In this edition: Restrictions ease; book your COVID-19 vaccine; Discover Mitchell; new dates for All-Ages Tour; nomination closing soon for Community Awards; don't miss worm farm or compost bin subsidy

Picture: Be COVID-safe this Halloween. Keep your distance, offer individually wrapped lollies and remember you can't have more than 10 people inside your home per day, so don't let people inside and make sure any parties or gatherings meet the limits. 

After months of lockdowns, restrictions and borders, Victoria is now one again with people able to move around the state once more.

If you're travelling this weekend, please take care on the roads and be kind to others while you are out and about. 

• No restrictions on travel around the state
• No masks outside
• Outdoor public gatherings of 30 people allowed
• Retail open
• Indoor entertainment venues open 
• Indoor sport resume with density cap
• All school children back in classrooms full-time.

We expect the detailed version of the restrictions to be available in the morning and we'll catch up on Monday to discuss any changes that may be needed so that our services and facilities meet the new requirements.

A further easing of restrictions is expected when Victoria reaches a vaccination rate of 90%, somewhere around 24 November. 

You can view the latest information on the COVID-19 section of our website including service updates.

Latest COVID-19 updates.

The Mitchell community has done a fantastic job reaching more than 95 per cent of first dose vaccinations and more than 76 per cent of second dose in the figures released earlier this week.

We do have a few postcode areas where the numbers are lower. 

If you need to arrange a first or second dose, there are a number of opportunities available locally:

• Saturday 30 October: Seymour Health Vaccination Clinic walk ins, 9am to 4pm
• Wednesday 3 November: Robson Stadium, Wallan, 10.30am to 3.30pm (bookings via Nexus Primary Health)
• Thursday 11 November: Maxine Vaccine Bus at  Railway Place, Tallarook, 10am to 11.30am and Chittick Park, Seymour, 1.30pm to 3.30pm
• Tuesday 16 November: Beveridge Community Hall, 6pm to 8pm (bookings via Nexus Primary Health)
• Wednesday 17 November: Jabba the Bus at Broadford Hall, 10.30am to 3.30pm

For more information or to book your vaccine visit our website. We'll add other local pop ups listed as they come in too. 

You can also book at a vaccination clinic, many GPs and local pharmacies.

We are so excited to welcome visitors back to Mitchell this long weekend. We hope you're excited to be able to show off our shire to family and friends and to show them the new local attractions you've discovered in lockdown. 

No matter how you want to celebrate freedom this weekend, Mitchell has you covered.

Our shire has something for everyone, with playgrounds aplenty for families, local cafes and pubs to enjoy with friends or wineries to visit with your significant other.

Take a walk or ride along the Great Victorian Rail Tail, enjoy a camping adventure in Mount Disappointment, enjoy some retail delights right across the shire, take a picnic along the Goulburn River or enjoy a round of golf on some of the best courses in Victoria. 

If you're heading away from the shire, be sure to tell everyone how great our patch is - they've all heard of us now, so be sure to share the love and send them to Discover Mitchell on Instagram, Facebook or on our website to find out more. 

Remember that you will probably need to book ahead for most places and please be kind to all businesses during this reopening time. 

Do you know someone who deserves community recognition for their community contributions or want to celebrate achievements from some of our local groups and organisations?

Our Australia Day committee is calling for Australia Day Community Award nominations ahead of the 2022 Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony.

We know it has been quite difficult for community groups to meet or host events, so part of our celebrations will be highlighting the innovation and passion involved in online events or whatever your group got up to.

Nominations close 9am, 10 November. Find out more or nominate on our website now. 

Worms are fascinating little creatures, aren’t they? Did you know…
🐛 Worms have 5 hearts, no teeth, and no eyes
🐛 Worms can live up to 15 years
🐛 Worms can eat its bodyweight in food scraps everyday
🐛 Worms produce a rich, inexpensive garden fertiliser

Give these little guys a home by purchasing a worm farm during October. We've also got a special offer on compost bins. 

We’re offering up to 50% off (capped at $30 for compost bins and $50 for worm  farms) for residents who purchase from select local retailers  (Broadford Timber and Hardware, Kilmore Mitre 10, Seymour Bunnings and Wallan Pretty Sally Home and Garden. 

Offer ends 30 November. You’ll find all the details incluidng how to claim on our website. 

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