Alpine Shire Council

Last week, nearly 100 community members came together to celebrate the official reopening of the Myrtleford Memorial Hall, and what a special moment it was! A heartfelt thank you to John Taylor OAM for sharing the rich history of the hall. It was incredibly meaningful to mark this milestone exactly 100 years to the month since the hall first opened its doors in 1925. 🕰️ This much-loved community asset is now ready for its next chapter, and we can’t wait to see it continue to be a place where memories are made for generations to come. 💛 A huge thank you to our Project Manager, Matthew Zagorski, and the Joss Group for leading the project with care and dedication, along with all of the contractors who brought the vision to life. We'd also like to thank the Community Reference Group for their support in making this project possible, as well as the Myrtleford Visitor Information Centre volunteers, Myrtleford Chamber of Commerce, Myrtleford Festival, Myrtleford Film Society, Myrtleford Historical Society, Myrtleford Neighbourhood Centre, Myrtleford Theatre Group, and the La Fiera Committee. As you can see, it's been a true community effort completing this project! We gratefully acknowledge funding support from Regional Development Victoria, Emergency Recovery Victoria’s Local Government Bushfire Council Support Fund, Universal Design Victoria, Creative Victoria, and the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.  And don’t forget, the brand new Myrtleford Visitor Information Centre is now officially open seven days a week in its new location at the front of the hall. Pop in and say hello! 👋

We're incredibly proud of the Resilient Alpine Youth Squad (RAYS), who, under the guidance of our Community Development Officer (Youth), Lara May, recently contributed to the HowWeSurvive Disaster Recovery Almanac, an independently funded initiative within UNSW.     Through their contribution, RAYS emphasised the connections between disaster and mental health, and the detrimental consequences of not having access to reliable support services in rural and regional areas.  Lara was also published in Volume 2 of the Disaster Recovery Almanac alongside two of her peers.   Their contribution, entitled 'What are you afraid of? Involving young people (in research)', detailed the immediate need to change the one-way, tokenistic relationship often seen between researchers and young people in disaster recovery.  Congratulations to RAYS and Lara for this considerable achievement!

Community members across Alpine Shire recently had the opportunity to experience the magic of Ash Dargan.   Seeing Ash perform feels like the thrum of the didgeridoo beneath our feet, sounds like the kookaburras laughing above our heads, and evokes the rush of the winds echo through the Kata Tjuta National Park.   During his time in Alpine Shire, Ash told his stories for:  ⚫ community members in Myrtleford at a free, public concert at EMPAC,  🟡 members of the Myrtleford U3A,  🔴 residents of Hawthorn Village in Bright,  ⚫ students of Mount Beauty Primary School and community members of the Kiewa Valley at a free, public concert at the Mount Beauty Community Centre, and  🟡 staff members of Alpine Shire Council.    We are deeply honoured that we had the opportunity to share in Ash's culture and Country through music and story.   We extend our thanks to Ash and to every person who came along to experience his magic with us. This wouldn't have been possible without the support of The Community Recovery Hub, the Victorian Government, and the Australian Government. We thank them for their role in making these events accessible for all members of our communities.

Can you believe that it's been 25 years of the Alpine Shire Youth Awards? Last Friday marked a milestone - the 25th anniversary of the Alpine Shire Youth Awards, and what a celebration it was! We honoured a record-breaking 57 young people across 12 award categories, recognising their contributions in areas ranging from academic excellence and community service to the arts, sports, and leadership. The event sold out in just one week and filled the Bright Community Centre with energy, pride, and inspiration. The continued growth of the Youth Awards is a testament to the incredible talent, passion, and dedication of young people in the Alpine Shire. Congratulations to all nominees and especially to our 13 outstanding winners: 🏅 Academic Award – Saskia Heuperman 🏅 Community Award – Helina Murphy 🏅 Endurance & Persistence Award – Mo Han Wang 🏅 Performing Arts Award – Sharnea Hall-Bidois 🏅 Proud & Deadly Award – Lauree Duncan 🏅 Rural Award – Lily Boyer 🏅 Sport & Recreation Award – Emily Macklan 🏅 Visual Arts & Media Award – Ethan Jenkins 🏅 Workplace Award – Teagan Brown & Tyler Sacco 🏅 Youth Award (12–16 Years) – Year 9 Barwidgee Lodge Intergenerational Program, Myrtleford P-12 College 🏅 Youth Award (17–21 Years) – Jack Byrne 📷 Photo credit: Renae Blake

Myrtleford has officially made a splash! 🌊 The new Myrtleford Splash Park is now open on Lewis Avenue - a $2.25M project proudly funded through the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program. From day one, the Myrtleford Chamber of Commerce has been behind this project, championing the vision and working closely with Council and the community to make it happen. The splash park features a platypus-themed water play area, inspired by the local platypus population in nearby Happy Valley Creek, and includes cantilever water features, arbours, and shelters that echo the architectural style of Myrtleford’s town centre and parks. A big thank you to the many contractors who brought it to life: PARX (Formerly Playscape Creations), Alpine Drilling, Water Features by Design, Stadelmanns, Damon Barker Electrical, Plumbing by Hall, RBI Plumbing, Bright Concreting, Lukey T Concreting, Ngarga Warendj Pty Ltd and the Crackpots, and McPhersons. We'd also like to thank Dr Helen Haines for joining in the celebrations to help us open the park this week. More than just a water park, this is a space for connection and play, and is a true example of what can be achieved when community, government and local expertise come together. The Splash Park is open now, just in time for the September school holidays. If you’re nearby, drop in, cool off, and celebrate what has been achieved!

