When it was established in 1979, the unit had minimal support and the volunteers had to source much of the funding for essential equipment themselves. These days, however, all rescue equipment is updated on a replacement schedule. The council has had a close relationship with the Warracknabeal unit since its inception and matched state government funding until the state took full responsibility in 2017.

It is sometimes overlooked that these members voluntarily offer their service to our community when any emergency occurs. The council recognises and commends the 15 fully-trained active members who perform valued roles in response to any accident or natural disaster.

On February 13, Cr Kylie Zanker and myself met with four year seven students at Warracknabeal Secondary College who expressed a desire to serve on our Yarriambiack Youth Action Council. All four wanted to join so they could be part of the group that plans and organises activities for young people in our shire. YYAC will again screen the seven winning short films at the Endoreic film festival. This event will be at Lake Lascelles, Hopetoun on Thursday, April 4. Prior to the screenings, a colour run will be conducted and our councillors will be there to present the Yarriambiack Young Achiever Awards.

Yarriambiack Shire welcomed Senator Bridget McKenzie, Federal Minister for Regional Services, to Warracknabeal this month. Senator McKenzie announced that our livestock exchange would receive $204,000 from the Building Better Regions fund to upgrade facilities and that Wimmera Mallee tourism would be given $562,500 to plan trails that would attract greater tourism to our region.

This planning will be further boosted when the movie, The Dry, is released next year as it will feature buildings in Minyip, Beulah, Hopetoun, Banyena and Warracknabeal. Seeing where the film was shot will be another reason why visitors should make the trek to North-West Victoria.

I was asked to present leadership awards at Warracknabeal Primary School at their induction ceremony. Our community is fortunate that so many talented young people are putting their hands up to perform these roles.

This year WPS awarded 35 certificates and badges for roles as school captains, house captains, environmental leaders, well-being leaders and membership of the Junior Representative Council.

After our council meeting on February 27, I conducted a Citizenship Ceremony for five of our residents who had come from the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Switzerland and Nigeria to settle in our shire. This ceremony is one of the most pleasant tasks I perform as mayor.