Creative Strategy out now – tell us what you think

The Swan Hill region is culturally strong and artistically ambitious.

That is the vision set out in the Swan Hill Rural City Council draft Creative Strategy, which was released for public input today.

Mayor Les McPhee said ideas from the community and from Council’s cultural services team were used to compile the draft strategy over the past two months.

More than 140 community members had input through surveys and through conversations across the municipality. That included children, young people, members of the Aboriginal and multicultural communities, senior citizens, retirees and business owners.

“Some of the consistent messages we got from the community was that this Creative Strategy had to include our smaller towns, and that it should build on our region’s cultural strengths – diversity, the natural environment and our people,” Cr McPhee said.

“We think the draft strategy and action plan reflect this,” he said.

“Some of the strategy’s goals are to re-invigorate the Robinvale Community Arts Centre, to increase production of art in rural communities, and to make sure Council venues and programs engage every town in our region.

“The strategy suggests that a schedule of events should be created across the region to celebrate diverse cultures; that we make our libraries real community hubs; and that we improve the way art events and projects are promoted.

“We think the strategy includes some real and achievable goals to build on our region’s strong cultural and creative offerings. But before we adopt the strategy and start working towards any of these goals, we want the community’s feedback.”

Feedback on the draft strategy will be open until 4pm on Friday, 7 September. After feedback is reviewed, the strategy will be finalised and presented to Councillors for adoption.

Click here to download the document and to have your say. You can also get a copy at the Swan Hill Library, Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery, Swan Hill Town Hall or the Robinvale Resource Centre, and send your comments to council@swanhill.vic.gov.au or PO Box 488, Swan Hill VIC 3585.