Multiple Awards for Hepburn Shire Council

Published on 30 May 2023

Hepburn Shire Council has won two awards over the last week, being recognised for excellence in the delivery of two very different projects.

Council was selected as one of the inaugural winners of the Maggolee Awards 2023 for facilitating the Frontier Wars Memorial along Malmsbury-Daylesford Road in Daylesford. The Manna Gums site for the Aboriginal Peoples Memorial recognises and honours the loss of lives, the sacrifice and suffering inflicted on Aboriginal people during the frontier wars.

The Maggolee Awards recognise Victorian councils that have shown excellence working in partnership with First Peoples to support self-determination, advance reconciliation, and strengthen inclusion of First Peoples’ voices. 

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said this award acknowledges the excellent work being undertaken in Hepburn Shire.

“It’s wonderful to be recognised as leaders in the area of reconciliation,” said Cr Hood.

“Our work in this area is about encouraging unity and respect between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and our non-indigenous community,” he said.

“It is particularly meaningful to have this acknowledged during National Reconciliation Week, a time when we explore how we can contribute to achieving reconciliation.”

Council also won a Local Government Professionals (LGPro) award for its Aged Care and Disability Services Transition, in the category of Outstanding Small Rural Council Initiative. This was a three-year project where Council assessed the impacts of Commonwealth funding reforms on the delivery of its aged care services, ultimately transitioning from delivery into a focus on positive ageing.

“The decision to withdraw from aged care provision was not an easy one for Council, but our focus was on the best interests of clients, families and carers, staff and the community. The sensitive and complex project was managed in a caring and considerate way,” said Cr Hood.

“Council has an ongoing commitment to resource and lead the implementation of our 'No Barrier' Positive Ageing Strategy 2022-2030, to help improve outcomes for older people our community,” he said.

Council also placed third in the Local Government sector Australasian Management Challenge, a professional development opportunity for local government staff in Australia and New Zealand.

The Management Challenge is a competition that requires quick-thinking team work around real-life local government themes.

“Hepburn Shire’s team placed third against 25 teams from across Victoria, including some very large metropolitan councils. As a small rural Council, it’s impressive for our team to perform so well,” said Cr Hood.