Mayor's message – 3 April 2024
Published on 03 April 2024
I hope everyone’s had a fantastic break over the Easter weekend.
There were lots of people out and about in the shire, enjoying the many incredible restaurants and cafés, and local shops in our region.
The much-loved annual Maldon Easter Fair was on, and it was a great event and one that we’re really pleased to support through our Event Grants program.
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As you may know, local government elections are fast approaching on Saturday 26 October.
Now is a really good time to start thinking (if you haven’t yet already), about whether you might want to stand for Council.
I can tell you from personal experience, my time as Mayor and Councillor with Mount Alexander Shire Council has been incredibly rewarding.
It’s a challenging role, because you can’t keep everybody happy all of the time, but at all times you’re doing your best to put the community you represent first in your decision-making.
To help give prospective candidates some insight into the responsibilities, opportunities and challenges of serving as a Councillor, we are offering some one-on-one information sessions between potential candidates and myself, Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Darren Fuzzard, and/or Deputy Mayor Rosie Annear.
The sessions will be an informal opportunity for potential candidates to ask questions about the role, Mount Alexander Shire Council and local government.
To book a confidential, one-on-one information session with Council’s CEO, Darren Fuzzard, Mayor Driscoll and/or Deputy Mayor Annear email standforcouncil@mountalexander.vic.gov.au or call the Governance team on 5471 1700.
Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing more information with our community on the role of Council, and the responsibilities of being a Councillor.
Keep an eye on Council’s Facebook page, website, radio and your local community newsletters for more information on this in the coming months.
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In other news, Council is again offering our popular four-week Youth Mental Health First Aid Course for parents, carers and people who work with young people.
The course covers topics such as the difference between normal adolescent development and developing mental health problems, signs and symptoms of possible mental health problems, how to have open conversations with young people, and where to seek further help.
According to research by the Department of Health and Aged Care, young people experienced the highest prevalence of mental disorder across all age groups.
More than 1/3 of young people aged between 16 to 24 have experienced a mental disorder within the last 12 months.
Looking at those statistics, it’s important to consider ways we can all learn how to better support young people experiencing mental health issues.
If you’d like to enrol in our Youth Mental Health First Aid Course, visit our Youth website, at www.mountalexandershireyouth.com.au.
The course is being held on four consecutive Monday nights from 5.00pm to 9.00pm, starting on Monday 29 April at the Civic Centre in Castlemaine. Dinner is included in the cost of the course, which is $75 or $55 concession.
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Lastly, you may have noticed during April we’re talking a lot more about climate change as we highlight some of the amazing work that our community is doing to reduce, reuse and recycle.
On our social media pages, we’re sharing stories from our community that we hope will inspire you to take action on climate. We’re also sharing how Council is working towards reducing our emissions.
If you’re looking for more ways to be inspired, come along to the launch of the ‘Home Upgrades for Climate Resilience Workbook’ on Wednesday 10 April from 11.00am to 12.00pm at the Ray Bradfield Room in Castlemaine.
Council is proud to be one of the supporters of the new resource, which highlights steps people can take to make their home or property ready for extreme weather events.
The workbook proposes actions and upgrades households can take that are easy and low cost to make their home more resilient when these events occur.
If you can’t make the launch but are interested in the workbook, visit www.cvga.org.au/home-upgrades-for-climate-resilience-guide.html.
This is a collaborative project with the Castlemaine Institute and the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance.
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Before I sign off for this month, I’d like to remind you to contact your local Councillor if there’s an issue you’d like to raise – we are here for you.
Till next month, take care.
Mayor Matthew Driscoll
Mount Alexander Shire Council
Mayor Driscoll with his daughter and grandson at ChillOut Festival 2024.