Mayor's Message

By Cr Clare Le Serve

Recently I met with Bass Coast Climate Action Network where we discussed the urgent need for stand-alone solar powered battery systems in community centres in all our towns so that community members can charge phones, run communications and support each other.

In a timely series, Bass Coast and South Gippsland shire councils have partnered with non-profit organisation Renew to deliver a series of webinars presented by experts and focused on making your home and community more sustainable. Webinars are free and run for 90 minutes, including question time. If you have missed any of them, there are recordings available online.

If you're keen to get off fossil fuels or curious to learn more about electric vehicles Council is proud to be supporting a special event on March 9 at Corinella by the Totally Renewable Tenby. I will be speaking at this event along with a range of EV owners and the founder of Carloop to update community on regional charging and other work Council is doing in this space.

Last week Council held the Developing Bass Coast Forum which was well attended with discussions around self-sustainability in the home and workplace and inspiring positive speakers.

We have Councillor Information sessions coming up. Have you ever thought about becoming a local councillor? Being a local councillor lets you give back, shape change, and represent your neighbourhood and have an impact on your community.

Become a local councillor and help drive positive change.

This weekend of course the Cowes Classic was held which has now entered its 31st year! It was very well attended and was great to see all the active community members swimming and running in this annual event that we support and celebrate.

On the topic of sports, we are proudly hosting an International Women's Day event this Friday at Silverleaves Resort where Nicole Livingstone OAM will be our keynote speaker along with local sports identities.

International Women's Day is a time for inspiration and change. Every year since 1911, this global day marks the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, while calling to accelerate women's equality. For this year's Bass Coast event our theme is "Inspiring inclusion" and we will focus on women in sport at a professional and community level.

Wherever you are this Friday, I'd encourage you to get along to the many events happening or please just to reflect on what it means to inspire inclusion and how you can be a part of positive change in the community.