The Victoria Park Community Pavilion Association is being established to manage the Victoria Park Community Pavilion in Daylesford.  Nominations are open for the appointment of community members to serve on the Executive Committee.  Council will enter into a lease with the Association, which will be responsible for management of the facility.

Community members of the Committee should have a connection with Daylesford and expertise in one or more of the following:

• Financial management and budgeting;
• Facility management;
• Fundraising and sponsorship;
• Marketing and promotion;
• Governance

Interested community members can download the Nomination Form and the proposed Rules of Incorporation below.

For further information contact Michael Hynes, Community and Economic Project Coordinator on 5321 6136.

Nominations close on Monday 14 August 2017 and will be considered by Council.

Model Rules for Incorporated Organisation

Nomination Form

Following extensive community consultation over the last couple of years we are about to start building the new Daylesford Library as part of the Hepburn Hub in The Rex and we want to hear from you about collection, services and opening hours as we plan our move to the new Library.

If you’re interested please complete a quick survey by following the link below.

Survey will be available until 31st August 2017.

www.surveymonkey.com/r/DaylesfordLibrary

Council is seeking applications from interested community members to be appointed to its Audit and Risk Advisory Committee.

The Audit and Risk Advisory Committee is appointed to assist the review of activities of management, the internal audit function and the external auditor to facilitate achieving overall organisational objectives in an efficient and effective manner.

Nominations are now open for the appointment of two community members to serve on the Committee as external independent members.

The Committee acts as an advisory body to Council and makes recommendations to Council for consideration. Final decision making rests with Council.

New members will be appointed for four years.

Nominees should:

1. Be directly involved with Hepburn Shire, e.g. a resident, and have a demonstrated commitment to local communities;
2. Be able to demonstrate a broad understanding of some or all of financial management/reporting risk management; governance and compliance;
3. Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role of local government; and
4. Be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals, organisations and professionals.

Application forms and the Committee’s Charter are available from Council offices or can be downloaded from our website.

Completed applications detailing your interest in the committee and experience, including your resume, should be forwarded to Katherine Toom Hepburn Shire Council, PO Box 21 Daylesford VIC 3160 or ktoom@hepburn.vic.gov.au by 5pm Friday 28 July 2017.

Audit & Risk Advisory Committee – Charter

Audit & Risk Advisory Committee – Member Application

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – Extended Submission

Submissions have been extended until Sunday, 6 August!

Expressions of Interest are open for Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan Community Reference Group. This group will advise Council on the interests, needs and concerns of the local Indigenous community and the Traditional Owners of the Shire, the Dja Dja Wurrung peoples.

We are looking for community members that have an understanding and/or background in Indigenous affairs or have experience working in this field. The group will be comprised of Indigenous and non-Indigenous members.

The following document provides more information about the Community Reference Group, the Reconciliation Action Plan and how to submit your Expression of Interest form:

Expression of Interest – Community Reference Group – Reconciliation Action Plan – June 2017

Expression of Interest Submission Form:

Expression of Interest Form – Reconciliation Action Plan – Community Reference Group June 2017

If you have questions or are in need of assistance with your submission, please contact Nate Perry at nperry@hepburn.vic.gov.au or 5321 6439.

For more information on the role of the group you can view the Terms of Reference:

Reconciliation Action Plan – Community Reference Group – Terms of Reference – May 2017

Council’s Road Management Plan was adopted at the Council meeting held on 20 June 2017.

A review identified the need to make changes to the existing Road Management Plan. Amendments to the plan ensure that the standards in relation to, and the priorities to be given to, the inspection, maintenance and repair of the roads and footpaths and the classes of road to which the Road Management Plan applies to, are safe, efficient and appropriate for use by the community served by the Council.

Click here to view a copy of the Road Management Plan

Community input into the Council planning and Budget process has been extremely important and valuable.

The Council Plan and Budget documents were formally adopted at the 20 June 2017 Council meeting in Daylesford.  We now have the task of delivering on our commitments and reporting on progress in our Annual Report.

