My weekend was full of incredible and inspiring events, starting off with the official opening of the Festival of Stories in Cowes on Friday night.

Congratulations to the Island Story Gatherers, a group of eight enthusiastic volunteers, for their vision and dedication to make the Festival happen. The Festival celebrates arts and culture and helps drive up visitation to the Island during the off-peak season. Once again, the program was incredible and I am sure the Festival will continue to go from strength to strength in years to come.

This weekend, the Phillip Island Football Netball Club and the Phillip Island Soccer Club and their opponents, took part in the Phillip Island Orange Round, which aims to promote gender equality and raise awareness around the prevention of violence against women and children. The event was held in partnership with the Change for Sam Committee, which was formed after the tragic death of Island local Sam Fraser. It is always inspiring to see how a community comes together to support one another, not only in times of tragedy, but also when there is a collective need to make a change. I attended the soccer match at Newhaven on Sunday and was encouraged by the positive messages this Round promotes.

We have a great sense of community spirit in Bass Coast. I saw a fundraising page recently for a local young woman who had been diagnosed with cancer. It was terribly sad to see this young person dealt such a rotten blow, however I am also so proud to see how, as a community, we rally around anyone who needs support. It doesn’t need to be a monetary donation either, sometimes just some kind words, or a phone call, or a home-cooked meal can be all it takes to help someone who might be doing it tough.

Don’t forget, there is still time to provide feedback on a number of Council and State Government projects. Jump on to Council’s website to provide feedback on the Wonthaggi Activity Centre Plan, or the three Reserve Master Plans, including Blue Gum in Cowes, Harold Hughes in Corinella and Thompson in Inverloch. The State Government is also asking for feedback on the Distinctive Areas and Landscapes project, Regional Litter and Illegal Dumping plans and the Draft Marine and Coastal policy. Head to engage.vic.gov.au to have your say.