Mayoral Matters | April 4, 2025
Published on 04 April 2025
By Cr Karen Hyslop
It’s been a busy fortnight, with Mondays starting with our regular councillor briefings from 9.30am to 1pm, where councillors discuss a range of different issues and topics regarding our shire.
Once a fortnight, these briefings are followed by a catch-up between myself, the CEO and council’s media and comms team, where again, we discuss a range of topics of importance to our region, and how they might be addressed.
On Tuesday last week, I paid a visit to St Arnaud Community Kitchen, a not-for-profit organisation that provides morning tea and lunch for the community on Tuesdays at a minimum price and helps families who are struggling with meals when required. I met with Cr Karen Probst, and we were all spoilt with a lovely roast and sweets. How lucky we are to have such a wonderful organisation in our shire.
While the following day started off relatively quietly, it quickly became busier when I was asked if I would welcome Livinia Nixon and the Postcards team on their arrival at Halls Gap. I made a quick trip out to Halls Gap to welcome them to our beautiful region.
Following my return to Stawell for an online meeting, I made another trip to Halls Gap a few hours later, where our CEO, council director strategy, prosperity and engagement Justine Kingan, deputy mayor Justine Hide and I met with Nationals Members Emma Kealy and Danny O’Brien, and several business owners. We discussed how things were going in the wake of the recent bushfires, a pathway forward and what support is needed to help the businesses return to full trade.
On Thursday last week, Crs Hide, Jenny Greenberger, Murray Emerson and I attended a Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Workshop with community health leaders and stakeholders. It was a well-run and well-attended event.
The following day, I attended a trip to Dimboola’s retail precinct with our CEO, three staff from council's economic development team, Crs Hide and Greenberger and several community members.
Throughout the past five years, Dimboola’s retail precinct has transformed. During the visit, four separate business leaders talked us through their journey. A clear message among them all was that positive change can be achieved if you all work together and to think outside the box to invigorate retail precincts and businesses.
Cr Greenberger’s and my day finished at the Stawell Hospital Ladies Auxillary Wine and Savoury Night. It was such a fun night and a great way to relax and unwind after a busy week.
Last weekend, my husband and I also had the honour of attending the Stawell Secondary College 39th Annual Presentation Ball on Saturday and Sunday night.
It was an absolute pleasure to help celebrate their special occasion. All the debutantes and their partners looked stunning. A big shout-out to the committee and school for supporting and organising this important event.