For copies of the the Council Plan and Budget click on the links below:

Council Plan 2017-2021
(including Strategic Resource Plan 2017-2021)

Budget 2017/2018

Hepburn Libraries will once again be a hive of activity over the winter school holidays with a full calendar of events.

Give us a call at the Library that is hosting the session you would like to attend to book in.

Clunes – 5345 3359

Creswick – 5345 2145

Daylesford – 5348 2800

Trentham – 5424 1326

EVENTS

Friday 30th June

Movie, Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone – 4.30pm – Trentham Library

Monday 3rd July

Under the Sea Craft – 10am – Creswick Hub

Movie, Moana – 2:00pm – The Warehouse – Clunes

Tuesday 4th July

Laughing Crafting – 2pm – Trentham Library

Aboriginal Culture, Didgeridoo and Storytelling with Ron Murray – 3pm – Creswick Hub

Wednesday 5th July

Pom-pom pets – 11am – Daylesford Library

Dreamtime Storytelling – 11am – The Warehouse – Clunes

PG Movie in the Library – 2pm – Creswick Hub

Thursday 6th July

Dreamtime Storytelling – 11.30am – Daylesford Library

NAIDOC Movie, First Australians – 6pm – The Warehouse – Clunes

Friday 7th July

Make Your Own Mini-Aquarium – 2pm – Creswick Hub

Aboriginal Culture, Didgeridoo and Storytelling with Ron Murray – 3pm – Trentham Library

Monday 10th July

Roo Keepers –    11am – The Warehouse – Clunes

2pm – Daylesford Library

Badge making – 2pm – Creswick Hub

Tuesday 11th July

Winter Craft – 2pm – Trentham Library

Wednesday 12th July

Under the Sea Crafternoon – 2pm – Creswick Hub

Thursday 13th July

Snow Globes – 2pm – Daylesford

Crafternoon – 2pm – The Warehouse – Clunes

Youth Pizza & Movie Night – 6pm – The Warehouse – Clunes

Friday 14^th July

PG movie in the Library – 10am – Creswick Library

We are pleased to present our NAIDOC week activities for 2017. NAIDOC week is held each year across Australia in July to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture.

The official NAIDOC website outlines that NAIDOC originally stood for “National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee.” The committee was responsible for organising celebratory activities nation-wide. The acronym has since become the name of the week itself and celebrations are hosted or organised by communities, governments and workplaces. Click here or the logo above to find out more information on the history of NAIDOC week.

Hepburn Shire’s events are listed below. Click on each of the events to find out more information.

MONDAY, 3 JULY

NAIDOC Kick Off: Why Celebrate NAIDOC Week? – Daylesford Town Hall, 6pm

TUESDAY, 4 JULY

Didgeridoo and Indigenous Storytelling – Creswick Hub, 3pm

Clunes Movie Night, “First Australians” – The Warehouse – Clunes, 6pm

WEDNESDAY, 5 JULY

Dreamtime Storytelling – The Warehouse – Clunes, 11am

“True Soldiers, True Citizens: Indigenous Service Personnel” Creswick RSL, 6pm

THURSDAY, 6 JULY

Dreamtime Storytelling – Daylesford Library, 11:30am

“Bran Nue Dae” Free Screening – Daylesford Community Cinema, 6:30pm

FRIDAY, 7 JULY

Didgeridoo and Indigenous Storytelling – Trentham Library, 3pm

The Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve (HMSR) Improvement Project aims to improve the visitor experience at the reserve, which remains one of the most popular resident and visitor destinations in the Hepburn Shire.   The HMSR is of state significance due to the rich history surrounding the area and the unique nature of the natural mineral springs located in the reserve.

