Bass Coast Shire Council

On Wednesday Bass Coast Shire Council came together as an organisation to celebrate International Men’s Day (19 November). Wednesday was an opportunity to highlight the positive contributions men make in our communities — as dads, partners, mentors, colleagues, friends and carers — while also raising awareness of the unique health and wellbeing challenges men face. While everyone’s experience is different, we know that many men and boys still encounter pressures and expectations that can impact their wellbeing. 🧠 Mental health & Social Expectations: Traditional ideas about masculinity often reduce help-seeking behaviours among men, despite their disproportionate experience of suicide and mental ill-health. 🏳️🌈 LGBTQIA+ men and masc-identifying people: can experience extra layers of stigma or exclusion, which can impact their mental health and access to safe support. 👥 Connection: Many men report feeling isolated or disconnected, even if they are highly active and involved in their communities. 🧑🤝🧑 Family and relationships: Single fathers and male carers often face unique barriers in parenting spaces. 📚 Boys and education: Boys can experience different pressures at school, including academic expectations and social stereotyping. To celebrate and reflect, staff of all genders were invited to take a lunchtime walk dubbed the "Man-Walk" to connect, unload and make space for mental and physical wellbeing. 👟 Additionally, our “Moustache You Some Questions” Wall invited staff to share how they look after their mental health and which outdated stereotypes they hope to break for future generations. 👨🏻🦰 If you or someone you know needs support, reach out: 📞 Lifeline: 131 114 📞 Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 #InternationalMensDay #IMD2025 Greg Box Bradley Bennett Austin Cram Gabby Pugh Patrick Dillon GAICD Jodi Kennedy Simon Woodland Emma Sorensen Elly (Eleni) Mousellis)

🎉 Congratulations to Cr Rochelle Halstead on being re-elected as Mayor, and to Cr Brett Tessari on being re-elected as Deputy Mayor for the year ahead. With our Community Vision 2045 and Council Plan 2025–2029 paving the way, this term is all about delivery and continuing the strong teamwork and clear direction our Councillors championed last year. Cr Halstead, recently honoured for ten years of service, brings more than a decade of experience and passion to the year ahead, and Cr Tessari joins her with as a third-generation Wonthaggi local and third Council term that same drive. Cr. Rochelle Halstead. GAICD Brett Tessari Greg Box

Our team is looking for a passionate and dynamic People & Culture Officer to join us! In this role, you’ll be integral to shaping not just what we do - but who we are. You’ll support our recruitment efforts, finding and attracting top talent who will thrive in our culture. You’ll also have the chance to amplify our employer brand, helping us tell our story, showcase what makes us unique and make sure our people experience reflects it every step of the way. If you’re someone who loves: ✔️ Being part of a collaborative, high-energy team ✔️ Bringing creativity and strategy into recruitment and employer branding ✔️ Helping build a workplace where people feel valued, engaged and excited to contribute …then we’d love to hear from you. Interested? Head over to our LinkedIn job post to learn more about the role and apply today. Let’s build something great together! https://lnkd.in/gpMvb_vR

🎉👏Bass Coast Shire Council is proud to celebrate Mayor Cr. Rochelle Halstead. GAICD, who was last night recognised with a 10-Year Service Award from the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV)! Cr Halstead’s journey in local government shows her strong sense of civic duty, leadership and community connection. She was first elected to Frankston City Council in 2003, where she also served as Mayor, before joining Bass Coast Shire Council in 2020. Since then, she has represented the Western Port Ward, served as Deputy Mayor in 2023 and 2024, and was re-elected at the 2024 local government election for a further four-year term. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Cr Halstead brings a strong understanding of governance, transparency and accountability to her role. Her leadership is defined by enthusiasm, openness and a results-driven approach, with a deep commitment to ensuring every voice in the community is heard. In addition to her role as Mayor, Cr Halstead was elected earlier this year as the Regional Board Director for the MAV representing Gippsland, where she continues to advocate strongly for the needs of regional and rural councils. Reflecting on the milestone, Mayor Halstead said her greatest motivation has always been the people she serves. 💬“Representing this community is both an honour and a privilege. Every conversation, every project, every decision is about making Bass Coast an even better place to live, work and visit. I’m constantly inspired by the passion and care our residents have for this region, and it’s what drives me every day to do my very best on their behalf.” This award is a wonderful recognition of her decade of service to local government and her ongoing commitment to the communities she represents. 🌟

