Strathbogie Shire Council

Thursday, 22 February, 2018

Extensions to the Euroa RSL Hall and a new Visitor Information Centre will be two exciting inclusions in Council’s 2018/19 budget considerations.

Preliminary designs were endorsed by Council at the Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday 20 February, after drop-in sessions were held with the relevant stakeholders and the wider community in December.

The RSL will be opened up at the rear of the building, leading people to a brand new outdoor deck and entertainment area, uncovering the gorgeous views of the Sevens Creek and Victoria Cross Memorial Park.

Council also supported the construction of a new Visitor Information Centre (VIC) and Customer Service building in Euroa with Bury Street frontage, which was the common preference of those who provided feedback.

It will feature a diagonal entrance at the corner of the building, which will face both Bury Street and the Travellers Rest on Kirkland Avenue.

Mayor Amanda McClaren said a new VIC is needed as the current building is non-compliant and therefore not recognised as an accredited VIC.

“We hope that the new VIC is welcoming for both residents and visitors to Euroa and we look forward to working closely with our volunteers and the community in making this a great local space,” Cr McClaren explained.

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Preliminary designs for RSL Hall

Preliminary designs for new Visitor Information Centre

Wednesday, 21 February, 2018

Council is supporting Euroa Health and Veterans Off The Streets Australia (VOTSA) to explore the possibility of establishing a Veterans Integrated Support Service at Euroa Health.

Council voted at last night’s Ordinary Meeting to support the seeking of funding for a feasibility study to identify and quantify the economic outcomes of such a program.

The support service would provide veterans suffering post-traumatic stress disorder with short term accommodation, wellbeing services and training and employment opportunities.

Strathbogie Shire Mayor Amanda McClaren has been involved in the conversations with Euroa Health and VOTSA about the Veterans program.

“Supporting projects that enhance healthcare services and promote economic growth within the shire is a crucial part of our role as advocates on behalf of our communities,” Mayor McClaren explained.

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Monday, 19 February, 2018

Council will buckle up again this year for roving Council Meetings on the third Tuesday of the month.

Council Meeting venues will alternate between the Euroa Community Conference Centre and another shire location.

Meetings officially commence at 6pm, but Council encourages residents to come along at 5.30pm for a cuppa, something to eat and a chat.

Mayor Amanda McClaren said there is a lot of value in travelling to different towns in the shire for meetings.

“Visiting townships is a great way to personally engage with residents from all corners of our shire and hear about matters that are important to them,” Cr McClaren explained.

“It gives our community the opportunity to have access to the level of government closest to them.”

The first Council Meeting will kick off at Longwood Community Centre on Tuesday 20 February at 6pm.

Click here for full list of dates and locations for 2018 Council Meetings

Thursday, 15 February, 2018

Formally known as Spring Creek, Graytown is located in the Strathbogie Shire, 137km north of Melbourne.

This year marks 150 years since gold was first discovered in Graytown.

Joyce Hammond’s The Graytown Goldrush paints a picture of a time where Graytown’s population exceeded 30,000 people, with over 500 buildings established during the short-lived gold rush days.

During the late 1860s, Graytown compared in size to the Ballarat Goldrush, but gold rapidly disappeared and by late 1870 the population had dropped below 200 people.

2018 also marks 170 years since the town was surveyed by Robert Hoddle, Officer-In-Charge of the Port Phillip Survey Department, who went on to become the first Surveyor General of Victoria in 1851.

The December Ordinary Council Meeting saw Council endorse Graytown Action Group’s Community Plan 2017-2021 which sets out priorities for the next four years, including preservation and promotion of the town’s rich history and heritage.

Secretary and Treasurer of the Graytown Community Action Group Julie Sims said the community regularly meets at their local ‘hub’ for gatherings and special events.

"We are a small friendly group of people with a great community spirit," Julie said.

Graytown resident and Strathbogie Shire Mayor Amanda McClaren said the town has a gorgeous landscape with an incredible history.

"Graytown is an interesting small town with a diverse and fascinating history; from the Traditional Owners to the Gold Rush in the late 1800's; to the ironbark forestry and more recently the military history with the former POW Camp" Cr McClaren said.

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