Axedale Antics

Our Community Voice

June 2020 Issue No. 271

A DONATION

WOULD BE

APPRECIATED

What’s on around Axedale

We’re excited with the great news

that COVID restrictions are slowly easing,

meaning that more businesses are able to

re-open—albeit with different capacity.

Please consider supporting you local

businesses during this rebuild period.

Whether it’s the pub, a local tradie, personal

trainers, dog groomers, massage therapists,

and more.

And please, keep being awesome!

Be considerate and patient with the staff as

they adapt to the changing situation

& do their very best to rebuild.

Keep local families employed;

and keep supporting

our beautiful community.

Tara

The Axedale Antics can be downloaded from

the Axedale Our Town-Our Future website

www.axedale.com.au

Axedale starts to re-open as

restrictions ease

Axedale Antics

Our Community Voice First Published September 1987

ANTICS POLICY

The Axedale Antics is a voluntarily run, free monthly paper for the community of Axedale, surrounding towns and districts and the rural

area of Eppalock Ward. The volunteers are a sub-committee of AXEDALE—OUR TOWN OUR FUTURE Inc., and the aim is to provide

information and light entertainment for all ages, to present unbiased and fair information, and to assist with community services. The

Antics also offers an advertising vehicle for local and district businesses and enterprises.

This communication offers everyone the opportunity to express their views. The editors retain the right to refuse to publish any article

that is racially prejudiced, slanderous, libellous, uncouth, unsuitable for family reading, or is harmful to any individual, business or

association. Furthermore, no abuse (verbal or otherwise) towards the volunteers who create or contribute to ‘the Antics ‘will be

tolerated.

All items submitted must have the writer’s name, address & phone contact included, & all political content, if published, with the

author’s name & address. Letters to the Editor MUST include sender’s name & address (not necessarily for publication - “a nom-de-

plume” may be used). There are no charges associated with news items, personal articles, community notices, etc.

As the Antics is produced & distributed free to readers, any donations towards publication & distribution costs will be gratefully

accepted & receipted. If you wish donations to be acknowledged in the Antics, please let us know.

The Antics is your paper………...we like to fill it with contributions from our readers—so please send in your news—weddings, births, club

news, amusing events, stories, poems, jokes (clean please), pictures etc., and of course your business advertisements by the

deadline of the 23rd of the month.LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS—PLEASE REMEMBER TO SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLES BY THIS

DATE—otherwise you miss out again, & nobody knows that you exist, or what you are doing. Use the Antics to keep the community

aware of your existence & up to date on your activities.

Do you wish to advertise in the Antics?

Simply send through your advertising

material (in PDF format).

Any enquiries...

Phone: 0408 537 911 | email: antics3551@hotmail.com.

Advertising Rates (per month)

Business Card $10.00

Quarter Page $20.00

Half Page $30.00

Full Page $60.00

COMMUNITY SUPPORT NETWORK

Axedale Primary School Corina Hartland 5439 7232

Axedale Pre-School Kate Woodman 5439 7549

Axedale Our Town Our Future Chris Hobson info@tederexperts.net

St Andrews Uniting Church Glenis Dyason 5439 7251

St Mary’s Catholic Church St Therese’s 5443 3337

Axedale in Harmony Sue McGrath 5439 7179

Axedale Hall Ann Mason 5439 1210

Axedale CWA Lyn Turner 5439 7646

The Goldfield’s Library is officially back open!

Goldfields Library Corporation have re-opened following Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews recent

announcement that libraries would be allowed to reopen from 11.59pm on May 31.

From Monday 1 June, return chutes will be open and a limited ‘Click and Collect’ service will be available

for patrons to pick up items they have reserved before and during the lockdown. From Tuesday, June 9,all

library branches will re-open to allow the legal maximum of 20 people in the space at any one time.

Visits will be capped at 30 minutes to give as many people as possible the opportunity to access the

library. Goldfields Library Corporation chief executive Mark Hands said libraries are an important part of

the community and welcomed their re-opening.

