Highlights of the Year

July 2020

• Hindmarsh Shire Libraries launches with close to 500 new books across the community. • Hindmarsh Shire fills 13 full time positions through the Working for Victoria initiative. • Funding received to upgrade two local sporting facilities through the Victorian Governments 2020-2021 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund. • New defibrillator installed at Goldsworthy Park, Nhill.

August 2020

• Construction of the new Dimboola Library/Customer Service Centre completed. • Hindmarsh Shire supports Science Week through Reptile Encounters live stream and science experiments recorded in our libraries. • Dimboola Early Learning Centre Expansion Project Completed.

September 2020

• Hindmarsh Shire Council enters election period. • Free Green Waste Month commences at all Hindmarsh Shire Transfer Stations.

October 2020

• Hindmarsh Shire Council election completed (excluding the East Ward by-election). • New carpet and additional shelving installed in the Nhill Library. • The new Dimboola Library and Customer Service Centres opens its doors to the public for the first time. • Round 1 Community Action and Business Assistance Grants recipients announced

November 2020

• New Councillors elected: o Cr Ron Ismay (Mayor) – North Ward o Cr Melanie Albrecht (Deputy Mayor) – West Ward o Cr Debra Nelson – East Ward o Cr Rob Gersch – West Ward o Cr Brett Ireland – North Ward • Hindmarsh Shire Council’s participation in 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign commences.

December 2020

• Christmas craft activities held in Hindmarsh Libraries. • Cr Wendy Bywaters elected as second East Ward representative in East Ward Byelection. • Yurunga Homestead Veranda reopening after completion of works and COVID19 closures.

January 2021

• Karen New Year (Kayin New Year) celebrated in Nhill. • School Holiday Activities program brings Australia Day pool parties, movie marathons and online entertainment. • Construction commences of a bus shelter in Lochiel Street, Dimboola. • Australia Day Celebrations take place with the following award recipients: • Jack Kalms – Young Citizen of the Year • Pauline McCracken – Citizen of the Year • Rainbow Desert Enduro Rises 240 – Community Event of the Year • Hindmarsh Shire’s first electric car charging station is launched in Nhill.

February 2021

• Screening of ‘The Dry’ marked the return of the Nhill Cinema after it closed in early 2020 due to the COVID19 Pandemic. • Dimboola Bowling Club new facilities and Dimboola Library officially opened by Ms Danielle Green MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria and Parliamentary Secretary for Sport. • Outdoor Dining Pods installed in Goldsworthy Park, Nhill, through the State Government’s Outdoor Dining stimulus.

March 2021

• 2021 Youth Councillors elected; Celie Fuller, Heidi Smith, Leilani Elliot, Natalie Jenns, Alexis Farmers, Alexis Bone, Jandamurra Lauricella, Tessa Leach, Tarah Bond, Alissa Trenery Charlee Harberger-Smith, Amaya Woodward • Rainbow Rises 240 off-road racing event held in Rainbow. • Nhill and Dimboola Libraries commence extended library hours. • Council offers subsidised access to local businesses to Retrain for the Retail Revolution Webinars. • Hindmarsh Shire Council Plan 2021-2025 and Hindmarsh Shire Council Vision to 2040 Community Conversations held in Rainbow, Dimboola, Jeparit and Nhill. • Visit Hindmarsh’s ‘Unearth Amazing’ TV advertisement campaign launched. • Harmony Day picnic in the park held at Jaypex Park in Nhill. • Hindmarsh Shire delivers its first fortnightly e-news. • Small Business Commissioner, Judy O’Connell visits Hindmarsh and a new partnership with the Victorian Small Business Commissions for the Small Business Friendly Council initiative is entered into. • Installation of additional outdoor dining facilities at Dimboola Riverside Holiday Park is completed. • Antwerp Woorak Road reconstruction completed. • Round 2 Community Action and Business Assistance Grants recipients announced.

April 2021

• Hindmarsh Shire Libraries’ April school holidays program commences, with superhero, science, craft and live wild action animals activates. • New outdoor dining pods installed in the garden on Broadway Street in Jeparit. • New outdoor dining pods and additional outdoor seating installed on Federal Street in Rainbow. • Council offers COVID19 Community Connection Grants to local organisations and community groups through the Victorian Governments Community Activation and Social Isolation initiative (CASI). • Hindmarsh Shire Libraries is successful in its application for redevelopment works through Living Libraries grant program.

May 2021

• New outdoor dining pod installed at the rear of the Dimboola Library. • Hindmarsh Shire Council participates in International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia by flying the Rainbow Flag at the Nhill Customer Service Centre. • CASI funded Cyber Safety for Seniors sessions are held across the Shire. • Albacutya Silo Painting is completed by Melbourne artist Kitt Bennett. • Council reappoints Greg Wood as CEO for a further 2 years. • Carpe Diem, a play about men’s mental health, is performed at Nhill Memorial Community Centre.

June 2021

• RB and Woolworths funded Hygiene Packs received by Council to deliver to Meals on Wheels recipients across the Shire. • CASI funded Sing-a-Longs with Sandra Loats and Leo Tellefson are held in Jeparit, Rainbow, Nhill and Dimboola. • Hindmarsh Shire Council hosts Dr Grenfell from the CSIRO in a Facebook-live session to discuss COVID-19 and vaccinations. • Wimmera Pride Project and Hindmarsh Shire Council host Rainbow Talks 3 at Nhill Memorial Community Centre, screening the film Supernova and hearing from LGBTQI+ aging and aged care advocate Andrew Rogers. • June/July School Holiday Program Commences with a gaming event, movie night and science and craft activities at the libraries. • 2021/2022 Budget adopted by Council • Contract awarded for duel-lane Albacutya bridge, with construction commencing in September 2021