Distribution 2200
October 2014
Mannum, South Australia 5238
Issue Number 95
FREE
Local Government Elections Why Should You Vote? oting for your Council is not compulsory, but it is an opportunity to exercise your democratic right to select the people you would like to represent you on Council. Every four years, your Elected Members and aspiring candidates for Council put themselves up for election and your vote counts. Being a Council Member is one of the most direct ways that a person can have influence on decisions that affect your Council area. Your Council is the closest form of government to your community. As community members we have frequent interaction with our Council and have daily evidence of the services provided by Council, mainly through our rates, but also with funding from the State and Federal Governments, through arrangements largely funded by our taxes. So why should we vote in Local Government Elections? For most, our homes are the biggest investment we will ever make and the value of our home is interdependent on its surroundings, location, parks, footpaths, local roads, access to amenities such as playgrounds, libraries and sport and recreational facilities. Our Councils are vital to the provision of these services and facilities, whether we own or rent, whether we pay rates directly or our landlords pay them through our rent. Our communities also add value to our lives and Councils are central to these communities. We rely on our Council to pick up our rubbish, to keep local roads up to scratch and we expect our drains
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to prevent local flooding, protect our environment, for dogs to be registered and for our street lights to add to the safety of our local environment. Democracy is something that no one should take for granted. Every day throughout the world, people are struggling to obtain autonomy and the opportunity to participate in determining the destiny of their community. Australia is one of the ‘lucky’ countries where we have the opportunity to actively participate in and have influence on all spheres of government. Increasingly people are taking more interest in public affairs, particularly at the local level. This is evident from the record number of people who have nominated as candidates in this Council election cycle for Councils throughout the State. The ratio of candidates to positions is the highest on record – on average around 1.89 people will contest each position – with a 4.7% increase in nominations. As a result a record 1261 candidates will be electioneering across South Australia in the coming weeks. Ballot packs will be posted out between 20th and 24th October. Voting is by post and completed voting papers must be returned no later than 5pm on Friday 7th November 2014. Voting is free, it’s an extremely easy process and putting it bluntly – if you don’t vote for your Council, don’t complain if you don’t like what they do for the next four years. Russell Peate, CEO Mid Murray Council
Kindy Crackles with Creativity annum Kindy kids were inspired by a recent visit to a major SALA exhibition at the Wool Shed Gallery in Mannum, to hold their own exhibition of nearly 50 pieces at a local coffee shop, the Bean Shack at Mannum Green. SALA 2014 in the Mid Murray witnessed the largest number of contributing artists ever. In 5 exhibitions from Palmer to Sedan and Mannum, an open field, café, museum, historic hall and generously donated private gallery played host to more than 33 local artists in a sizzling display
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and celebration of diversity, colour, resilience and connection. In keeping with the spirit of SALA, the Mannum Kindy has been focussing on the creativity of their small charges and after a tour of the extensive SALA exhibition at the private gallery, decided on an unconventional but very public space to share their colourful creations. The Bean Shack Café at Mannum Green was thrilled to host the varied and eclectic collection. With ages from 2½ to around 7, the children’s art works are a lesson in a lack of inhibition and use of colour. The works will be auctioned off as a fund raiser (traditionally purchased by the parents) and this year may see some further opportunities for families and the public to purchase samples e.g. placemats, coasters or Christmas card sets. Please enjoy your visit to the café to enjoy the vast number of works and maybe grab a coffee too! “It took me 4 years to paint like Raphael and a lifetime to paint like a child.” Pablo Picasso Tess Minett, Arts and Cultural Development Officer Mid Murray Council
Ageing in the Murraylands Calendars & Dates Church Services
4 Classifieds 32 Food is Life is Food 3 Mid Murray Council
31 Mid Murray Support Services 30 Out of this World 24 Musical Miscellany 21 Pause A While 28 On My Bookshelf 25
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