Guest Speaker Craig Lloyd CEO Murrindindi Shire Council
• Last few days have been chaotic as shire shares borders with 4 shires in lockdown and Craig is fielding up to 100 calls a day answering queries, and Shire staff doing similar• Some confusion over holiday homes and was remarkably busy Weds as people rushed to homes or be out of Melbourne before the commencement of lockdown
• Craig spoke of Shire surveying people within the Shire in last few weeks and overall people are quite positive, which was a little surprising and he said Yea came out the happiest town in the Shire – (4 on a scale of 5) which people less happy in the parts of the Shire closer to Melbourne
• Since COVID-19, Shire has learnt lots. Their aim was to go paperless in 3 years and they have almost achieved it in 3 months!
• Everyone is working remotely from home except for grounds staff and Library staff and it is going well
• For a very conservative Council, there have been big changes. All Council meetings are now live streamed
• Craig believes lockdown has assisted communication for example comparing a community meeting in a hall with a few dominating questions, to now being online, there is far more interaction with more people – a great outcome of being online – much more inclusive. Shire will use this meeting technique some of the time post COVID but acknowledged it is hard for those not online.
• Craig commented that the call out by the Shire early in the COVID crisis resulted in almost 200 people volunteering to assist should they be called upon. Craig said these people have not been needed but what was interesting was that most of them are not connected to any other club or group. Volunteers ready to 0 harvested for Rotary perhaps as are currently an untapped resource.
• Craig commented that meeting with councillors via computer is more efficient and meeting are usually shorter.
• Craig said he has spent a lot of time working with the state Government re decisions relating to Job Keeper and the like and saying that decisions made are not necessarily appropriate for rural Shires.
• New Local Government Act means changes come 1st September.
• Craig encouraged Rotarians who might be interested to consider applying to be a councillor. There is a mandatory one hour training course prior to applying and this year, elections in October there will be 7 councillors for 7 wards.
• All council elections will be via postal votes and unlike previous elections (where if you were over 70 you did not have to vote) now everyone has to vote.
• With the new Local Government Act, the new council will be required to seek more community consultation
Firstly, a big thank you to all who filled in the questionnaire which I handed out when I became President and which asked which jobs you would like and be willing to do.
Jed initially gave a summary of his career in the Navy, referencing pivotal activities in his past that are reflected in his current writings: as a midshipman in the Malaysia conflict before changing to aircrew in 1966, training at Pensacola Naval Air Station in the US and being posted to the RAN Helicopter Flight in Vietnam with the US Army’s 135th Assault Helicopter Company. Jed left the Navy in 1970 and flew and instructed on helicopters internationally. Latterly Jed worked in security and aviation with Shell and BHP. He and wife Sue then founded Hart Aviation which grew to operate in 60 countries.
Jessie delivered a highly motivating speech focusing on the future of Rotary with her passion for Rotary irrepressible. She outlined the unparalleled opportunities as well as significant challenges that face Rotary.
Meagan provided a most informative and enlightening address. She explained that she is a ‘True Yea local’ having lived here all her life and is now in her 6th year as Principal of Middle Kinglake PS. MKPS has 64 students represented across the socio economic and demographic continuum.
Marg gave a very comprehensive report of the Corryong and District Bushfire Recovery effort (Marg is on the Bushfire Relief Committee).
roduced Leigh Redding,
n Craigie Street right by the Yea River (his backyard really) Leigh has trained in Outdoor Education and has a love of nature and is about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. Paddling his canoe from the Yea River in his backyard all the way to the mouth of the Murray River and the ocean—a journey of approx. 2300 kilometres which he expects to take about six months. Along the way, Leigh hopes to talk to, engage with and connect to schools and communities and live sustainably. He has set up a website/blog at www.natureeuphoria.com.au and members can follow his journey there.
r member of a Lions Club and his father is a Rotarian at Corryong. Matt will have Banking Retail on his membership Badge and will join the Community Services committee
