March 2025 Mayor Message

Published on 26 March 2025

March has been another busy month in and around Berrigan Shire.  Many thanks must go to the Berrigan Shire library team for organising another fabulous International Women’s Day event with guest speaker Alice Gorman.  Alice shared a fascinating story of women’s role in the space race that was both enlightening and entertaining.  Thanks also to Merran Socha for hosting the event.

We have also seen a number of visitors as we are still some fantastic sunshine even with the end of summer approaching. 

At the beginning of the month, the Australian Beach Volleyball Championships were hosted at Thompson’s Beach where I was honoured to present the trophies to the winning male and female pairs.  On the Victorian March long weekend Tocumwal hosted the Murray River Rod Run.  It certainly was a sight to see with a record number of entries and fun and festivities on the Tocumwal foreshore for locals and visitors alike.  Well done to the Tocumwal Foreshore Committee and the Tocumwal Community Development Committee for their contributions.

Later in the month, we had the Finley Rodeo and the Finley Cup in Berrigan.  Again, great events for visitors and locals alike!

This month I would like to take this opportunity to introduce Councillor Sharon Dennis.  Councillor Dennis was the successful candidate at the November bi-election and formally joined council at our January meeting.

Cr. Julia Cornwell McKean- Mayor

Councillor Sharon Dennis

Berrigan Shire is renowned for having the best gliding conditions in Australia. Having a partner who loves gliding, we were visiting the area frequently until the decision came to move to Tocumwal. Previously, being a business owner in hospitality (along with a career as an associate lecturer and nurse) we decided to start another business involving the experience of gliding. We began to spread the word across the international gliding community that Tocumwal was once again the best destination to come flying. It is also important to me to get to know the community where I live. I work part time work in the local community in diverse rolls, which has provided me with great exposure to a broader base of the Berrigan Shire.

I have felt very welcomed to Tocumwal and the Shire, and that has grown and continued over the years. I appreciate the diversity of the area and what is important to the community. Many of the international pilot’s comment on area and I feel pride acknowledging that it is a nice area, and that people work hard to welcome others.

I have learnt that the farms and productivity is varied, but all water related, and there is a need to be heard as a regional area for services that sustain the towns and growing populations. I have also learnt that there are many days filled with sunshine, and not many people like winter.

I know that working for you, the community, as a representative will be full of well-considered and hard decisions along with considerate milestones of achievement.