To keep you informed of the project we are holding monthly community conversations.  Come along to hear more about the project at the upcoming sessions:

• Friday 16 June 1.00pm – 2.00pm
• Thursday 20 July 11.00am – 12.00pm
• Monday 21 August 2.00pm – 3.00pm

The Project:

The HMSR improvement project will improve conservation, connections and paths, sustainable management, maintenance, interpretation and wayfinding signage, entry presentation, planting and traffic management.  The specific projects are as follows.

1. Installation of a new gateway sign, destination and wayfinding signage and improvements to the existing interpretative signage.
2. Improvements to the HMSR gateway landscaping.
3. Upgrades to the picnic carpark including replacement of the decaying timber kerbing with concrete kerbs and wheel stops.
4. Upgrades to the picnic carpark landscaping including removal of dangerous trees, significant tree (26 No) and groundcover planting (over 6000 No) and upgrades to the picnic areas including fencing of the steep embankment.
5. Construction of a paths connecting the HMSR to the Hepburn Springs township including from the new pedestrian bridge to Mineral Springs Crescent and along Mineral Springs Crescent from the HMSR entry to the existing path across the creek.
6. Construction of a footpath along Mineral Springs Crescent to Main Road and the remainder of the town’s footpath network.
7. Construction and upgrade of the pedestrian path from the Bathhouse to the rear of the Pavilion Cafe.
8. Construction of an accessible concrete path to Locarno Springs including removal of perpendicular carparking and continuation of the concrete footpath from the Bathhouse and including upgrading of the planting around the Locarno Springs.
9. Construction of an accessible concrete path to the Mineral Springs including planting to reduce requirements of mowing steep slopes.
10. Upgrades to the planting around the Mineral Springs including the entire north bank and a 5m width along the south bank of indigenous grasses and new plantings (of native and exotic species) to the Soda Springs gardens.
11. A series of minor projects including the following.
    1. Replacement of the vehicle access gate with a removable bollard to make pedestrian access easier.
    2. Relocation of the bins around the picnic area where they are more in demand.
    3. Refurbishment including painting of the heritage lights.
    4. Relocation of the interpretative signs so they are accessible and readable.

A memorial service celebrating Rod’s life will be held at the Daylesford Town Hall on Thursday 8 June at 1pm.  Members of the community are welcome to attend.

Hepburn Shire Councillors and staff are saddened by the news that former Mayor and Councillor, Rod May, has passed away as result of injuries sustained during a road accident last week.  Rod is the brother of current Councillor, Greg May.

CEO Aaron van Egmond said that Rod May will be remembered for his contribution to his small community of Blampied and wider shire, particularly during his terms as a Hepburn Shire Councillor.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with his daughters, family and friends at this very difficult time,” said Mr van Egmond.

Mayor Cr Sebastian Klein said Rod May stood tall in his vision for sustainability, community and agriculture.

“His contribution to municipal and community life over the decades of his life is unmistakable.   Among his colleagues here at our Council and among our communities, he will be sorely, and sadly missed. To his family, we send our warmest thoughts and condolences. We share your grief,” said Cr Klein.

Hepburn Shire Council proudly celebrated National Reconciliation Week and the landmark decisions that were made in 1967 and 1992.  Members of the community gathered for a Dja Dja Wurrung smoking ceremony and cultural exhibition at the Daylesford Museum.

In 1967, over 90 per cent of Australians voted to give the Commonwealth the power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognise them in the national census.

In 1992, the High Court of Australia ruled in Mabo v Queensland that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a special relationship with the Australian land that existed before European colonisation and still exists today. This decision led to the 1993 Native Title Act.

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2017 is “Let’s take the next steps.” Council is in the process of developing a Reconciliation Action Plan that will help promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture.  We are seeking to take the next steps to promote reconciliation with our Traditional Owners, the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans, and our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members.

Council’s Environmental Health Team has identified a Blue Green Algae bloom occurring at Lake Daylesford. The public are advised to avoid contact with the water and to also keep their pets out of the lake.  Council is monitoring the situation, and will give an update once satisfactory test results have been received.

Click here for more information

Murray Goulburn Water FAQ