Council optimistic about next year’s challenges and opportunities

HELLO from Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff on Wadawurrung Country.

The end of the year is almost here, and it’s a busy one again. I recently joined newly elected Mayors and Deputy Mayors at the Municipal Association of Victoria’s (MAV) Mayoral Induction, which provided an opportunity to meet local government leaders from across the state.

There was excitement about the remaining two years of the term, and this diverse group of mostly first-term Mayors (including many young people and women) shared sector experiences and challenges, talked at length about good governance, and the importance of deliberative engagement in building trust and generating the best outcomes for community.

Strong cross-sector and interagency collaboration is a central part of local government work, and I was heartened by the appetite and passion for this at the MAV event.

The end of the year also signifies that Christmas is close, and now that Point Lonsdale’s 100-year-old, 40-metre-tall Norfolk pine has been officially adorned in lights, its seasonal role as Christmas tree has commenced, and end-of-year celebrations are afoot.

I have been fortunate to represent Council at some of these community celebrations, including meeting with the Borough’s Visitor Information Centre team, a wonderful group of volunteers who staff the centre seven days a week, 364 days a year.

Combined, the volunteers hold an enormous amount of local knowledge that is generously shared with visitors out of our wonderful new community Hub on Hesse Street in Queenscliff.

The centre’s volunteers share the stories, knowledge and history of our town and help engender a love and fascination of place.

They bring the Borough’s heritage to life, and they told me that their knowledge is always expanding. I encourage you to drop by and experience their passion for place yourself.

This week Council will help our three primary schools recognise and celebrate the contributions of students to school life and the community more broadly.

I look forward to meeting future leaders and families from St Aloysious, Queenscliff Primary and Point Lonsdale Primary as another school year draws to a close.

Congratulations to all those students who are graduating, and welcome to new students who will start school next year.

Next week I’ll have Christmas lunch with the Queenscliff Senior Citizens Association, and this is an opportunity to listen to people who also have extraordinary knowledge about Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff and remain passionate about improving it.

The new year holds both opportunities and challenges for the Borough, with important policies and projects to deliver before local government elections in 2024, and Council looks forward to seizing them and engaging our community to help get things done.

I invite all residents and ratepayers, whether as individuals or through organisations, to participate in shaping the future of our municipality.

I thank those who have already participated in a survey, consultation or provided feedback through another avenue.

In 2022, Council has worked hard to progress the Council Plan and achieved strong Community Satisfaction Survey results, and we look forward to building on this in 2023.

However you celebrate the end of the year, this is a time to reflect on one year and prepare for another alongside family, friends and community members.

Soon, our Borough will swell from a modest 3,200 people to over 17,000, and we look forward to welcoming visitors for the holidays. Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club will be busy!

If you’re the present buying type, I’d encourage you to shop local and support our hard-working traders and businesses.

For those who want to minimise environmental impact, check out our op-shops, always bursting with great pre-loved items and staffed by dedicated and friendly volunteers.

For the socially conscious, consider supporting a local charity.

In 2023, through this column, I look forward to introducing readers to the many local people, organisations and initiatives that define and continue to shape the Borough.

Until then, from all at the Borough of Queenscliffe, look after one another, take care on Country and have a very merry Christmas.

Isabelle Tolhurst

Mayor, Borough of Queenscliffe