Firstly, I must say that I am very proud to be elected to this position and I hope that I can honour the responsibilities that have been bestowed on me by my fellow councillors.

I will certainly be working totally for our community to achieve some better outcomes for us over the coming 12 months.

The Northern Grampians Shire Council is a very progressive organisation with a lot of exciting opportunities ahead.

The particle physics laboratory in Stawell is progressing, the streetscapes in both St Arnaud and Stawell are looking great and the dual Western Highway duplication is continuing to gain momentum.

Of course we are also working very diligently on the large tyre pile in Stawell west, a major master plan for the western Stawell industrial area, the Pleasant Creek site and all other vacant, industrial locations in our shire.

In addition to these efforts, I know that the new year will bring many other challenges for us to deal with. Becoming the leading rural shire in Victoria is a challenge I am sure all my fellow councillors aspire to.

I know the community of the Northern Grampians Shire is ready and in a positive frame of mind, to help us achieve this goal. If we all work positively together, I am confident your community, the Northern Grampians Shire, will be the winner.

Let's pause to remember all the very positive things that the Northern Grampians Shire has to offer - great sporting facilities, wonderful hospitals, outstanding schools and education, and clean tree-lined streets that are admired by all our neighbouring communities.

We also have many employment opportunities at Frewstal, Crocodile Gold and Stawell Airport, and in community services, agriculture, retail and the many other local businesses and industries that we are very proud to say keep us vibrant as a small rural area.

All of these businesses and industries require our full attention in the times ahead, and will be getting our support as we go along.

As we now have a new government in place, we are waiting for the opportunity to make sure we speak to our new members and that they fulfil all the election promises that they gave during their election campaigns.

I will be able to speak more about that in future mayor's reports throughout the year.

As it is Christmas time and a time for celebration, I would like to pass on my best wishes and good luck to readers for the times ahead.

Thank you once again for this opportunity, and have a very enjoyable Christmas and a happy, safe and prosperous new year.

Let's all get behind each other and make the Northern Grampians Shire the place to be.

Cr Murray Emerson, Mayor

Northern Grampians Shire Council