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A Christmas message from East Gippsland Mayor Mark Reeves

Christmas message from East Gippsland mayor

By news@gippsland - 13th December 2022 - Back to News

I love the festive season. It's a special time to catch up with friends, shop at local stores for treats, take the kids to carols and pageants and reunite with loved ones. Most importantly, it provides us with a moment to pause and reflect on what we achieved this year, perhaps by taking a summer staycation here in Gunaikurnai, Monero and Bidwell country - our own beautiful backyard.

East Gippsland Shire Mayor Mark Reeves

Looking back on 2022

It's also that time of year when, in the spirit of togetherness, we help someone who may be less fortunate than ourselves - the bereaved, those battling illness and those who may be lonely or vulnerable.

Looking back on 2022, I am incredibly proud of the accomplishments of our community, notably our collective responses to the pandemic and wild weather. I thank those who work to protect, support and care for us - including those who will work through the festive period: doctors and nurses, emergency services staff, police and firefighters, care providers, public transport staff, and even our many council staff.

Council's achievements

There are also many achievements by council that I am honoured to be a part of, including:

• Almost $10 million investment in adventure tourism in Omeo
• A revamp of Bairnsdale Airport
• Raymond Island's Koala Trail and Discovery Experience - work with Traditional Owners to improve the trail and Indigenous interpretation and cultural education
• New community halls, sporting facilities and streetscape upgrades in a bunch of towns, the swashbuckling fun pirate playground in Marlo
• The ongoing campaign to protect and support both sustainable native forest harvesting and timber workers
• East Gippsland honour roll - welcomed 91 new citizens to our shire through council-run ceremonies and recognised 117 hard-working volunteers as inductees

We can look forward to tourism getting a boost with the rollout of electric vehicle charging stations across the shire, the opening of Bullock Island Bridge in Lakes Entrance, and stages 1 and 2 of the impressive WORLD Sporting Precinct in Bairnsdale reaching completion. On behalf of the councillors and staff, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very happy and safe New Year.

Pictures from One Gippsland website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com