A message from the Mayor – Community safety first

Published on 16 November 2015

On behalf of Council I want to thank all the emergency services and health services staff and volunteers who committed their time to be involved with our recent Community Safety Expos and Cinema Nights.

Over the past six weeks, Council has hosted four expos at Underbool, Cullulleraine, Nangiloc and in Mildura, with communities being treated to free outdoor movie nights, entertainment and activities in an effort to educate more people about the vital roles these organisations play in protecting us.

Victoria Police, local Country Fire Authority and State Emergency Services, the Department of Justice, Red Cross, Ambulance Victoria and Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning have been great supporters of the events.  

And Headspace, Mallee Family Care, Mildura Life Saving Club, Nangiloc Community Emergency Response Team, scouting groups and local school and community groups have also provided valuable information and interactions over the course of the four expos.

The fact is, in regional areas such as ours, community safety is everyone’s business.  From those who battle fires, floods and help during storms, to those who watch out for us on the roads and those who spend time looking after the physical and mental  health of our residents, together we can make this a safer place to live, work and play.

Many of these groups are volunteer based organisations and I really do urge you to think about giving a little of your spare time to support these groups.  Not only will you be helping others, but you will also be enriching your own life.

While our emergency services work hard to protect us, we as individuals have a role to play too.

Things like keeping your property free of fire hazards during the warmer months, watching out for swimmers if you’re out on the river, donating blood, not speeding on our roads and even just checking in on elderly or frail neighbours, are all important actions individuals can take.

Saturday night was the last of the expos and was held at Nowingi Place on the Mildura Riverfront and I was really pleased to see so many young families and groups of friends enjoying the evening. 

Congratulations and thanks to the Risk and Emergency Management team at Council who coordinated the Community Safety Expos and Movie Nights.  It was the first time something like this has been trialed and I’m sure those who came along to the events will say it was certainly well worth all the effort.

If you’re interested in ways you can prepare yourself for emergency situations, why not download a copy of Council’s Ready React Recover guide from Council’s website at www.mildura.vic.gov.au/Community-Preparedness or call in to a Service Centre and pick up a copy.

Cr Glenn Milne
Mayor