Community satisfaction survey 2026
Campaspe Shire Council will again undertake its annual community satisfaction survey throughout March.
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Metropolis Research Pty Ltd has been appointed to complete the phone-based survey, which helps council track how well it is meeting community expectations and identify opportunities to strengthen service delivery.
As in previous years, both mobile and landline phone numbers are sourced independently to ensure a randomised and representative sample of Campaspe Shire residents.
All responses remain anonymous. Metropolis Research will compile the results into a comprehensive report, which will be provided to councillors and made publicly available.
Council emphasises that the calls are legitimate and that residents will never be asked for personal identification or financial information at any stage.
Northern Rivers Uniting Church Cluster
Northern Rivers Uniting Church Cluster invites everyone to worship with Bamawm, Elmore and Rochester churches and Respect Tongala Memorial.
Services begin at 10am. You can also join via Zoom from other churches and homes.
March 8: face-to-face at Rochester. Leader Lyn Moon.
March 15: face-to-face at Elmore – Holy Communion. Leader Janice Webster.
Join via Zoom: us04web.zoom.us/j/826-6681-8761 and password: 22
To join by phone, dial 03 7018 2005 and enter Meeting ID: 826 6681 8761# and password: 22#
For information, phone cluster secretary Janice Webster on 0409 345 378.
Australia gears up for its biggest cuppa yet
Cancer Council is calling on Aussies to rally their family, friends and especially their workmates for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, the nation’s iconic fundraiser hoping to turn a cuppa into a cure.
Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is flexible, fun and easy to host.
While the official day is Thursday, May 21, people can raise a cuppa any time across May and June.
With one Australian diagnosed with cancer every five minutes, the same length of time as your average tea break, every cuppa makes a difference.
From a casual catch-up with friends, a family brunch, a neighbourhood get-together, or a large-scale workplace event, every morning tea matters.
Turn morning tea into a powerful force for change, by registering an event or donating today at biggestmorningtea.com.au
Duck season bag limit
A daily bag limit of nine ducks per hunter has been set for the 2026 duck hunting season.
The season opens at 8am on Wednesday, March 18, closing 30 minutes after sunset on Monday, June 8.
Seven game duck species can be hunted — Pacific black duck, grey teal, chestnut teal, wood duck, mountain duck, hardhead and pink-eared duck.
The nine bird bag limit has been informed by modelling undertaken as part of Adaptive Harvest Management for game ducks in Victoria, which is now being used to inform sustainable duck hunting arrangements each year.
All hunters must have a valid Game Licence and Firearms Licence before hunting ducks in Victoria.
Hunters are reminded to regularly monitor the GMA website for updates to wetland closures and other management actions at www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/duck/wetland-closures
Plan your trip
V/Line crews will complete essential rail maintenance and improvement works on the Echuca and Bendigo train lines in coming days.
Coaches will replace trains on the Echuca, Bendigo and Swan Hill lines for the duration of the works.
The works will include ballast renewal, culvert replacements, level crossing maintenance upgrades and bridge works in Castlemaine.
Passengers should allow an extra 60 minutes for their journey, with changes in place until the last service on Sunday, March 8.
Temporary timetables are available from the V/Line or Transport Victoria websites.
Be on butterfly watch
While most of us have struggled with recent high temperatures, there is one group of locals loving the heat.
The Eltham copper butterfly was once widespread in dry open forests from Melbourne to western Victoria.
The North Central Catchment Management Authority is working with local communities to help the Eltham copper butterfly and prevent its extinction. And they need your help.
The North Central CMA is keen to discover if there are any more populations of the Eltham copper butterfly and is calling on the community to keep an eye out.
Their flight season usually ends by mid-March, so now is the best chance to get out and find them. They tend to be flying on hot, sunny, still days.
The best way to record them is to snap a photo and upload it to the iNaturalist app.
Find out more about the Eltham copper butterfly at www.nccma.vic.gov.au/elthamcopperbutterfly
Community workshop
Independent Mental Health Advocacy is running self-advocacy and rights workshops for the community as part of an 18-month project.
IMHA supports people who are at risk of, or are currently receiving, compulsory mental health treatment with free and confidential information and advocacy.
The workshop is inclusive and accessible to anyone in the community such as those receiving or at risk of compulsory treatment; receiving voluntary treatment; who have had treatment in the past; who want to learn about mental health rights or who care and support someone receiving treatment; or who may be considering accessing mental health and wellbeing services.
The session is on at Echuca library on March 19 at 2pm. To book, email workshops@IMHA.vic.gov.au or phone 9093 3701.