Amazing how time flies when you are having fun! It is hard to believe that it is almost four years since being elected to Council. Lots to learn and lots of people to meet and get to know, from within our community to networking with other councils, officers and councillors alike, is the highlight of being a Councillor.
I was told by a colleague that I have an overdeveloped social conscience. I guess that stemmed from growing up in a society where some people had all the power and others none at all, and watching and observing how difficult it is to bring about change.
The best decision I ever made was to join the Maryborough Volunteer Resource Centre (MVRC), supporting and empowering the community volunteer groups within the Shire. It is a known fact that not-for-profit groups work in isolation, some more successful than others with fundraising and recruiting. The main aim of the recent Grant Writing Workshops was to break down the silos and for groups to get to know each other, sharing information, supporting each other. I saw this in action at Pitch Night last week.
With Council's tight budget, supporting local not-for-profits with fundraising is an effective way for Council to attract alternative funding streams into our community. Our Council is very pro-active in that regard.
Council officers supported a number of groups by applying for funding in the Tiny Towns Grants The total value of the projects identified was over $675,000. This will go a long way supporting many groups and their projects.
If you are bored and need some movement in your life, become a volunteer with one of the many groups in our Shire. Council is also recruiting volunteers for the L2P Program, the Art Gallery and the Information Centre, to name but a few.
Cr Anna De Villiers
June 2024
