President's Report

President’s Report 

April – June 2024 

As winter descends across the Macedon Ranges the MRSG has still been hard at work with their actions across the Shire. Tonight, I am writing this report from the lands of the Djaara people, and I 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.  

I am pleased to announce that the MRSG Committee has allocated $10,000 of its funds to new projects for our Action Groups and encourage everyone who has an idea to deliver on our Purpose send us an email with our proposal and requested amount. Each Action Group can apply for up to $2,000 for this year, so get your thinking caps on and I look forward to receiving some good proposals. 

Off the back of the MRSG-funding in 2023, the Wooden Bee-Friendly Society has released its final report for its Swarming Bees Project which sought to install bait boxes across the Shire and beyond in order to attract potential swarming bees and help reduce them spreading pests and disease. They did a fabulous job capturing 10% of the swarms over the Spring period, which holds them in good stead to continue the work into the future. I would like to extend a warm thanks and congratulations to all those you worked on the project and to, Jim Sansom for sparking the idea in the Action Group and mobilising the team – well done! 

I’d also like to give a warm welcome to Kyneton Backyard Growers, a project of the Kyneton Transition Hub Action Group. This project seeks to gather Kyneton fruit and vegetable growers together for a weekly ‘Fruit and Veg Share’. Growers bring their produce to the Share and everyone is welcome to take the produce for free. A wonderful project that has had endorsement from the Macedon Ranges Shire Council grant and is only in its 3 month. All the best! 

The MRSG Strategy highlighted four focus areas to shape our strategic approach and operational framework: Our Community, Our Economy, Our Environment, Our Pople. Starting in early 2023, the committee has been working with the Action Group Leaders to knuckle down 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. 

Continuing through 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 is a product of the Housing and Homelessness Forum MRSG hosted in 2023 and it 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 Thursday 20 June. 

Some quick upcoming events from our Action Groups: 

  • June 23rd, Kyneton Backyard Growers Share, Kyneton Transition Hub 

  • June 30th, Kyneton Backyard Growers Share, Kyneton Transition Hub 

  • July 21st, Malmsbury Produce Swap and Recycling Station, Sustainable Malmsbury 

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

Kind wishes, 
Lenka Thompson (she/her) MRSG President 2022/23, 23/24 

Lenka ThompsonMacedon Ranges Sustainability Group