“We’re pleased to be able to take this first step towards re-opening our libraries.

We’re really excited to see everyone and we know there will be a lot of grateful patrons.

We are committed to reintroducing services safely, so we will need to take

precautions to protect the community and our staff,

and ask library users to follow important conditions.”

- Goldfields Library Chief Executive, Mark Hands

Goldfields Library Corporation will implement a number of protocols to ensure the safety of library users

including sanitisation stations and the quarantining of returned items for at least 72 hours.

Patrons are encouraged to utilise the free ‘Click and Collect’ service that allows members to reserve li-

brary materials online or by phone, then organise a time to collect the items.

Libraries will only be open for borrowing, returning and the registration of new memberships at this time.

Access to public computers and Wi-Fi will be allowed for up to 30 minutes.

“If it is a nice day, you can sit in the surrounding gardens or in your car outside the library to access our

Wi-Fi for as long as you like,” said Mr Hands.

“We recognise that this is a very limited re-opening and that people have been missing their community

loungeroom. We encourage people to stay connected with us in some of the other ways we have devel-

oped to help out during the closures and limited services.

“Patrons can join us through online author talks, virtual story times, a virtual ‘Library Cafe’, by joining our

Life in Lockdown story catching project, or they can seek help in getting connected online –

we even have a small number of internet connected devices we can loan out to patrons,” said Mr Hands.

For more information and to keep updated visit www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au or phone 5449 2700.

Updates on the Axedale Library are available through their Facebook Page.

Follow them at Axedale Community Library, and be sure to also follow Axedale Public Hall for more news

and community updates.

Auskick is Coming to Axedale!

Some brighter news in the current climate:

Sonya Brown has done an amazing job, securing Auskick for Axedale!

It was due to start in Term 2, however due to the current circumstances,

the program will be (hopefully) commencing in Term 3.

What’s happening in Axedale & Surrounds?

Goornong & Heathcote Businesses:

The Drover’s Arms Hotel is still open for people to be able to pick up parcels, Milk etc.

Currently . closed for dine-in meals; however offering takeaway from Thursday, March 26.

Goornong Waste Transfer:

Card only—not handling cash. Remember social distancing. (Check out The Goornong & Surrounds Community Information

Facebook page for more details)

Heathcote Community House:

Closed for Face-to-Face;

However , scheduled information sessions are still occurring online.

Contact the team for the most up to date information, or follow them on Facebook.

If you have any questions regarding local businesses, please contact the business directly,

as I am only sharing publicly available information form social media sites & email.—Tara

Claire’s Family Daycare: Community Food Share Our food is free/food share is now out the front of 50 Raines Street, Axedale. A big thank you to our next door neighbour putting this shed together it was not an easy one that's for sure. Please come and take or share or swap food. Please just drop by and have a look and Bring the children along and teach them all about it. Food Sharing is a practise where individuals or groups of people make a commitment, to ensure that food is shared, not wasted.

Local Businesses & Services: Adjusted Opening Hours:

*Based on information available as of June 1, 2020.

Axedale General Store:

ADJUSTED opening hours. Open 9-5 Weekdays & 9-12 Saturdays.

Axedale/Goldfields Library:

OPEN: limit 20 people at a time. See Page 3.

Axedale Primary School:

Re-opening: to all students Tuesday, June 10 . Contact the school for further information.

Axedale Tavern:

ADJUSTED: Takeaway meals, takeaway coffee & bottle shop open. Closed Mondays.

Camp Getaway (Rotary Camp):

CLOSED until further notice. Tentative future bookings welcome.

CFA:

ADJUSTED: They will still attend call outs, however visits to schools/community groups are

postponed until further notice.

Churches:

ONLINE: Many services will be changing to digital worship services.

Contact your local parish/minister (details on Page 2– Community contacts)

City of Greater Bendigo:

See their website for further information

Some services have re-opened (playgrounds). Face-to-face council services are still closed.

