Mayor's Message 22 November 2024

Hi everyone,

I am absolutely thrilled to be writing this message as Mayor of Indigo Shire.

I want to thank my fellow Councillors for their trust and faith in me to lead the Council for the next two years and I am delighted that I’ll have the opportunity to work closely with new Councillor, Jane Dowsley, who has been elected Deputy Mayor.

 

As I said on Tuesday night at the Statutory Meeting, I believe the community got it right with the election of the new Council group, which brings a mix of experience, diverse points of view, enthusiasm, and a strong commitment to working closely with our community on a range of issues.

With a new Council comes a new Council Plan and now is the time for all community members to provide input into the plan. We want to know what’s important to you at the local level, but also what you believe are the priorities for the entire Shire. It’s then our job to balance these needs within our budget and within the resources available to us.

I’m really looking forward to getting down to business and demonstrating strong leadership for both the Council and the community and I’m excited at what’s ahead for us.

I’m also excited to welcome everyone travelling to Beechworth tomorrow for the annual Drag’d Out Festival. While this year’s event has been scaled back, the organising committee has done a great job in pulling together a program that is family-friendly, accessible and a safe place where our queer community is celebrated and valued. I understand that nearly all events are sold out, which is a great indication of the support for the festival and the joy that it brings to Beechworth.

We’re also participating in the 16 Days of Activism campaign, which is another of our ongoing commitments to creating a safer and more respectful community. This global initiative is crucial in raising awareness and taking action to end violence against women and girls. By standing together we can create a safer, more equitable society for everyone. You can read more on ourwebsite about what’s happening locally.

Enjoy your weekend and take care.

Sophie Price.