Two more great tender opportunities here at Bass Coast Shire Council! 👷♀️ The Union Theatre, Wonthaggi – HVAC Upgrade We're inviting tenders from suitably experienced Contractors for The Union Theatre HVAC Upgrade. 📅 The tender period closes at 2.00 pm on Wednesday, 15 October 2025. The construction works will commence in January 2026. 👷♀️ Phillip Island Sporting Precinct Functional Layout and Detailed Designs. We're inviting suitably experienced consultants to tender for the Phillip Island Sporting Precinct Functional Layout and Detailed Designs. The purpose of the project is to develop tender-ready design documentation that will deliver on the Phillip Island Sporting Precinct. 📅 The tender period closes at 2.00 pm on Wednesday, 22nd October 2025.  📄 Tender documents can be downloaded from https://lnkd.in/guFuzR_b 

Throughout September, Bass Coast Shire Council proudly took part in the R U OK? Day (Any Day) campaign. A powerful reminder that a single question can change a life. This year, our trainees led the way, guiding a month of activities with their creativity, kindness and passion.   On R U OK? Day itself, colleagues across the organisation wore a splash of 💛 yellow 💛 and joined free online exercise and mindfulness sessions 🧘♀️🏃. It was a moment to pause, breathe, and check in with ourselves as much as with one another.   The following week, the conversation deepened at Sizzle & Support at the Wonthaggi Post Office & Civic Centre. Inside, Paul Milne pulled from their own personal experiences and hosted a raw discussion on mental health. Followed by some tea, coffee, and sweet treats that were shared around the office all day to spread some joy 🧁☕ Outside, laughter and connection flowed over a sausage sizzle, with gold coin and virtual donations going directly to support R U OK?.   We closed the month with a grounding Lunchtime Yoga session 🧘♂️✨. Gentle stretches and mindful reflection encouraged us to slow down, breathe, and remember that taking care of our own wellbeing is not selfish, it’s essential.   As we reflect on the month, two lessons stand out:   1️⃣ Put your oxygen mask on first. Before we can have difficult conversations with others, we need to look after our own mental wellbeing. Only then can we truly support those around us.   2️⃣ We need to use “R U OK?” genuinely. Asking the question is more than a greeting, it’s an invitation to connect. It works best in a safe, private space where people feel comfortable to answer honestly.   A heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part, and especially to our amazing trainees for leading such a meaningful series. As September wraps up, it’s a good reminder that R U OK? isn’t just one day on the calendar.  And as a workplace, it's important to make it part of our everyday culture. 💬🤝 Greg Box Emma Sorensen Paul Milne Leah Baud Katherine Cousins Alice Anderson Elly (Eleni) Mousellis #RUOKDay #RUOKAnyday

We’re proud to share that Bass Coast Shire Council has been named a finalist for both the Stronger Together Award for Council Collaboration and the Engage Award for Impactful and Inclusive Storytelling for the inaugural MAVlab Innovation Awards by the Municipal Association of Victoria! ⭐⭐⭐   We’ll try our best to list everyone involved, but a huge thank you goes out to all who contributed to two standout projects this year: 🏖️Beach Safety: Innovation and Collaboration in Bass Coast and the 🏠Bass Coast Homelessness Think Tank. These projects show what’s possible when our community, partners and Council come together with fresh ideas and a shared purpose to make a difference. 👏   We’re looking forward to joining all of the finalists at the MAVlab Innovation Awards Celebration on Wednesday, 8 October, where the winners will be announced.    Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gfDB5YjM Greg Box, Jodi Kennedy, Donna Taylor, Patrick Dillon GAICD, Colette McMahon, Nick Grant-Collins, Dani Slaughter, Nicola Glassey, rhyce davis, Alice Anderson, Lauren Grylls, Laura A'Bell,   Municipal Association of Victoria #MAVlab #LocalGovernment #Innovation

