It’s an honour and a privilege to be writing this column as the newly elected mayor for Northern Grampians Shire Council.
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This will be my fifth term since being elected to council in 2003, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish over the next term.
I’m really excited about 2019 and what lies ahead for our shire.
Just a little bit of background about me, I was born in Stawell, raised in Callawadda and have lived and worked my entire life in this region. I’ve been heavily involved in the CFA as a volunteer for nearly 50 years and group officer at the Stawell Fire Brigade for 19 years.
I’ve got six grandchildren, some of whom are attending school in Stawell, Ararat and Melbourne, and I’m on a number of committees, including being chair of Grampians Grape Escape, and a member of the Western Highway Action Committee. Anyway, enough about me!
Council CEO Michael Bailey and I recently ventured to Canberra to meet with a number of ministers, shadow ministers and advisers, as well as the prime minister’s office, to discuss issues affecting our region.
Some of the key areas of focus for us were funding of local government, the Opportunities Pyrenees Ararat Northern Grampians Project, Western Highway duplications and the East Grampians pipeline, which is predominately in Ararat but also goes through the Great Western area.
The feasibility of pelletised straw was also a topic for discussion, as well as the need to keep the Overland train going, given the significant impact it would have if we were to lose it.
We also showed our gratitude for roads recovery funding, and I hope it continues to help rural councils such as ours. It really is a vital piece of funding.
Back on local soil, it was great to recognise and make a presentation at a recent council meeting to Sisters of Mercy Ursula and Angela Cain for their efforts and sacrifices to the community of St Arnaud.
They will be sorely missed in our community.
It’s also a great time of year to recognise the efforts of school children in our region, particularly those going through VCE.
It’s great to see their hard work rewarded at the end of what is a long journey, and we wish them all the best in the future.
The well-being of our people, particularly after what’s been a pretty tough season overall for our farmers, is something we definitely need to keep an eye on moving forward.
However, in saying that, I’m really excited about 2019 and what lies ahead for our shire.
I look forward to sharing that with you throughout next year.
Cr Kevin Erwin is mayor of Northern Grampians Shire.
