Page 6 The Moorabool News – 9 November, 2021
News
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Lone walk for pilgrim A Mount Egerton man decided that COVID restrictions wouldn’t deprive him of an annual walking pilgrimage for the second year running, devising an alternate route. Anthony Bailey was so determined to take part in the Christus Rex pilgrimage – which on a regular year goes from Ballarat to Bendigo – that he planned his own route, and walked it alone. Normally around 600 pilgrims make the journey from St Patrick’s Cathedral in Ballarat to Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo, walking 90 kilometres over three days. Throughout Friday, the Pilgrims walk 30 km to the town of Smeaton. On Saturday, the Pilgrims continue 15 km to the village of Campbelltown, where the Votive Mass of Our Lady Help of Christians is celebrated at midday in a picturesque outdoor setting. The Pilgrims then walk a further 20 km to the town of Newstead. On Sunday, the Pilgrims are transported to Lockwood, from where they walk the remaining 20 km to Sacred Heart Cathedral Bendigo. Instead, Mr Bailey walked a route east of Ballarat which began and ended with a church visit, to keep the religious theme of the walk. He visited St Patrick’s in Gordon, St Brigid’s in Ballan, St Michael’s in Bungaree, St Michael’s in Springbank, St Brendan’s in Dunnstown, and finished his pilgrimage at St Columba’s in Ballarat North. For the majority of the journey, he walked alone, though for some of the way he had his four-monthold border terrier Bertie by his side. In total, Mr Bailey estimates he walked 74 kilometres, just 16 shy of the regular 90 kilometres Ballarat to Bendigo pilgrimage, for an average of around 24 kilometres a day. Mr Bailey said he hoped with the gradual lowering of restrictions, the Christus Rex pilgrimage will be able to resume as normal in 2022. “It’s been a fixed event for 25 years and has inspired at least one other major pilgrimage in England. You could say it’s conducive to both physical and spiritual health,” he said.
Community BBQ for storm recovery Moorabool Shire Council’s Storm Recovery Team is hosting a roving BBQ this month, to support communities affected by the 28 October storm. A BBQ van will travel to Blakeville, Dales Creek and Blackwood on Wednesday 17 November, and Korweinguboora, Bolwarrah and Gordon on Thursday 25 November. Locals can grab a free snag and connect with fellow residents, as well as Council’s Storm Team. The BBQ van will be at the intersection of George & Liliburne Lane from 9:30 – 11:30 am, at the water tanks on the corner of Acacia & Dales Creek Avenue from 12 – 2 pm, and at the Blackwood War Memorial from 2:30 – 4:30 pm, on 17 November. On 25 November it will visit Korweinguboora Reserve from 9:30 – 11:30 am, Moorabool Reservoir Picnic Ground from 12 – 2 pm, and Gordon Reserve from 2:30 – 4:30 pm.
Anthony Bailey with his young border terrier Bertie about to set off from St Patrick’s Church, Gordon. Photo - submitted
The community BBQ was made possible thanks to support from the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and the Victorian Council of Churches.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND VISITOR ECONOMY STRATEGIES HAVE YOUR SAY
Moorabool Shire Council has commenced consultation for the new Economic Development Strategy and a separate Visitor Economy Strategy. We encourage all Shire-based businesses including tourism and home-based, along with the broader community to take part. The survey and workshops will cover both strategies as opportunities related to economic development and the visitor economy are often intertwined.
Timeline Virtual workshops (only for those registered)
15 to 29 November 2021 Register for virtual workshops Bookings open: 29 October to 12 November 2021 Survey open 29 October to 30 November 2021
Visit our Engagement Hub to book in to our virtual workshops, and to complete the Business & Community Survey.
https://moorabool.engagementhub.com.au/
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