Community vision adopted and creative arts grants offered

HELLO to all Borough of Queenscliffe residents, ratepayers and visitors.

Spring is in the air and while we might not be able to fully take advantage of the longer days and warmer weather just yet, the patience and cooperation of the people of the borough should see us get through the next couple of months in good stead.

Last Thursday was a special day for me as I received my second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and I am now fully vaccinated against COVID-19. A big thank you to the team at Point Lonsdale Medical Group who made the process quick, easy and stress-free. They have been doing a power of work over the past 18 months in keeping members of our community safe and healthy.

You might have seen a couple of posts on Facebook where myself and my fellow councillor Michael Grout were sharing the reasons why we’re getting vaccinated. I’m getting vaccinated so I can see my eldest daughter in Canberra and family in Queensland.

Now that everyone over the age of 16 is eligible, I strongly encourage you to make a vaccination appointment if you haven’t already. Every person in the borough who gets vaccinated helps to keep our community safe and will let us get back to the festivals, events and gatherings that we love. Visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au to get started.

Our ‘race to 80’ against Buloke Shire

You may have seen the Borough of Queenscliffe’s name up in lights across broadcast media over the past fortnight, with new statistics showing that the borough has the highest rate of vaccination in the country across all local government areas.

As of the end of August, the Borough had 64 per cent of its residents fully vaccinated, with almost 87 per cent having had one dose. In second place across the state is Buloke Shire, with 48.4 per cent of residents fully vaccinated.

I got chatting with Buloke mayor Daryl Warren – an old friend of mine – and as is often the case when you’re talking for a while, we decided on a bet. Both of our communities being small rural shires, we decided: which LGA can be the first to reach 80 per centfully vaccinated across their population?

While we have a bit of a headstart, we can’t afford to be complacent! Plus, there’s real stakes on the line – the losing mayor has agreed to host the winning Mayor for dinner and a night’s accommodation in their community when it’s safe to do so.

Both council areas have some of Victoria’s most spectacular tourist destinations, including Lake Tyrrell, Silo Art destinations, Point Lonsdale’s beaches and the historic Queenscliff township.

To book your vaccine and help out the borough in our ‘race to 80’, visit portal.cvms.vic.gov.au or call the Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.

Community Vision adopted

At last month’s August Ordinary Meeting of Council, my fellow councillors and I were delighted to adopt a new ten-year vision statement for the Borough of Queenscliffe, developed hand-in-hand with community members.

The Community Vision is one of the requirements of the new Local Government Act 2020 and its purpose is to describe our community’s aspirations for the future of the borough. I’d like to thank everyone that took part in the extensive consultation process, which took place over a number of months and multiple lockdowns.

I really am pleased that we have been able to capture what our community represents in just a few short statements. The last 18 months have shown how fortunate we are to live in a community defined by our incredible nature, coastline and people.

The central statement of the Borough’s Community Vision is as follows:

The Borough is a special and restorative place, renowned for its distinctive coast, rich living heritage and vibrant culture.

Our community is caring, and welcoming to visitors

We have a deep respect for the Wadawurrung People and are taking action to protect Country.

This statement is supported by five pillars: Enhancing health and wellbeing, Protecting Country and our natural environment, Supporting business and community prosperity. Encouraging an inclusive and engaged community, and Protecting and celebrating Wadawurrung and Borough heritage.

This format was chosen by the panel for its ability to both highlight areas of specific importance and to synthesise these values into a central vision. A full copy of the Community Vision, including more information about how it was developed, is available on council’s website at queenscliffe.vic.gov.au/plan.

Calling all local artists

Calling all local creatives and artists! Our friends at Geelong Regional Libraries are starting up a new venture called the Creative Collective Memory Arts project, which seeks to capture the collective experience of COVID-19 through art making.

The library is looking to engage diverse local artists to facilitate workshops in the community in late-2021 through to mid-2022. Artists will receive a payment of $1,000 towards facilitation and material costs.

To find out more about the project and how to submit an expression of interest, visit the Geelong Regional Libraries website. Be quick, as applications close 11.59pm Sunday, September 12.

As always, feel free to get in touch with me if you have anything to ask or share regarding our beautiful borough.

Kind regards,
Cr Ross Ebbels
Mayor, Borough of Queenscliffe