Happy New Year from the Borough

HAPPY New Year to all our Borough of Queenscliffe residents and ratepayers, as well as the many visitors that are joining in the seasonal festivities this year.

While our collective patience has been tested many times this year, the good people of Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale have shown their incredible resilience each time in the face of every challenge. It’s been my honour and privilege to have led you as mayor throughout 2021 – now let’s cross our fingers for an uplifting 2022.

Help select our local award winners

Each year, council holds an awards ceremony recognising and celebrating the many individuals, community groups and organisations that make outstanding contributions to the borough.

Anyone who lives, works or contributes in the borough can be nominated for the awards, and these are then deliberated by a community reference group that assesses nominations before making recommendations to council.

The reference group is active for a period of two years, which means we’re now due for a new group for our Community Service Awards.

So this summer, we’re putting the call out for all eligible locals to express their interest in joining this group.

There’s an online form on our website where all you need to do is answer two simple questions – What is your interest in becoming a member of Community Reference Group, and what is your current involvement and/or activity in the local community?

To get started, visit boq.news/csa and follow the prompts. Expressions of interest close on February 18, 2022, so you’ve got plenty of time to get prepared.

Event sponsorship program applications closing soon

With major events back on the agenda and visitors returning in their droves to the borough, council has opened up its event sponsorship program for another year. If you or your community organisation has a new idea for an event, project or activity that will support and promote a healthy, involved and creative community, then we’re here to help.

We’re in the last days of eligibility for the 2022–23 program, so make sure you get online and complete your application before 11.59pm on December 31, 2021.

As always, council recommends you read our policy on event sponsorship before proceeding with the application, and our economic development team is also more than happy to have a chat with you about any ideas you may have.

Visit boq.news/eventsponsorship to get started.

‘Shop Local’ gift card competition continues

Our ‘3225 Love Local Shop Local’ Facebook and Instagram pages promote the best in retail, accommodation and hospitality across our twin towns, and this summer they’re running a series of competitions to encourage spending with our local traders. We’re giving away dozens of $50 local shopping vouchers across the summer months, and there’s still plenty of chances for you to win. It’s super easy to take part – check out the ‘3225 Love Local Shop Local’ socials for how to enter, as well as the comp’s terms and conditions.

We’re currently on a short holiday break

A reminder that our council offices are currently closed for the Christmas/New Year period to allow our hard-working customer service officers a well-earned break. We’ll be reopening at 9am on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.

If you have anything you’d like to discuss with me about the borough, drop me a line via the contact details on council’s website.

Kind regards,
Cr Ross Ebbels
Mayor, Borough of Queenscliffe