On Friday night, I attended the launch of Startup Gippsland in Sale. Offered to anyone in Bass Coast, Baw Baw, Latrobe and Wellington Shires, the aim of the program is to give a kick-start to small businesses from these areas. It was great to introduce the 45 successful applicants in the inaugural year of this program, including nine from Bass Coast. I am looking forward to seeing how they progress throughout the 12 week program.

Friday was a busy day - we also met with our Federal MP Russell Broadbent to continue to advocate for the community's top priorities in the lead up to the Federal Election in May. We are hopeful that our advocacy efforts with the Monash candidates will be as successful as the work we did in the lead up to the State Election, which saw over $250 million worth of projects pledged for Bass Coast, which is an incredible achievement.

You may have noticed that our website has a brand new look. After months and months of solid work, which started with menu research and testing with the community, we now have a brilliant new site that's as user friendly as it gets. We get around 900 visitors to our website every day and we are very proud to deliver this much-needed platform for our community. It also works on your mobile and tablet, which is a great feature.

On Monday, I was honoured to attend and speak at the Vietnam Veterans reunion held on Phillip Island. Around 90 vets from the 2 Transport Platoon were in attendance, from all over Australia. 2 Transport Platoon Royal Australian Army Service Corps served in Vietnam from April 1965 until the end of the war. Some 300 soldiers served in this unit, which was responsible for transporting supplies to Nui Dat, Saigon and various Fire Support Bases, including Coral, Balmoral and others. These reunions are so important for the health of our veterans, many suffering physical and mental scars and it is an event they really look forward to. The whole reunion goes for five days, which will include a Memorial Service at the Newhaven Vietnam Veterans Museum and a Gala Dinner.

Our second Council Meeting for the year will be held at the Civic Centre Council Chamber at Wonthaggi on Wednesday, 20 March. Remember that this is the only decision making forum for Council, and it is open to the public. We encourage anyone who is interested in Local Government to come along.

Cr Brett Tessari, Mayor

Bass Coast Shire Council