Mayor Cr Laura Binks advocates for Strathbogie Shire in Canberra

and served in 7 Coy RAASC. Learning tod rive on snub nosed Blitz’s. I was in the CMF for 5 years but had to leave because I became an ambulance o cer on the 14th February 1966. Same time as decimal currency came into being here.

e Ambulance job did not allow me leave to go to the CMF duties part time. I then drove ambulance for 43 years.

When I nally retired I couldn’t w ait to get back home to Nagambie. I looked around for a suitable church and became a member of the AvenelNagambie Uniting Church and I am al elder there now. I also am a member of the Nagambie Connect Faith Community and I help out at the Seymour St Vinnie’s op shop once a week.

I love the Australian bush and the outback. I have seen lots of our country. I hitch hiked to Perth and back in 1966; mainly meeting up with some great truckies. e road then was red bull dust from Port Augusta to Coolgardie. I slept on the beach in Darwin in 1981 with some back packers. I let the Valley of the Winds ( e Olgas) and I wanted to get to Birdsville, which I got to a couple of years ago.

I was inspired by a lm I saw as a kid at eh Shell Oil Company theatrette. “Back of Beyond.” It was all about a great Australiana truckie, Tom Kruse. e mailman from Maree to Birdsville and the great people who lived on the Birdsville track and the outback country people who are all loving caring folk.

Nagambie is, and always has been my home. I live on my own now with a lovely greyhound bitch, Molly. But I have many great friends who visit, talk on the phone, get together with me for a co ee or have a meal. I get down to the city and catch up with friends there too.

I always praise my God; he is the best friends. I believe He is coming back soon to take us all to my new home with Jesus.

I love music. As a kid it was Gene Autry, Elvis and Buddy Holly. But then I met Slim Dusty and discovered Johnny Cash. I believe Rosemary Clooney to be the greatest female singer of the last century. I now listen to all kinds of music, gospel, jazz and brass bands, classical and lovely hymns. anks Bob for all that wonderful life story. Happy 80th birthday wishes and thanks for being a generous and kind and respected member of the Nagambie community.

Nagambie Museum - from our collection

Most people who have compiled a family history have had a moment when they realise it is just a pile of statistics. It is very hard to winkle out personalities without diaries or contemporary descriptions.

One of the joys of working with collections, such as ours at the Society, is that every now and then a little gem pops up which enables you to perhaps have some insight into people's lives.

One such gem emerged recently from a box of donations. Inscribed, Whroo Mechanics Institution Memorandum Book, in copperplate writing, it dates from 1861 and while it has a few memoranda and sales of Soiree tickets, it evolves into the best list of users and what they read.

Between 1861 and 1864 daily loans are recorded with the fact of those returned.

Not only can you follow a person through those years, because the users names are constantly reappearing, but you can spy on what they are reading. Books such as Letty Hyde's Lovers and Lady Audley's Secret hardly hit the shelf before being out on loan again it seems.

Newspapers would have arrived by coach and are well represented in loans of the Argus, Age and Herald. Home News was a popular item also. is book will now be digitised, well, typed into a searchable format, so that a search can be made by name, but it will also provide a fascinating catalogue of what was available in a gold mining town in Victoria in the 1860s.

So back to family historians. Well known local names such as Kettle, Baud, Mason and Bazeley regularly appear. It may be rewarding for some to have a glimpse into their choices of reading matter.

Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Cr Laura Binks has met with several politicians to advocate for funding at the recently held Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) National General Assembly (NGA).

“It was a fantastic opportunity to bring Council’s top ve Advocacy Asks to various politicians in an array of portfolios,” Cr Binks said.

“I met with Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain, and discussed our top 5 advocacy asks, with particular focus on the need for increased and improved funding to repair our extensive road network.

“I raised Kirwan’s Bridge with Minister McBain and sought her support in providing critical funding for this iconic bridge so that residents can once again cross the Goulburn River and tourists can visit and experience this unique historic timber bridge in its full glory.” e returned Australian Council Local Government (ACLG), held for the rst time in a decade, was a great chance for Cr Binks to hear directly from Federal Government ministers about their commitment to the Australian Local Government sector and how they will work with Councils to ensure they are delivering the projects and programs that are needed at the local levels we know so well.

Cr Binks also met with Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King MP where she again raised the top ve asks as well as the ARTC project.

“Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke passionately about his genuine commitment to developing strong working relationships with local governments and trusting us to provide advice on what our community need.

“ e dedicated Minister for Local Government and the ACLG provides an opportunity for local governments to have a voice at the Federal level.”

Cr Binks also met with Federal Member for Indi Dr Helen Haines MP in her o ce to again share Council’s advocacy asks.

“Helen and her team assisted Council in securing a number of meetings and her support was very helpful,” Cr Binks said.

Cr Binks said this was also the case with our other local minister Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell MP who hosted Cr Binks and also arranged meetings with many Shadow Ministers.

“ ank you to both Helen and Sam for their support,” Cr Binks said.

Among the Shadow Ministers Cr Binks met with were Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education, Youth Angie Bell MP to discuss Nature Based Playspaces and the need for more early childhood education spaces and educators in Strathbogie Shire; Shadow Minister for Water, Emergency Management Senator Perin Davey to discuss the Greening Euroa project; Shadow Minister Trade and Tourism Kevin Hodge MP to speak about the impacts of climate related natural disasters, such as the October ood, which has had a signi cant impact on the tourism industry, especially in the Nagambie region, and on local agriculture production and trade.

“I met with Shadow Minister Local Government Darren Chester MP and also shared our top 5 advocacy asks with him,” Cr Binks said.

