Happy New Year everyone!
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Christmas and the new year is a special time for most of us.
It is a time where life is full of fun and love with family and friends.
I hope it was this kind of experience for you.
It is important for us to understand that some people have no one to share this special time with.
There are many wonderful people in our community, who open their homes to others at this time of year and invite them to share in their Christmas celebrations.
There are volunteers who give of their time to make sure those that are alone, or have difficulty cooking, can share a Christmas meal with others.
A very special thank you to all the people who volunteer in different capacities during the festive season.
We need to also acknowledge the essential services that work over this holiday period, with the goal of ensuring our safety and wellbeing.
The police, hospital, ambulance, Country Fire Authority and other workers who must forego family holidays and celebrations to be on duty, whilst the rest of us are relaxing and enjoying the festive season.
We acknowledge the sacrifices made in support and benefit of our community.
This community has a very positive vibe leading into 2017.
We have water in our lakes and waterways, which encourages fishing, water sports and family fun.
We cannot underestimate the importance of recreational water to the positive feeling in our community.
We have also experienced strong retail sales leading up to, and after, the Christmas trading period.
The agricultural sector is also looking optimistic.
I think we can look forward to a strong and progressive year ahead.
On behalf of the Horsham Rural City Council, I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2017.
Councillor Pam Clarke, mayor, Horsham Rural City Council.
The Mayoral Matters column appears in Wednesday’s edition of the Wimmera Mail-Times.
The column provides the region’s five local government areas an opportunity to provide regular updates and information to residents and readers of the Wimmera Mail-Times.