Have Your Say: Draft Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy
Golden Plains Shire Council’s Draft Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy (the Draft Policy) is currently on public exhibition until Monday 1 September 2025.
Gambling harm is a complex and significant public health issue affecting individuals, families and the broader community. Councils have a responsibility under the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008, to protect, improve and promote health and wellbeing.
The Draft Policy outlines: Council’s position of
gambling and gambling harm minimisation, the actions Council takes to minimise gambling harm within the municipality, roles and responsibilities for Council in preventing harm from gambling within the municipality, and the associated legislation, policy and plans related to gambling and gambling harm.
To read the Draft Policy and provide feedback, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations. Feedback can be provided online or via hard copy at Council’s Customer Hubs, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn, and 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale.
Golden Rainbows Film Fest Coming Soon
Golden Plains Shire Council is excited to announce the Golden Rainbows Film Fest (the Film Fest) is set to captivate audiences in September 2025.
Presented by the Golden Plains Youth Council (formerly known as the Youth Activation Committee), the Film Fest is an all-ages, fully supervised event that will feature four film screenings throughout September to be held on:
• Friday 5 September from 4 to 8pm at the Y, Bannockburn – featuring ‘Love, Simon’
• Friday 12 September from 4 to 8pm at the Linton Bowls Club – featuring ‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’
• Friday 19 September from 4 to 8pm at The Well, Smythesdale – featuring ‘Kinky Boots’
• Tuesday 23 September from 1 to 5pm at the Bannockburn Cultural Centre – featuring ‘A Nice Indian Boy’
As part of the Film Fest, Council is also taking the opportunity to showcase the talents of young people across the Shire by displaying a touring exhibition of artwork and written pieces by LGBTQIA+ young people and their allies.
The Golden Rainbows Film Fest is supported by the Victorian Government under its Youth Fest 2025 funding initiative. For further information, contact Council’s Youth Development team at youth@gplains.vic.gov.au or call 5220 7111.
The DIgital hubA work from home alternative
Golden Plains Shire has a Digital Hub located at The Well in Smythesdale that offers a comfortable and contemporary alternative to working from home.
The Digital Hub is open from 8.45am to 4.45pm Monday to Friday reliable internet and mobile phone coverage.
You can book by the hour and utilise the boardroom, create a theatre-style setup or work at one of the hot desks on a casual basis.
To find out more and book, visit bit.ly/4ejg0YC.
Sign up for the Digital Gazette
Starting with the September 2025 edition, the Gazette newsletter will be moving to digital only delivery. This means you will no longer receive hard copies in your letterbox or at local pick-up points. Hard copies will be available on request. The digital-only delivery will not only improve your access to important updates, but also aligns with our broader sustainability goals.
To sign up for the digital Gazette, scan the QR Code or email enquiries@gplains.vic.gov.au.