Drover’s Arms:

ADJUSTED: Takeaway available; no eat-in options. Open from 3PM for collection o f Mail/

Parcels.

Heathcote Juniper Lounge: ADJUSTED: Available for takeaway & bottle shop

Heathcote Neighbourhood House: ADJUSTED. They are open for some appointments (such as Centrelink assistance), by ap-pointment only (not dropping in) to ensure they are complying with social distancing. Please contact them directly. Public Transport Victoria (Public Bus lines) UNAFFECTED: Still Running To Normal Services Leaving Bendigo :6.30am/9.20am/11.40/3.20pm/5.25pm Leaving Heathcote: 7.40am/10.30am/1.20pm/4.20pm/6.25pm

We are fortunate to have some increased assistance rom the City of Greater Bendigo, to assist community groups and small businesses during the pandemic.

CITY ESTABLISHES RELIEF AND RECOVERY BASED GRANT OPPORTUNITIES DURING COVID-19

The City of Greater Bendigo will suspend its annual Community Grants program to establish a temporary grants program for groups and organisations who are providing direct relief and support to members of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. City of Greater Bendigo Health and Wellbeing Director Vicky Mason said local community groups and organisations who provide food relief and other support are currently experiencing financial and operational difficulties due to increased demand on their services. “The City recognises the important work the community sector is doing to provide relief and support during the COVID19 pandemic,” Ms Mason said. “As a result, we have suspended the normal Community Grants Program to re-direct this funding to support the community groups and organisations who are working so hard to provide these vital services to those in our community who really need help. “The change means that not-for-profit or incorporated organisations can now apply for up to $10,000 through the special COVID19 Community Group Essentials Grant until 30 June 2020. “It’s about prioritising the current needs that exist in our community and directing funding to where it’s really needed.” The COVID19 Community Group Essentials Grants are a temporary variation of the Community Group Essentials Grant which local groups and organisations can apply for anytime. The temporary changes to the usual Community Group Essentials Grant include:

• A name-change to COVID19 Community Group Essentials Grant

• An application limit increase from $3,000 to $10,000 • Assessment criteria changes from essential operating costs that cannot be met due to

funding shortfall to essential operating requirements due to the demands on the organisa-tion because of the COVID19 pandemic.

Application assessment is expected to take approximately two to three weeks from the submission date

for the COVID19 Community Group Essentials Grant which can be made online at https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Services/Community-and-Care/Community-grants For further information please email grants@bendigo.vic.gov.au or phone 5434 6000 Other changes to the City’s Community Grants Program (until 30 June 2020) include a temporary suspension of the Medium Grants and a temporary suspension until further notice of the Small Grants, the normal Community Group Essentials Grants and the Great Ideas Grant. However, applications submitted to the current round of Medium Grants will be automatically

included as applications when the grants reopen after June 30, 2020. Organisations will also be given an opportunity to update their submissions if they believe their current submission is relevant to the modified COVID19 Community Group Essentials Grant.

**Reminder: All Backyard pools - MUST be registered with Council

before July 1, 2020.

CWA “Recipe for Life”

Perfect for the cool Winter months

Well winter arrived on time today and didn't we all feel the chill to our bones. So we thought why not make something that will warm you up.

- the CWA Ladies

Chocolate Lava Cake

INGREDIENTS

180g dark chocolate, chopped

250g butter, chopped

plain flour, for dusting

4 eggs

1/2 cup caster sugar

1/4 cup plain flour, sifted

Double cream, to serve

Cocoa powder, to serve

METHOD

Step 1

Place chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium-high (75%) for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring with a metal spoon every 30 seconds, or until melted and combined. Cool completely.

Step 2

Grease eight 175ml-capacity ceramic ovenproof dishes. Sprinkle with flour. Using an electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar for 8 to 10 minutes or until thick and creamy. Fold in chocolate mixture, then flour. Spoon mixture into prepared dishes. Freeze for 1 hour.

