Bega Valley Shire Council

Congratulations to staff and former staff who received National Emergency Medals this week. 👏 Staff were awarded a medal for their extraordinary contributions during the Black Summer bushfires. In the midst of the devastation, we witnessed unwavering commitment, tireless work, and unparalleled dedication from over 100 Council staff. It’s hard to believe that nearly five years have passed. Recipients and guests were joined by Mayor of the Bega Valley Shire, Russell Fitzpatrick, deputy Mayor, Mitchell Nadin, Councillors, CEO Anthony McMahon, State Member for Bega, Dr Michael Holland, and Her Excellency, The Honourable Margaret Beazley, AC KC, Governor of NSW. We'd also like to take a moment to acknowledge everyone who played a role during and after the bushfires in a range of capacities, who were not eligible to receive a medal. Their contribution made an immeasurable difference. #resilience #emergencyresponse #nationalemergencymedals #blacksummerbushfires

Our Central Waste Facility tour was a hit!   On Wednesday 20 November, 12 of our staff took part in a tour of the Central Waste Facility (CWF) to learn about how we manage our non-recyclable waste.   We’re thrilled with the enthusiasm and participation from staff and look forward to welcoming even more BVSC colleagues on our next tour! 😊 #wastewise

Congrats to our Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick 👏

🏆 BEGA VALLEY SHIRE COUNCIL WINS BLUETT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE! We're thrilled to share that Bega Valley Shire Council has won the Rural/Regional category of the prestigious AR Bluett Memorial Award, celebrating excellence in delivering outstanding community services and infrastructure. “I am incredibly proud of this Council and all who have helped us win recognition as the best performing council in rural NSW,” Mayor, Russell Fitzpatrick said. This achievement highlights the powerful partnership between Council and our community. Your invaluable feedback and insights have driven meaningful improvements across the shire. A huge shoutout to our incredible staff—this award is a testament to your commitment, strength and resilience in working tirelessly for our community’s wellbeing. To read more, go to: https://lnkd.in/gJutH-Yv Together, we’re building a stronger, brighter future for the Bega Valley. 🌟  

☀️ KICKSTART YOUR CAREER WITH US! ☀️ Are you a young Indigenous person in our community looking to build a rewarding career? Bega Valley Shire Council has exciting trainee opportunities open right now in our Water and Sewerage Section. Just like Walbunja man, Tait Farram who started his journey as a trainee with Council, you too can take the first step toward a long and fulfilling career. In this video, Tait shares how his journey began with a trainee position and led to some great career achievements, both within Council and beyond. Ready to learn more? Watch the video to hear about Tait’s story and click the link below to explore our traineeships and current vacancies. This is your chance to be part of a team that values growth, community and a sustainable future. Tap the link to start your journey today! https://lnkd.in/gP3ruDbn

Provisional Council election result: a mix of experience and new perspectives Bega Valley Shire Council congratulates elected Mayor and Councillors, following the release of the provisional results from September’s Local Government elections by the NSW Electoral Commission. Russell Fitzpatrick was re-elected Mayor in the first public mayoral vote with the result now being declared. Mayor Fitzpatrick is joined by returning Councillors Tony Allen, Mitchell Nadin, Helen O’Neil and David Porter, and newly elected Councillors Simon Daly, Peter Haggar, Peggy Noble and Clair Mudaliar. The new Council will undergo a comprehensive induction process commencing before its first official meeting on 9 October 2024 where a decision regarding the appointment of a Deputy Mayor will be made along with formation of Council committees. It is after this first meeting that they commence formal Councillor functions.

SECNA are having their first Business for Good Lunch in Bega on Friday 11 October - a fantastic opportunity for social enterprises and supporters to find each other and network. We'll have a representative there who will share more about Council's role in supporting social enterprise. This event is supported by the Business Council of Australia Community Building Trust. See the post below to learn more.

Joint initiative receives Highly Commended award 👏 We recently received Highly Commended recognition in the NSW category of the 2024 Resilient Australia Awards. The NSW category recognises and promotes initiatives that build whole of community resilience to disasters and emergencies, as climate change and population growth cause natural disasters become more frequent and severe. Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) Bega Valley - Resilience Connection and Place was a joint initiative with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s (FRRR) and the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF). It was funded under the Australian Government’s Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Program. The initiative, which ran from 2022-2024, aimed to develop stronger, more resilient regional not-for-profits, fulfilling their mission with greater impact, leading to a high-functioning, more viable, more sustainable not-for-profit sector across the Bega Valley. Community Development Project Officer, Leah Szanto lead the initiative on behalf of Council, working closely with Investing in Rural Community Futures Program Manager, Carolyn Ardler. Pictured with Leah (holding the Highly Commended award) are (L to R): Community and Cultural Services Manager Anne Cleverley, Joanna Quilty (NSW Reconstruction Authority), NSW Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib and Carolyn Ardler. #resilientaustraliaawards2024 FRRR (Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal) Australian Rural Leadership Foundation

We were a joint winner in the Operational Risk Initiative category of the recent 2024 Statewide Mutual Risk Management Excellence Awards! 👏 Faced with evolving complexities in procurement and contract management, Bega Valley Shire Council realised the status quo was not an option. The last comprehensive review was in 2015 and despite subsequent audits revealing many improvements, momentum for change had stalled. Recognising traditional approaches were falling short, we engaged SHOP Consulting.   The procurement improvement project saw a cultural shift within Council through the establishment of a comprehensive framework, interactive training modules, modernised systems including a Procurement Customer Portal.   This procurement improvement project achieved sustainable, simple, good practice that not only delivers value and mitigates risk but also contributes to a thriving Bega Valley.   Photo L to R: Tia James (Procurement & Contracts Coordinator), Rickee Marshall (Property & Legal Manager) and Wayne Van Der Westhuysen (Risk Management Coordinator).

We recently attended the 2024 South Coast and Far South Coast Careers and Employment Expo at Hanging Rock in Batemans Bay, NSW.   The event was a great success, drawing in an impressive crowd of more than 500 attendees and featuring more than 40 diverse stalls that showcased a wide range of career opportunities and educational pathways.   Participating schools included Eden, Bega, Narooma, Batemans Bay, Moruya and Broulee, with each bringing a vibrant mix of students eager to explore their future prospects.   The overwhelming turnout and enthusiastic participation from both students and exhibitors underscore the event’s success, marking it as an exceptionally productive and engaging day for all involved.