12 May 2026 | Council business, Out and about
As hopefully you’ve come across one way or another, the Shire’s draft budget is out for your review. Much like the State budget last week and the Federal budget this week, there isn’t the funding to do everything for everyone and your Councillors...
24 Mar 2026 | Council business, Out and about
As the Councillor rep on the Positive Ageing committee (with volunteer seniors from each of the Shire’s towns) and joining Cr Mike Bodsworth, it was great to see the Healthy Wealthy & Wise roadshow in Anglesea so well attended last week. A day of encouraging...
10 Mar 2026 | Council business, Out and about
I’d like to start by congratulating the Winchelsea Lions Club for the Free Picnic they ran a couple of Saturdays ago – it was a grey day but the rain held off, and while there was certainly room for plenty more kids & families, lots of kids enjoyed the...
9 Feb 2026 | Council business, Out and about
What a busy start to 2026! After a lovely quiet week as usual between Christmas and New Year’s Day, we’re off with a bang and through the first month already. As an active firefighter myself, I have joined dozens of our CFA volunteers from all around our...
25 Nov 2025 | Council business, Out and about
The annual Remembrance Day service was as usual held at the Winchelsea Memorial Cairns, run by the RSL – a moving ceremony with wreaths placed around the 3 cairns. The weather was fine right up until the last couple of minutes; a big “Well done” to the school Grade 5...
30 Oct 2025 | Council business, Out and about
How good are all the new trees and plantings around Winchelsea? Part of the “Branching Out” project (more at jo.my/winchelseatrees) starting with Winchelsea and Deans Marsh, in years to come this will make a big (and very positive, imo) difference. I recall driving...
26 Sep 2025 | Council business, Out and about
It’s been quite a week… and a while since my last update! In the last couple of months, we’ve seen the official opening of the Winchelsea playspace on a freezing but bright day (Mayor Mike Bodsworth and Councillor Joel Grist had a play too), 2 electric vehicle...
5 Aug 2025 | Council business, Out and about
Much is happening in and around Winchelsea – not least the Winchelsea Place Plan which has held the first 2 sessions gathering ideas and principles that will feed into coming sessions to form the actual Place Plan. Your input is now being sought on the emerging vision...
18 Jul 2025 | Council business, Out and about
Last Friday saw a wonderful Winchelsea Road Show at the Shire Hall – running most of the day with a number of presentations, stalls, grazing food and lots of great conversations. Just a great collaboration between community groups, the Winchelsea Community Bank, and...
8 Jul 2025 | Council business, Out and about
I had 3 visitors at the first Winchelsea Councillor Chat last week (1st Thursday of each month), with discussions ranging from road care, traffic lights & pedestrian crossings through to new bridge, industrial estate, tree plantings and pigeon-poo! Good to catch...
25 Jun 2025 | Council business, Out and about
Congratulations to Winchelsea Primary School for being awarded this year’s $10,000 Climate Emergency Grant with their project ‘School for Climate: Regeneration and Climate Action in Regional Communities’. Equally, congratulations to all those who voted for this...
13 Jun 2025 | Council business, Out and about
The Winchelsea Place Plan is under way, aiming to develop a clear strategic plan for the town’s growth over the next couple of decades. Community aspirations and input are essential for this Place Plan to succeed as it must reflect local desires and ambitions for how...
24 May 2025 | Council business, Out and about
As we finish off National Volunteers Week with various celebrations around the Shire (by Council and many other organisations), it is worth reflecting on the 2 sides of the volunteerism coin. On the one side, our communities simply wouldn’t be what they are without...
4 Apr 2025 | Council business, Out and about
Last Friday afternoon there was an induction for the new members of the Positive Ageing Advisory Committee (PAAC), which I and most of the existing members also went along to. It’s the first time the Shire has held an induction for this group, so a good grounding for...
27 Mar 2025 | Council business, Out and about
It has been, apparently as usual for a new Council term, a very busy couple of months. The draft budget. The new 4-year plan. Presentations on diverse shire services, responsibilities and activities. Council meetings & events. Emails (always), talking to &...
27 Feb 2025 | Community issues, Uncategorised
I’d like to thank the many that wrote in ahead of our February 2025 Council Meeting, on both sides of this issue, addressed either to myself directly or to multiple Councillors. But there is that word – “sides” – that is at the core of...
13 Jan 2025 | Council business
For another couple of weeks, Surf Coast Shire is gathering feedback, ideas, suggestions and directions to feed into the mandatory 4-year Council Plan that must be developed and published by October this year. I want to see more Winchelsea Ward contributions. For now,...
13 Dec 2024 | Roads maintenance
Planning is underway to repair the deck and reopen Pollocksford Road Bridge, connecting Barrabool Road, Gnarwarre with the Hamilton Highway near Stonehaven. Council workers are working with structural engineers to develop plans to replace the deck of the bridge. Once...
13 Dec 2024 | Out and about
At the AGM for Hesse Rural Health last Wednesday night, great to hear they’ve achieved both so much over the last year and are also in a healthy financial situation. Guest speaker was Lana Purcell CEO of Feed Me Surf Coast – a very inspiring background,...
1 Dec 2024 | Council business
I’d like to hear from you about where we go over the next 4 years or so, and what we do with the next yearly budget. By way of background, the Shire and its Council are obligated by State Government to produce a 4-year ‘Council Plan’ which needs to... 