Anthony Judd is CEO of Buloke Shire, which encompasses 10 small farming-based communities in Victoria’s Mallee region and includes popular waterways like renowned pink salt Lake Tyrell.

Our municipality has a slightly older population, which puts many of our residents in the more vulnerable category for COVID-19, even though we haven’t had any confirmed cases yet.

We learnt a lot from major floods in 2011. Some residents had to move to other communities, and families were separated which was a form of social isolation that had a huge impact on their lives, so we understand the heartache this causes. The community and council did great work back then but quite separately, so now we want to ensure we are all well aligned.

We’ve set up a Community Support Network Team involving council, town forum chairs and local neighbourhood houses, which meets weekly to share stories so communities can learn from each other. One initiative from that team was the #bulokebackyard social media campaign, where people were urged to stay home over Easter, but share photos of what they’re doing in their own backyard.

Neighbourhood houses have really stepped up, establishing a buddy system for older residents, where younger people can become personal shoppers and go to the supermarket for them. Children are being encouraged to write letters to nursing home residents to keep them connected.

We also have four staff phoning every business in our shire, so we understand the impact this is having on them and what support they need.

It’s a team effort.

Anthony Judd
Chief Executive Officer
Buloke Shire Council