Step 3

Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan-forced. Place dishes on a baking tray. Bake for 16 minutes or until just set (cakes will wobble when touched).

Step 4

Stand dishes for 1 minute. Turn onto plates. Top with cream. Dust with cocoa powder. Serve.

Axedale Church Services

St Andrews Uniting Church

1st & 3rd Sunday in the month at 2.30pm

All welcome. Cuppa after the service.

Contact Glenis 5439 7251.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church Time: 10.30am each Sunday

St Therese’s 5443 3337

Axedale Uniting Church Hall is available for use to the public. Please ring Glenis 5439 7251

News & Broadcasts from CFA District 2

TAYLOR’S TRIVIA TWENTY NO. 128 JUNE 2020

1. The French term m’aidez (help me) became which international distress call? 2. How many lines are in a limerick? 3. Someone spent three whole days in the hospital, yet they were absolutely healthy. However they still had to be carried out of the hospital. Why? 4. One of our greatest boxers died recently in Brisbane. A slick ring practitioner and a powerful body puncher, he had two world title fights and gave Panamanian legend Rob-erto Duran one of the toughest nights of his career. Who was he? 5. What is the longest bone in the human body? 6. Regularly featuring on our screens at the moment, who is the Chief Medical Officer for the Australian Government? 7. Recently the Sunday Herald Sun had a readers’ poll of our favourite Australian TV characters. Who topped it? 8. What is the biggest of the cats? 9. Stage winners in the Tour de France wear what colour jersey? 10. I was born on August 15, 1978, in Melbourne, to Egyptian parents. I am an Australian writer, academic, lawyer, media presenter and musician. I am the lead guitarist and princi-pal songwriter for the Melbourne-based rock band Robot Child. I am a co-host of Network Ten's news and current affairs television program The Project, write for Fairfax Media, and am a lecturer in politics at Monash University working in their Global Terrorism Re-search Centre. In 2016, I won the Gold Logie Award for Best Personality on Australian Television. Who am I? 11. In what year did Alexander Graham Bell patent the telephone – 1876, 1891 or 1905? 12. How many of these VFL/AFL players can you identify from their nicknames – “Skinny”, “Magoo”, “Disco”, “Superboot”, “Plugger” and “Buddy”? (All of them “kicked the ton” at least once in a season.) 13. Some people can be confused when using “bought” or “brought”. What are their base words? 14. What were the successive Olympics boycotted in turn by the US and the Soviet Union?

15. Also regularly featuring on our screens at the moment, who are the premiers of Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania? 16. In area, what are the six largest countries in the world? 17. Who wrote The Grave Tattoo and The Torment of Others? (She created many notable characters such as journalist Lindsay Gordon, DCI Karen Pirie, the private investigator Kate Brannigan and psychologist Tony Hill.) 18. Pogonophobia is the fear of what, which have become more common during the pan-demic? 19. In which country was soccer star Maradona born? 20. A sportsperson, I was born in Sydney in 1972. My favourite sporting venues are in Hawaii, Australia and Indonesia. I have won seven world surfing championships. I married Kirk Pengilly, a member of the Australian rock group INXS, in October 2010. We renewed our wedding vows in 2014 after I lost my wedding ring whilst surfing. At the 2015 Australia Day Honours, I was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the community through support for a range of charitable organisations, as a mentor for women in sport, and to surfing as a world champion competitor.

Who am I?

