19 April 2016
Happy Hour ANZAC movie night
While experiencing a once in a life time pilgrimage, the 3,000 Australians and New Zealanders who shared the 2015 journey were entertained and met others who shared ANZAC connections and stories.
Vicki & Victor filmed this voyage and, while on the Gallipoli Peninsula, were also emotionally uplifted to find the grave of Private Thomas Haylock - the only Raymond Islander lost during the Gallipoli landing.
The film features: Normie Rowe, John Williamson, Kate Cebrano, Ross Wilson, Daryl Braithwaite, Bert Newton and many more!
Come along and share this heart-warming and uplifting journey.
Bring an ANZAC inspired plate to Happy Hour Friday April 22 from 5pm - film commences at 7pm.
Donations will be appreciated and will be presented to the RSL Appeal.
The film features: Normie Rowe, John Williamson, Kate Cebrano, Ross Wilson, Daryl Braithwaite, Bert Newton and many more!
Come along and share this heart-warming and uplifting journey.
Bring an ANZAC inspired plate to Happy Hour Friday April 22 from 5pm - film commences at 7pm.
Donations will be appreciated and will be presented to the RSL Appeal.
Shire's Draft Budget 2016/17
The budget proposes a rate increase of 2.5 per cent. This is in line with the new ‘Fair Go’ Rates System, which has capped rates increases by Victorian councils to the forecast movement of 2.5 per cent in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This is the first year of the' Fair Go' Rates System and while Council proposes a rate increase that is in line with the 2.5 per cent cap, the actual rate increases experienced by individual ratepayers will be different due to this being a year where all properties undergo a revaluation.
Mayor, Cr Marianne Pelz, said while Council has not elected to apply to the Essential Services Commission for a variation, it has further reviewed the way services are delivered and identified operational savings and efficiencies that has enabled it to keep its rates increase within the 2.5 per cent cap. “Since we started our term in 2012, we have consistently heard that Council’s services are valued by the community, and that Council also needs to be financially responsible and keep its rates as low as possible,” Cr Pelz said. “Our focus is on maintaining existing service levels and infrastructure, which is always challenging due to the geographic size of our municipality and the distinct needs of our communities. “Wherever you live in East Gippsland, you are using services we provide. As your Council, we provide over 100 services to over 40 individual communities across an area that is equivalent to 10 per cent of the size of Victoria, with around 80 per cent of our land being unrateable. I’m particularly pleased that we have also been able to continue a rebate for eligible pensioners on top of the Victorian Government’s pensioner rebate scheme.” Cr Pelz said the draft Budget was also driven by the priorities in the revised Council Plan.
The Shire’s CEO, Gary Gaffney, said the proposed budget seeks to maintain and improve services and infrastructure, as well as deliver projects and services that are valued by the community. “Councils across Australia raise approximately 3.5 per cent of the total taxation collected by all levels of Government in Australia. However, Councils are entrusted with the maintenance of more than 30 per cent of all Australian public assets including roads, bridges, parks, footpaths and public buildings,” Mr Gaffney said. “This means that a large proportion of Council’s income must be allocated to the maintenance and replacement of these valuable public assets in order to ensure the quality of public infrastructure is maintained at satisfactory levels."
The community is encouraged to have their say on the revised Council Plan and draft Budget. Copies are available from the Shire’s website or can be viewed at the Shire’s Customer Service Centres and libraries. The draft Budget and revised Council Plan are out for public comment until noon on Wednesday, May 18. After considering submissions, Council will formally adopt the documents, including the declaration of rates and charges, with or without amendment, at a Special Council Meeting to be held at the Corporate Centre on Tuesday, June 21 at 6pm. All submissions will be available to the public.
Thoroughly Modern Millie
The opening night performance of ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ will be a Gala Opening.
Come dressed in period costume, walk the red carpet, enjoy complimentary drink and nibbles AND be in the with a chance to win the best costume prize of two tickets to see a show of their choice from the May to July 2016 Arts program brochure, kindly donated by Janice Haynes of the Forge Theatre and Arts Hub.
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| Photograph courtesy: Vicki Jesty |
Classic boat rally
There was another Raymond Island community HIGHLIGHT during the Classic Boats weekend - I was invited aboard Sea Creature for the rally!
Sea Creature was created by Mark and myself and we spent the best days on this beautiful boat. Now, here I am back on board the boat of our dreams.
Many thanks to Dave Evans.
12 April 2016
Coming up at the Forge
The community is invited to an entertaining and thought-provoking one-man show this month. The free show, ‘Someone Like Thomas Banks’, highlights a number of social issues and will be performed in Bairnsdale on 15 April 15. It includes an Auslan interpreter for people with hearing difficulties.
Thomas Banks is a Geelong performer, writer and disability advocate. The show is his story as a man searching for love and claiming his identity. Thomas is a young, gay man with cerebral palsy. The cerebral palsy affects Banks’ movement and speech. He walks with a limp and uses a Lightwriter, a small portable communication device which translate what he types into a computerised voice. The show features Thomas and is an opportunity to create discussion around topics such as tolerance, acceptance, disability awareness and diversity.
Following the show, young people aged 15-25 are invited to take part in a free Youth Forum which has the theme of diversity and social inclusion. The forum includes four workshops covering art and culture, mental health, diversity, and self-defence and street smarts.
It is supported by East Gippsland Shire Council Youth Ambassadors, Department of Health and Human Services, Victoria Police, djillay ngalu, Federation Training, Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative, Gippsland Lakes Community Health, Omeo District Health and Snap Gippsland.
Both the Thomas Banks performance and the Youth Forum will be held at the Forge Theatre and Arts Hub, 80 McKean Street Bairnsdale. RSVP is required, please contact East Gippsland Shire Council on 1300 555 886 or feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au.
Fire operations planning
Last year the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) worked with the Raymond Island community to consider local bushfire risk mitigation activities. A key outcome of that consultation was for DELWP to produce a draft five-year Fire Operations Plan for the Island which incorporated community views and aspirations.
Local Forest Fire Management staff would now like to flag with the community that they will be returning to present the refined plan back to them. There will be a community meeting to consider the refined Fire Operations Plan for Raymond Island, and it will take place in late May, with the time and date to be confirmed and advertised soon on the Raymond Island web page.
DELWP contact for further information: Catherine Burton (03) 5152 0400
Easter Appeals
Residents, holidaymakers and day visitors to the Island responded to the CFA call on Good Friday to support the Royal Children''s Hospital. The Raymond Island Happy Hour also supported this special cause.
In total, we were able to donate $995.05.
Congratulations everyone - well done and see you next year.
Active April
East Gippsland Shire Council is providing special opportunities this month to help promote Active April.
Free pop-up workout sessions will be held in Paynesville, Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale.
The Shire is calling on all community members to be active and aim for 30 minutes of physical activity a day.
Meeting the 30-minute threshold will help a person maintain a healthy weight and reap health benefits like
lowering the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and hypertension.
The Shire’s free classes range from heart pumping sessions such as ZUU and high intensity interval
training, known as HIIT, to Tai Chi and BodyBalance. Other classes include over 50s strength and stability,
bootcamp and zumba.
Most sessions are being held outdoors with a mix of early morning and mid-morning sessions.
To register for Active April or find the activity nearest to you check out the Active April website,
www.activeapril.vic.gov.au. You can refine the event calendar by postcode or town name.
Community garden meeting
The meetings are usually at 7.00pm and are held the third Wednesday of the month at the Fire Station.
All are welcome.
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