Jeremy Rensford, chair of the Shepparton Ministers’ Association
Happy New Year!
This time of year prompts many of us to have fresh hope. Whether it be a chance for a new start, changing a bad habit or making new friends, it seems that this arbitrary change of date can generate real optimism.
But what happens when, for some, our hopes and optimism diminish as the year meanders onward? It may feel like we are merely hamsters spinning a wheel.
One of the things I love most about having faith in Jesus is the sense of prevailing hope no matter the circumstances. Healthy changes made on January 1 are great, but relying on merely a change of date, or things getting better in life in order to have hope is a potentially risky proposition. It may not be sustainable.
I’d encourage us to explore the Christian faith where hope can be found even in the saddest and most traumatic of times. God has promised He’d never leave or forsake His children.
During Covid, I defined hope as “the joyful and confident expectation of what God has promised.”
This has kept me going for 50 years, may it sustain you too.
For more information on local churches go to www.sheppartonchurches.org.au
Sharon Hensgen-Smith, Department of Education, Goulburn area executive director
GREATER Shepparton Secondary College and our city’s government primary schools are gearing up for a busy year of teaching and learning. Delivering effective teaching to equip our students with the knowledge they need in life is always our priority and privilege.
Last year many of our school communities were impacted by Covid and the October Floods and we are mindful that, for some, the effects will be felt for some time to come. The Department of Education is committed to working with students, families, teachers, principals and staff to provide a high-quality education for every student and to ensure that our schools are welcoming and supportive places for all.
As we start the new year, I encourage everyone to get involved in their child’s education. Attend school events, stay in touch with your child’s teacher, and communicate any concerns or questions you may have. Together, we can make this a successful and rewarding year for all of our students.
We wish all in Greater Shepparton a safe, healthy and very settled school year in 2023!
Melinda Martin, Shepparton Art Museum, CEO
WE’RE thrilled to welcome our wonderful community back to SAM in 2023! Artistic and cultural excellence awaits you at the museum, with plenty of exciting exhibitions to explore and programs to join. This year, look forward to the return of the ever-popular Woman and Child by artist Sam Jinks in our next collection show, titled Dance Me to the End of Love, alongside over forty stunning contemporary works from a number of renowned artists held in the SAM collection.
With extended weekend hours, plus the return of a monthly SAM at Sunset program, there are even more chances to experience the best of arts and culture at SAM in 2023.
Wendy Lovell MP, Member for Northern Victoria
AS WE commence 2023, we say goodbye to 2022 a year that bought many challenges and changes to our region.
2022’s extreme weather events including, floods and severe hailstorms affected both our primary producers and residential community.
Covid continued to affect our lifestyle and 2022 also brought many changes in leadership with the passing of the Queen who was the only monarch many of us had ever known and the Federal and State election’s bought changes in local representation and a new Federal Government.
The commencement of the New Year gives us all an opportunity to refocus and move forward with hope and optimism.
I will continue to work hard to ensure our region receives the recovery funding and investment in services and infrastructure we both need and deserve.
My wish for all of you in 2023 is for a more stable year full of good health, happiness, and prosperity. Happy New Year!
Cr Shane Sali, City of Greater Shepparton mayor
WELCOME to 2023. A chance for a new start, fresh opportunities and time to achieve our goals.
I hope you all had a safe and relaxing new year.
As we navigate through the first few weeks of 2023, it is a time to set the groundwork for a positive year ahead.
We must acknowledge that our community faced some challenges in 2022, with some residents still dealing with the effect of these many months later.
The entire community supported each other through these tough times. I encourage you all to bring this sense of companionship into 2023.
At Greater Shepparton City Council we look forward to working with you to achieve more positive outcomes for our region over the next 12 months.
With many major projects, infrastructure upgrades and community initiatives planned for the year ahead I know this will be an exciting time for us all.
Here’s to making the next 12 months a great success.
Sam Birrell MP, Federal Member for Nicholls
2023 will be big year for Nicholls, and I am ready to hit the ground running to ensure our region continues to grow and prosper. Flood recovery is one of my top priorities and I shall continue to work with the government to ensure our communities receive what they need to rebuild. A string of government ministers including Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt and Minister for Regional Development, Catherine King have toured our flood affected region. I will continue to build on these relationships, ensuring your voice is heard.
I will not waste a minute on advocating for services and infrastructure investment. The Goulburn Valley Clinical Health School, which would train health professionals and fill critical gaps across local health services is desperately needed, as well as funding for the redevelopment of the Shepparton Sports Stadium and telecommunications upgrades.
I look forward to meeting with many of you this year. If you require help with Federal Government matters, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with my office.
Amy Robinson, Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project, executive officer
THE concept of the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project gained community groundswell in 2011 and after considerable consultation and planning Lighthouse was launched in 2014. The subsequent years have seen Lighthouse grow, learn and connect with the wider community as we work toward ensuring that Greater Shepparton offers all young people the chance to realise their potential and thrive.
Since inception Lighthouse’s approach has relied heavily on collective impact. That is engaging you, the community, to create positive change. Whether it’s volunteering, donating, supporting, partnering, or sharing an idea, every act makes a difference.
As we embark on 2023, we remind community members the door is always open and all are welcome to join the Lighthouse family and help empower our youth to reach their full potential and create a brighter future for both themselves and our community.
Visit www.gslp.com.au to learn how you can connect and contribute in 2023.
Linda Nieuwenhuizen, Committee for Greater Shepparton CEO
Welcome to an already remarkable 2023!
To begin with, there are no federal, state or local government elections. The next time we go to the ballot box should be October 2024 local government elections.
So, 2023 should provide great opportunities to work together and with our elected representatives and governments to progress things that matter to us as a nation, a state and within our region.
It’s the right environment for conversations and action on water, energy, housing, and connectivity (digital and road and rail). All are critical building blocks that set us up for success well beyond the next elections, and the next floods, fires and pandemic.
2023 is also shaping up as remarkable because of the anticipated national referendum to determine whether to enshrine an indigenous voice to parliament in the Australian constitution – the first referendum this century.
Two weeks in and 2023 is already calling to us to be curious, to participate, to listen, to consider and to act. If we get it right, 2023 will be positively remarkable.
