This facility will bring a range of children’s services together. It has modern kindergarten facilities and an amazing children’s adventure garden and will be a well-utilised community asset.

In January, Roads Minister Luke Donnellan announced a $20 million upgrade to the Western Highway from Stawell to the South Australian border. This section of the highway is important to our region. We need to be patient as these works progress, knowing this will be for our safety and benefit going forward.

The Sailplane Grand Prix was once again held in Horsham once this year and I was fortunate to welcome the pilots who competed in this nationally significant event. Congratulations to the Horsham Flying Club for doing it so well. It is because of the professional way they conduct the Sailplane Grand Prix that they are able to attract the top Australian pilots to Horsham.

Australia Day was celebrated by all our residents in the spirit of acceptance and tolerance. From our indigenous communities to people from the four corners of the world, we are an amazingly diverse society.

Australia Day is a celebration of everything and every culture that makes us who we are today.

We should all be proud of our amazing country. We should remember that we do not have a perfect past, learn from our mistakes and continue to make our country the best country in the world.

Western Victorian passenger services are the worst in the state, and we need your support. The return of the passenger rail to is a genuine game-changer for our communities and will ensure greater equity of access for the region’s 110,000 residents, while generating important economic and social benefits. Please visit the Western Rail website at www.westernrail.com.au or send us a letter and tell us your story of how the return of passenger rail will benefit you or your business.

Finally, on behalf of my fellow councillors and the team at Horsham Rural City Council, we will wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2018.