Wonthaggi was a sea of purple last Friday, as community members, young people, headspace, and #teambasscoast came together to celebrate Wear It Purple Day! Bright shirts, painted faces, and plenty of laughter filled the space, all with one powerful message: our LGBTQIA+ young people are celebrated, supported and never alone.   Since it began in 2010, this national movement has grown into a global symbol of pride and inclusion, reminding young people that they are valued exactly as they are.   This year’s theme, Bold Voices, Bright Futures, celebrated LGBTQIA+ youth stepping into their power – achieving in sport, science, art and every space in between – while building a more inclusive tomorrow.   The day was hosted by headspace Wonthaggi and supported by Bass Coast Shire Council's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee. Featuring speeches, face painting, and a vibrant walk up McBride Avenue before gathering at Wishart Reserve for some photos and community gathering.   As a Council, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our community is important. By showing up, we sent a clear message that Bass Coast is a place where diversity is embraced, and where young people are safe to be themselves. 🌈💜   #WearItPurple #WearItPurpleDay2025 Greg Box Austin Cram Nyree Davis Elly (Eleni) Mousellis Emma Sorensen Harriet Nunan Justin Murray Johanna Radford Emlyn B. Amy Kent Shirley Egan Brendan Eager Nick Grant-Collins Jayne Simpson Jace Westland

Two more great tender opportunities here at Bass Coast Shire Council! 🚚 Rhyll-Newhaven Road Renewal – Stage 1 We are inviting tenders from suitably qualified contractors for the Rhyll-Newhaven Road Renewal – Stage 1 project.   The project will incorporate road renewal, minor drainage, road sealing and line marking as well as ancillary works outlined in the associated contract documents. Construction works are expected to commence in January 2026. 🖱 One Council CiA Panel of Suppliers We are inviting tenders from suitably qualified and experienced Consultancy Practices to establish a panel of appropriately qualified consultants to manage and coordinate specified requirements for any CiA OneCouncil modules, either implemented or still to be implemented at Bass Coast Shire Council. 📅 The tender periods for both tenders close at 2.00pm on Wednesday, 17 September 2025. 📄 Tender documents can be downloaded from https://lnkd.in/guFuzR_b If you're passionate about making a difference right where you live, click the link to register for our e-tender box and be part of our journey!

At yesterday's Council Meeting, Bass Coast Shire Council released eight key draft strategic plans that will guide the future of our region – and now we’re inviting our community to take part in the final check-in before adoption. Our Councillors marked the moment with a bit of light-hearted fun on social media, sharing the drafts among themselves to celebrate a big milestone of the first year of this new Council together. 🥳 These plans reflect the vision, priorities and aspirations of our community, shaped through extensive consultation with thousands of voices over the past year – including the dedicated 45-member Community Panel, our Councillors, and the many voices across Bass Coast who contributed their ideas, aspirations and feedback. The drafts include: 📘 Community Vision 2045 📘 Council Plan 2025–2029 📘 Annual Action Plan 2025–2026 📘 Domestic Animal Management Plan 2025–2029 📘 Healthy, Safe and Resilient Bass Coast Plan 2025–2029 📘 Long Term Financial Plan 2025–2035 📘 Asset Plan 2025–2035 📘 Disability Action Plan 2025–2029 Behind the scenes, this moment represents months of hard work by staff across multiple teams, bringing together expertise, collaboration and commitment. Getting eight major draft plans to this stage is no small feat. 👏 A heartfelt thank you goes to #teambasscoast for bringing these plans to life and ensuring they’re now ready for community review and Council adoption in October. The community you serve would be proud. 👉 Explore the drafts and share your feedback at Engage Bass Coast: https://lnkd.in/g35ted-Y Greg Box, Jodi Kennedy, David Filmalter, Donna Taylor, Jade Glen, Joseph Kay, Sheridan Humberstone, Colette McMahon, Dani Slaughter, Nick Grant-Collins, Kathy Pompetti, Kiara Tonello, Daniel Fokkens, Simon Harris, Phillip Pritchard, Johanna Radford, Tess Angarane, Harriet Nunan, Anna Moore, Alice Anderson Lauren Grylls Elly (Eleni) Mousellis Nicola Glassey