastic Goldfields music club. Christmas shopping at the Inglewood Community Hub in the town hall, and the Loddon Tourism Christmas lunch at the Bridgewater Hotel were just some of the festivities occurring in the community of the Inglewood Ward to celebrate community and the end of year.
One of my highlights was throwing wet sponges at the retiring principal of Inglewood Primary School, Lex Johnstone, at their Christmas fete.
The best Christmas cracker joke I heard was: What do you get if you eat Christmas decorations - Tinsilitis!
Now we need to look forward to 2025 - starting with the community developing the next council plan - telling us, the council, what you want to see from the shire is going to be important - as you, the community need to guide the council and councillors, especially when there is going to be financial constraints on us all. We will also have a federal election in 2025 - in the first half of the year.
This doesn’t give us much time to get an understanding of what each party is offering local government - or for local government to put their funding wish lists in.
I didn’t realise how much local government funding comes from sources other than our rates, and how much legislation and regulations are beyond the control of local government as well.
State and Federal Governments are having increasing impact on local government so being active in advocacy is crucial for local councils at the State and Federal level, subsequently council communicating what is within their control is equally important.
I really look forward to working with you and for you during 2025 and hope the community has a safe, happy and prosperous 2025.