NEW HEATHCOTE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE TO BE FORMED Do you know someone is the Heathcote Area with a real Heart for the Community? The City of Greater Bendigo is calling for expressions of interest from community members to join a new Heathcote Township Committee, which is the first of its kind in the region targeted to better engage with smaller town com-munities. Director Strategy and Growth Bernie O’Sullivan said a key recommendation of the adopted Heathcote Township Plan was the establishment of an Implementation Committee. “The Heathcote Township Plan establishes a framework for how the town can grow sustainably and develop into the future, and guide what services, facilities and infrastructure are required to support a growing and changing population,” Mr O’Sullivan said. “The primary role of this committee will be to oversee and support the implementation actions in the Heathcote Township Plan, provide a channel for sharing information about projects across Council and provide local input into these projects. “The committee will endeavour to coordinate wherever possible with community groups and community members to provide fair and sincere representation to Council. “This is the first time that this type of committee has been set up in Greater Bendigo to implement the actions of a township plan. It will serve as an example on how to better engage with our smaller town communities so it is im-portant that community members come forward and get involved. “I encourage community members who have a strong interest and passion in contributing to Heathcote’s future to complete the expressions of interest.” The committee is expected to meet every three months. To view the committee’s terms of reference and expressions of interest, please visit www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/heathcotetp.

Please submit an expressions of interest by close of business on Friday June 12.

COVID-19 Restriction easing – what does it mean for cycling? Article & Images from Bike Bendigo Inc.

Outdoor exercise is now permitted in groups of up to 10 people, as long as they maintain social distancing of 1.5 metres. How-ever, both Bicycle Network and Cycling Victoria are advising AGAINST a return to bunch riding at this stage, as it’s not possible to do this effectively under social distancing guidelines. Cycling Victoria’s advice is that: “bunch riding is safest when it is a tight, cohesive and continuous cycling unit; this cannot be achieved under the current social distancing guidelines of 1.5 metres.” However, we encourage everyone to keep bike riding by yourself, with family, or with one or two others – check out our tips for building more biking into everyday life below: 1/ Explore new routes Even if you don’t need to go out (e.g. for work), use your exercise time to explore different routes, practise riding on roads and carrying your stuff, so you are ready to try commuting by bike when the time comes. 2/ Do a 'shopping' ride Try combining your exercise outing with grocery shopping or other essential trips. 3/ Take 'Homeschool' to the streets

Riding with kids or teens? Take this opportunity to teach them how to ride safely on the road – do it regularly so they have plenty of supervised practice (just like learning to drive). The new protected cycleway on Ellis Street in Flora Hill is a great place to start.

4/ When riding on roads: Stay visible: wear light or bright colours and use front and rear flashing lights, even during the day. Ride consistently and communicate with other road users (with eye contact, signalling, using your bell or voice) especially at intersections.

If you’d like to know more about Cycling in Bendigo, drop them a line via president@bikebendigo.com.au

The Axedale Community Book Club– contact Jennifer Jones for more information.

The Axedale Community Book club typically meets at 6.30pm on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Meetings are held over dinner at The Axedale Tavern. We have been meeting for four years and in that time have read and discussed many interesting and varied books, both fiction and non-fiction. Discussions are very relaxed and casual, with all contributions from members appreciated and heard. There is no cost to being a member, except for the cost of meals or snacks. Our books are borrowed from library book club sets so there is no necessity to purchase the books we read. We are a relaxed and friendly group and we keenly welcome new members. If you would like to attend, it would be appreciated if you could phone the number below so we can confirm numbers & advise of where we’re meeting. Jennifer Jones 0438 583 665

Monthly Book Review:

Yes, My Accent is Real: and Some Other Things I Haven’t Told you by Kunal Nayyari Summary Of all the charming misfits on television, there’s no doubt Raj from The Big Bang T heory — the sincere yet incurably geeky Indian-American astrophysicist — ranks among the misfittingest. Now, we meet the actor who is every bit as loveable as the character he plays on TV. In this revealing collection of essays written in his irreverent, hilarious, and self-deprecating voice, Kunal Nayyar traces his journey from a little boy in New Delhi who mistakes, an awkward first kiss for a sacred commitment, gets nosebleeds chugging Coca-Cola to impress other students, and excels in the sport of badminton, to the confident, successful actor on the set of TV’s most-watched sitcom since Friends.

