Last Wednesday night, we held our Community Connection Session in Rhyll and it was great to see it so well attended. We had a full schedule, with six varied presentations, from passionate groups and individuals. From July onwards, Community Connection Sessions will be moved around the Shire, instead of being held solely in Wonthaggi. These sessions are held monthly, on the Wednesday of the week before the Ordinary Council Meeting. They provide community groups and individuals with an opportunity to present to Council about projects, events, issues, or another topic. Another feature of the sessions is that at the end, there is time for some afternoon tea and a chat.

I was at a Phillip Island Football Netball Club home game at the Cowes Recreation Reserve recently and it was absolutely fantastic to attend an opening of the new change room facilities while I was there. The new rooms were recently completed and can I say – what an incredible transformation. The clubrooms were in pretty bad shape before being upgraded, so it is awesome that the Club now has access to what is essentially a brand new facility. I am sure that the Club is also thrilled with the result. Unfortunately, the netball courts at the Reserve won’t be ready for play this season, but they already look so amazing, it will certainly be an impressive sight when it all comes together. We are just waiting on the application of a top coat, which needs to be done in warmer weather. I know it was disappointing for the girls to miss out this season, but it will be hard to find a better facility once the courts are done.

It is always great to hear about a local business doing incredible things, so it was awesome to attend the first birthday of Wonthaggi business – Summersalt Gymnastics – on the weekend. The business is a result of the hard work of owner Chelsea Caple, who’s dream of opening a gymnastics club in Bass Coast has well and truly come true. Chelsea is well known for her can-do attitude and passion for sport and being active an any age, so it is great to see something she has worked so hard for, do so well.