We welcome yesterday’s announcement of a $2.5 million support package for Porepunkah and the Alpine region following the tragic events of 26 August. This investment will provide: ✅ $5,000 grants for affected businesses ✅ Support for local events and council programs ✅ Tourism promotion and marketing to boost visitation ✅ Wellbeing and business support initiatives These measures will make a real difference for our community as we recover and rebuild together. 💚 Alpine Shire Mayor, Cr Sarah Nicholas, welcomed the support for Porepunkah and the greater Alpine region ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gDAdNmGD

We are so excited to announce that, in addition to delivering 100% of our 2024/25 capital works budget totalling over $17 million, our Major Projects team have now completed 10 capital works projects with a total worth of over $15.5 million! 🏗️🏫 Working together with local groups and organisations across Alpine Shire, the delivery of these multi-year projects contributed to 65% of the total $17 million capital works budget for the 2024/25 financial year. Our dedicated and passionate Project Managers delivered these projects from within our adopted budgets from the 2021/22 financial year through to the 2024/25 financial year with funding provided by the Australian Government and the Victorian Governmentt. The 10 projects include: 🏉 Ablett Pavilion, Myrtleford 🚵 Dinner Plain Activation Project ❄️ Dinner Plain Snowmaking 💧 Myrtleford Splash Park 🗑️ Myrtleford Tip Shop ⚽ Savoy Soccer Club, Myrtleford 🏠 Tawonga Memorial Hall 🏞️ Tronoh Dredge Hole Precinct, Harrietville 🦋 Murray to Mountains, Porepunkah Rail Trail and Eurobin Station 🌻 Murray to Mountains, Roberts Creek Bridge, Porepunkah We extend our deepest gratitude and thanks to the community members that drove action, contractors involved in completing the works, and funding bodies who provided the means to bring these projects to life. For more information about each project, visit https://lnkd.in/gtJvZYT9

We extend our congratulations to all 10 local applicants who received funding to improve community infrastructure through the Victorian Government's Tiny Towns Fund! An initiative of Regional Development Victoria, the Tiny Towns Fund aims to improve amenities and foster a stronger sense of community across regional and rural towns with populations below 5,000 people. These projects will deliver better facilities across Alpine Shire, providing essential infrastructure that supports the wellbeing and engagement of residents. Some of the projects are already underway – such as the installation of a new storage shed for the Mount Beauty Amateur Swim Club at the Mount Beauty Swimming Pool. Well done to the following community groups and organisations: 👷♀️ Alpine Valleys Community Leadership Fund Ltd  💡 Bright Chamber of Commerce Inc.   🌻 Bright District U3A Inc.  🏉 Dederang Mount Beauty Football Netball Club Inc.  🌱 Dinner Plain Community Association   🏗️ Gundowring Hall & Reserve Inc.   🚙 Harrietville Hall Committee of Management  🚴 Harrietville Off Road Cycling   💧 Mount Beauty Amateur Swim Club Inc. 📰 https://lnkd.in/gG7Fe5TX

At Alpine Shire Council, we’re passionate about supporting our community’s transition to clean, renewable energy, and this program is a fantastic way to make that happen. ☀️🔌💡 The Goulburn Murray Solar Savers program is a local government-backed initiative that helps residents and businesses make informed, stress-free decisions about energy-efficient upgrades. By connecting people with trusted installers and approved products, it’s never been easier to cut energy bills and embrace sustainable living. We’re proud to be working alongside six fellow councils to bring this opportunity to more communities. Our Alpine libraries will be hosting information displays and drop-in sessions with our Sustainability Team throughout August and September - come chat with us and learn more! 💬 You can find information about the Program at:  📍 Myrtleford Library: Thu 28 Aug – Thu 4 Sept | Drop-in: Thu 4 Sept, 10am–12pm  📍 Bright Library: Thu 4 Sept – Thu 11 Sept | Drop-in: Thu 11 Sept, 10am–12pm  📍 Mount Beauty Library: Thu 11 Sept – Thu 18 Sept | Drop-in: Thu 18 Sept, 10am–12pm Find out more: https://lnkd.in/gxJQ_ws4 Mitchell Shire Council Indigo Shire Council Strathbogie Shire Council Murrindindi Shire Council Rural City of Wangaratta Greater Shepparton City Council

We’re genuinely impressed with the engagement we’ve seen so far as we develop the Back Porepunkah Road Safety Strategy! Thanks to our community’s active participation – through online surveys and comments – we’ve already received a wide range of valuable insights. 🚗 🚲 We all know people are passionate about their roads, but we weren't quite expecting to set ourselves a new record, receiving 124 responses in the first 24 hours! A week later, we've reached 250 submissions and counting, demonstrating the genuine commitment within our small community to road safety. Shout out to our amazing engagement platform ➡️ Social Pinpoint always makes it incredibly easy for residents to contribute and for us to track the conversation, ensuring every voice is heard. If you're an Alpine Shire local, don't forget to have your say on the draft Strategy, focusing on speed limits, signage, intersections, and facilities for walkers and cyclists. You can review the draft and share your thoughts here: https://lnkd.in/gjaZmMZQ You're also invited to attend our drop-in session tomorrow – Tuesday, 19 August – from 3pm to 5pm at Riverside Park. Submissions close on Monday, 8 September 2025.