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I am feeling very optimistic about 2024. I think we are all starting to move away from the impact of COVID. I know the COVID period sure put paid to my social life. BUT, as I have demonstrated on Australia Day, I am going to shake things up in 2024.

I had a lot of fun delivering my speech on Australia Day. Thank you so much for participating and singing along.

I am excited about the way things are starting to progress with regards to a number of big issues that needed to be addressed in Carisbrook.

1. The Creek Management Plan. The Creek management plan was endorsed by Council in 2021, knowing that there is no money to put the plan in action. I accepted that knowing that there will be other sources of funding. That we do not have to rely on the Council to do it all. The Dja Dja Warrung Aboriginal Clans Cooperation from Bendigo and I have had two meetings, and I am in the progress of organising the third meeting, to get the partnership going. Council will consider a Terms of Reference for an Advisory Committee for the Creek soon, which should start the ball rolling. Expressions of Interest will then be called for people interested in being part of this initiative.
2. The Tullaroop Leisure Centre (TLC). The management structure of the TLC has been determined and endorsed by the Council at the December 2023 Ordinary Council Meeting.
3. The establishment of a management structure of the Carisbrook Town Hall and other properties associated with the Carisbrook Historical Society is in the process. We still have a number of things to work through, especially with regards to the ownership of the different properties. This is currently being investigated.
4. Carisbrook Levee. A group of Carisbrook residents organised a meeting in December 2023, which was attended by Anne Webster and Joe Mac Cracken. It was interesting listening to the views of residents who have been heavily involved with the development of the levee since the floods in 2010/11. A number of issues were raised at this meeting.
5. If anybody is interested in meeting with me to discuss tree planting in Carisbrook, please feel free to contact me to organise a meeting. This is an open invitation to any Carisbrook resident. I have already met with a group from Majorca and will be sending in their requests for trees to be planted.
6. There is currently a grant, Tiny Towns open for applications. The Council officers have identified a number of projects that they are going to apply for. The Tiny Towns Grant program is also open to individuals and community groups.

Cr Anna De Villiers