During the day, we had discussions with all of the directors at the council, where Alexandra gained a better understanding of what happens at council and some of the current local issues we are faced with. She also attended the Vietnam Veterans’ Day service and laid a wreath on behalf of the council. It was a pleasure to spend the day with Alexandra. 

Young people are our future leaders, and we encourage them to show an interest in the work of council and our local community.   

Congratulations to the Communities of Equality and Respect alliance on their recent Leading Change Breakfast in Horsham. 

Around 120 local community leaders attended the event, which discussed ways that the Wimmera can adopt a whole-of-community approach to tackling the issue of family violence and how communities can rethink attitudes towards women and equality to help prevent violence. 

It is up to each and every one of us to ensure that we are not complicit, by being a silent bystander. 

Last week, I attended the official launch of headspace Horsham. 

This important service provides access to free, confidential and youth friendly mental health and wellbeing services to young people, aged between 12 and 25, in our local community and surrounding areas. 

The headspace model is based on early intervention, with research showing that 75 per cent of mental health disorders emerge before the age of 25. This is the first service of its kind for young people in the Wimmera and headspace Horsham has already helped over 200 young people since opening in May.

We need to acknowledge the huge effort made by many people who have worked so hard to get this valuable service to Horsham. The Youth Reference Group is such an important part of headspace and I especially want to encourage them as emerging leaders in this community and in their work to support their peers.

Cr Pam Clarke, Horsham Rural City Council mayor