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Children running in bright fun park. Sign with words Community Bank Adventure Playground. words. 1 October 2020. Welcome to Mitchell Shire eNews.
 

In this edition: it is time to discover what's great in Mitchell; get some ideas for school holiday fun - at home and outdoors; get some waste tips; we celebrate International Day of Older Persons and this year's Victorian Seniors Festival; get fire-ready; and our VicRoads Agency services re-open at Kilmore Library.

Pictured above: Community Bank® Adventure Playground at Hadfield Park in Wallan

 
 
 
Person looking into nature with binoculars and a backpack.
DISCOVER MITCHELL

Spring has sprung and if you’re excited to start making plans to get out and about safely, let us help with a little bit of inspiration. Head over to the Discover Mitchell page on our website to research the perfect destination for your next Mitchell getaway.

We have maps, information on transport, local events and more. A great place to start is our list of Top 5 COVID-Safe Activities in Mitchell Shire. And while you’re at it, why not follow us on Instagram and Facebook. There truly is so much to discover in Mitchell.

WHAT WILL YOU DISCOVER?
 
Children running in bright fun park. Sign with words Community Bank Adventure Playground.
 
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS Time to get out and about
 

We are so pleased the COVID-19 restrictions have eased in time for some school holiday fun. It's a great time to get reacquainted with your favourite playground or even discover one of the playgrounds and parks in Mitchell you haven't visited before.

Don't forget to drop by a much-loved cafe or restaurant to pick up a takeaway lunch or enjoy a bite now that dining has returned. Check out our parks on the website and plan your day out.

 
PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
 
Young person leaning down concentrating. They are building something.
 
LIBRARY ACTIVITY HUB Fun activities to do at home
 

Have you seen the newest activity on the Library Activity Hub? This week we have a video tutorial to make electric eels. It's a fun science project using items you likely have in your pantry.

Have a look at the other videos and downloads on the hub to keep learning, creating and experimenting.

The Victoria Together website also has a range of online activities to keep everyone entertained these holidays.

 
VISIT ACTIVITY HUB
 
 
TRYING TO GET ON TOP OF FIRE SEASON PREPARATIONS?

Is your property fire ready?

You now need a burning off permit for piles, stumps, logs and vegetation larger than 75mm in diameter. Permits are required from today (Thursday 1 October). We've prepared a handy checklist to help you burn off safely:

  • All open-air burning requires notification to VicFire (1800 668 511)
  • Fires are not to be lit on days of Total Fire Ban, smog alert days or during the CFA declared Fire Danger Period
  • In many areas, including residential, you can only burn off on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but you need to let the VicFire line know to avoid unnecessary brigade call outs
  • Make sure you have a clear area around your burn and plenty of water available to control possible outbreaks

Find out more about burning off in Mitchell Shire on our website.

MORE ON BURNING OFF
Dry grass
 

Follow our checklist to help you burn off safely and visit our website for more information to make sure you're fire ready.
 
white divider
A pile of different size domestic batteries
 
BATTERY DISPOSAL Dispose of correctly for safety
 

With so many of our day to day devices running on batteries, it is important to remember that all batteries have a potential to start a fire.

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in laptops, mobile phones, power drills and toys are particularly dangerous, so it is important that we dispose of batteries safely. 

Recycling batteries via a battery collection system is the best way to go. Find free battery collection services for domestic batteries (such as those used in kids’ toys, torches and watches) on the Sustainability Victoria website or take them to Council’s Resource Recovery Centres free of charge.

If you can’t get to a recycler, please store your used batteries in a container away from heat and out of reach of children until you can dispose of them responsibly.
 
Two people emptying hard rubbish from the back of a trailer
 
RESOURCE RECOVERY Remember your new barcode
 

Do not forget your 2020/21 rates notice now includes a barcode to redeem your Resource Recovery Centre vouchers.

The barcode on the back of the notice entitles you to $175 worth of Resource Recovery Centre vouchers (5 x $35) and can be scanned at any of our Resource Recovery Centres until 30 September 2021. 

You can use your vouchers for green waste, hard waste or other materials. Either bring along your rates notice to be scanned, or barcodes can be scanned directly from a photo on your phone.

Renting? We encourage landlords to cut the bottom section of the rates notice and give it to their tenant, or they can take a photo of the barcode on a mobile phone and send it to their tenant.
 
Black and white photo of older woman. Words: Victorian Seniors Festival Reimagined 2020, in the groove
 

International Day of Older Persons

Today (1 October) marks the 30th Anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons.