“I also spoke of the need for a national standard of local government training for councillors that ensures elected representatives understand their role, responsibilities and are best equipped to advocate for their communities and to ensure the ongoing nancial sustainability of their council organisations.”

For more information about the ALGA NGA, visit https://alga.com.au/events/national- generalassembly-2023/

Nagambie Senior Citizens

e bus trip to Tongala and Echuca went well on Tuesday 20th June. A full bus made the trip, stopping in Tongala for morning tea at the bakery and walk around the wall art there. It was a perfect day, with plenty of winter sunshine to allow us to enjoy this lovely little country town. We all boarded the bus and then on to Echuca where we had lunch at the Worker’s Club. All meals were preordered, so we kept to the tight schedule to get on the PS Adelaide for a pleasant hour on the river. Ice creams were very popular before we all got on the bus again and headed home, via Rochester, with views of the silo art on the way. anks to the committee and Abe deVisser for all the extra phone calls and hours of coordinating the event. Also our expert bus driver from Seymour Bus Lines for his excellent driving.

We had the “Social Tea & Chat” trial on Friday 16th June. is followed the busy morning line dancing class, and around 35 people attended to enjoy a light luncheon and social get together, much appreciated by all. We are hoping members can bring along other prospective members to join the club. We are pleased with the success of this, and intend to hold it once a month on third Friday. But as we have our Christmas in July function next month on 24th, we won’t hold one in July, it will be scheduled for 18th August.

Christmas in July list has been put up at the hall, if you would like to come along on Monday July 24th, please add your names or contact me to add you on.

We have planned to hold our AGM on 11th August, but further con rmation and details will follow a er our next meeting in July.

A Seniors Open Day is being planned, we have a subcommittee looking at these options and we are hoping to hold it in conjunction with Seniors Week Festival in October.

Line Dancing is still our most popular activity, held on Wednesday and Friday from 9.30am. Beginners are welcome at both sessions, but have a dedicated time on Friday from 9.30 Both days have dances suitable for all levels. Come along and try if you have not been before, you will be made most welcome. Only $3 for members, and membership is only $5 for the year.

Movie Day is the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 1pm. Our next movie will be on 27th June, and screening, Chocolat with Johnnie Depp and Juliette Binoche.

Table Tennis is also held on Wednesday evenings at 7pm, open to the public, catering for all ages and skill abilities. Small group size at present, but able to put up more tables if required.

I am happy to email any interested people who would like to receive the newsletter monthly. We also have collection points around town, at the Post O ce, the Info Centre, and NLCH. Pick up a copy or email nagambieseniors@gmail.com to go on the list. Or phone Jill on 0419 567 580 https://www.gonagambie.com.au/live/communitygroups-and-clubs/nagambie-seniors

We also wish to thank Go Nagambie for including our Club details on their website, check it out.

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Chinaman’s Bridge is NOT safe

Council cannot stress strongly enough that water users must not travel underneath Chinaman’s Bridge.

It is dangerous and will collapse.

An exclusion zone was established under Chinaman’s Bridge in late 2022 after a collapse.

Council is advocating to relevant government departments, to understand the next steps. We have made it very clear; this issue must importance of waterway access is essential to our region’s economy.

Help fight for waterway manager funding

Don’t forget to head to our website at www. strathbogie.vic.gov.au or our social media pages to join our campaign to call for funding to deliver the waterway management role. Community Voice.

ARTBOX launches featuring Aimee McCartney awesome? Have you seen a playground you love? Share it with us and tell us what you love about it? on the future provision and upgrade of playgrounds and open spaces across Strathbogie Shire over the next 10 years. when the draft strategy is released. strathbogie.vic.gov.au, or drop a picture in a survey station.

Updates to our policies

Council is regularly updating its policies to ensure they comply with the Local to the direction provided by Councillors. In the past six months Council has endorsed updates to several policies, which include:

• Community Flag Flying Policy

• Councillor Staff Interaction Policy

• Social Media Policy Complains Policy

• Public Interest Disclosure Policy

• Special Rate and Charge Scheme Policy

• Procurement Policy

All our policies can be found on our website under Plans, Policies, Strategies and Reports. Work with us team: throughout the Shire featuring different artists. exhibiting head to www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au

Have your say by visiting a survey station

Council has created survey stations in all our the easiest way for people to engage so we’re survey stations in every township throughout the Shire. We urge you to drop in and share stations can be found at:

• • Avenel Library

• Strathbogie General Store

• • Graytown Community Centre

• Nagambie Customer Service Centre

Have your say: Senior’s Week fun

Victorian Senior’s Festival this year. We’ve put some ideas on www.share.strathbogie.vic. gov.au – or you can visiting a survey station and bus tours. But – if you have another idea

Head to www.share.strathbogie.vic.gov.au or visit a survey station to complete a hard copy survey.

Have your say: Awesome playgrounds and open spaces

We're calling on our community to inspire us

• Works Supervisor ongoing. Band 5 + Industry allowance - $68,270 annually + 11% super. Applications close 9am, 3 July 2023 opportunity employer and a Child Safe organisation. We value diversity in our arrangements.

• –contract until February 2025. Band 8 - $100,505 annually + 11% super. Applications close 9am, 3 July 2023. Visit www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au for further details and instructions on how to apply.

Tenders

Strathbogie Shire Council: be directed in writing through the online

(contract number 22/23-83 – panel of consultant for various projects 2023.

• Provision of Internal Auditor (contract providers for the delivery of internal audit services for a term of three years (with the option of x two single year extensions July 2023.