TLEADERS AND WATER IN THE
GANNAWARRA COMMUNITY
Friday 30 April
Peter Walsh, Member for Swan Hill addressed the group.
Community leaders toured the Cohuna and Koondrook region on Friday 30 April as part of the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program (LMCLP) in search of answers on the emotional topic of water and its value to our communities.
The group representing passionate communities from 13 shires across the region began the day in Cohuna with a key note speech by Mr Peter Walsh MP, Member for Swan Hill, Shadow Minister for Country Water Resources. Vigorous and informative question time followed Mr Walsh’s address.
Stuart Patterson, Community Planning Coordinator for the Gannawarra Shire, provided the group with a valuable insight into the strength of small communities across our region and how their determination and pride can be channelled into positive outcomes. "Stuart Patterson showed us that even small communities can achieve" said LMCLP participant and Elphinstone resident, Jacqueline Brodie-Hanns. "I will be taking many of these ideas and tools back to my community and putting them to good use".
During a visit to Max and Denise Fehring's dairy farm, just north of Cohuna, participants joined a panel discussion headed by Max Fehring, former President of United Dairy Farmers Victoria; Mark Bottcher, a dairy farmer from Gannawarra; Jill Davis from Archards Irrigation in Cohuna; and Margot Henty, Chair of the Torrumbarry Reconstruction and Asset Modernisation System.
The discussion was of immense value to the LMCLP participants. ”Learning about water and its many uses throughout the region is just the start,” said Jacqueline. “The fact that water is the key to life and is so intrinsically linked to every part of a community is the key.”
A tour of Arbuthnot sawmills in Koondrook to see first hand the impact of water on the Redgum Industry was followed by dinner at the Long Paddock Food Store. Participants enjoyed quality local produce while sharing ideas and leadership experiences with Lauren Mathers, co-owner of the store and 2009 Weekly Times Rural Ambassador.
Participants are eagerly awaiting the next program days at Dunolly and Inglewood on 9 & 10 May where small towns can have big ideas.
LMCLP Graduates, Kerri Hamilton and Jo Haw joined 2010 participants Louise Bewley and
Jacinta Hicks for dinner at The Long Paddock, Koondrook.
|
