We live in a unique location in Victoria, 2 hours from a major capital city, 2 hours from South Australian border, 2 hours from NSW border and a little further to the east coast of Victoria, in essence we are virtually the centre of our state……….
A catch cry of mine, we are “The Pumping Heart of Victoria”.
We have incredible infrastructure – all major supermarkets; majority of major takeaway outlets; a multitude of takeaway food shops; and a variety of eateries to cater to our culinary preferences; a shopping precinct that offers all one needs in the home, on the home, in the body, on the body, and around the garden. A movie theatre; fabulous sporting clubs; and entertainment facilities.
Bed and Breakfast accommodation second to none, motels, quality hotel accommodation, superior fully equipped caravan park, numerous free camping grounds, walking and cycling tracks. Amazing schools, and a train line to take us directly to private schools in Ballarat to then continue the journey to Melbourne at a mere $9 return trip. I could go on and on.
Point Being…….we need to sell ourselves and the Shire, we must focus on our “Point of Difference” and strategize a marketing campaign selling our town and surrounds. What we have! Our quality of life! Who we are! Once we sell our appeal the rest will come – industry, jobs, innovators, entrepreneurs – ensuring our sustainability into the future.
Housing is vital and Council is now developing the Residential and Industrial Strategy identifying where we can grow our housing needs which is currently sitting at only a 3 to 5 year outlook and we are required to look ahead at 15 years of growth.
To make this happen we need you the community as our partner to enable the appeal and growth. We urge you together with your knowledge, strengths and drive to put your hand up to volunteer your skills, experience and expertise.
Until one has volunteered one does not understand the incredible value volunteering has in your life for both young and older, no matter what your abilities or disabilities we can cater to all.
Some of the advantages of volunteering are the social aspects leading into long-term friendships, fun, professional and personal development, keeping the mind active by continually learning, builds a sense of purpose, attainment of many varied skills and, for the young, a valuable experience of which is highly regarded on a resume when aiming for future job prospects.
We are now seeking your advice via an online survey about volunteering, whether you currently volunteer, have done in the past or have never volunteered. We would indeed like to know why you haven’t for the purpose of overcoming any boundaries there may be.
We urge you all to contribute to this survey, as we don’t know what we don’t know.
The survey can be filled out online at www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/volunteering
