A message from the Mayor - May 1, 2020

Published on 01 May 2020

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As we move into another week of COVID-19 restrictions, I want to take the opportunity to thank the community for abiding by such strict lockdown conditions. It was never going to be easy to stay isolated from family and friends, but West Wimmera residents have shown real strength during these difficult times.

As a region, we are doing extremely well at adhering to all restrictions. Reports from local police show there have been no issues with social distancing in the shire and violations have been few and far between. Residents are continuing to do the right thing and that is to be highly commended.

There has been many positive stories coming out of our community over the past few weeks as people continue to look out for themselves as well as others. Our community care staff have created a wonderful new program that aims to join together our early years children and our aged care residents. Children who are still attending kindergarten are doing paintings and other craft projects that are being delivered to the shire’s elderly residents by our home carers. We hope these artworks are brightening people’s day and it is fantastic to see vital community connections continuing in the shire.

Similarly, in the absence of supported playgroups in the shire, staff have been running online storytimes. Videos of staff reading books has been uploaded to our Facebook page for all of our families to enjoy.

We are all very lucky to live in an area such as West Wimmera where the various communities look after each other and the bulk of work life can continue. This is best demonstrated by the many people across our shire trying to continue to provide essential services. These include our health care professionals, farmers, supermarket managers and workers, fuel suppliers, local media and civil workers. All of these people are working extremely hard to keep us safe and ensure that we survive economically.

Staff at West Wimmera are continuing to reach out to vulnerable people in the community to offer support. Council has access to a number of packages, including food staples boxes, and are continuing to deliver them where they are needed. We are here to help and anyone who is struggling to put food on the table should call our intake team for a confidential conversation.

The current state of emergency in Victoria is set to expire on May 11, and we expect the state government will review lockdown measures at this time. There might be some easing of restrictions come that date, but there also may not be. Whatever the outcome is, it is important that all residents continue to adhere to all directions the state government has set. The more we continue to do the right thing, the sooner we can return to normal. Stay safe everyone.

 

Bruce Meyer

Mayor – West Wimmera Shire Council 

 

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