Going behind the scenes of The Big Bang Theory and into his personal experiences, Kunal introduces readers to the people who helped him grow, such as his James Bond-loving, moustachioed father who taught him the most important lessons in life: Treat a beggar as you would a king. There are two sides to every story. A smile goes a long way. And, when in doubt, use a spreadsheet.

Kunal also walks us through his college years in Portland, where he takes his first sips of alcohol, and learns to let loose with his French, 6’8” gentle-giant roommate, works his first-ever job for the university’s housekeeping department cleaning toilets for minimum wage, and begins a series of romantic exploits that go just about as well as they would for Raj. (That is, until he meets and marries a former Miss India in an elaborate seven-day event that we get to experience in a chapter titled “My Big Fat Indian Wedding.”)

My Thoughts I was searching for a book to read for a review for the letter ‘Y’ when I came across this book written by the star of my favour-ite TV series, The Big Bang Theory. I would usually shy away from autobiographies written by celebrities but thought I’d give this one a go, as I was keen on reviewing a book of genre I usually don’t review.

I didn’t have huge expectations but it wasn’t long before I was hooked. Kunal and Raj sound as though they are the same per-son, but that is possibly, because he has brought himself to the role.

. He writes with a self deprecating humour that is very funny to read, while coming across as being very genuine, as he talks about how appreciative he is of his fans. I laughed and laughed, when I read about his Big Bang audition. And then laughed more, while reading about his marriage to Miss India.

I would describe Kunal’s book as being very sweet, very charming, very funny, but most of all very well written. I enjoyed this book much more than I expected and was sorry when it came to an end.

5 stars!

For more book reviews & recommendations, check out Jennifer’s blog: https://bestbookishblog.com

Next AOTOF Meeting: AOTOF will be meeting online. Details to be confirmed.

Details will be broadcast through our Facebook page.

Are you part of a Community Group?

Are looking to get the word out about an event, project, or recruit more members?

Want to reach an audience of over 500 people per month?

Then send through a bio/ images/ flyers to antics3551@hotmail.com for inclusion in the

next edition of the Antics. All groups welcomed.

THANK YOU! National Volunteers Week—18–24 May 2020

A Public Shout-out to the Volunteers in our Community who help make the Axedale Community the amazing

place it is!

And my sincere apologies to any volunteer organisations or committees I’ve missed in this list.

The AOTOF Committee

Axedale Primary School PVF (Parents, Volunteers & Friends) Committee

Axedale Primary School Council

The Axedale Kinder (Shine Bright) Parents Committee

The CWA

Axedale Events (and the Quick Shear Committee)

Axedale Tennis Club

Rotary District 9800

The Axedale Library Ladies

Help Your Neighbour

SES

Foodshare (Axedale, Heathcote & Bendigo)

Axedale Quilters

1st Strathfieldsaye Scout Group

1st Strathfieldsaye Guides

Heathcote Community House

Lake Eppalock Coast Guard

CFA (Axedale, Junortoun, Heathcote & Goornong)

Landcare

The Campaspe River Reserve Committee

Girls Brigade

Axedale in Harmony

City of Greater Bendigo Have Released

The Proposed 2020-2021 Budget.

What’s in it for you?

The City of Greater Bendigo have just released their draft budget on May 20. Broken into key sections, here’s a few of the key

points which could impact you over the next year or so moving forward.

Remember, If you have concerns you’d like brought up with the local council (Such as the need for a football field/sports

ground, a stand pipe for potable water, Speed signs/dangerous roads)… or any other projects or concerns that you have-

Let AOTOF know. We can advocate on your behalf. Send any enquiries to antics3551@hotmail.com and I’ll be sure to forward

them to the team at our next meeting (or earlier if needed).

Axedale is our town. It’s our future. Let’s shape the future we want for our town.

For Projects in Rural Towns: The Greater Bendigo City Council’s 2020/2021 draft Budget will fund close to $6M of projects in rural areas of Greater Bendigo to benefit small towns and communities across the municipality and provide a much-needed boost for the local economy.