It's a day to celebrate our senior community members for their continued positive impact across Mitchell Shire. COVID-19 has made it challenging to remain connected, especially for seniors who have been the most isolated. The day is a great reminder to reach out to an older person in your world and let them know how much they are appreciated.

2020 Victorian Seniors' Festival reimagined

Another fun celebration of our senior community is the 2020 Victorian Seniors' Festival.

This year’s festival is a little different as the organisers recognise physical distancing is important to keep everyone safe right now. So, the entertainment will be delivered through pre-recorded performances and interviews, radio programs and local online events until the end of October.

Visit the website to enjoy the festival in the comfort from home. Or tune into Seymour FM (103.9) each weekday between 10am-11am to listen to Victorian Seniors' Festival Radio.
 
Young person with colourful COVID mask and backpack walking outside.
 
GET OUT AND ACTIVE October is walk to school month
 

Walk to school month is an initiative by Vic Health helping primary school aged children to build healthy habits for life. While there's been so many changes to school this year, keeping active shouldn't be one of them.

Whether it’s riding or scooting around the block, kicking the footy, dancing in the backyard, or even going for a walk at lunch time, exercise is great for our bodies and our minds. For tips on how to get started visit the Walk to School website.
 
Road sign with children crossing symbol. Words: School
 
SCHOOL SPEED ZONES Back in operation
 

Next week will see many students in our shire return to on-site school for Term 4. Traffic conditions will change, and traffic will increase, which means it's vital to be alert and drive safely around our schools.

Parking Officers will be patrolling our school zones to ensure that everyone is parking responsibly so that children can get to school safely. Please obey school zone speed limits and take care when driving near schools.
 
 
Yellow Learners plate on road
VICROADS SERVICES AVAILABLE AT KILMORE

We are pleased to re-commence our VicRoads agency services at the Kilmore Library including licence photos and learners permit tests. We know this is a service the community has been keen to access again.

VicRoads has notified us we will be able to start on Monday 5 October with some COVID-Safe precautions in place. Those accessing the service will need to be from regional Victoria, wear a mask (unless medically exempt) and have a temperature check upon entry.

This is a booking only service. Please call 5734 6451, and visit our website for more details.

FIND OUT MORE
 
Hot pink Breast Screen Victoria van travelling down a country road.
 
BREAST SCREEN VAN In Kilmore for the first time
 

The hot pink Breast Screen Victoria van is in Kilmore, providing free breast screens to those eligible. A breast screen every two years for those over 50 is the best way to detect cancer early. Breast screens are with a female radiographer, take 10 minutes and you don’t need a GP referral or Medicare card.

The van will be at 58 Sydney Street, Kilmore until Friday 16 October. Bookings are essential and can be made by calling 13 20 50 or via the website.

 
BOOK NOW
 
Six children laying on their stomachs in a classroom and smiling
 
KINDER FOR 2021 It's not too late, enrol now
 

If you have a little one heading off to kinder next year (2021), applications for Mitchell Shire's 4-year-old and 3-year-old kindergarten programs are now open.

While some places have already been filled, there's still time to secure a spot. The application only takes a few minutes, so why not do it now?

You can apply online, or by phone on 5734 6200.

 
APPLY ONLINE
 
Words: Gratitude in focus. Youth photo competition. Enter now. And an arrow.
 
2020 LOCAL COUNCIL ELECTION REMINDER

 

Council elections are being held in Mitchell this month. The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) will post out ballot packs to enrolled voters between Tuesday 6 October to Thursday 8 October.

You will need to return your ballot pack by post as soon as possible as voting closes on 24 October. For more information on ballot packs and what to do if you have not received one, please visit the Victorian Electoral Commission website.
 
 
FIND OUT MORE Candidates for Mitchell Shire
 

You can find out which candidates have nominated for Mitchell Shire and download their candidate statements on the nominations page of the VEC website.

You will also receive information on candidates in your ballot packs.

 
VIEW CANDIDATES
 
 
COUNCIL MEETINGS Amended timetable
 

We've had a slight amendment to the timetable for our newly elected Council's first meetings. The new dates are:

  • Statutory Meeting - Monday 16 November
  • Community Questions and Hearings Committee - Monday 23 November
  • Council Meeting - Monday 30 November
 
VIEW SCHEDULE
 
 
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Mitchell Shire Council, 113 High Street Broadford, Vic 3658
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