Enjoy a Weekday Wine-Down at The Provedore

• Soup of the day

• Main course and side

• Glass of estate wine

• $45 per person

Dine and explore with this exclusive lunch time offer, valid Monday to Friday at The Provedore. Indulge in an exclusive wine tasting at our Cellar Door afterwards.

470 Mitchellstown Rd, Nagambie VIC 3608

(03) 5736 2222

Mayor’s call for Fuel Efficiency Standard (FES) a success

The Federal Government has announced funding toward implementing a Fuel Efficiency Standard (FES) after calls from Mayor Cr Laura Binks and other Mayors and Councillors through the City Powers Project.

The recent announcement of the Federal Budget contained $7.4 million over four years to implement a FES that can help unlock affordable electric vehicles (EV) for Australians.

Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Cr Laura Binks said the news was an exciting step towards increasing Australia’s supply of affordable EVs.

“A FES increases the supply of EVs, and other efficient petrol and diesel vehicles, including affordable models already available in other countries,” she said.

“Because lots of large companies and governments buy cars in bulk and only hang onto their cars for a limited time, a bigger initial supply of EVs will lead to an expanded second-hand market a few years down the track, meaning more Australians will be able to get behind the wheel of an EV.”

Head of Advocacy at the Climate Council Dr Jennifer Rayner said Australia needed a strong fuel efficiency standard to deliver cleaner cars that are cheaper to run.

“The new funding in the Federal Budget is a great sign of the government's commitment to delivering one, now we need to crack on with designing it,” Dr Rayner said.

Strathbogie Shire Council advocates to both the State and Federal Governments for funding to not only improve our own community, but for projects that will also benefit the entire state and country.

“I am incredibly proud of the work we continue to do each and every day when it comes to advocacy,” Cr Binks said.

“In my role, I am grateful to have the opportunity to meet and network with a number of Ministers and continue to raise awareness for the challenges of Strathbogie Shire residents and beyond.”

Have your say on Avenel’s future growth

Council is calling on the Avenel community to have its say on important matters affecting their future.

Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Cr Laura Binks said Council was in the process of updating the Issues and Opportunities paper as part of the refresh of the Avenel 2030 Strategy.

“Avenel is rapidly growing, becoming a desirable township offering a rural lifestyle within a couple of hour’s drive from the Melbourne CBD,” Cr Binks said.

“As a result, the existing Avenel 2030 strategy requires updating to ensure the document meets the needs of the growing community.”

“The updated strategy will identify and assess future land uses to meet growth and demand for housing, jobs, and services to insure coordinated growth into the future.”

The need to review the document was detailed in the Council Plan and the update is a joint project between the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action (DEECA), formally known as the Department Environment Land, Water & Planning (DELWP), and Council.

DEECA has appointed Mesh Livable Urban Communities to undertake the work.

“While the existing Avenel 2030 is a very good document, the strategy requires updating to better direct the residential development Avenel is currently experiencing,” Cr Binks said.

“We want to hear from residents on important matters affecting their future in Avenel including the direction of residential growth while protecting the township’s unique historical Character.”

Council will also discuss telecommunication improvements for the area, retaining and protecting native vegetation and neighbourhood character as Avenel grows into the future.

“We want to hear from you – the Avenel community! So that we can ensure the proposed changes meet your expectations,” Cr Binks said. Visit www.share.strathbogie.vic.gov.au where you can complete a short survey about your experiences in Avenel and suggest a name for the refreshed Issues and Opportunities Paper.

Support for tourism in the Goulburn region

The Victorian Government is supporting Greater Shepparton City, Mitchell Shire and Strathbogie Shire Councils to come together to deliver the Goulburn Region Tourism Partnership project.

This collaborative project is aimed at strengthening and growing the visitor economy offering of the region.

Regional tourism plays a significant role in supporting thriving regions and strengthening communities. It is an important contributor to the economic and social development of regional areas.

This is true for the Goulburn region, which welcomes over 2 million visitors annually and offers many fantastic attractions and events for visitors to enjoy.

The partnership will provide a collaborative approach and strategic framework to the region’s visitor economy through the completion of a series of projects.

This will include engaging community in the creation of a regional destination management plan, as well as the delivery of an industry skills building program. Through a co-design process with State Government the partner Councils will also be investigating the regions place within the regional tourism network.

Greater Shepparton City Council, Mayor Cr Shane Sali said, ““As a regional city, Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley has so much to offer. Our region’s major events program and expanding visitor attractions have supported our ongoing growth as a leading regional destination. While the recent flood event impacted our tourism sector, our community’s strength and resilience has helped the industry in its recovery and continued growth. This is an exciting collaborative project, and we look forward to the further support it will deliver to our region and that of our partner Councils.”