These include a new footpath in Grant St, Goornong, replacement of footpaths in High St, Heathcote and Cardwell St, Elmore, new footpath in Hospital Street, Heathcote, and reconstruction of a section of Axedale-Goornong Road south of Axe Creek.

Other items include the detailed design of the Heathcote Civic Precinct, funding for a drainage study for Heathcote town centre and design for the redevelopment of the Axedale tennis courts.

Rural areas will also benefit from $2.85M in gravel road re-sheeting, which will occur across the municipality. ______________________________________________________________________________________

For Sports and Recreation Projects: Projects to get the green light include the commencement of a new pavilion at Kennington Recreation Reserve (Harry Trott Oval), in partnership with the State Government which has contributed $2M toward the project, tennis court renewal at Eaglehawk, and design of a junior oval and renewal of oval lighting at Strauch Recreation Reserve Huntly.

Other projects include the construction of cricket nets at White Hills (subject to a State Government grant application), a new spectator shelter and replacement of the synthetic soccer pitch at Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve, and stage 1 of renewal works at Tom Flood oval.

The Budget also implements stage 1 of the Wolstencroft Reserve Masterplan and renewal of the Grevillea Road play space in Huntly. _____________________________________________________________________________________

For the Visitor Economy: More than $500,000 will be put aside for event attraction/acquisition in sport and leisure, food and wine, arts and culture, business, car club and agricultural events.

The draft Budget also includes funding for City of Gastronomy initiatives such as the development of regional trails and precincts that promote local food, wine and other beverages.

It will also include $350,000 to attract new exhibitions to Bendigo Art Gallery over the next financial

For Large Infrastructure Projects: The draft 2020/2021 Budget includes a $43.5M (capital works) investment in projects that maintain and develop the City’s infrastructure, while also supporting the local economy by providing jobs to various local contractors.

These projects include funding for a new shade pavilion in Hargreaves Mall, stage 2 of the Bendigo Town Hall renewal and further work on the Bendigo Botanic Gardens central hub.

Constructing new and renewing existing civil infrastructure is another key Council responsibility and the draft Budget will see $11.4M spent on roads, $0.51M on bridges and $1.5M for drainage works across the municipality. Council will also invest $3.1M in footpaths ______________________________________________________________________________________

PAYMENT DEFERRALS FOR 2020/2021 RATES AND CHARGES

The draft 2020/2021 Budget’s $43.5M capital works program and $193M operating budget, which funds various essential services, is based on a two per cent rate increase but does allow for those experiencing financial hardship to arrange a payment plan or apply to fully defer payments until June 30, 2021.

The two per cent rate rise is in line with the Victorian Government’s Fair Go Rates System.

Residents will see a small rise in the general waste charge ($8.55 for 140L bins) to cover increased State Government landfill charges. However, recycling and organics collection costs will only rise by one per cent (approximately $1). The rise reflects the costs of providing the service; Council does not make a profit from waste services.

The City has already introduced hardship measures to support community members during the COVID-19 pandemic. These have now been extended to include the ability for those experiencing acute financial hard-ship to arrange a payment plan or defer payments until June 30, 2021, including the suspension of interest on all overdue rates payments. The City will also halve its commercial rent charges for tenants experienc-ing financial hardship through to December 31, 2020.

Parking fees will remain the same as the previous financial year.

The City has also amended the normal Community Grants Program to re-direct this funding to support community groups and organisations who are providing vital services to community members. Not-for-profit or incorporated organisations can now apply for up to $10,000 through the special COVID-19 Community Group Essentials Grant until June 30, 2020.

Mayor Cr Margaret O’Rourke said the COVID-19 pandemic had put financial strain on many households and businesses. “Councillors have focused on identifying a range of initiatives to support our community and businesses that are impacted by COVID-19. This includes easing the financial strain on households and businesses by enabling deferral of payments and charges,” Cr O’Rourke said.

