President's Report

November 2023 – January 2024 

A very, very happy new year to you all from my first MRSGs President’s Report for 2024. I hope you all got to have a good break over the summer festive season and now back in the swing of things as life get back to ‘normal’. I was delighted at our first meeting to be re-elected as MRSG’s President for 2023/24. I'm joined by Jo Bidwell as Vice President, James Mackenzie as Secretary, and Ralf Thesing as Treasurer, along with our other fabulous committee members, Jenny Holliday, Geoff Murray, Rob Bruhn, and David Thomas. I am writing this president’s report on the country of the Taungurung people and acknowledge their land commitment and connection to the land, water, and sky. It is hoped we can share in their innate wisdom and help heal their country in the work that we do as MRSG.  

At our 2023 AGM we had the pleasure of presenting the MRSG Strategy to the meeting. The Strategy highlighted four focus areas to shape our strategic approach and operational framework: Our Community, Our Economy, Our Environment, Our Pople. This work started in early 2023 and included the Committee members, Action Group Leaders (AGL), and MRSG members. The committee will be working on the next steps for the Strategy and finalising details with the AGL to determine the best way for MRSG to maintain its focus and impact of living sustainably in Macedon Ranges. 

A big thanks to our Treasurer Ralf and the committee who organised our 2023 end-of-year celebration at the new wine bar in Woodend, 600 Above. It was a fun-filled night that culminated in some cheerful time spent together enjoying each other's company after a successful year. MRSG is delighted to organise these events for our members and love that it was so well received – thanks again to all those who helped make this event a success. 

Continuing into 2024 Macedon Ranges Housing and Homeless Alliance has been meeting to help address the housing issues that prevail in Macedon Ranges and other areas. This alliance was a product of the Housing and Homelessness Forum from 2023 and aims to reduce those living with homelessness or at the risk of homelessness. 

MRSG is actively participating in the Sustainability Network Loddon Mallee – fortnightly meetings with sustainability groups in the Loddon Mallee region to provide feedback to the Loddon Mallee Zero Emissions Roadmap, a collaboration between the City of Greater Bendigo, the Greater Bendigo Climate Change Collaboration, the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance, and Regional Development Victoria. Next meeting is 17 March. 

Some quick upcoming events from our Action Groups: 

  • March 2nd, Woodend Community Farmers’ Market 

  • March 3rd, Launch Kyneton Backyard Growers Community Stall, Kyneton Transition Hub 

  • March 3rd, Climate Changers screening, Sustainable Malmsbury and Kyneton Transition Hub 

  • March 16th, Enviro Energy Expo, Riddells Creek Cool Changes 

  • March 17th, Malmsbury Produce Swap and Recycling Station, Sustainable Malmsbury 

  • March 22nd, Natural Sequence Farming Field Day, Macedon Ranges Regenerative Farmers 

Keep an eye out for more Events that may pop up in our calendars. 

Wishing you a fabulous 2024, 
Lenka Thompson (she/her) MRSG President 2022/23, 23/24 

Lenka ThompsonMacedon Ranges Sustainability Group