Mitchell Shire Council, Mayor Cr Fiona Stevens said, “The Goulburn Region begins only an hour from Melbourne and offers some exceptional attractions and events for visitors to enjoy as day trippers as well as for those who want to explore and experience more with longer stays. The partnership will allow our region to lead the strategic direction of tourism within the Goulburn region and will supply us the recognition and support we need to highlight and share our exceptional offerings. We look forward to working with industry, partner Councils and State Government on this key project for our region”.

Strathbogie Shire Council, Mayor Cr Laura Binks said, “The partnership and participating Councils will involve industry groups and community throughout this project as we investigate the best outcomes for the future of regional tourism. Strathbogie Shire has so much to offer when it comes to tourism - to see, do, experience and taste. Council looks forward to being a part of this collaborative project and we are eager to see the outcomes of this work.”

Across other regions in Victoria, regional tourism boards act as the peak body who support a destination’s local tourism businesses, deliver tourism initiatives and drive visitation to a region.

The Goulburn region is currently not serviced by such an entity and the recent pandemic and flood events have further highlighted the need for a united voice and coordinated approach to support the visitor economy of the region.

This project is an exciting step to unlocking the Goulburn region’s potential as a resilient destination with the flourishing visitor economy.

Tourism industry, local businesses and community members are encouraged to be involved in the project to provide their local knowledge and expertise of tourism within the region.

Stay up to date on the project and future engagement sessions by registering your interest at www.share.strathbogie.vic.gov.au/goulburn-regiontourism-partnership

The project is funded by the Victorian Government’s Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions.

Nagambie community recognised by royal events

I get sick and tired of seeing and hearing news on politics, wars, economic problems, energy crisis and climate change and high paid sports peoples issues; doom and gloom a lot of it.

Sometimes one just wants an event to lift one’s spirits above the ordinary day to day problems or international, national or local matters.

Over the past two years, there have been three major events that have lifted my spirits and my faith in mankind. Whether you are a monarchist, republican, or in between, a Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindi, agnostic or atheist. You can honestly say our world has changed over the past two years due to three major events concerning monarchy and religion.

The whole world watched on as these three major events moved millions of people in different ways. It showed that the British and Commonwealth nations and other representatives from many other nations and their religious leaders can unite to commemorate a well respected leader or a prospective one.

The first event was the Royal funeral of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh in 2021. I have been to Westminster Abbey in London a few times and St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle where his funeral services were held.

I was fortunate enough to gather many Nagambie signatures and photos in a Condolence Book to send to Queen Elizabeth 11 and her family on behalf of our community. I received a personal reply and a Community reply from Her Majesty’s Lady in Waiting expressing their appreciation for our Condolences.

The second momentous occasion, was the funeral services and funeral processions of our Queen, our Monarch of over 70 years who gave devoted, dedicated love, loyalty and service to not only her own United Kingdom but to the Commonwealth of Nations of which she was the head, which includes us, Australia.

The poignant religious Christian ceremony led by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Westminster and the magnificent procession of all her armed forces representatives, and the crowds that lined the parade route gave testimony to her long devoted reign.

Once again, I was supported by many in our Nagambie community when I raised a second Condolence Book of signatures and photos and sent it to King Charles 111 and the Prince and Princess of Wales and their families.

On Tuesday, 2nd May I received a card from Buckingham Palace, from the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince William and Princess Catherine, acknowledging our Condolences sent on behalf of the Nagambie Community. It seemed appropriate to receive it just before King Charles 111 Coronation.

The third major event was King Charles 111 coronation on 6 May.

Millions of Australians watched this Church of England service to crown a new King of Britain and the Commonwealth. King Charles 111 is now also the Protector of the Anglican Faith, and its Defender as well as being a new monarch over his realm. Our own small church of St John’s comes under the promise he made on the church’s behalf.

Queen Camilla was also crowned and both of them now have the task to serve their people and try to make the world a better place and one of peace together.

It is King Charles 111’s destiny to reign now after his beloved mother who showed him the way how to rule with justice, compassion and loyalty and to teach his son Prince William and grandson Prince George how to do the same. They will need our respect and loyalty like we gave Queen Elizabeth 11.

I was very proud to see so many Australians take part in these ceremonies and parades. Only the British could produce such a majestic spectacle. Having a Christian upbringing, and military family background myself, I appreciated the ceremonial historic church services, the military bands and the precision of thousands of marching personnel, the royal coaches and the pomp and pageantry that was showcased to the world at all three events.

Whatever your politics or beliefs, I hope many of you will agree with me, and wish King Charles 111 and Queen Camilla and their family all the best for their future roles.

I hope to raise a Congratulatory card to send to their Royal Highnesses very soon on behalf of Nagambie. If you would like to sign it, please let me know.

Cheers Di Grant

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