Community News

Wonderful Community Events and opportunities

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Rainbow Ball

The Rainbow Ball has been delayed – but do not lose hope!  

We stand with our LGBTQIA+ youth, allies, families and friends and we will reschedule!  

You may have seen some confronting commentary around this event, this is why we have made this difficult decision. The safety of all involved is our priority. 

We know this may raise some difficult feelings, if you would like support at this time please reach out: 

·         Q Life 1800 184 527 between 3pm – 12am 

·         Rainbow Door on phone 1800 729 367 or text 0480 017 246 between 10am – 5pm 

·         Lifeline on 13 11 14 

There are some supportive resources for family and friends available at https://www.rainbowdoor.org.au/.

Rural City of Wangaratta stands with you and strongly supports our LGBTIQA+ community.

Youth Disaster Resilience Group EOI

Are you aged between 12 and 25 and live in the Wangaratta LGA? Are you interested in disaster recovery for young people?

‘Future Proof: Young People, Disaster Recovery and (Re)building Communities’ is a project that aims to provide bushfire affected young people aged 12-25 skills to improve their resilience, contribute to bushfire recovery in their communities, and pursue qualifications and jobs as part of the bushfire recovery process.

This project received a grant funding from the Working for Victoria Fund Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program and is a partnership between Rural City of Wangaratta and the Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic).

Young people are the experts in their own lives so we’re calling on them to help us lead bushfire recovery efforts following the Black Summer bushfires.

The Future Proof project will put young people at the centre of bushfire recovery efforts and ensure they are:supported in their own recoverythat their unique perspective and ability to contribute is recognised, valued and utilised for community recovery.

The project will increase qualifications and skills for local young people, ensure greater connection and retention of young people in local communities, facilitate contributions by young people to future disaster preparedness and response, and build strong connections between youth services across partnering LGAs at-risk from disaster.

Interested in joining, please click on this link - https://forms.office.com/r/WCN25pa4H3

Wangaratta Concert Band

The Wangaratta Concert Band are looking for young players of any skill level to join their band and have a play. 

The band rehearse on a Monday night at 6.30 - 9pm. 

If you are interested or having any questions please email wangconcertband@gmail.com or call 0401 021 448

A message from our local Police Department

Protect your bike against theft  

Wangaratta Police would like to remind bicycle owners of an increase in the thefts of bikes in the Wangaratta area recently, especially high quality mountain bikes. 

Bikes are stolen from garages, back yards, front yards, porches, railway stations, parks, schools – basically anywhere. LOOK AFTER YOUR BIKE.    Listed are some simple steps to protect your bike from being stolen.

• Always lock up your bike and keep it out of sight in the garage or shed.
• Don’t leave it unlocked outside shops. Lock it to bike racks or a fixed object.
• Reduce temptation. Remove accessories from the bike such as lights, pumps and bike computers.
• Always secure your bike by placing a chain through the front wheel and frame or if possible through both wheels and then around a fixed object.
• Always use a quality hardened chain and padlock or a purpose built bike lock.
• Always secure your bike when on holidays particularly when at caravan parks, camping locations or other holiday destinations.
• Engrave your bike with your parent’s driver’s licence preceded by the letter “V” to enable police to return it to you if recovered.
• Record a good description of your bike including Serial numbers, colour, size, brand, type etc and provide it to police if your bike is stolen.

Majority of bikes stolen were left unsecured at home in sight of pedestrian traffic or in public areas, shops and fast food outlets.