“While Council is acutely aware of the financial pressure many households and businesses are under, the community relies on the many services we provide and subsidise. Local businesses and their employees benefit from Council’s investment in the economy. This includes ensuring that Council is positioned to support tourism and events when restrictions are relaxed, to get the economy moving again.

“While some functions (such as Bendigo Venues and Events and Bendigo Art Gallery) have been largely suspended during government restrictions, most of Council’s services continue to operate. We are still collecting rubbish, fixing roads and footpaths, mowing ovals, maintaining parks and gardens, providing immunisation, Maternal and Child Health, child

care and aged care, as well as planning services, offering community grants, re-homing animals and overseeing building improvement projects at a range of community facilities.”

Nampara Spit Roast & Catering. We work You Party

We use china crockery & stainless steel cutlery

Contact Steve – 0499 348 260 Email namparaspitroast@ozemail.com.au

To discuss your next event

Taylor’s Trivia Twenty Answers: 1. Mayday 2. Five 3. The person was a newborn baby. 4. Hector Thompson 5 Femur (Thigh) 6. Professor Brendan Murphy 7. Norman Gunston/Gary McDonald (2 Russell Coight/Glenn Robbins, 3 Skippy, 4 Alf Stewart/Ray Meagher, 5 Dave Sullivan/Paul Cronin, 6 Mrs Jessup/Vivean Gray) 8. Tiger 9. Yellow (French - maillot jaune) 10. Waleed Aly 11. 1876 12. Jack Titus, Geoff Blethyn, Michael Roach, Bernie Quinlan, Tony Lockett, Lance Franklin 13. Buy, bring 14. 1980 Moscow, 1984 Los Angeles 15. Mark McGowan, Steven Marshall, Peter Gutwein 16. Russia, Canada, China, United States, Brazil, Australia 17. Val McDermid 18. Beards (The word is derived from the Greek pogon {beard} and phobos {fear}. It has been said that mothers often warn their daughters to “never trust a man with a beard or facial hair unless he is Santa Claus”.) 19. Argentina 20. Layne Beachley

BUDGET FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY RESILIENCE INITIATIVES

The draft 2020/2021 Budget will fund a range of initiatives that support safety and resilience to assist the Greater Bendigo community to recover from COVID19.

The City undertakes various projects and programs that aim to build community connectedness, but specific items funded in this budget include:

· Contribute to the Greater Bendigo Coalition for Gender Equity and develop an action plan aligned with the Gender Equity Strategy

· Develop and implement the virtual community hub, Connect Greater Bendigo

· Deliver the community grants program and complete a review of the Community Grants Policy

· Work with the Youth Council to development and implement City strategies and plans, including a new Human Rights Charter

· Promote Greater Bendigo as a welcoming city for all by developing a new Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Plan, including actions to improve access and inclusion for multicultural communities

The Budget includes funding to support existing initiatives in Greater Bendigo such as partnering with Bendigo Safe Community Forum to deliver initiatives that enhance community safety and prevent violence. It also includes coordinating the Northern Victorian Emergency Management Cluster to strengthen emergency management planning and support the development and delivery of community resilience initiatives, with a focus on vulnerable groups.

Mayor Cr Margaret O’Rourke said Council had prioritised projects that would have a lasting, positive impact on the community.

“We know that one of the best ways to help our community is to facilitate greater connection and cooperation between groups, businesses and organisations,” Cr O’Rourke said.

“Programs like our community grants program, our Youth Council and Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Plan all serve to strengthen community-based initiatives and fund projects that make our community better for everyone.

“While we were already doing this before COVID-19, it is now even more important that we focus on community safety, resilience and connection to support each other to recover and to thrive once the pan-demic is over.”

To view more of the draft Budget, visit www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/budget

Do you have any thoughts or feedback on the latest draft budgets for the 2020-2021 Financial Year? Do you agree? Did you mis out on vital funding? Speak up & let us know! Email antics3551@hotmail.com You can remain anonymous if you wish.